357.78 .BS2 Columbia ^tnt bersttp mtbtCUptflfrtogork LIBRARY :' QM/&m^ ItomaitOn*a>iEaffltill£m.v T.^TaiiMTBisluT, ofTSistemTn HISTORY OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH^ The Act, however, of 1693, did not take effect till about the year 1702, nor was the provision made thereby, a sufficient maintenance for the ministers in country towns, so that without the help of the Venerable Propagation Society, a minister could not have been supported. In 1702, the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel jommenced its labors here. Of that noble and useful Institution, the )ldest Missionary Society in the Protestant world ; — since our country vas so largely indebted to its kind offices for the ministrations of the » Doc. Hist, of New York, Vol. iii, p. 245. b The Act of 1C93, was confirmed on tho 1 ltd of May, 1697, and again on the 4th f August, 1705. The latter was again ratified by Queen Aune, on the 11th of April, 70G. Laws of N. Y. from 1691 to 1773, inclusive, vol. i. p. 64. Ed. by Hugh Game. 2 xviii INTRODUCTION. Grospel, it maybe well to give a short account. (! The Act of Incorpora- tion was procured by Dr. Bray, and several others who felt a deep in- terest in the religious welfare of the colonies, through the agency of Archbishop Tenison, and Bishop Compton, from William the Third, it bears date June 16, 1701. "a Upon enquiry made into the state of tho colonies, at this time, they received from thence a more melancholy account than their fears could suggest: several relations setting forth, that the very Indian darkness was not more gloomy and horrid, than that in which some of the English inhabitants of the colonies lived. In 1702, Mr. Keith, reported to the Society " that in Long Island there are not many Qua- kers ; it is a great place, and has many inhabitants, English and Dutch, the Dutch are Calvanists and have some Calvanistical Congregations ; the English, some of them Independents, but many of them no religion but like wild Indians ; there is no Church of England in all of Long Island, nor in all that great Continent of New-York province, excepl at New-York Town." No sooner, it seems, were tidings received here that the Society foi the Propagation of the Gospel had been chartered, than the country towns of this Province, applied for assistance ; and we are told that th inhabitants of Westchester in particular, were very pressing for a minisi.l ter : that earnest memorials were sent from the inhabitants of Ned Rochclle. from those of Jamaica and Hempstead, towns on Long Island from Staten Island, and from Rye : that their desires were compliet with, and missionaries sent those places. In 1704, Mr. Bartow, and other missionaries informed the Venerabl Society, " that the Church of England under the administration of th late Lord Bellomont, and Capt. Nanfan, hath been grievously opposei and oppressed ; but since the auspicious arrival of the Eight Honorabl jhe Lord Cornbury, has been delivered from the violence of her en( mies, restored to her rights, greatly countenanced and encouraged, an lives under the just expectation of being more firmly established an< enlarged. But many of the Dutch Dissenters, and all of the Quaker! though differing from one another amongst themselves, yet agree in of i ■ a Rev. M. H. Hendersou's Centennial Discourse. INTRODUCTION. six posing with great zeal and malice, whatever tends to the honor and in terests of the Church." The following extracts formed a part of Lord Cornbury's instructions which were dated December 5th, 1702 : — " 60. You shall take especial care that God Almighty be devontly and duly served throughout your Government ; the Book of Common Prayer, as by law es- tablished, read each Sunday and Holyday, and the Blessed Sacrament administered according to the rites of the Church of England. You shall b3 careful that the churches already built there be well and orderly kept, and that more be built, as the Colony shall by God's blessing be improved ; and that, besides a competent mainte- nance to be assigned to the minister of each orthodox church, a convenient house be built at the common charge for each minister, and a competent proportion of laud as- signed him for a glebe and exercise of his industry. And you are to take care that the Parishes be so limited and settled, as you shall find most convenient for the ac- complishing this good work." ''61. You are not to prefer any Minister to any Ecclesiastical Bene.ice in thai our Province, without a certificate from the Right Reverend Fitherin God, the Bi- shop of London, of his being comformable to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England, and of a good life and conversation. And if any person preferred I already to a Benefice shall appear to you to give scandal, either by his doctrine or J, manners, you are to use the best means for the removal of him, and to supply the va- i(| cancy in such manner as we have directed." . " 62. You are to give order forthwith (if the same be not already done,) that every Orthodox Minister within your Government bo one of the Vestry in his respec- tive parish, and that no Vestry be held without him, except in case of sickness, or 'J that, after notice of a Vestry summoned, he omit to come." " 63. You are to enquire whether there be any Minister within your Government, who preaches aud administers the Sacrament in any Orthodox Church or Chapel without being in due orders, and to give an account thereof to the said Bishop of London." ¥ So well for the most part," says Mr. Hawkins," do the missionaries seem to have been selected, that Lord Cornbury, Governor of New- York, and a just upholder of the Church, within his jurisdiction, said, n a letter dated November 22nd, 1705: — 'For those places where ministers are settled, as New-York, Jamaica, Hempstead, Westchester, md Rye, I must do the gentlemen who are settled there the justice to ay, that they have behaved themselves with great zeal, exemplary )iety, and unwearied diligence in discharge of their duty, in their several >arishes.' " In like manner, Col. Heathcote, writing to the Secretary |)f the Society from New- York, on the 9th of November, 1705, says, — xx INTRODUCTION. " I must do all tlio gentlemen that justice, whom you have sent to the province, as to declare that a better clergy were never in any place, there being not one amongst them that has the least stain or blemish as to his life or conversation." 11 Another has well observed: — " I believe the Christian Church could never boast of better men, take them as a body, than the Society's Mis- sionaries to this country. They chose their profession from a pure love to religion and the cause of Christ, not from the love of money or the praise of men. They sought for no honor, but that which cometh alone from God, and an approving conscience. Like their beloved Masterj they were despised and rejected, and their religion was every where spoken against and vilified. As the Apostles were a spectacle to men and angels, so were these men, and if they suffered not as mar- tyrs, it was because the civil authority protected them." In regard to our early missionaries, says another : — '-The annals on earth of these devoted men are few and obscure, for they were workers, not talkers in their Lord's vineyard. Their record is in Heaven. Yet even in the little that does remain, we read a narrative not easily paral- leled, in at least two noble features of the Church's Missionary. First, in their patient, unflinching endurance ; the enthusiasm, not of sen- timent, but of duty ; taking hold on their mission, as men do on the daily work of life, heartily ; and this was the more to their honor, as they had little oversight, save God and their own consciences ; and secondly, their unbending maintenance of the Church's teachings in her faith, ministry, sacraments and catechism. This, again, has some- thing in it of the heroic strain, for they were surrounded and pressed by every temptation life could bring to the concealment or modification of unpopular doctrine. But although feeble, they were fearless men ; their only outcry was for a Bishop ' to visit all the churches,' they said, ' to ordain some, confirm others, and bless all.' Their only quar- rel was, that he came not, ' we have cried,' to use their own bitter words in writing home, ' till our hearts ache, and ye own 'tis the call a Hawkins? Not. of the Miss, of the Church of England, in the North Amer. Col. London, 1845. INTRODUCTION. xxi and cause of God, and yet ye Lave not heard, or have not answered, and that's all one.' " a In this call for a Bishop the laity co-operated with the clergy, for Colonel Morris writing to the Society, concerning the state of the Church in New York and the Jerseys, about the end of the year 1707, says : — " The want of a Bishop, and the exhorbitant power of the seve- ral Governors of the Plantations are great hindrances to the propa- gation of the Gospel." b Colonel Heathcote too, in a letter to the Secretary, from New York? Sept. 18 th, 1713, says: — "We have a report (but it wants confirma- tion) of a Bishop being appointed for these parts, and that we may very shortly expect him. I most beartly wish it might be true, nothing be- ing more wanted or can be of greater service to the Church." The call, however, for a Bishop was not unheard by the Society, but by the worldly policy, as blind as it was unchristian, of the State and Statesmen who overruled it, and who left it, for more than a hundred years, unaided and unsupported to individual exertion. The enemies of the Church at this time, to arrest her progress and prevent a Bishop's being sent, commenced a furious attack upon her worship and discipline. •' When the Episcopal controversy commenced," says the Rev. A. B. Chapin D. B., Ci the Congregationallsts of New England called them- selves Presbyterians, and insisted that the Presbyterian form of the ministry was an original divine institution of perpetual and binding ob- ligation, and from which it was schism to seperate. The first publica- tion in this country, which called the fact in question, so far as we know, was by a layman of Boston, (1723) for which he was indicted as a libel on the government. Prom this time the Episcopal controversy was carried on with great vigor for nearly twenty years (1723 to 1 739) by Dickinson, Foxcroft, Graham and Wigglesworth on the Presby- terian side, and by Johnson and Beach on the Episcopal side; and the evidence to be derived from Scripture, Antiquity and the Reforma- tion was pretty thoroughly scanned. The doctrine of Apostolical suc- 1 The Jubilee of 1851 in New York, p. 17-18. b 2N*ew York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 106. (Hawks.) xxii INTRODUCTION. cession, as a matter of fact, however, was not debated, as both parties held it, one deriving it through the line of Bishops, the other, through that of Presbyters. The effect of these discussions not arresting, as was hoped, the pro" gress of the Church, but evidently accelerating it, the assailants left the worship and discipline, and turned to the doctrines of the Church. A ten years controversy (1 /39 to 1749) followed, touching election, pre- destination, universal redemption, baptismal regeneration, and other kindred doctrines, of which Dickinson was the principal champion of the calvanistic opinions, and to which were opposed Johnson, Beach and Wetmore. This discussion, like the preceeding. adding numbers and strength to Episcopacy, was abandoned, and the old ground of the divine right of Presbyterianism re-asserted. During the next twenty years (1749 to 1768) the constitution, worship and discipline of the Church, were very thoroughly examined by Hobart, Chauncey and Wells on the Presbyterian side ; and Johnson, Beach, Wetmore, Caner and Leaming on the Episcopal side. A collateral discussion was also car- ried on, touching the right of the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts to send Episcopal missionaries into places where there were Presbyterian ministers, by Hobart and Mayhew against John son and Apthorp. Every one of these discussions increased the numbers, and strength- ened the hands of the Episcopal Church ; until there was some pros- pect of obtaining what they had long desired, a Bishop to reside among them. Such was the state of affairs when the Kevolutionary war broke out, and it was strongly suspected by many of the clergy that the eastern Provinces were not only aiming at independence, but at the subversion of the Church likewise. The indignities and cruelties which the poor missionaries suffered are thus detailed by Mr. Inglis, in a letter to the Secretary, dated October 1st, 1776 : — i: The clergy amidst this scene of tumult and disorder went on steadily with their duty; in their sermons confining themselves to the doctrines of the Grospel without touching on politics ; using their influence to allay our heats, and cherish a spirit of loyalty among the people. This conduct, however harmless, gave great offence to our flaming patriots, who laid it down as a maxim, ' that those who were not for them were against them.' The clergy were everywhere INTRODUCTION. xxiii threatened ; often reviled with the most opprobious language ; some- times threatened with brutal violence — some have been carried prison- ers by armed mobs into distant Provinces, where they were detained in close confinement for several weeks, and much insulted, without any crime being ever alledgcd against them ; some have been flung into jails by committees for frivolous suspicions of plots, of which even their per- secutors afterwards acquitted them ; some who were obliged to fly their own Provinces to save their lives, have been taken prisoners, sent back and are threatened to be tried for their lives because they fled from danger ; some have been pulled out of the reading desk because they prayed for the King, and that before Independency was declared ; others have been warned to appear at militia musters with their arms, have been fined for not appearing, and threatened with imprisonment for not paying their fines ; others have had their houses plundered, and their desks broken open, under pretence of their containing treasonable papers. I could fill a volume with such instances, and you may rely on the facts I have mentioned as indubitable, for I can name the persons, and have these particulars attested in the amplest manner. Were every instance of this kind faithfully collected, it is. probable that the sufferings of the American clergy would appear in many respects not inferior to those of the English clergy, in the great Rebellion of the last century ; and such a work would be no bad supplement to "Walker's sufferings of the clergy. " a a Xew York, MSS. from archives at Fulham. vol ii, 581. (Hawks.) / C01..C01A- N.\OJt'K. HISTORY PARISH AID CHURCH WESTCHESTER. This parish formerly included the four precincts of West- chester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and the Manor of Pelham, and was originally embraced in the Indian territory of " Weckquas- keck," which, on the 19th of April, 1640, was purchased from the native Sachems, by the Dutch West India Company. a In the year 1642, the first settlement of Westchester was com- menced by a Mr. John Throckmorton, b and thirty-five associates, who came from New England, with the approbation of the Dutch authorities. " It was in 1642 (says the historian of the New Netherlands) that Mr. Throckmorton, with a number of his friends, who had already been driven with Roger Williams from Massachusetts by the fiery Hugh Peters, procured permis- « Broadhead's History of the State of New York, First Period, 1G09, 1664, p. 296. k John Throckmorton emigrated from England to Nantaskett, Mass., 5th Feb., 1631, from whence he removed to Salem, and afterwards became an associate of Roger Williams in the settlement of Providence. R. I. 2 HISTORY OF THE PARISH sion to settle thirty-five families, some twelve miles east of the Manhattans, at a place called Westchester, but which the Dutch at this time named Vredcland, or Land of Peace, a meet ap- pellation for the spot selected as a place of refuge by those who were bruised and broken down by religious persecution." a In his petition to the Dutch authorities on the 2nd of October, 1642, Mr. Throckmorton solicits permission to settle down with- in the limits of the New Netherlands, "There to reside in peace, and enjoy the same privileges as Dutch subjects, and to be favored with the free exercise of religion/' But even here the persecuted Puritan was destined to find, like the dove of Noah's ark, no place on which to rest the sole of his foot, for it seems that several members of his family fell in the Indian massacre, which took place on the 6th of October, 1643. The next settlement in Vredeland, was begun upon or near the site of the present village of Westchester, in 1654, by a number of Puritans from Connecticut, who gave it the name it now bears, but the Dutch called it Oost-dorp, (East Town,) from its position east of the Manhattans. At this early period, public worship appears to have been reg- ularly established according to the Independent or Congrega- tional order. The Rev. John Megapolensis, in a letter to the Classis of Amsterdam, dated New Netherland, 5th of August, 1657, says: — "On the west side of the East river, about one mile through Hell-gate, (as we call it,) opposite Flushing, on the main, another English village has been begun over two years. It was named Oost-dorp. The inhabitants of this place are also Puritans, alias Independents. They also have no preacher. They hold Sunday meetings, reading from an English book a sermon, and making a prayer." b Of their mode of worship, the Dutch Commissioners, who visited Oost-dorp in 1656, give in the journal of their expedition, the following account : "31 Dec. After dinner, Cornelius Van Ruyven went to the house where they held their Sunday meet- ing, to see their mode of worship, as they had, as yet, no preach- » O'Callaghan's Hist, of the New Netherlands, vol. i. 258. b Doc. Hist, of N. Y. vol. iii. 107. AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 3 er. There I found a gathering of about fifteen men, and ten or twelve women. Mr. Baly said the prayer, after which one Robert Bassett read from a printed book a sermon, composed by an English clergyman in England. After the reading, Mr. Baly gave out another prayer and sang a psalm, and they all sepa- rated." a As "all ecclesiastical business, at this time, was conducted by the town, assembled in town meeting, and as a meeting of the town was a meeting of the congregation, which, after having disposed of matters secular, could attend to the business of the church ;" therefore the early history of religion is to be found principally in the town records. Under date of July 29th, 1674, twenty years after the settle- ment of the town, appears the name of the Rev. Ezekiel Fogge ; probably the first independent minister that officiated here. The following entries are taken from the town books : — " On the 11th of February, 1680, there was sprinkled with water, by Morgan Jones, (what they call baptizing) William Hunt, son of John Hunt, of Westchester ; witnesses present, Joseph Hunt and Bridget Waters." " Westchester, Oct. 7th, 1680. — Morgan Joanes married Isaac Dickerman, of this towne, to Bethia, the daughter of Henry Gardner. Recorded per me, Francis French, Clerk." At a town meeting, held in Westchester, April 2nd, 1684 : — It was resolved, " that the Justices and Vestrymen of Westches- er, Eastchester, and Yonckers, do accept of Mr. Warham Mather, as our minister, for one whole year, and that he shall have sixty pound, in country produce, at money price, for his » O'Callaghan's Hist, of N. Neth. vol. ii. 316. 4 HISTORY OF THE PARISH salary, and that he shall be paid every quarter. Done in be half of the Justices aforesaid. Signed by us." John Q,uimby, Joseph Hunt, John Bayley, John Burkbee. & At a lawful town meeting held in Westchester, by the free- holders and inhabitants, and residents of said place, the 2nd day of January, 1692, in order to consult, conclude, and agree, about procuring an orthodox minister in said town ; It is voted and agreed upon, "that there shall be an orthcdox minister in the town aforesaid, as soon as possible maybe, and to allow him forty or fifty pound per annum, equivalent to money, for his maintenance. It is also voted and agreed upon, that a man shall go to the Honorable Colonel Heathcote, and see if he can prevail with him for to procure us a minister, in his travels in New England, otherwise, that Captain William Barnes shall go and procure us a minister." 11 Upon the 21st of Sept. 1693, the Act of Assembly for settling a Ministry, was passed. By this Act, Westchester County was divided into two parishes, viz, Westchester and Rye. The pa- rish of Westchester included the towns or precincts of West- chester, Eastchester, ~Yonkers, and the Manor of Pelltam, and was required to raise £50 per annum for the support of the min- ister, and to elect on the 2nd Tuesday in January, ten vestry- men and two churchwardens. There was also to be called, in- ducted, and established, a good sufficient Protestant minister, to officiate and have the care of souls within one year next, and » Westchester records, commencing A. D., 1GG5, p. 42. On the 29th of May, 1G97, John Yeats of the city of N. Y., sold several tracts of land in Westchester, to Warham Mather, of Northampton, in the county of Hampshire, in his Maj. Prov. of Mass. Bay in America, (Student in Divinity,) now residing in the town o* Westchester, &c. Westchester Town Rec. Lib. v. 78. In 1703, Warham Mather, of New Haven, Student in Divinity, sold his lands in Westchester to Daniel Clark, Lib. vi. 30. b Town Rec. AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 5 after the publication hereof. In Westchester two, one to have the care of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and the Manor of Pelham, &c." a But so few persons were properly qualified at this time, to ac- cept the call of the vestry, that the act remained dormant in Westchester nearly two years. An attempt, however, was made by some of the vestry to have Mr. Warham Mather inducted, as appears by the following extract from the town records : — " At a meeting held in Westchester, the seventh of May, 1695, Present, Justice Barnes and Justice Hunt, Capt. William Barnes President of the trustees : — " Whereas, the freeholders and inhabitants of this town of Westchester and precincts, att this meeting have exprest their desires for the settling of Mr. Warham Mather amongst us as our minister for one whole year or longer ; — its therefore voated and agreed upon, that Mr. Justice Barnes and Mr. Justice [Junt and Mr. Edward Waters, churchwarden, with as many of the vestrymen as conveniently can be gott together, should agree with the said Mr. Warham Mather, and settle him with all ex- pedition. Entered — Edward Collier, Clerk." b Colonel Caleb Heathcote, a member of the Venerable Propa- gation Society, writing to the secretary thereof, in 1704, alludes to this agreement with Mather. " It was unanimously agreed on through the county, to make choice of readers, which they accordingly did, and continued in those methods some time after which the people of Westchester, Eastchester, and a place called the Lower Yonckers, agreed with one Warren Mather." ''After he (Mather) had been with them for some time, West- chester parish made choice of me for one of their churchwardens, in hopes of using my interest with Col. Fletcher to have Mather » Acts of Prov. Assembly, N. Y. from 1G91 to 1725. i> Westchester Town Rec. Lib. vi. 56. c Warham Mather was the son of Eleaz?r, and grandson of Richard Mather, who was born at Louton, in Lancashire, A. D. 1596. See Mather's Magnalia. 6 HISTORY OF THE PARISH inducted to that living. I told them it was altogether impossible for me to comply with their desire, it being wholly repugnant to the laws of England to compel the subject to pay for the main- tenance of any minister who was not of the national church, and that it lay not in any Governor's power to help them, but since they were so zealous for having religion and good order settled amongst them, I would propose a medium in that matter, which was, that there being at Boston a French Protestant minister, one Mr. Bondet.. a very good man, who was in orders by my Lord of London, and could preach both in English and French, and the people of New Rochelle baing destitute of a minister, we would call Mr. Bondet to the living, and the parish being large enough to maintain two, we would likewise continue Mr. Mather and support him by subscriptions. The vestry seemed to be ex- tremely well pleased with this proposal, and desired me to send for Mr. Bondet, which I immediately did, hoping by that means to bring them over to the church, but Mather apprehending what I aimed at, persuaded the vestry to alter their resolutions, and when he came they refused to call him." Colonel Heath- cote now finding that it was impossible to settle the church at Westchester, so long as Mather remained, determined in the next place to devise ways to get him out of the county, which he was not long in effecting. a The Rev. John Miller, descri- bing the Province of New York, in 1695, says: — "There is a meeting house at Westchester, and a young man coming to settle there, without orders. There are 200 or 300 English and Dis- senters ; few Dutch." b The old meeting house having fallen to decay, the following resolution was passed at a town meeting, held the 5th day of May, 1696: — (: It is voated and agreed upon that the meeting house shall be repaired forthwith, and that two men shall be chosen to see it done — Gabriel Legat, Josiah Hunt, is chosen to agree with a carpenter to repair the said meeting house, and to bring an account to the town of the cost and expence thereof a Such was the law at this period that if any unqualified person was presented to a living, he that presented him could not afterwards present another, on the ground that no person that has the presentation to a benefice can do it twice. b Description of the Prov. and City of N. Y. by Rev. John Miller. AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 7 whereby a rate may be made to defraye the charge ia so do- ing.' a On the 3rd day of May, 1697, at a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of the town and precincts of Westchester : — " It was voted and agreed upon, that there should be a Town House built, to keep courts in, and for the publick loorship of God" h Soon after this vote of the town, in the year 1699, an act of General Assembly was made to enable the respective towns with- in the whole province to build and repair their meeting houses, &c. c Whereupon the inhabitants of Westchester laid aside the prosecution of building the town house above, according to the said town vote, and took hold of the said act, by virtue whereof a new Parish Church was erected in 1700, and a rate laid and levied on all the inhabitants, without any distinction, towards defraying the expences. The following resolutions were passed at a meeting of the trustees, held on the 8th of June, 1700 :— " It is voted and agreed upon by the trustees aforesaid, that the rate shall be made up forthwith, and delivered to the constable, who shall have for collecting the same, six pence per pound : — '■ Whereas att a general meeting held in the Borough town of Westchester, by the freeholders and inhabitants of said town and precincts, on the 3rd day of May, 1097, it was voted and agreed upon that there should be a town hall built to keep courts in, and for the publick worship of God, &c, but it being then neglected, the Mayor and Aldermen, and Trustees at this meeting, did order with a joynt consent, to build a house for the uses aforesaid, and a prison. The dimensions of the house is to be twenty-six feet square, 1G feet joynts, a square roof, 6 win- dow cases 5 feet square, &c. The trustees agreed with Richard Ward to build said house for £33, and with Erasmus Orton to build the prison for £o, which work is to be done by the 31st of October, next." d The subjoined order relates to the cartage of timber and other material for the church, &c, " At a meeting held by the trustees the 14th of September, 1700, present, Josiah Hunt, Pres- * Westchester Town Rec. Liber, v. 59. b Westchester Town Rec. Liber, v. 141. " It had been previously voted and agreed upon that there should be a prison built with a town house upon it, accord- ing to the dimensions made by Col. Heathcote, Lib. v. p. 77. c Laws of N. Y. vol. I. chapter lxxxiii. 37. d Westchester Town Rec. Lib. v. 141. s HISTORY OF THE PARISH identj Edward Waters, Joseph Haviland, John Hunt, Joseph Bayley, John Ferris, senr., and Richard Panton. 'Tis voted and agreed upon that all that shall cart timber and stuff for the meeting house, shall have six shillings per diem ; and that Joseph Haviland and John Hunt shall agree with a carpenter for the timber work and the prison, as they shall see cause, &c Done in behalf of the Freeholders and Commonality of the to\vn." a At a subsequent meeting of the trustees, held on the 26th day of October, A.D. 1700, " it was resolved that Richard Ward shall build the meeting house twenty-eight feet square, with a terret on the top, for forty pounds." b In an address to the Venerable Propagation Society, the fol- lowing account is given of the building of this church : — "We, whose names are subscribed, do hereby certify that the church of Westchester was built by a rate laid, and levied on the in- habitants of the said town in proportion to their estates, in the year of our Lord, 1700 ; and that Mr. Morgan, a Presbyterian minister of Eastchester, did sometimes come to preach in it, un- til such time as Mr. Bartow came and took possession of it in the year 1702, since which time it has been supplied by him, &c."c This building stood on the site of the present church, upon 1 Westchester Town Rec. Lib. v. 145. fc Westchester Town Rec. Lib. v. 145. <= Hawks' New York M. S. S. from archives at Fulharn, vol. i. 463. AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 9 what was then styled the Town Green, a adjoining the old County Court-house b and jail. It was built of wood, quadran- gular in form, with a pyramidal roof and bell turret in the centre ; and was used for the worship of Almighty God until the year 1783, when it was removed, and the present edifice erected. It now stands near the church yard, on the property of Capt. Elnathan Hawkins, having been sold to Mrs. Sarah Ferris, the grand-mother of the late Mrs. Eliza Hawkins, by order of the vestry, in 1788. The following extract relates to the election of churchwardens and vestrymen for this parish, in pursuance of the Act of 1693. At a meeting held by the Parishioners of Westchester Divi- sion, in the borough and town of Westchester, pursuant to an act of General Assembly, entitled an "act for the settling a min- istry and raising of a maintenance for them," this second Tues- day of January, 1701-2 : — Present, Mr. Justice Barnes, Mr. Justice Baxter. Churchwardens chosen at said time, Col. Caleb Heathcote, Aldn. Josiah Hunt. Vestrymen chosen, Mr. John Pell, senr., for the Manor of Pelham, Mr. Joseph Drake, for Eastchester, Mr. Charles Vincent, for Yonkers. x On the 5th of June, 1696, the trustees granted unto the Mayor and Aldermen of the Borough, for the use of the Corporation, part of the Grcenin said town, to erect a market house and settle the market. Lib. v. 63. b The following extract is copied from the New York Post Boy, for Feb. 13, 1758: — " We hear from Westchester that on Saturday night, the 4th instant, the court house at that place was unfortunately burnt to the ground. We have not heard yet how it happened." e The Venerable Bede informs us, that in his time, the English Churches were square. Speaking of the building of St. Peter's Church, at York, in 627, by King Edwin, he says : — " Per quadrum coepit cedificare basilicam." Vide Bedoe Hist Eccles. Lib. ii. chap. 14. 10 HISTORY OF THE PARISH [ Mr. William Willett, Mr. Thomas Hunt, junr., of the West Farms, Mr. Joseph Haviland, For Westchester, \ Aldm. John Bayley, j Mr. Richard Ward, Mr. John Buckbe, Edward Collier. Entered by order, Edward Collier, Recorder. 1 I In the year 1702, came from England, the REV'D. JOHN BARTOW, A.M. who was the first rector of this parish, elected by the vestry under the Act of 1693. He was son of Thomas Bartow, de- scended from the Bertaut's of Brittany in France, b and was born at Crediton, in Devonshire, A. D. 1673. At an early age he was instructed by one Mr. Gregory, entered Christ College, Cambridge, Jan. 31st, 1689, where he was admitted a sizer under the tuition of Mr. Lovett, and graduated in 1692. c Enter- ing the ministry, he was inducted to the vicarage of Pampsford, in Cambridgeshire, May the 28th, 1698, and removed to America by leave of the Right Rev. Simon Patrick, the then Lord Bishop of Ely. THE BISHOP OF LONDON'S ADMISSION OF MR. BAR- TOW TO THE MINISTERIAL FUNCTION IN THE PROVINCE OF NEW YORK. " HENR.Y: by divine permission, Lord Bishop of London, to all whom these presents, shall or may concern, health in our Lord God everlasting. Whereas, by * Westchester Town Rec. Lib. v. 145. b The arms of the Bertautes or Bertaudes, en Bretagne, Du Hertray, Du Ha- mel, Du Pointpierre, de la Poissonniere, were : — d'or a la bandede sable, chargee de trois besants d'argent accompagne de six annelets de geules, suis en orle. c Matriculation books of Christ College, Cambridge. AND CnURCn OF WESTCHESTER. 11 virtue of an act of Parliament, made in ye: first year of ye : Reign of our Sovereign Lord and Lady, King William and Queen Mary, entitled, an act for ye : abrogation of ye oaths of supremity and allegiance, and appointing other oaths, it is provided and enacted, that every person, at his, or their respective admission to be incum- bent in any ecclesiastical promotion or dignity in ye Church of England, shall subscribe and declare before his ordinary, in manner and form as in ye : said act as contained ; now know ye, that on ye : day of ye : dale hereof did personally appear before us, John Bartow, Clerk, to be admitted to ye : Ministerial Function in ye : Province of New York, in America, and subscribed as followeth, as by ye: said act is required, I, John Bartow, Clerk, do declare, that I will conforme to ye : Liturgy of the Church of England, as it is now by law established. In witness whereof, we have caused our seal manual to be affixed to these presents. Dated, the twenty-second day of the month of June, in ye: year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and two, and in ye twenty-seaventh year of our transla- tion. 1 '" MR. BARTOW'S LICENSE FROM THE BISHOP OF LONDON TO OFFICIATE IN THE PROVINCE OF NEW YORK. " Henricus, permissione divina, Londonensis episcopus, dilecto nobis in Christo Johanni Bartow, clerico, salutem et gratiam, ad peragendum officium ministe- riale intra provinciam de Novo Eboraco, in America, in precibus communibus aliisque ministeriis ecclesiasticis ad olficium ministeriale pertinentibus juxta formam deseriptam in libro publicarum precum, auctoritate parliamenti hujus inclyti regni anglias ,in ea parte edita, et provisa, et canones, et constitutionis, in ea parte legitime stabilitas, et publicatas, et non aliter. neque alio modo ; tibi de cujus fidelitate morum integritateliterarum seientiasummadoctrina etdiligentia plurimum confidemus, (proestituta penitus parte juramus totam de aguoscendo regiam supremam majestatam, juxta vim formam et effectum statuti parliamenti dicti regni anglioe, in ea parte editi et provisi. quamde canonica obedientia nobis et successoribus nostris in omnibus recitis et honestis per te prastanda et exhi- benda subscriptisque pertinentibus illis articulis mentionatis in tricesimo sexto capitulo libri constitutorum, sive canonum ecclesiasticorum, anno Domini, 1604, regia auctoritate editorum et promulgatorum licentiam facultatum nostram con- cedimus et impertamur per precedentes, ad nostrum beneplacitum dum tanat duraturas, in cujus rei testimonium sigillam nostram, (quam in similibus ple- rumque utimur,) prtesentibus apponi fecimus dat vicesimo secundo die mensis Junii, anno Domini millesimo septengentesimo, secundo nostra translatione vi- cesimo septimo." b * Surrogate's Office, N. Y. Rec. of Wills, vol. v. p. 79. b Surrogate's office N. Y. Lib. vi. 12 HISTORY OF THE PARISH The following documents relate to his induction. MANDATE FROM GOVERNOUR CORNBURY TO IN- DUCT MR. JOHN BARTOW INTO THE RECTORY OF WESTCHESTER. "Edwardus illustrissim Vice comes Cornbury Provincial Novi Eboraciin Ame- rica Strategus et Imperator et ejusdem ; Vice-Thalassiarcha, &c. Universis et Singulis Rectorib Vicar : Capellanis: Curat: Clericis et Minis- tris quibuscumq in et per totam prcedict provinciam ubilibet constitutis ac etiam Honorab Caleb Heathcote armig et Josia Hunt Eccsia Paroch'lis de Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers et Man de Pellham, in dicta Provincia in pro hoc tempore Adilibus, Salutem. Cum Dilectum in Christo Johnem Bartow clericum adRectoriam sive Ecclam Proalem Prcedict de "Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers et Man de Pellham in America jam vacantem prcesentatu Rectorem ejusdem Rectories Sive Eccloe pro- alis in et de eadem institus vobis conjunctim et divisim comitto et fermiter in- jungendo mando, quatenus eundem Johrum Bartow clericum sive procurat suum le°itlm ejus nomine et pro se in realem actualem et corporalem possessionem ipsius Rectorioe sive Ecclce proalis de Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers et Man de Pellham proeiict. Glebarum, Jureumq et pertinentiu suor universor confera- tis inducatis inducive faciatis : et defendatis inductum, et quid in premissis fece- ritis me aut alium Judicem in hac parte competentum quemcunq debite (cum ad id con°rue fueritis requisiti) certificetis seu sic certified ille vestrum qui proesens hoc mandatum fuerit executus. Dat sub sigillo progat diet Provincioe decimo nono die Novembris ano salutis millesimo septengentessimo secundo." CORNBURY. CERTIFICATE OF MR. BARTOW'S INDUCTION INTO THE PARISH CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER, "I did, in October last," (observes Colonel Heathcote,) "give my Lord of London my reasons for the necessity of his being settled at Westchester, the people in that place having been the first in this county who desired a minister of the church, &c." c To this Mr. Bartow alludes in his first letter to the society. MR. BARTOW TO MR. WHITFIELD OR MR. SHUTE. Westchester, in New- York Province, ith Nov. 1 702. Sir : "My Lord Cornbury is pleased to fix my abode at Westchester, at the request of the vestry, and I suppose I shall enjoy the fifty pound per annum, which is settled upon the ministry by act of assembly, though there has been great endeavours made this ses- sion to annul that act, but we are safe as long as my Lord Corn- bury is Governor. There is also fifty pounds settled upon the * Surrogate's office, N. Y. Rec. of Wills, vol. v. p. 79, 80. '' Hawks' New York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham. • See Col. Heathcote's letter, April 10, 1704. 14 HISTORY OF THE PARISH ministry at Rye, sixty pounds at Jamaica, sixty pounds at Hemp- stead, and forty pounds per annum at Richmond: all which places I hope the Reverend and Honorable Society will take some speedy care to supply with ministers of the Church of England. The hundred acres of glebe my Lord of London ob- tained of her Majesty for Westchester, is all a wilderness, there never was any house upon it, nor any part of it cultivated ; the meanest laborer here has three shillings per diem wages, so that it will be a vast charge to make it habitable ; what I can bestow upon it in my time I will, but I cannot expect the assistance of the Society, there being such pressing occasions for ministers. As I had not time to furnish myself with books in England. I hope the society will bestow some upon me, or I beg you would be so kind as to send me these following, and let the booksellers be paid out of my allowance ; and you will ever oblige, Worthy Sir, Your most humble and devoted servant," John Bartow. "1702. P. S. I have been at great expenses, but I do not grudge it in the service of that God who I trust will bless me in my endeavours. We have a small house built here for public worship, of boards, but there is neither desk, pulpit, nor bell in it. The inhabitants indeed live all upon their own, but are generally poor ; my best friend is the gentleman my Lord of London, recommended me unto, Col. Graham, who is a very worthy and ingenuous Gentleman, and a' great lover of the Church. I have neither Church Bible nor Common Prayer Book, which I hope the society will send me, unto whom I de- sire you would give my humble duty. Mr. Keith, Mr. Ennis, Mr. Vesey, Mr. Mott, Mr. Talbot, and myself, met last week at York, to contrive the most proper me- thods of settling the church, at the request of the worthy Col. Nicholson, who gave £25 towards bearing our charges, an ac- count of which you will have." a Hawks' New York M. S. S. from archives at Fnlham, vol. i. 10, 11. AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 15 The following letter from Mr. Bartow to the Secretary of the Venerable Society, was probably written in 1702, or the year after, although 1 have given the date as it is in the manuscript from which it was copied : MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY. Westchester, New- York, 1st Dec, 1707. Sir: "After a voyage of eleven weeks, we arrived at New-York, Sept. 29th, 1702, where we found a very mournful town, there dying near twenty persons daily for some months. a I lodged one night in the town, and next day went to Col. Graham's, in Westchester, and lodged also one night, and the next day some of the town of Westchester came for me, and desired me to go along with them and give them a sermon the next Sabbath day, b which I readily consented to do, it being in my way to Rye, to which I was designed. Col. Heathcote and some of the chief inhabitants being at church, the latter, with his approba- tion, invited me to stay amongst them ; in regard, it was the County Town, and reasonably ought to be supplyed first, which I referred to the determination of my Lord Cornbury ; my goods being on board still, (as I remember.) On Monday 1 returned to York, and Mr. Vesey engaged me to preach for him on an appointed fast, that week, after which I returned to Westches- ter, and preached either there or at York every Sunday, until my Lord Cornbury returned from Albany, when, with some of Westchester, who were very desirous I should stay with them, I went to Jamaica to wait on his Lordship, (who went there by reason of the sickness at New- York,) to deliver him my creden- tials and receive his commands, which were to continue in Westchester, to which place 1 was soon after called by the ves- ■ This is supposed to have been the yellow fever, although it was not so called in 1702. It was brought from St. Thomas's, and proved very fatal in New York. b This was on the 3rd of Oct., 1702. 16 HISTORY OP THE PARISH try, and received instruments of induction from his Lordship; but the troubles that soon followed to separate Eastchester and New Rochelle from belonging to Westchester (of which I have given you an account) were not inconsiderable." " Westchester was not wholly free from the mortal distemper at New- York, and such as were sick I visited, and baptized one man, (aged forty years) a few hours before he died, who seemed thankful that he had at last such a blessed opportunity after so long neglect. The first half year being winter, I lodged at a public house, preaching once every Sunday, and upon occasion, visiting the sick. After winter was over, I lived at Col. Gra- ham's, six miles from the church, and all the summer preach't twice every Sunday, sometimes at Westchester and sometimes at Jamaica, on Long Island, about two miles distant from Mr. Graham's, at my own charge, nor have I had any board given me since I came, and once I met with great disturbance at Jamaica. Mr. Hobbart, their Presbyterian minister, having been for some time at Boston, returned to Jamaica the Saturday night as I came to it, and sent to me at my lodgings (being then in company with our Chief Justice, Mr. Mumpesson, and Mr- Carter, her Majesty's comptroller,) to know if I intended to preach on the morrow ; I sent him answer I did intend it. The next morning the bell rung as usual, but before the last time ringing, Mr. Hobbart was got into the church, and had began his service, of which notice was given me, whereupon I went into the church, and walked straight way to the pew, expecting Mr. Hobbart would desist, being, he knew, I had orders from the Governor to officiate there, but he persisted, and I forbore to make any interruption. In the afternoon I prevented him, be- ginning the service of the Church of England before he came; who was so surprised, when after he came to the church door and saw me performing divine service, that he suddenly started back, and went aside to an orchard hard by, and sent in some to give the word that Mr. Hobbart would preach under a tree. Then I perceived a whispering through the church, and an uneasiness of many people, some going out, some seemed amazed, not yet determined to go or stay ; in the meantime, some that were gone out returned again for their seats, and then we AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 17 had a shameful disturbance, hawling and tugging of seats, shoving one the other off, carrying them out and returning again for mere : so that I was fain to leave off till the disturbance was over, and a separation made, by which time I had lost about half of the congregation, the rest remaining devout and attentive the whole time of service ; after which we lock't the church door, and committed the key into the hands of the sheriff. We were no sooner got into an adjoining house, but some persons came to demand the key of their meeting house, which being denyed, they went and broke the glass window, and put a boy in to open the door, and so put in their seats and took away the pew cushion, saying they would keep that, however, for their own minister ; the scolding and wrangling that ensued are by me ineffable. The next time I saw my Lord Cornbury, he thanked me, and said he would do the church and me justice : accordingly, he summoned Mr. Hobbart and the head of the faction before him, and forbade Mr. Hobbart ever more to preach in that church ; for, in regard, it was built by a publick tax. it did appertain to the established church, (which it has quietly remained ever since, and is now in possession of our Rev. Brother, Mr. Urquhart.) My Lord Cornbury threatened them all with the penalty of the statute, for disturbing divine service ; but upon their submission and promise of future quietness and peace, he pardoned the offence. Not long after this, my Lord requested me to go and preach at Eastchester ; accordingly, I went, (though some there had given out threatening words should I dare to come,) but though I was there very early, and the people had notice of my coming, their Presbyterian minister, Mr. Morgan,, had begun service in the meeting-house, to which I went straight way and continued the whole time of service without interrup- tion, and in the afternoon 1 was permitted to perform the Church of England service ; Mr. Morgan being present, and neither he nor the people seemed to be dissatisfied, and after some time of preaching there afterwards, they desired me to come oftener ; and I concluded to minister there once a month, which now I have done for about three years, and Mr. Morgan is retired into New England. The winter drawing on, and finding it too hard for me to ride from Mr. Graham's to attend on my ministry 2 18 HISTORY OF THE PARISH on all occasions, I returned to Westchester, and there being no very suitable place for me to board at, I hired a house for half a year, where I lived alone, and had my victuals dressed at a neighboring house ; and at the end of half a year, being not per- mitted to renew my lease, I bought a house of my own, and five acres of land, at £100, where (I bless God) I have inhabited ever since in the conscientious discharge of my duty, hardly ever missing to officiate on the Lord's Day in my parish, and there have discharged that duty either in the Jerseys, at Rye, or at some other place, excepting thrice by reason of sickness, and twice for coldness and foulness of the weather, wanting a con- gregation ; always preaching twice a day in the summer, and once in the winter. I have been always ready to visit the sick when sent for, and before frequently, if I knew of it, not refusing in the time of very mortal diseases, which we have frequently had since I came here, few houses escaping either sickness or death, being by night and by day, frequently riding more than ten miles a day, I may say twenty. I have administered the sacrament of Baptism to a great number of people, young and old, and the sacrament of the Lord's Supper publickly, three times a year at the three usual feasts, Christ mass, Easter, and Whit- sunday ; to partake of which, I must confess, I have a few, gen- erally about twelve communicants, but have administered it to many on their sick and dying beds, who never received it be- fore. I take care to catechise the children in the church ; and to make amends for an omission of that duty at any time, I allow a schoolmaster twenty shillings per annum to encourage him to instruct the children in the church catechism. I can't repeat^to you the many janglings and contentions I have had with Quakers and Dissenters ; nay, I may say with Atheists and Deists, but beg you will believe the whole course of our ministry has been very onerous and difficult; and if I have failed in any part of my duty, (as it seems you are informed,) let me know it in your next, that I may amend. Perhaps there is more my duty than I know of, especially if a minister may not be allowed judgment of discretion in things that do not re- spect canonical obedience, but be obliged to please singular fancies and humours repugnant to general reason and usage. AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 19 T must also tell you that our church is wainscotted, and in a short rime will be ceiled over head, and more decently seated, and the communion table enclosed with rails and bannisters ; and am very sorry for that great loss we have had at sea of church ornament, not knowing how it may be repaired but by the same gracious donors. Since my last I have received some old arrears, and hope to have my salary here better paid : when we are well settled, we may inform the remiss that they must pay their dues. I have obtained of the town of Westchester (on a time when it lay in my way to do them service with the Governor) a grant of twenty acres of glebe, and three acres of meadow within half a mile of the church ; which, in time, will be a convenient residence for a minister, and also a small share in some undivided land, which will be to the quantity of about thirty acres more, but about about four miles distant. I shall only add my humble thanks and duty to the society, and that I remain, &c, &c. John Bartow.'' 11 Colonel James Graham, to whom Mr. Bartow alludes in the above letter, was a native of Scotland, and a near relation of James Graham, Marquis of Montrose. b In 1691 he was returned as one of the four members of the Provincial Assembly for the City and County of New York, and in 1699 was chosen speaker of that body. He was the author of the law for the maintenance ■ Hawks' New York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 171 to 175. b " The ancient and powerful family of Graham," says Sir "Walter Scott, in the Lady of the Lake, "held extensive possessions in the counties of Dumbarton and Stirling. Few families can boast of more historical renown, having claim to three of the most remarkable characters in the Scottish annals; Sir John Graeme, the faithful and undaunted partaker of the labours and patriotic warfare of Wal- lace, fell in the unfortunate field of Falkirk, in 1298. The celebrated Marquess of Montrose, in whom De Retz saw realized his abstract ideas of the heroes of antiquity, was the second of these worthies; and notwithstanding the severity ol his temper, and the vigour with which he executed the oppressive mandates of the Punics, whom he served. I do not hesitate to name, as the third, John Graham, of Claverhouse, Viscount of Dundee, whose heroic death, in the arms of victory, may be allowed to cancel the memory of his cruelty to the non-conformists, during the reigns of Charles II. and James II." 20 HISTORY OF THE PARISH of the clergy, and settlement of the church in 1693. He was also Recorder of the city of New-York from 1693 to 1700, and subsequently received the appointment of Attorney General of the Province. He was elected senior warden of this parish in 1703, and for a time was one of its principal supporters. His residence stood on the spot occupied by the farm house of Wil- liam H. Leggett, Esq., of West Farms. He died in 1767, and left several children. Augustine was Surveyor General of the Prov- ince, and Isabella married the Hon. Lewis Morris, of Morrisania. a In the vestry book of this parish occurs the following election for Church officers, about three months after Mr. Bartow's arri- val: — " Att a meeting held in the Borrough town of Westchester, by the parishoners of said parish, pursuant to an Act of General Assembly, entitled an act for the settling a Ministry and raising a maintainance for them, and Mr. John Bartow being settled minister of said parish, and his maintainance ought to be taken care for, do voluntaryly make choice of the Vestry & Church Wardens this 12th day of January, in the first year of the Queens Majesties Raigne 1702-3, as followeth : — Present. Mr. Justice Pell, Mr. Justice John Hunt, Mr. Justice Willett, Mr. Justice Graham, Mr. Justice Josiah Hunt, Mr. Justice Bayiey. CJi urclavardens. Lieutenant Col. Graham, Justice Josiah Hunt. Vestrymen. Thomas Baxter, sen., Joseph Haviland, Joseph Drake, Thomas Pell, John Archer, Miles Oakley, John Buckbee, Daniel Clark, Thomas Hunt, sen., of West Farms, Peter le Roy. Edward Collier, clerk. Erasmus Allen, Messenger. 1 * * Surrogates Office, New- York, Lib. xxvi 13. b Westchester vestry book. AND CHURCH OP WESTCHESTER. 21 At a meeting of the vestry, " held this 3rd day of June, 1703, by reason of the County courte, this day its agreed upon by ye Justices and Vestry that they will meet at 12 o'clock on the 5th day of this instant month, in order to regulate matters concern- ing the parish and the maintenance of the minister." 3 - " Att a meeting held by the Justices & Vestrymen of West- chester, Eastchester, Yonkers & the manor of Pelham, being in one parish or division this 5th of June, 1703 : — A Presejit. Mr. Justice Pell, Mr. Justice Drake, Mr. Justice Pinkney, Mr. Justice Bayley, Mr. Justice Hunt. Vestry. Mr. Joseph Drake, Mr. Joseph Haviland, Mr. Miles Oakley, Mr. John Archer, Mr. Daniel Clark, Mr. John Buckbee, Mr. Thomas Hunt, Jr. "It is agreed upon by the said Justices & Vestrymen, that there shall be raised fifty-five pounds for the Ministers maintenance &, poor of the parish. The Quotas for each place is as followeth: — Westchester, £27 18 Morris Anna, 3 7 Eastchester, 7 13 Pelham. 1 13 Rochelle, 7 3 Yonkers, 7 6 £55 To be paid unto the Churchwardens att or before the 15th of December next ensuing. Edward Collier, Glerk." b * Westchester vestry book. *> Ibid. 22 HISTORY OF THE PARISH The next letter from Mr. Bartow to the Secretary bears date, Westchester, in the Province of New- York, in America, May 25th, 1703. Sir : " My Lord Cornbnry is very kind in countenancing the settle- ment of the Church of England, and to preserve that mainte- nance which has been provided by act of Assembly for orthodox ministers, altho' there have been great endeavours to annull that act since they saw the church pouring in upon them, which en- deavours have been chiefly showed, in my parish of Westchester, as follows : the act of assembly doth unite Westchester, East Chester, Yonkers, and the manor of Pelham, into one parish, who are obliged to contribute the sum of £50 per annum for the maintenance of an orthodox minister. Now Eastchester, having an independent minister, endeavours at my coming, to make themselves a distinct parish, and used many means to prevent and disturb my settlement at Westches- ter, but all there attempts were frustrated by my Lord Cornbury ; and now they begin to come into better temper, many of them having left their minister arejoyned with us: nay, the minister himself talks of coming to England for Episcopal orders. Another obstruction has been in the manor of Pelham, the inhabitants of which are French Protestants, who have Mr. Bon- dett for their minister ; a gent in Episcopal orders, (but not using the liturgy of the Church of England) and therefore they have the greater plea to sue for an exemption ; but the Quota, West- chester intends to lay annually upon them (viz. £5) is so incon- siderable, and the people many and wealthy, that my Lord Corn- bury would not hear of any alteration, and my Lord has pre- vailed with Mr. Bondett to cease from any further endeavours. That land which my Lord of London obtained of her Majestie for the Church at Westchester, is now claimed by an heir; the case in short is thus : — John Richardson, of the parish of Westchester, married his daughter Mary to Joseph Hadley ; the said John Richardson some time after, in his sickness whereof he died, makes a will and bequeaths to his said daughter Mary, one hundred acres of AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 23 land. The said daughter dyes also soon after her father, but left issue by the said Joseph Hadley, her husband. After her death, she dying without a will, Joseph Hadley, the husband of the deceased, sells this land to Thomas Williams ; and the said Thomas Williams dyes in the possession of the said land intes- tate, and without heirs, and by that means, the land, by the judge and the jury, was determined to be escheated to the crown. But now George Hadley, the son and heir of the said Jos. Had- ley, which he begot of the said Mary, the daughter of John Rich- ardson, puts in his claim for this land as his mother's heir, al- ledging that his Father could not dispose of his mother's inher- itance, (altho' it was not settled upon her by deed of jointure, nor yet bequeathed to her and her heirs,) and the heir who was also his father's exectr. & admtr., has (as I am informed) received part of the said purchase money of the said Williams. I hum- bly beg you would lay this matter before the Society, that they may assist us with timely advice yt ye Church may not loose any of her rights. I have been at great charges since I left England, but doubt not God will provide things necessary for my subsistence ; my earnest desire is to answer the glorious ends of my mission, and my greatest circumspection is to be- have myself so as becometh one employed by so many great and good men : that I may never give a reason to reflect ; I have been upon duty ever since I came out of England, but as for the proportion and commencement of my salary, I thankfully submit it to the pleasure of the Society, for whose health and prosperity I shall ever pray, who am worthy sir, a Your most humble, and obliged servant, John Bartow." The subjoined letter from Colonel Heathcote to the Secretary will serve to throw additional light upon the early history of this parish. ■ Hawks' New York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 18, 19, 20. In 1704 Mr. Bartow received from the Society £50 per annum, and a benevolence of £30. See first report of Ven. Prop. Soc. issued in 1701. 24 HISTORY OF THE PARISH COLONEL HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY. Manor of Scarsdale, New- York, 10 th April, 1704. Sir: " Mr. Bartow showed me the copy of a letter (the original as he told me, being sent to my Lord Cornbury) wherein you acquaint him that the Society were displeased for his settling at West- chester, being by my Lord of London, sent for Rye, and that he should get a line or two either from my Lord Cornbury, or at least from me, to satisfy him in that matter. I did in October last, give my Lord of London my reasons for the necessity of his being settled at Westchester, the people in that place having been the first in this county who desired a minister of the church ; and being disappointed, might have been of ill consequence, for no sooner was Mr. Bartow arrived, but ye vestry immediately came to me and gave me no rest untill I consented to use my interest with my Lord Cornbury to have him inducted there, and the inhabitants of Rye, supposing Westchester was first to be supply'd, were easy in that matter, there being on one hand, no fear of disobliging the people of Rye, and on the other, great dan- ger of hurting the interest of the church at Westchester ; I de- sired my Lord Cornbury to induct him there, and what I did therein being intended for the best, I beg that the society would not take amiss. Sir, being fa vor'd with this opportunity, 1 can- not omitt giving you the state of this county in relation to the church, and shall begin the history thereof from the time I first came amongst them, which was about twelve years ago, when I found it the most rude and heathenish county I ever saw in my whole life, which called themselves christians, there being not so much as the least marks or footsteps of religion of any sort. Sundays being the only time sett apart by them for all manner of vain sports and lewd diversions, and they were grown to such a degree of rudeness, that it was intolerable ; and having then the command of the militia, I sent an order to all the captains, requiring them to call their men under arms, and to acquaint them that in case they would not, in every town, agree amongst themselves to appoint readers, and pass the sabbath in the best manner they could, till such times as they could be better provi- AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 25 ded : that they should every sunday call their companies under arms, and spend the day in exercise, whereupon it was unani- mously agreed on thro' the county, to make choice of readers, which they accordingly did, and continued in those methods sometime. After which the people of Westchester. Eastchester, and a place called Lower Yonkers, agreed with one Warren Mather, and the people of Rye, with one Mr. Woodbridge, both of New England, there being at that time scarce six in the whole county who so much as inclined to ye church. After Mr. Mather had been with them for some time, Westchester Parish made choice of me for one of their churchwardens, in hopes of using my interest with Colonel Fletcher to have Mather inducted to ye living. I told them it was altogether impossible for me to com- ply with their desire, it being wholly repugnant to the laws of England to compell the subject to pay* for the maintenance of any minister who was not of the national church, and that it lay not in any Governor's power to help them, but since they were so zealous for having religion and good order settled amongst them, I would propose a medium in that mat- ter ; which was, that their being at Boston a French Protestant minister, one Mr. Bondett, a very good man, who was in orders by my Lord of London, and could preach both in English and French ; and the people of New Rochelle being destitute of a minister, we would call Mr. Bondett to the living, and the parish being large enough to maintain two, we would likewise con- tinue Mr. Mather, and support him by subscriptions. The ves- try seemed to be extremely well pleased with this proposal, and desired me to send for Mr. Bondett, which I immediately did, hoping by that means to bring them over to the church ; but Mather, apprehending what I aimed at, persuaded the vestry to alter their resolutions, and when he came, they refused to call him ; so that projection failing, and finding that it was impos- sible to make any progress towards settling the church, so long as Mather continued amongst us : I made it my business, in the next place, to devise ways to get him out of the county, which I was not long in contriving, which being effected, and having gained some few proselytes in every town, and those who were of the best esteem amongst them, and being assisted by Mr. 26 HISTORY OF THE PARISH Vesey and Mr. Bondett, who very often preached in several parts of the county, baptizing their children. By these easy me- thods, the people were soon wrought into a good opinion of the church, and indeed, much beyond my expectation ; and the truth is, nothing is so agreeable to my natural temper, nor do I like any way in making converts so well, as by soft and easy means, in convincing men's minds, and satisfying them in all their foolish notions against the best of churches ; for as those are not only most agreeable to religion, so they likewise do the work most effectually; for when anything of that nature is car- ried on with heat, loose and irreligious men immediately own the faith, and turn violent persecutors ; being overjoyed of any opportunity to gratify their natural temper, and by the rigour of their proceedings, as well as their vicious lives, not only bring a scandal upon the church, but prevent its growth, for all men who have any sense of virtue or honour, and might be a means of their conversion to bring over many more, abhor to be direct- ed by such guides ; and indeed to do a work of this nature effec- tually, it ought to managed with a more than ordinary care, and those on whom the conversion is to be wrought, in their infancy must be dealt with as much tenderness as children, for before they are well fixed and rooted, the denying them a rattle or some indifferent trifle, very often makes them start, but much more so when anything very material and reasonable in itself is with- held them. A mischief of this nature had like to have attended in this county for Westchester parish, which contains about six- teen miles in length, wherein there are three towns, in each of which there is a small church (viz.) Westchester, Eastchester, and New Rochelle, besides a place called Lower Yonkers, and it being impossible that my one minister could take due care of all those places, and then consequently very hard that any peo- ple should pay to a minister, it was morally impossible for them to have any benefit from ; and Rye Parish being under the like misfortune : I brought the towns in both parishes, except West- chester, to this result ; that they should petition the Governors Council and Assembly, that instead of two ministers of the church, there should be three appointed for the county, and that AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 27 they should live at the most convenient places for the seivice of the whole county, dividing the bread of life so equally, that every town might have their fair and equal proportion ; and when, with a great deal of pains, I had brought this matter to pass, and even whilst I was hugging myself with a satisfaction of having finished my task in this county, to my wonderful sur- prise, I met with a violent opposition from six or eight warm men of Westchester ; this storm, by degrees, run to that height that we were obliged to decline the matter ; however, with the blessing of God, nothing shall discourage me, for I neither have nor shall be wanting- in my best endeavours to preserve this peo- ple in a temper to receive the church among them ; and was I worthy to give my advice in these matters, it should be that every minister who is sent over by the society should be required to send a list of all the inhabitants of their parish, with the towns and places of their abode, dividing the list of each town and place into three distinct parts ; in the first, who are the commu- nicants ; in the second, those who come to hear them, but do not communicate; and in the third, which are Quakers and others, who are Dissenters, and that they should be strictly di rected constantly to visit ye Quakers and those who dissent from the church, and use their best endeavours to persuade those who are reconciled to the church and regular in their lives, and do not communicate to receive the sacrament, and to give the society an exact account every six months, at least, what pro- gress they make therein ; and further, they should be ordered not to fail preaching in every town within their respective par- ishes, according to the proportion of the inhabitants; by this means the society will have a true account of the growth of the church, and what service is done by those they send over, and the bread of life will be equally dealt among the people ; and in case the ministers find that their duty is too hard, that they jointly solicit the government that this county might be divided into three parishes, for one of which there cannot be a better man than Mr. Bondett, whom I mentioned in the former part of my letter, whose character I have already very often and fully given to my Lord of London, and will be altogether needless to 28 HISTORY OF THE PARISH insert here. We have in this county six small towns, viz. West- chester, Eastchester, New Rochelle, Mamaroneck, Rye and Bed- ford, besides a place called Lower Yonkers, containing about twenty families, and another the Manor of Philipsburgh, about forty families. Now, were those three ministers appointed for the county, viz. one at Westchester, which is the westermost part of the county, another at Rye, which is the eastermost, and another at New Rochelle, which is pretty near the centre ; those dividing their duty fairly and equally, the whole county might be taken care of, and the ministers not over-burthened. Upon my word, sir, it gives me a great deal of concern, when I con- sider what pains and charge, the society have been and are at, to propagate the Gospel in these parts of the world, and that a gent (I mean Mr. Bartow, who is a very good man,) should be sent over on that errand to this county, which consists of about four hundred families, of which not above forty or fifty have any benefit of him ; and should the minister of Rye serve us in like manner, not above one-third of the county would be better for all the cost and labor bestowed upon us, and notwithstanding the arguments which are used by the men of heat, that the congregation ought to follow the minister, and not he the people ; it will be time enough to preach up that doctrine twelve or fif- teen years hence, when perhaps the county won't only be much more willing, but more able to maintain six ministers than they can three now, besides those who live some three or four, others seven to fourteen miles from Westchester and Rye, tho' once in a great while they might come, I mean the masters and mis- tresses of families, yet it will be morally impossible for them to move their children so far, of whom the greatest hopes are, and with whom by catechising and other ways, the most pains ought to be taken. I had once formed a projection for fixing schools in this county for the benefit of all the youths therein, in order to their being trained up, not only in learning, but in their tender years to ingraft them in the church, but the storm which was lately raised upon me concerning church affairs, made me lay the thought of it aside for a while. However, if God is pleased to spare my life a little longer, I will, with his assistance, set it AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 29 on foot, and hope it will be blessed with its desired effect. I am told it is with a great deal of difficulty that any gentlemen are prevailed upon from any of the colleges to come over to these parts, and it is no wonder to me that it is so, for those who are ingenious men and regular in their lives, and qualified for doing any service here, cannot want preferment at home, that for a remedy therein, if it could be so ordered that such of the New England ministers as should be willing to conform, could be ore- dained here, it would not be by much so great a charge, and one of them would do as much or more service in bringing home the people to the church, as the best divine which could be sent from, home. If I am not misinformed, the society allow those gentle- men which come over £60 sterling per annum, and her Majesty is pleased to give every one of 'em £20 to buy necessarys for their voyage. Now, was there only £20 laid out in proper goods for these parts, it would make £50 this country money, and pay for the extraordinary charge of insurance to prevent any risque in permitting it that way, which, with the allowance of the parishes here, would amount to £100 per annum, and would be a handsome benefice, enough for any who has had their educa- tion in Boston College, by which means these ministers might be supported, with the charge of one as it is now ; nor do I be- lieve there can be a more effectual way to do the work than by that method. "Since writing the above, and whilst it was waiting for a pas- sage, Mr. Pritchard is arrived, whom my Lord of London has directed to officiate in Rye parish ; he is a promising young gent and I question not but will, with God's assistance, do great ser- vice to the church : he shall not want anything I can do for him to make his pilgrimage easy, nor any advice which I can give him to answer the end of his coming, and be pleased to present my most humble duty to the society, and most hearty thanks for their favours, and may assure themthat so long as it shall please God to spare my life, 1 won't cease my best endeavours for the service of the church, and should with the greatest satisfaction imaginable, receive any commands from them on that account. 30 HISTORY OF THE PARISH I fear I have been already too troublesome, so shall not enlarge further at present, but remain Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, Caleb Heathcote."* The following extracts from the town records, relate to the twenty acres of land given by Westchester division for a glebe. " At a meeting held by the Trustees, and the freeholders and commonality of the town of Westchester, the 3rd of August, 1703, &c." * Present, Josiah Hunt, senr., John Ferris, junr., John Ferris,, Miles Oakley, John Hunt, Daniel Turner, Thomas Baxter, senr., Thos. Haden, Joseph Hunt, junr., John Oakley, Joseph Haviland, Robt. Heustis, junr. "Whereas motion being made to the trustees, that it would be very necessary that some land near the town should be laid out for parsonage lands ; and be for the use and behoof of such minister as from time to time should be settled amongst us ; it is therefore voted and agreed upon, by the major part of the trustees aforesaid, that there shall be laid out for the use aforesaid, sixteen acres of land, that is to say, four acres where Edward Collier's old lott was, and that twelve acre division which was laid out to Samuel Palmer and exchanged with the town by Israel Honeywell, and that John Hunt, Miles Oakley, and Joseph Hunt, junr., shall lay it out.' :b At a subsequent meeting of the trustees, &c, held the 3rd day of November 1703, the minutes are as follows : — " Whereas at a meeting of the trustees, held the 3rd of August last past, it was voted, that four acres of Edward Collier's old lott should be laid out iu part of the parsonage lands ; and the trustees at this meeting, having considered the inconve- niency at distance from the other part of the land intended for yt purpose ; it is therefore voted and agreed upon by the major part of the trustees aforesaid, that the eight acre division of land in the lott fronting to the sheep pasture, formerly adjoining to that lott of twelve acres which was Sam P , and did belong to Miles Oakley's orphants, and the aforesaid twenty acres of land shall be counted, deemed, and taken for Parsonage lands for ever, any vote, agreement, or record of the trustees to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding, &c." c ■ Hawks' New York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 33 to 39. b Town Rec. of Westchester, Liber, vi. 17. « Ibid. Liber, vi. 18. AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 31 At a meeting held by the Trustees of the Freehold and Commonality of the Town of Westchester, the 3rd of May, Annoq Dom. 1704. Present, John Ferris, senr., John Bayly, Thomas Baxter, senr., John Oakley, Robt. Huestis, Junr., Thomas Haden, Miles Oakley. "It is voted and agreed upon by the trustees aforesaid, that for a further encou- ragement given to Mr. John Bartow, Rector of Westchester, and his successors, besides the 20 acres of land within the town, already laid out for a Parsonage land for ever, yet, nevertheless, for the better establishing of the Church of Eng- land, and benefit of the said Mr. John Bartow and his successors, the trustees aforesaid do give and grant three acres of salt meadow, be it more or less, lying situate in the town aforesaid, and is butted and bounded as followeth : — that is to say, on the west side of the great creek between Robt. Huestis' meadow and Ed- ward Harden's meadow. Together with a twenty-five pound privilege ot com- monage on the east side of Brunks's River, of all the land which hereafter shall be laid out, which said land has been for many years past known by the name of the Long Reach. Done in the behalf of the rest of the trustees, and signed by ui." Thomas Baxter, John Bayly, Miles Oakley.» The following extract is taken from " a summary account of the state of the church, in the Province, as it was laid before the clergy, Oct. 5th, 1704, at New- York, &c. WESTCHESTER, MR. BARTOW, RECTOR. "Here is a church built, but not finished, being neither glazed nor ceiled. The parish of Westchester is divided into four seve- ral districts, viz. Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and the Manor of Pelham. There is £50 settled on the ministers by act of Assembly. There is twenty acres of land given by Westchester division for a glebe. There is one Independent Congregation at Kastchester, whose » Westchester Town Rec. Lib. vi. p. 44. 32 HISTORY OF THE PARISH minister designs to leave there, whose congregation upon his departure, are resolved to join with the church." a Mr. Bartow, writing to the Secretary upon the 24th of May, 1704 says : — "The affairs of the church in this province (thank God) are very prosperous, which are greatly owing to the influ- ence of my Lord Cornbury. I have received yours, together with the opinion upon the case of the land escheated to the Crown, but can give no answer till I have directions from the Governor. Mr. Lockier is dead and much lamented. The town of Hampstead. upon Long Island, have long expected a mission- ary from the society, I hope they will soon be answered. I beg you would give my most bounden duty and thanks to that Revd. and Honorable body, and excuse my abrupt subscription of myself, Sir, Your most humble and obliged servant, John Bartow." 11 On the 4th of August, 1705, another act of General Assembly was passed, entitled : — "An act for the better explaining and more effectual putting in execution, an act of General Assembly, entitled, an act for settling a ministry and raising a mainte- nance for them, in city of New- York, Counties of Richmond, Westchester and Queens' County." This act, which was rati- fied by Queen Anne, on the 11th of April, 1706, c fully confirmed Mr. Bartow in all the rights appertaining to his own benefice. The following extract, from a letter of Mr. Bartow to the Secretary, shows what kind of difficulties the former had to con tend with, in the discharge of his duties. 1 Hawks' New- York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham. b Hawks' M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 29. On the 19th of April. 1704, the trustees of Westchester voted Mr. John Bartow, as a free gift of the town, "a certain piece of land at the rear of his house lot, from the corner of his lot next to John Williams, his lot on the south-west, and straight upon a line un- til it comes to the west corner." Lib. vi. Town Rec. p. 22. \* Laws of N. Y. Ed. by Hugh Gaines, vol. i. G4. AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 33 Westchester, in New- York, in America, Aug. 14, 1706. Sir: " My great business is to plant the church of England amongst prejudiced poor and irreligious people, who are more apt to re- ceive than to give, who think it a hardship to pay their dues ; and we dare not use the law for fear of bringing an odium on the church, and on all occasions expect to be civilly treated by the minister. My task is greater than I can bear ; I will hold out as long as I can wilh submission to the divine will, who feedeth the fowls of the air : trusting he will still feed me, by your means, when you come to be sensible of our wants. Worthy Sir, Your most devoted and obliged servant, John Bartow." a The following items are taken from the vestry minutes : — "At a meeting of the justices of the vestry, the 6th of March, 1704-5, John Williams, late constable for the year 1703, appeared with a receipt from Mr. John Bartow, bearing date the 5th of March, 1704, for the sum of £26.10, which is the full quota for the minister's rate in Westchester." "At a meeting of the justices, churchwardens, and vestry of the parish of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and the Manor of Pelham, this 12th of December, 1706, in obedience to his Excellency the Governor's order, &c : — It is voted and agreed upon by the justices and vestry afore- said, that the parish church in Westchester shall be finished, that is to say, to seal the sides up to the wall plates, and lay a b^ard floor, and make two new door cases, with doors and win- dow shuts for the windows in said church, the upper windows excepted : and whereas, Jeremiah Fowler and Isaac Underhill, ■ Hawks' New- York, M. S. S. from archives at Fulharn, vol. i. 126. 3 34 HISTORY OF THE PARISH presenting themselves to do said work ; the justices and vestry- have agreed with them to do said worke for £17, in good cur- rent money of New- York, provided, that as soon as they have laid the under floor and made the doors, and door cases and window shuts, they shall be paid to the value of said work, and the remainder of said £17, at the finishing thereof: the jus- tices and vestry to find boards, and nails and hinges. Edward Collier, Clerk." "At a subsequent meeting held by ye justices, churchwardens and vestry, &c. this 23rd day of December, 1707, they found it necessary to raise ye sumes, which followeth, viz. : — To ye minister's rate and collecting, . . £52 10 To ye poor, &c 29 8 To boards for Eastchester church, . To ye clerk of ye vestry, .... To ye bell ringer, To ye collecting of, . . , . To ye belfry roof of Westchester church, To ye sacrament and collection, a At this period of Mr. Bartow's labors, the Society appear to have withdrawn their annual salary of £50; whereupon, we find the clergy of the Province addressing the Secretary in his be- half:— DIVERS MINISTERS OF NEW-YORK TO THE SEC- RETARY. Sir: "We are informed that the Honorable Society have withdrawn their allowance from our Reverend brother, Mr. Bartow, at which we are heartily concerned, and think ourselves obliged Westchester Vestry Book. 5 1 1 11 9 3 8 AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 35 to recommend him to your favor, as a person truly deserving the continuance of your bounty. He has, in short, behaved himself soberly and prudently to the satisfaction of all his people, dili- gent for the good of his church, and pious and exemplary in his life and conversation : we hope his piety and goodness will merit your allowance, especially when you have considered the necessity ; it being impossible to subsist in the discharge*[of his office, without an established salary from the Corporation. We shall not offer any further trouble at present, only pray, you look upon our worthy brother to be a sincere good man, and therein you shall oblige, Sir, yours, &c, Evan Evans, William Yesey, Wm. Urquhart, Elias Neau, John Thomas, George Muirson." New- York, 17 April, 1707. The next annual report of Mr. Bartow to the Society, shows that he was still laboring with great diligence and success. MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] From Westchester, in New- York, in America, 10 th June, 1709. Sir: " I have F paid my visits in the Jerseys, and preached there three Sundays : 1st. at Topenamus : 2nd. at Shrewsbury : 3rd. at Amboy : and Mr. Sharp preached for me once at Westches- ter. Mr. Evans was at York one Sunday, in my absence, and designed to go up and preach for me, at Westchester, but the arrival of the Kinsale from cruising, obliged him to preach on board, so that my parish was two Sundays without any eccle- siastical ministration, which they never were, so near together, since I came. In my way home, I had the honour to be in the company of Col. Nicholson, and to receive of him a letter from 36 HISTORY OF THE PARISH his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury : and the same had all the other missionaries, of which I shall always retain a grateful sense, as well for the subject matter therein contained as for his Grace's great condescention in casting so favourable an eye upon us. I have likewise to tell you that 'I have this day received yours, dated 1st Feby., 1708-9, with some enclosed rules of the Society, for which I return you thanks. I find there might be a great many congregations made in the Jerseys, if there were Episcopal ministers, but find no inclination to contribute towards their maintenance : however, 1 hope you will not leave them destitute of your assistance. I know when those who are of the church can be most prevalent in their as- semblies, (or if I may so say, Parliament,) they will make some legal provision for ministers ; but at present the number of the Quakers, Anabaptists, Libertines, &c. is so great that it cannot be obtained: but good missionaries will increase the number of the one and lessen the other. Friday next we have an appointed fast, to supplicate God's blessing on the expedition to Canada, which, with preparation for Sunday following, when I am to administer the sacrament, will not suffer me to add, but that I shall always pray for the success and prosperity of the Society, and remain, Sir, your most devoted and obliged servant, John Bartow." 3 - " At the end of two years" Mr. Bartow speaks with thankful- ness, of having, " by the blessing of Almighty God, been instru- mental in making many proselytes to our holy religion, who are very constant and devout in and at their attendance on divine service ; and, those who were enemies at my first coming, are now zealous professors of the ordinances of our church. The inhabitants of our parish live scattered and dispersed up and down in the woods, so that many cannot repair constantly to the church, by reason of their great distance from it." Mr. Bartow appears, by his letters, to have been in the habit of making col- * Hawks' New- York M. S. S. from archives at Fulliam, vol. i. 193 to 195. AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 37 lections in his church for any very urgent cases of distress. Thus, we have the following notices : — "Sept. 5th, 1708, cam ea distressed woman, widow of Maynard, through Westchester, •who had nine children murdered by the Indians. Collected for her in the church, eleven shillings and six pence. The fol- lowing Sunday he made a similar collection for a poor man." Upon the 30th of October, 1709, he thus writes :— " we want very much a fixed school at Westchester : if Mr. Daniel Clark, my neighbour, now in England, should wait upon you, desirous of that employment ; I recommend him as a person worthy of it, being of good report, a constant communicant, and being a cler- gyman's son, has had a pious and learned education. I pray you would accept my most bounden thanks for your constant favors to me and your other missionaries ; we know you expect no returns but our constant labours in the church, which that God would give us ability to perform, and you to support, shall be ever the prayer of Sir, yours &c, John Bartow." 4 c " At a meeting of ye churchwardens, vestrymen, freeholders, and parishioners of the borough of Westchester, held the 10th day of January, A. D. 1709 : — present, Justices, Joseph Hunt, Major William Willett, Thomas Pinckney, John Hunt. Churchwardens Were chosen and appointed. Joseph Hunt, junr., and Jeremiah Fowler. 'Hawks' New- York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol i. 207. 38 HISTORY OF THE PARISH Vestrymen. For the borough of Westchester. For Eastchester. Miles Oakley, Isaac Taylor, Thomas Baxter, senr., John Lancaster. Thomas Hunt, Nathaniel Tompkins, For Yonckers Precinct. For the manor of Pelham. John Archer, Thomas Pell, Noah Bartow. For New Rochelle. Anthony Lispenard. Collected for the minister, £50 : for the clerk of vestry, £5 : for collecting, £2 13. The quotas for the different precincts were : — Westchester, £25 New Rochelle, £8 15 Eastchester, 9 Pelham, 3 Yonckers, 8 00 Morrisania, a 3 Mr. Bartow writing to the Secretary on the 5th of July, 1710 r says : — Sir:— " Our church at Westchester increases ; that at Eastchester con- tinues constant ; we have sometimes Negroes and Indians come to our assembly, and behave themselves orderly; but the slight and contempt of baptism by Quakers and many others, I am persuaded keeps them from it : for when they see so many that call themselves christians, allowed in the disuse of it, and the * Westchester vestry book. "Att a meeting held by ye Justices, vestrymen, and churchwardens on ye 18th of Jany., 1708-9 : it was ordered, yt the two churchwardens for this ensueing year, shall goe to Mr. Morris to know if yt he will pay his arrearidges, or other wayes to knowe if yt he will joyne issue with ye parrish to try ye title whether his mannor be in ye parrish or not, and make re- turn att ye next meeting." AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 39 immorality of many that are baptized, they contentedly remaine unbaptized. I have baptized in the year 1709, 42, 14 of which were grown persons. I have received a parcel of books writ by the late Rev. Dr. Beveridge, on public prayer, and the commu- nion, &c, and though there is no advice from whom, I suppose they come from that fountain of piety and charity, the renown- ed Society, for whose gracious assistance in the works of Christ's ministry P remain their debtor, andean only desire that God would abundantly reward their pious labours in his church, who am, Sir, yours &c., John Bartow." 1 Westchester, New- York, 5th July, 1710." Mr. Elias Neau, a vestryman of Trinity Church, N. Y., wri- ting the same day to the Secretary, bears the following testimony to Mr. Bartow's services : — " Most honored sir — Mr. Bartow has done a great deal of good here these six years, for he preaches about in places where there are no ministers, &c." b The following is Mr. Bartow's second report for this year : — MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY. Westchester, 30th Nov., 1710. Sir: " The Reverend Mr. Bondett's conformity has been of good ef- fect ; a new church is built in New Rochelle for the service of the Church of England, by voluntary contributions : there is some of that place do yet dissent, but the major and better part do conform and are zealous. I want very much some Common Prayer books, and church catechisms : if the society will be pleased to bestow any upon us ; I pray they may be directed to me. I have lately baptized a free Negro man and three children, and a Negro woman servant, but 'tis very rare that these people * Hawks' New- York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 218, 219. b Ibid. vol. i. 216, 217. 40 HISTORY OF THE PARISH can be brought to have any true sense of the Christian reli- gion. We have many elderly people that will not be brought to have any concern about the necessity of public worship, and yet not withholding their children from coming to church : we hope they will not follow the example of their parents, many of which have been baptized, and in sobriety and piety do promise zeal and constancy in the church established. ".* I can say no more at present, but that I pray for the success and prosperity of the Society, and remain, Worthy Sir, Yours, &c. Jno. Bartow."* In answer to this letter, the Honorable Society sent the next year, " to the Rev. Mr. Bartow, fifty common prayer books, and £5 worth more of small tracts, tending to promote piety and virtue amongst his people." b Five months later, he thus communicates the state of his parish : — MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Westchester, 31st April, 1711. Worthy Sir: "I hope you have had by this time an account of the state of the church at Jamaica, and the troubles Mr. Poycr has met with-all since his coming to that place, from more certain infor- mation than I can give you. The vestry are dissenters from the church, and refuse still to call him, as the act of Assembly directs, and on that pretence still withhold his salary, upon 1 Hawks' New- York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 229. b Printed abstracts, of Ven. Soc. AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 41 which 1 only presume to observe, that as long as the inhabitants of the parishes here, have the power of choosing the vestry, the major part of which are Dissente rs(by which the vestrymen are constituted Patrons to elect, call and present a minister) the settlement of our churches here is very precarious, and on every vacancy may occasion a disturbance ; for should a dissent- ing minister appear, whom the people approved, as it has happen- ed now in the case of Jamaica, I question whether any of our par- ishes, excepting York, would not call him and reject the clergy- man. We cannot hope here for a better regulation of the act by our Assemblys, who are also generally Dissenters ; but hope that you will think of some methods to establish the Church of England in this Province. I thank God my own parish are very well affected to our church at present, but we know not how soon the old leaven may work again ; prejudice and education are mighty tyrants upon mens manners : we have very few but what have been educated Dissenters, and have imbibed prejudices therein, and we cannot be secure when they will be thoroughly worn out ] therefore, should be extremely glad if my Lord Bishop of Lon- don, or the Society, were the patrons of our churches. I have baptized, in the year 1710, 36 persons. Our church is pretty well finished, with seats and rails, and bannisters about the altar. Our congregation rather increases both in hearers and communicants, but our vestry are the major part Dissenters ; they will part with no money but barely what the Assembly has allowed for the maintenance of the minister and poor, so that we are unprovided of a clerk, none being willing to attend con- stantly without rare allowances ; formerly the vestry would al- low something, but now they wholly refuse it, being encouraged by the success of Jamaica. It would add to the regularity and decency of our worship, if the Society would allow £40 or £50 per annum, to a church clerk, and leave it at the discretion of a minister to choose him, and to have a power to turn one out and choose r.nother, as he saw cause ; and the society order the salary 42 HISTORY OF THE PARISH to be paid him by the minister, that no opposition may be made when a better may be gotten 3 -. Sir, yours, &c. John Bartow." The Venerable Society's abstracts for 1713, say : — " Mr. Char- les Glover is appointed schoolmaster at Westchester, with a salary of £18 per annum, as he is recommended under the character of a person sober and diligent, well affected to the Church of England, and competently skilled in reading, writing, arithmetic, psalmody and the Latin tongue, provided he comply with the society's rules, in sending certificates of the number of his scholars." 15 The next year, Mr. Bartow writes as follows : — MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY. Westchester, April 14, 1714. Sir: " I have sent you enclosed, an account of the building of our churches, and how they have been supplied, signed by those who were yesterday at our vestry meeting, and have not leisure to get more hands : the ship (as we hear) being ready to sail. I have had some old arrears, £9 6 9, due to me, which I have been often trying to get, but could not, until our present governour, upon my complaint, was pleased to send a threatening letter to our vestry, which made those readily comply to annex it to the church rate for this year, which said sum I have given to the church at Eastchester and Westchester, towards making and rectifying of pews and seats. The present of books the society has sent, was very gratefully received by me and by those to whom they are given. The common prayer books are the most acceptable to those * Hawks' New- York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 249, 250, 251. 1 Printed abstracts of Yen. Soc. AND CHURCH OP WESTCHESTER. 43 who love the church, and I could not avoid giving offence, hav- ing not enough for all. The measles have been epidemical throughout the whole county this winter, and having not had them myself, nor one in my family, and the distemper proving very mortal, I declined visiting and baptizing a dying child ; if complaint be made, I hope the society will not be offended. The parent said he would not defer baptizing a child so long again. He is one in the scheme in number of the half Quakers. Sir, in the last clause of the certificate of the vestrymen, you will find that Eastchester was made a distinct parish from Westchester, in 1700 : the reason whereof, I understand, was this, (viz.) the peo- ple of Eastchester being generally Presbyterians, and wishing to have a minister of their own, petitioned the Assembly that they might be made a distinct parish from Westchester, (to which they were before annexed by act of Assembly,) and ob- tained an act of separation ; but when I came among them, they were so well satisfied with the liturgy and doctrines of the church, that they forsook their minister, and have ever since professed themselves members of the Church of England, (ex- cepting a very few who are rigid Independents,) and they pay their proportion of the fifty pounds per annum, as was allotted them by the first act of Assembly. If the Society would be pleased to send over one of the few youths of the Hospital, with an allowance of five pounds per annum, to teach the children, sometimes at Yonkers, and some- times at Eastchester ; I know the inhabitants would allow him £20 per annum more of this country money : and it would be of excellent use, if he proved sober and diligent and well affection- ated to our church. I most gratefully acknowledge the piety, zeal, and generosity of the illustrious Society, for their repeated and continued in- stances of sincere love unto Christ Jesus, in spreading and sup- porting his religion with indefatigable care and immense charges. And remain, Sir, &c., a John Bartow." ■ Hawks' New- York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 473, 474. 44 HISTORY OF THE PARISH From the society's abstracts we learn : — that " in 1714, by the blessing of God on Mr. Bartow's ministry at Westchester, East- chester, Yonckers, and the manor of Pelham, where there were formerly very few of the church communion, there was visibly a very great reformation of manners." 3 - MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Westchester, Feb. 9th, 1716. Worthy Sir : " I have preached several funeral sermons since I came here, and have not received anything, save once, a table for the com- munion was given me by a joiner, having preached a sermon at his child's funeral. " b In answer to certain enquiries, Mr. Bartow again addressed the Secretary. MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Westchester, Sept. 12, 1717. Worthy Sir : " The church at Eastchester was built about twenty-two years since, and supplied always by a Presbyterian minister till about one year after my coming here, when they embraced the church of England, and accepted of me for their minister ; and though they had obtained an Act of Assembly under the government of Lord Bellamont, to make them a distinct parish, yet they pay their quota of fifty pound per annum to me, according to the first establishment. This conformity I acknowledge, greatly owing to the measures of my Lord Clarendon, then our Governour. 2. There is no parsonage house nor glebe. The church at Westchester was built about twenty years since, and supplied * Printed abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. b Hawks' New- York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 519. AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 45 about two years with a Presbyterian minister, who had left them before I came. There is no parsonage house, but twenty-three acres of glebe given to me and my successors, of the Church of England, which is now well worth one hundred pounds, as im- proved by me ; scarce worth thirty pound, when I had it first. [ have likewise obtained for the church a twenty-five pound share of an undivided tract of land called Long Reach, the title of which has been long controverted between the towns of East and Westchester, which will be about thirty acres more if West- chester be possessed, but the dispute holds still without signs of a determination. 3. Yonkers has no church, but we assemble for divine wor- ship sometimes in an house of Joseph Bebts, deceased, and some- times in a barn, when empty, but the people begin to be in a disposition to build a church. The other of your letters is dated 14th May, 1716, wherein you say the Society have ordered you to acquaint me, and the rest of the brethren, the clergy,that at our next meeting we should inform them if any of our brethren are disaffected to the gov- ernment of King George ; and having had a meeting since, not long before, can only say, that I am well assured there is not one clergyman in this Province, but what is well affected to the gov- ernment of his Majesty, King George, whom God bless." a Mr. Bartow baptized in the year 1718, " thirty-two persons, two of whom were grown persons, and one negro man." b The Society's abstracts for 1719 say:—" To Mr. William For- ster, schoolmaster at Westchester, who has been recommended as a person very well qualified to instruct the youth in the principles of religion and virtue ; ten pounds per annum is allowed, and a gratuity of £10 has been given him in consid- eration of his past services, and his present circumstances." From the Rev. Mr. Bartow, minister of Westchester, in the same Province, "that in the year 1719, he had baptized twenty- two, one of which was an ancient woman." d 'Hawks' New- York M. S. S. from archives at Fulhara, vol. i. p. 524, 525. k Printed abstracts of Yen. P. Soc. for 1718. 'Ibid. 1719. 'Ibid. 46 HISTORY OP THE PARISH From Mr. Forster, schoolmaster at the same place, "that he has at present thirty-five scholars, whom he catechises every Saturday, and also every (Sunday, that Mr. Bartow goes to ano- ther part of the parish; together with all others who will attend, and has good success: which is also attested by the Minister and chief inhabitants of Westchester." 1 In 1720, the different quotas for the church and poor of the Parish stood thus : — Westchester, £37 10 02 Eastchester, £12 14 111 ' Yonckers, 11 12 10±- NewRochelle, 12 14 \\ Pel ham, 4 4 1£ Morrisania, 4 10 The Society's abstracts for 1720, say: — "That letters have been received from the Rev. Mr. Bartow, minister at Westchester, in the Province of New-York ; that the number of his Communi- cants increases, though some are dead or removed to other towns, and that he baptized in the year 1720, twenty-five, five whereof were grown persons." Also, " from Mr. Forster, schoolmaster at Westchester, in the Province of New- York, that he takes all the care he can of the children, which are sent to him, and has upwards of thirty scholars, which he instructs in the Church Catechism." b In 1721, Mr. Bartow informs the Society : — "That since the death of Mr. Bondett, he preaches at four towns; Eastchester? Westchester, Yonkers, and New Rochelle, and does other occa- sional offices, and that the number of the baptized in the year 1721, was twenty-eight, two whereof were grown persons. The next year the Society allowed " Mr. Bartow, for his ser- vice at New Rochelle, ten pounds." In his report for 1722, Mr Bartow says :— " That they are repairing the church there (West- chester) with the voluntary contributions of the people, procured chiefly by the zeal and care of Mr. Forster, the schoolmaster there ; that in the year 1722, he baptized twenty-one persons * Printed abstracts of Ven. P. Soc. b Printed abstracts of Ven. P. Soc. • Ibid. AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 47 four whereof were adults, one a Negro man." a " In the year 1723, he baptized forty-five, four whereof were grown persons." 1 * Mr. Forster reports : — " That the number of his scholars is as usual, and that he has very good success in his teaching, and that they are this summer building a new school house : and that he is raising a annual subscription for repairing and finish- ing the church." c REFD. JOHN BARTOW'S ANSWERS TO THE dUE- RIES OF THE BISHOP OF LONDON. QUERIES TO BE ANSWERED BY EVERY MINISTER. Westchester, in the Province of New- York, in America, July 13, 1724. Q. How long is it since you went over to the Plantations as a missionary 1 A. Twenty-two years. Q. Have you had any other church before you came to that which you now possess ; and if you had, what church was it, and how long have you been removed ? A. No other here : but I was inducted to the vicarage of Pampsford, in Cam- bridge, May 28th, 1697, and removed here by leave of Dr. Patrick, then Bishop of Ely. Q. Have you been licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a mission- ary, in the government where you now are 1 A. I was licensed by the Right Rev. Father in God, Henry, Lord Bishop of London, June 22nd, 1702, to officiate as a missionary. Q. How long have you been inducted into your living 1 A. I was inducted to my living here, Nov. 19, 1702, Lord Combury being then Governor. Q. Are you ordinarily resident in the parish to which you have been inducted 1 A. I have been resident in Westchester ever since I came. Q. Of what extent is your parish, and how many families in it 1 A. My parish is in length about twelve miles, in breadth about seventy: about two hundred families. Q. Arc there any Infidels, bond or free, within your parish, and what means are used for their conversion 1 A. We have Infidels, bond and free, who have liberty to come to the churches, » Printed abstracts of Ven. P. Soc. >■ [bid. c Printed abstracts of Ven. P. Soc. for 1723. 48 HISTORY OF THE PARISH and are not denied baptism when fit and desirous of it ; some of which I have baptized. Q. How oft is divine service performed in your church, and what proportion of the parishioners attend it 1 A. Divine service is performed in one of our churches every Sunday, when I have about seventy auditors in the afternoon, there being not quite so many in the morning, by reason that those who live at a distance seldom come in the morning. Q. How oft is the sacrament of the Lord's supper administered ; and what is the usual number of communicants'? A. The Lord's supper is administered by me, in the church at "Westchester, on Christmas day, Easter, and Whitsunday, and at other times, occasionally in other places of the parish, and we have usually eighteen communicants, more or less. Q. At what times do you catechise the youth of your parish ] A. I have been wont to catechise the youth on Sundays in the afternoon, before we had a settled school ; but now I leave that office to Mr. Forster, the Society's schoolmaster, who not only catechizes in the school, but in the church, when I am absent, all that will come. Q. Are all things duly disposed and provided in the church, for the decent and orderly performance of divine service 1 A. We have all things decent, excepting the surplice. Q. Of what value is your living in sterling money, and how does it arise 1 A. The value of my living is .£50 sterling [of New- York money, which is almost £32 10, sterling, paid not without some difficulty and loss. Q. Have you a house and glebe : is your glebe in lease or let by the year, or is it occupied by yourself 1 A. I have twenty-three acres of glebe in my occupation, but no parsonage house. I lived at my first coming in an hired house, in expectation of a par- sonage house, though talk't of to be built, but finding it would not be effected, two years ago I purchased one. Q. Is due care taken to preserve your house in good repair, and at whose ex- pense is it done 1 A. I live in my own house, adjoining the glebe, and have always repaired it at my own expense. Q. Have you more cures than one ; if you have, what are they, and in what manner are they served 1 A. I have four towns under my cure, "Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and the Manor of Pelham, of which New Rochelle is a part, in whose churches I officiate on Sundays, according to their several quotas, on the payment of £50 per annum. I preach at Westchester every Lord's day, excepting every fourth Sunday at East- chester, three times in the year at Yonkers, and so often as I can at New Rochelle. Q. Have you in your parish any public school for the instruction of youth ; if you have, is it endowed, and who is the master 1 A. "We have a public school in "Westchester, of which Mr. Forster is the so- ciety's school master, and we have private schools in other places ; no endow- ment ; some family of the name of Pelham that are adjacent, come to Eastchester church. Q. Have you a parochial library j if you have, are the books preserved and AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 40 kept in good condition ; have you any particular rules and orders for the preser- ving of them ; are those rules and orders duly observed 1 A. We have no parochial library. -rU* JJC^V w Rector, fyc, of Westchester.* In his report to the Secretary, Mr. Bartow observes : — " That the church is much in the same condition as when he wrote last ; and that in the year 1724, he baptized thirty-nine, two whereof were grown persons." b The subjoined extract is from a letter of his to the Secretary. The Rev. Mr. Talbot mentioned in the beginning of it, was dis- missed from the society's service for alledged Jacobitism : — MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY. Province of New- York. May Ath, 1725. Sir:— " 1 am creditably informed that the Society have discharged the Rev. Mr. Talbot from being any longer their missionary ; whereby the fruits of the pious bequest of the late Archbishop of Canterbury do descend to me, as being the next oldest in their service, of that province, till by the providence of God we have bishops here lawfully established. Nothing is too great for God to give, even to the undeserving, and therefore I humbly and thankfully should accept it of his gracious providence ; but be at the disposal of the most Rev. and Honorable Society, as seems by an abstract of their proceedings, Anno 1714 — I should not presume to ask it of them, nay, scarce desire it in my private ■ Hawks' New- York M. S. S. from archives at Pulham, vol. i. C35. b Printed abstracts of Ven. Soc. 4 50 HISTORY OF THE PARISH thoughts, being conscious of my unworthiness, and enjoined to be content in my condition, in which I remain, still praying to God for his blessings on their christian labors. Sir, Your most obedient, &c. John Bartow."* Probably the last communication the Society ever received from Mr. Bartow, is the following : — MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY. Westchester, October 6th, 1725. Worthy Sir : — "There being nothing happened extraordinary here, relating to the church since I writ last ; (saving the death of the late Rev. Mr. Thomas, of Hampstead, which church with that at Rye, are supplyed by the zealous labours of the Rev. Mr. Jenny) I car* only, as in duty bound, repeat my thankful acknowledgement for the Society's allowance, which is always duly paid by their treasurer, and informing you that the pulpit and wainscoat of the church at Eastchester, was since decently painted, and a new gallery built, and the Presbyterian minister when he comes, not permitted to officiate therein. That God would bless the labours of the most Rev. and Honorable Society, is &c. Sir, Your most obedient, &c. John Bartow." 13 This excellent minister died at Westchester, in 1725. His re- mains, according to the custom of that day, were interred under the communion table in the old parish church of St. Peter. Since the removal of that ancient edifice, however, nothing serves distinctly to mark the site of his tomb, but one thing is ■ Hawks' New- York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. 1, p. 664. *> Ibid, vol. 1, pp. 664, 665. AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 51 certain, " that he who was with him in his last hour, and made his bed in his sickness, will watch over the precious dust till he shall bid it rise." " So pious, just, and even, as if he mean't His name should be his marble monument." " Mr. Bartow (says Dr. Hawkins) continued in the discharge of his important duties for the long period of a quarter of a cen- tury. He was the instrument of bringing many separatists back to the church, and admitting into it many hitherto careless adults. He likewise gave much of his time to the instruction of the poor negroes. By such long and faithful services he secured the general esteem of his people." a In 1705 he married Helen Read, second daughter of John Read, Esq., of Middrew Castle, parish of Kirkleston, Scotland ; by this lady he left issue, six sons. b Theophilus, his second son, was the father of the Rev. Theo- dosius Bartow, of New Rochelle, whose grandsons are the Rev. Theodore B. Bartow, Chaplain in the U. S. N., and the Rev. Henry B. Bartow, of Whitestone, L. I. A grand-daughter of Theodosius married the Rev. Geo. A. Shelton, of Newtown, L. I. The Society's abstracts for 1725, say: — that among other sums granted, was " a gratuity of fifty pounds which the society have made to Mrs. Bartow, the widow of the late Rev. Mr. Bar- tow, a missionary of the society at Westchester, in the Province of New- York, in consideration of her husband's good behaviour and diligence in the society's mission for twenty-three years and upwards, and having six sons and a wife unprovided for." c Mr. Bartow's last will and testament was made on the 24th of January, 1725, but not proved until the 1st of April, 1727. •Hawkins' Historical Notices of the Miss, of the Church of England, 277. b At a meeting of the trustees for the Borough of Westchester, &c, the Gth day of March, 4726-7— according to ye last meeting (21st March, 1725-6,) the commit- tee appointed to make report of the persons who had made encroachments upon the sheepjpasture, gave in the name ofJMr. Bartow and others. " Whereupon. Mr. Forster appeared in behalf of ye orphants of Mr. John Bartow, yt what they have taken in ixpon ye sheep pasture ; yt they will leave out when they rectify ye fences." Westchester Town Rec. Lib. ix. 187, 188. • Printed abstracts from 18th Feb. 1725, to 17th Feb. 1726. 52 HISTORY OF THE PARISH THE WILL OF JOHN BARTOW, CLERK. In the name op God, Amen, the twenty-fourth of January, in ye twelvth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, King George, Annoq Dom. one thousand seven hundred and twenty-five, I, John Bartow, of the Burrough Town of West- chester, in the County of Westchester, and Province of New York, Clerk, being sick and weak in body, but of sound and perfect memory, praise be given to God therefore, and considering the uncertainty of this transitory life, do make this my last Will & Testament in manner and form following, that is to say: First, and principally, I commend my soul to Almighty God my creator, assuredly believing that my sins will be remitted, and that I shall be saved by the precious death and merits of my blessed Saviour and Redeemer, Christ Jesus : and my body to the earth, to be buried at the discretion of my ex'tors, hereafter named : and touching such worldly estate as God hath been pleased to bestow upon me ; I do hereby give and dispose of the same in manner and form following, that is to say : First, I hereby give and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Helena, one equal third part of all my personal estate for the use of her, her heirs, and assigns for ever. Item, I hereby will and order that my funeral charges, and all my just debts be paid out of the remainder of my personal estate within convenient time after my decease, by my executors hereafter named. Only it is hereby provided, that whereas, John Mash, of Westchester above said, boatman, for and in consideration of my be- coming bound together with the said John Mash, at his special instance and re- quest, and for the proper debt of the said John Mash, by a certain obligation in the penal sum of four score pounds, currant money of New York, with condition for the pa3 r ment of forty pounds of like current money, at a certain day in the said condition exprest, and for other considerations, did by a certain deed, indented under his hand and seal and the hand and seal of Rosamond, his wife, dated the sixth day of April, anno dom. one thousand seven hundred and twenty-two, con- vey unto me a certain Home Lot, scituate in said Westchester, with its appurte- nances, and a twenty-five pounds priviledge of commonage in said town. If the said John Mash, his heirs, executors, or administrators, do not well and truly dis- charge and pay off the said obligation and all sums of money due thereon, within one year next after my decease, I hereby order my executors to sell the said lott and priviledge, and to apply the money arising by the said sale, towards discharg- ing of my debt. Item, I give unto my beloved wife, the use of all the remaining part of my personal estate, except what is herein afterwards expressly disposed of during her widowhood. And if my said wife shall marry again, (if her husband shall immediately, upon their marriage, give good security to my children or their guardians, that all such part of my personal estate as shall remain in my wife's hands over and above her third part given unto her as aforesaid, immediately at and before her marrying again, shall not be wasted or embezzled, but that the same, or value thereof, shall be made good at her decease,) then I give unto her the use thereof during the term of her natural life, and at her decease, or if upon her marrying again, the aforesaid security shall be refused to be given ; then at her re-marriage, I give the same equally between my six sons, Thomas, Theophilus, Theodosius, John, Anthony, and Basil Bartow, for the use of them and their sev- eral heirs and assigns. Item, in consideration that my beloved wife bring up my children I give unto her the sole use and benefit of my dwelling house and home- AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 53 stead, and all my land adjoining thereto, and of all my land at Scabby Indian, bounde.l southeasterly by the land of John "Williams westerly by the country road northerly by the road that goes to Thomas Haddon's saw mill, and by Daniel Turner's land, also of about two acres of land lying within said Daniel Turner's land, and of my orchard land, salt and fresh meadow, at the place commonly call- ed below, which was formerly Edward Collier's, David Huestiss and Horseman Mullinder, and also a twenty-five pounds privilege of commonage in said West- chester, for and during the term of her natural life ; and I also give unto my wife, until my son John shall attain to the age of twenty-one years, the use of all such part of my land in said Westchester, which I lately purchased of David Heustis, Nathaniel Underhill, Daniel Clark, and Thomas Haddon, and John Heustis, as I have not already let out upon lease, and the rents of all such part thereof as I have leased. Item, I give unto my son, John Bartow, his heirs and assigns for ever, all those tracts of land I lately bought of David Heustis, Nathaniel Underhill, Daniel Clark, and Thomas Haddon, and John Heustis, a twenty-five pound priv- iledge of commonage in said Westchester, together with all my right, title and interest in a tract of land called the Long Reach ; also four acres of salt meadow in Westches'.er abovesaid, which I purchased of James Morris, by a deed passed under his hand and seal, dated the fifteenth day of January, Anno Dom. 172| ; also all my tract of land and meadow at Barnagat, in East New Jersey, being about sixty acres ; also two-eighths of a moyety of a sixteenth part of a twenty-fourth part or propriety in East New Jersey, granted by Gowen Drummond to John Reid, senr., and by said John Reid to me, and my least gold ring, and a new English Bible in Quarto. Item, I give unto my son, Theophilus Bartow, his heirs and assigns fjr ever, my saw mill, situate and being in Monmouth County, in East New Jersey, and all my tracts of land and purchase adjoining, containing about one thousand acres, be they more or less ; also a twenty-fourth part of a tenth part of an undivided twenty-fourth, or a propriety in East New Jersey granted by Mari- on Cambell to John Reid, senr., and by said John Reid to me, and my heaviest gold ring, and an English Bible in Quarto. Item, I give unto my son, Thomas Bartow, his heirs and assigns for ever, all my tract of land in Monmouth County, in East New Jersey, on Milstone brook, joining to Coll. Anderson's land, contain- ing about eleven hundred acres, granted to me and my wife Helena, by my father- in-law, John Reid, by deed bearing date the tenth day of November, Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and five ; also one half of a fortieth part of a propriety in East New Jersey, granted to me by said John Reid, by deed, dated the fourth day of April, Anno Dom. one thousand seven hundred and fourteen, and all my Greek and Latin books, my watch, and a new English Bible, in Quarto. Item, I give unto my son, Theodosius Bartow, his heirs and assigns forever, all my tract of land situate in Monmouth County, in East New Jersey, on the east branch, con- taining iive hundred acres, joyning to James Edwards, also all my meadow on the south side of .said branch, from the lower end of the timber swamp down to the mouth of said branch ; also all my tract of Indian purchase land to the' northward of this tract ; also two-eighths of a moyety of a sixteenth part of a twenty-fourth part or propriety of East New Jersey, granted to John Read, senr., by Gowen Drummond, and by John Read to me, my other gold ring, and a new English Bible in Quarto. Item, I give unto my son Anthony Bartow, his heirs and assigns for- ever, all my tract of land on Monlapau River, beginning at the head of Mount- brook, and runs thence southeast fifty-two chains, thence north northwest half a 54 HISTORY OP THE PARISH point, westerly to the land late of Robert Barclay, thence southwest to the said River, where said Mount-brook falls into said River, thence up the stream of said brook to where it began ; also that tract of my Indian purchase land joining on the south to my son Thomas's land herein before given him ; also two-eighths of a moyety of a sixteenth part of a twenty-fourth part or propriety of East New Jersey, granted by Gowen Drummond to John Read, senr., and by him to me, and a new English Bible in Q.uarto. Item, I give unto my son, Basil Bartow, his heirs and assigns forever, all my tract of land in the County of Middlesex, in East New Jersey, on South River, being four hundred and fifty acres, and sixty acres of salt meadow in the round about meadow, also two-eighths of a moyety of a sixteenth part of a twenty -fourth part of a propriety in East New Jersey, granted by Gowen Drummond to John Read, senr., and by him to me, also my tract of Indian purchase land, called Price Hill, and a new English Bible in Quarto. Item, I give all my lands, buildings, and meadows, and the twenty-five pounds priviledge hereby granted, to my wife during her natural life ; from and after her decease, to my six sons, Thomas, Theophilus, Theodosius, John, Anthony, and Basil, to be divided equally between, for the use of them and their several heirs and assigns forever. Item, I give all my other English books equally between my wife and my six sons aforesaid, each of them to have an equal part. Item, I hereby will and order, that if one or more of my sons should depart this life and leave no law- ful begotten issue, that the lands, the meadows, and all other the premises hereby given unto such son or sons, shall be equally divided between my other sons, and the issue of such of them as may be deceased ; that is to say, I will that the law- ful issue of any of my sons which may be de'ed, shall inherit in the stead of their de'ed Father one equal part among them, (if more than one) with my surviving son or sons of such estate or estates as I have hereby given unto such son or sons as may and shall dye under age, and without lawful begotten issue as aforesaid. Item, I hereby order, that whereas one James Miller, lays claim to some part of my lands and meadows in East New Jersey, and that the said Miller has proposed to convey unto me all his right and title whatsoever, of, in and to all and any part of my said lands and meadows, on consideration of my paying unto him one hundred pounds, Proclamation money : if the agreement be not compleated before my de- cease, my ex'tors shall, upon the said James Miller, or his heirs, or any others by him lawfully authorized, executing sufficient deeds in the law for all the right title and demand of him the said James Miller, his heirs or assigns, of, in, or to all or any of my lands, meadows, and rights in the Province of East New Jersey, by which deeds the same shall be confirmed pursuant and agreeable to this my last will and testament : and for, and to the use and uses of such of my children to whom I have given the same, pay unto the said James Miller, his heirs, ex'tors, adm'rs, or assigns, one hundred pounds proclamation money, to be raised out of my personal estate. Lastly, I hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife, and William Forster, of Westchester aforesaid, to be ex'tors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the day and year abovesaid. JOHN BARTOW. AND CHUKCH OF WESTCHESTER. 55 Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said John Bartow, to be his last will and testament, in the presence of Tno. Hadden, Will. Thompson, & Daniel Turner. Mr. Bartow was succeeded in 1727 by the REV. THOMAS STANDARD, A. M., M. D., a native of Taunton, Somersetshire, England, and descended from an ancient family of that name, formerly seated at White- hill, in Oxfordshire. a He appears to have been brought up as a physician, but changed his profession and entered the ministry. In 1725 he was appointed by order of the Venerable Society, their missionary at Brookhaven, upon Long Island. From his first letter to the Secretary of that body, we take the following extract :— " October 5th, 1725, — It is with satisfaction on all sides, yt I can now tell you that I am safely arrived at New- York : a country both pleasant and plentiful, where I landed the 10th of the last month, and where I believe I shall take up my abode for the poor remainder of my life ; and let me add, that it is a pity that some clergymen who are starving at home, and who, to my knowledge, have sometimes been so hard put to it, as not to be able to tell where to get a Sunday's dinner for themselves and family; should show so much unwillingness to transplant themselves to our plantations, where their ministrations are so much wanted ; and where there is a people speaking their own language, and who are ready to receive them with all marks of respect and affection, even here in York, which I take to have a serene and healthful air above any other of the plantations. — P. S. October 19th — I am now at the City of New-York, where I am collecting, among the church friends, for the building of a church at Brookhaven, &c. — Designing to set up catechising in my parish, I have borrowed a few catechisms of Mr. Wetmore, 1 The arms of this family were : — vert, an arrow, in pale, or, feathered and head- ed arg. — Crest, a cubit arm, erect, vert, cuifed arg, holding in the hand ppr, a bow, strung. . . . 56 HISTORY OF THE PARISH &c. : I hope the next time you will put me into a condition to repay the same." a October, 1726, he writes to the Secretary, thus : — "Rev. sir, — I humbly beg you would use your interest for me with the Honor- able Society, for my remove to Westchester, and that the person assigned for Westchester, (if any such there be) may be ordered hither : such a remove would be a very great favour to me in my present circumstances, in that Westchester is between four or five hours ride from York, where I may be abundantly supplyed with any convenience of life." b The following mandate was issued by his Excellency, Wil- liam Burnet, on the 8th of July, 1727 : — MANDATE FROM GOVERNOR BURNET TO INDUCT THE REV. THOMAS STANDARD TO THE REC- TORY OF WESTCHESTER. Wilhelmus Burnet Armiger Provincial Novi Eboraci, necnon Novas Csesaris in America Strategus etlmperator ejusdemque Vice Admiralis, &c. Universis et Singulis Clericis et Ministris Ecclesioe Anglicanaequibuscumque in et per totam Provinciam Novi Eboraci Ubilibet Constitutis Sive JEdilibus Ecclesias Parochialis de Estria Occidentalis in Comitatu Estrice Occidentalis infra provinciam predictam prolix Tempore Salutem Cum dilectum in Christo Thoma Standard Clericum ad rectoriam sive Ecclesiam parochialem predict Estrice Oc- cidentalis in Comitatu in dicta Provincise Novi Eboraci in America, Jam vacan- tem Ipsium que proesentatum Rectorem Ejusdem Rectorise Sive Ecclesice paro- chialis in et de Eadem Admissam Voeis Conjunctim et Divisim Comitto et firmiter injungendo mando, duatenus Eundem Thoma Standard Clericum Sive procuralorem suumLegitimum Ejus Nomine et pro se in Realem Actualem Cor- poralem possessionem Ipsius Rectoria? et Ecclesise parochialis de Estrios Occiden- tal! predict. Glebarium, Juriumque : et pertinentium Suorum Univer sorem. Conferatis Inducatis Inducive faciatis et Inductum defendalis et quid in premissis feceritis me aut alium Judicem in hac parte Competentem quemcumque ; debite (cum ad id congrue fueritis requisiti certificetis seu sic certificet ille vestrum qui) prcesens hoc mandatum fuerit executus. Datum sub sigillo prerogativoe dicta? Provincial Novi Eboraci viii, die Junii Anno Salutis MDCCXXVII. W. BURNET. By His Excellency's Command. Js. Bobin, D. Sec'ry. 6 * Hawks' New- York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. C68, 671. b Hawks' New-York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i, 674. « Albany deed book, xii. p. 160. AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 57 In his report for 172S, Mr. Standard says : — " That he preaches one Sunday at Eastchester and another at Westchester, twice a day, for the summer half year, and that he catechises the chil- dren publickly at Eastchester : and has baptized since he came to Westchester, about fifty children, besides two grown persons; and that the number of his communicants are about thirty." 3 - "At a meeting of the trustees and freeholders of the borough town of Westchester, held the 14th of March, 1729, present, Miles Oakley, president, and Thomas Hadden, Nathaniel Underhill, Underbill Barnes, Thomas Baxter. John Palmer, Thomas Hunt, Joseph Hunt, and James Baxter, trustees : — ordered, that Na- thaniel Underhill, treasurer, pay Ebenezer Haviland, For a spindle for the church, . . . .£376 To Justice Hadden, for lath and service done, . 2 8 To Captain Oakley for service done, . . . 6 Allowed the treasurer for four white oak plank, ? Carting ditto, and for the weathercock, ) To Wm. Oakley for bringing the weathercock from New- York, 3 To Israel Honeywell for 4500 shingles and carting: and paid for mending the windows, To Mr. Gillaim for work done above his articles, To Mr. Gillaim for work as per articles, To expenses at making the agreement, To Mr. Barnett, expenses at this meeting, . To Jeremiah Fowler's expenses, Total,'* £73 7 9 "At a meeting of the trustees, &c., had on the 6th day of May, A. D. 1729, present Miles Oakley, president, John Palmer, Thom- as Baxter, Joseph Hunt, Thomas Hadden, Thomas Hunt, Na- thaniel Underhill, John Cromwell, Underhill Barnes, and Miles Oakley, jr., trustees ; pursuant to an act of general assembly of 1 1 12 1 9 2 3 42 2 9 10 ■ Printed abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. b Westchester Town Rec. vol. ix. 212. 58 HISTORY OF THE PARISH this province, passed in the tenth year of the reign of our late sovereign lord, King William the Third, of glorious memory, entitled an act to enable the respective towns in this province to build and repair their meeting houses and other publick build- ings : — Resolved, nemine contra dicente, that the sum of £70 shall be raised, and also the collection for the same sum, for the repairing St. Peter's Church in said Westchester, and for no other use, and that they will make a rate accordingly, agreeable to ye next assessments to be made and taken of the town sworn assessors, and that they will meet on ye 22d hist., to agree with workmen for that purpose." 3 - At a subsequent meeting of the trustees, " £16 was ordered to be raised to finish the seats of the church, secure the frame, and to pay off the arrears, the seals to be made with backs, including the collector's fees : and Underhill Barnes, and Thomas Hunt, are appointed overseers of the work, and to employ workmen. It was further ordered that a warrant be issued for raising said money according to law, to be paid at ye same time with the county tax. Also ordered, that the overseers now chosen require Henry Gillaim to compleat his work, especially the front of the gallery, and to make it secure and substantial." b MR. STANDARD TO THE SECRETARY. Westchester, Nov. 5, 1729. Rev. Sir : "The difficulty of the undertaking has hitherto discouraged me from attempting an answer to the letter of enquiries which was sent me long ago ; but am resolved to send you the best ac- count I can with relation to those heads of enquiry you were pleased to send me. As to the first, in my parish are three churches, the first of Westchester in the town so called, deemed the mother church, in that the presentation from the Governour runs thus : — * Westchester Town Rec. vol. ix. p. 206. b Ibid vol. ix. 213. AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 59 'To the rector yof Westchester, the glebe thereof, and to all the rights and appurtenances of the same : in which is supposed to be included the church of Eastchester, which my predecessor died possessed of.' The church of Westchester is a square of twenty-eight foot of a side, about eighteen feet to the eaves, and near of the same dimensions and form as the church of Eastchester, save that the church of Westchester hath a sort of cupulo in which is hung a bell, so that the whole resembles much our pigeon houses in England. vv The churches both of East and Westchester, and indeed most of the buildings of this county, are made after the following man- ner, viz : they make a frame of certain dimensions which they raise by piecemeal ; first, placing the under post upon stones placed here and there to support it, when the whole frame is put together they fill up the vacancies under the said frame, which they call underpining, then they raise the top part or roof in like manner as we do with rafters, applying upon them laths, and upon them they nail some split wood, commonly cedar, that being the most in esteem, of about half an inch thick, and half a foot wide, and sometimes two, sometimes three foot long, ac- cording to the intention of the builder, of being either more sa- ving in charge, or more secure against the weather. The wall part is likewise covered with laths, and upon them are nailed, as on the roof, split wood which they call shingles, and they are placed perpendicularly, but then not so thickly placed one by the other as on the roof, where they resemble our tiles. The Church of Westchester was built by the Quakers, (who were the first settlers in this place, and are still the most numer- ous party in and about it, and indeed the whole parish, as to their manners, are somewhat (Quakerish) and by them was given to Colonel Heathcote, for the use and service of the Church of En- gland. a * These statements are certainly incorrect ; for we have shown, 1st, that the early inhabitants were Puritan Independents ; 2d, the church was built by a public tax, levied on all the inhabitants ; and 3rdly, all public property became vested iu the church establishedjby law. Editor. 60 HISTORY OF TIIE PARISH The church is endowed with thirty acres of land at £3 per annum, besides which the minister hath a salary of £50 of this currency, raised yearly by virtue of an act of Assembly, of and for this Province. The second church is that of Eastchester, built by the Independants, and by them delivered up to Mr. Bartow, who was formerly inducted into the same, and kept quiet possession of it all his time, permitting the Independants sometimes to assemble in it. The third, is New Rochelle, where Mr. Stoup officiates, and where a certain number of the French nation have divine ser- vice according to the form and manner of the Church of England. i but the greatest number of that nation flock to a meeting house of their own erecting, who are particularly fond on the Mahom- etan doctrine of absolute decrees, as the Dutch likewise of this country are, who, where they have no minister of their own, will establish a reader in orcfer to hinder their people from as- sembling with the English. To the second enquiry, I answer, that the number of those well affected to the Church of England, were not above three or four families at the utmost, those that now frequent the church at West and Eastchester in the summer-time, and especially at the afternoon service, are about one hundred, but in the winter, not half that number, though the number of inhabitants in my parish are computed to be about six thousand. Their employments is husbandry, even innkeepers, shopkeepers, smiths, and shoe- makers not excepted ; so that we pray, pay and wait too, for everything done in this country. As to their religion, those who first settled in Westchester town, some were Quakers, those in Eastchester were New En- gland Independants, who were in love with extemporary prayers, and who remain so in some -degree after they are reconciled to our church, so that the chief hope of making proselytes, lyes amongst the younger sort, and in order to this, I believe the reading of some of our defences to the objections of the Dissent- ers particularly, and especially the London cases abridged by Bennet, would be of singular use. As the people of this country are all farmers, they are dis- persed up and down the country : and even in towns, every one AND CHURCH OP WESTCHESTER. 61 has a plott of at least ten acres, which distances his neighbour from him, but then they make up for the rareness of their build- ings by enlarging the compass of their towns, in that they gene- rally make their townships many miles in length, it may be twenty or thirty. In my parish are two meeting houses, one of which is of Quakers, built within a stone throw of the Church of West- chester, and is indeed a better building than that. The other is at New Rochelle. The Church of Eastchester is about four miles east of that of Westchester, and the Church of New Ro- chelle is about four miles east of Eastchester. In New Rochelle, besides the church, there is a meeting house of French Protest- ant Dissenters ; no such meeting house being in Eastchester, they supply that want by an intrusion into the church : to which they plead a right, as being the chief builders thereof. But 1 being legally presented and inducted, as was likewise my pre- decessor, I laid claim to it as my own proper right, exclusive of them ; and so kept them out of it for a time, but they but rarely meeting in it, and threatening a law suit, I permitted them to do as they had done in my predecessor's time : being somewhat at a loss how to behave in that affair; I should be glad to have the Society's direction therein. " In the winter time we have severely cold weather, with very hard frost and deep snows, which hold us at least four months, beginning generally about the middle of November, and ending about the middle of March, but we have very cold winds some- time before, and likewise sometime after the time aforesaid, so that we reckon, six months of cold and six months of hot weath- er, four of these being extremely cold, and four extremely hot. It is the business of the summer here, to provide for the winter, by which means few of our farmers rise, or are so much as be- foreband with the world : but the far greatest number are in- volved in debts and difficulties by means of the intemperature of the climate, and the indolence and restiveness of the inhabi- tants, but few here improve in their fortunes, so that for ought I could hitherto learn by any observation I could make in my parish, the number of those that die in it exceeds not the num ber of those that run out of it. 62 HISTORY OP THE PARISH To the third head of enquiry I answer, that there are three meeting houses in my parish, one of the Quakers of Westchester, one of the Dutch, from it three miles west, and one of the French at New Rochelle. The Dutch Church has no settled teacher, but is supplyed once a quarter from New- York, at other times it is supplied only by a reader. The Quakers preach against hierling priests, and pretend to give nothing to their teachers. The other Dissenters support their teachers by a free contribution raised amongst themselves. To the fourth head of enquiry, I say, there are three schools and three schoolmasters. The first school is at Westchester, William Forester, master, who has a salary from the Venerable Society, whom we have the honor to serve. The second is at Eastchester, one Delpech master, who is very well adapted and fitted for that business, and is well spoken of as being diligent in it : the third is at New Rochelle, where both French and English are taught. The two last have no other encouragement than what the parents of the children taught, do give. To the fifth, there have been no donations that I know of, made either to the Church of West or Eastchester, nor any ben- efaction to the minister or schoolmaster of either place, nor is there any Library belonging to either church, save a few books Mrs. Bartow delivered to me. To the sixth and last head of the enquiry, I answer, that in the Township of Westchester, there are seventy-five, in that of Eastchester, twenty-six, but few of these negroes are in the ser- vice of those belonging to our church ; and then farther, the state of the negroes being servitude and bondage, all the week they are held to hard work, but only Sunday's excepted, when they fish or fowl or some other way provide for themselves. Their scattered position up and down the country some distance from the church, but have all the prejudices of the masters conceiving the worse for being taught, and more apt to rebel, (an unhappy instance of which we had fourteen or fifteen years ago, in the City of New- York, when and where there was an insurrection of the negroes in which several white people were destroyed, and it was observed, that the Catechumens of that kind or the most instructed of the negroes were the very leaders in that in- AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 63 surrection, a ) are almost an invincible bar to their christian in- struction. But I had almost forgot one thing, which, however, is of great moment in this case, and it is that few of them are capable of being instructed. I have now two negroes, since marriage, one of which is a girl about nine years old, whom I have had above twelve months, and have during that time several times attempt- ed to teach her to read, but cannot yet make her know her al- phabet ; nor have any endeavours hitherto used with her, which have not been inconsiderable; been sufficient to make her num- ber ten, tho' she was born in this country : nor can a fellow that is at least twenty, whom I have lately bought, tho' he has been seven years in this country, count up that number, but notwith- standing what hath been said, I hope so far to initiate them in the christian religion as to fit them for baptism. I have, in obedience to our principals, publickly exhorted those that have negroes to instruct them in the principles of the christian religion, and have offered my assistance therein, but hitherto with little success. I hope I shall succeed better in some future attempt. It is, I am sensible, expected that I should acquaint the Honorable Society with my labours and the success of them. I preach one Sunday at Westchester, another at Eastchester, and this I do twice a day for one half year, but then during the season, (i. e.) when the days are short and weather cold, and the people are obliged in the morning to attend their cattle, we have divine service but once, and that is about the middle of the day. I catechize the children in the public church at Eastchester, and have moved for ^it at Westchester, but have not yet succeeded, the master there not encouraging of it. * The " negro plot" of April, 1712. " The useful course of Mr. Neau's labours, (says Dr. Hawkins) was temporarily interrupted in 1712, by an insurrection of the negroes in the city of New-York. This, though soon put down, created a strong prejudice against the school, which the masters, who were for the most part averse to their being instructed, well knew how to turn to an account. There was no ground for it, however ; as it appeared on the trial that but one of all Mr. Neau's scholars, and that one unbaptized, had any connexion in the plot." Note inserted by Editor. 64 HISTORY OP THE PARISH Since I came here, I have baptized about fifty children, besides two grown persons. The number of our communicants are about thirty. You were pleased to tell me that the people of Setaucot, besides the allowance from the Society, would do something among and of themselves, but nothing being hitherto done, I desire if any subscription were by them sent to the So- ciety, and such I am told was sent ; that you would commu- nicate them to me, and in so doing you will much oblige, Rev. Sir, Your very humble servant, Thomas Standard." a In the spring of 1735 occurred an unhappy difference between the Rev. Thos. Standard and Mr. Forster, the Society's school- master. It appears, from a letter of Governor Cosby's to the Bishop of London ; that when Mr.Vesey, the Commissary, "was last at Westchester, (30th of June, 1735) to enquire into this af- fair ; a complaint was exhibited inform against Mr. Standard, by the principal men of his congregation :" b to which Mr. Stand- ard gave in his answer, on the Sth of October following, "to- gether with certain testimonials and affidavits which he judged necessary to his vindication.'" In transmitting copies of these proceedings, upon the 20th of October, 1735, to the Bishop of London, and through him to the Venerable Society, Mr. Vesey observes : — " I have not as yet served Mr. Standard's accusers with a copy of his answer to their charges against him, nor ex- amined into the truth of the allegations ; being determined to proceed no farther in a matter of this consequence, without my Lord's and the Hon. Society's express order and directions, as also hoping that they will be pleased favorably to accept his answer, seeing he has promised to reform himself and pursue the great end and design of his mission with more care and diligence for the time to come." Here the matter seems, fortunately for both parties, to have ended, as no further proceedings were taken : * Hawks' M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 26 to 35. b Ibid vol. ii. 80, 81. « Ibid vol. ii. 76, 77. AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 65 and the Society still continued Mr. Standard's services at West- chester. In 1743, Mr. Standard acquaints the Society, "that notwith- standing the country swarmed with vagrant preachers, called New Lights, he had a more numerous congregation than usual) the Lord's day preceding."* 11 Upon the earnest petition of the churchwardens and vestry- men of St. Peter's Church, Westchester, the Propagation So- ciety appointed Mr. Basil Bartow, school-master of the parish in 1744." The King's Commissary transmitted the following ac- count of this individual : — " that he is son to the Rev. John Bar- tow, late the Society's worthy missionary there. He is a person of good temper, sober, and pious, and well affected to the present government ; conformable to the doctrine and discipline of the church, and exceedingly well qualified for the instruction of children." 13 The Society's abstracts for 1745, say : — "Letters from New- York bring an account that the Churches of East and West- chester, under the care of Mr. Standard, are in a peaceable and growing state." The following notice of Mr. Standard's death, and the ap- pointment of his successor, appears in the abstracts for 1760 : — M The Society being informed by a letter from the churchwar- dens of Westchester, dated August the first, 1760, that the Rev. Mr. Standard, their Missionary, was dead ; and that for some time before his death he had been incapable, through his great age, of performing his office in the church of which he had been the incumbent, more than thirty-four years ; and they earnestly praying for a worthy successor to him, that might collect the congregation, then scattered as sheep having no shepherd ; the society have granted their petition, by the appointment of the Rev. Mr. Milner, a native of that Province, and son of a gentle- man of the City of New-York, to the mission of Westchester : he coming over from thence recommended to the Society by the •Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. from 1743 to 1744. fc Ibid from 1744 to 1745. • Ibid. 5 66 HISTORY OF THE PARISH Rev. Dr. Johnson, President of the College, and by the Rev. Dr. Barclay, Rector of the Church of New- York ; and being found worthy of, admitted into Deacon's and Priest's orders in our church ; and he now is on his voyage to Westchester, where the Sociely have good hopes he will answer the good character trans- mitted to them of him, and both by doctrine and example pro- mote the knowledge and practice of the true christian religion.""' From the date of probate of Mr. Standard's will, which gen- erally points out the period of the deceased's death, it is probable that he died at Eastchester, b in the early part of January, 1760. His body lies under the communion table in St. Paul's Church ; but no monument marks the spot where the ashes of this ven- erable missionary repose. THE WILL OF THOMAS STANDARD, RECTOR OF THE PARISH OF WESTCHESTER. "In the Name or God, Amen, — I, Thomas Standard, Rector of the Parish of Westchester, in the Province of New- York, being far advanced in years, but of sound disposing mind and memory, (thanks be to God,) do make my last will and testament in manner and form following : first and principally, I commit my pre- cious and immortal soul into the merciful hands of God that gave it, and my body to the earth, to be decently buried at the discretion of my executors, hereinafter named, nothing doubting but I shall be raised again by the mighty power of God to a Glorious Resurrection thro' Jesus Christ my Blessed Saviour and Redeem- er; and as touching my worldly estate, I do dispose thereof, as follows: my Will is, that all my just debts and funeral charges be duly paid and satisfied in some convenient time after my decease. I give and grant unto my executors hereinaf- ter named, full power and authority to sell and dispose of all my real estate what- soever and wheresoever, at vendue or otherwise, as they shall think fitt, and to make and execute good and sufficient deeds and conveyances in the law to the purchasor or purchasors thereof; I likewise give them power, and order them, my executors, to sell and dispose of all my moveable and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever, and the monys arrising from the sale of my said real and per- sonal estate, together with all the monys I shall leave at my decease, either in my house, or that shall be due to me on bond or otherwise, I order to be disposed of as follows : and I do give and bequeath the same unto and amongst my nephews and neices, namely, Thomas Standard, of London, barber, son of my brother and to George Standard and Mary Standard, children of my brother, James Stand- ard, late of Taunton, in Somersetshire, in Old England, dec'd, and to William ■ Printed Abstracts of the Ven. Prop., Soc. from 15 Feb., 17G0, to 20 Feb. 1761. b The property opposite the present Church, upon which Mr. Standard resided at the time of his death, was sold by Andrew Clements, one of his executors, and now belongs to John Alstyne, Esq. — Editor. AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 67 Burridge and Sarah Burridge, children of ray sister, Sarah Burridge the wife ol William Burridge, of Taunton aforesaid, equally to be devided amongst them, share and share alike, each an equal part of all and singular my said estate, and in case either of my said nephews or neices should happen to die before the dis- tribution of my said estate, leaving no lawfull issue, then I order the share of him or her so dying, to be equally divided amongst the surviving legatees before named, but if those so dying shall leave lawfull issue, then I will that the issue of euch legatee so dying, shall have the share of their dec'd father or mother. Last- ly, 1 nominate, constitute, and appoint my trusty friends, James Bernard and An- drew Clements, both of Eastchester, in the Province of New- York, gent's, execu- tors of this my last will and testament, hereby making void all former wills by me made, declaring this only to be my last will and testament. In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in Eastchester, the first day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty-eight. THOMAS STANDARD, [l. s.] Signed sealed, published and declared by the said Thomas Standard, as and for his last Will and Testament, in the presence of us, who subscribe our names as witnesses thereto, in the testator's presence. Thomas Butler, Charles Vincent, Lewis Guion, Jno. Bartow." " I, Thomas Standard, before named, do hereby further declare, that notwithstand- ing I have given all my estate unto my nephews and neices, to witt: — Thomas Standard, of London, barber, George Standard and Mary Standard, William Bur- ridge and Sarah Burridge, by the foregoing will, yet it is my will, and I do order and direct my executors before named, to pay to the heirs of William Jesse, of Westhatch, near Taunton, the sum of forty pounds, sterling money of Great Bri- tain, before they make a distribution of my said estate amongst my nephews and neices before named: and I do order this codicil to be a part of my will, and to be of the same force and effect as if the same had been inserted in the body of the foregoing. In Testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand and seal, this fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty-eight. THOMAS STANDARD, [l. s.] Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Thomas Standard, as and for a codicil, in the presence of us who subscribe our names as evidences thertof, in the testator's presence. Jno. Bartow, Charles Vincent, Lewis Guion, Thomas Butler."* » Transcribed from a true copy, examined with the original, by P. Banyar, D. Sec. Date of Probate, 26th Jan., 17C0, Surrogates office, N. Y. Vol. xxi. 496. 6S HISTORY OF THE PARISH The state of the parish, about eleven months after Mr. Stand- ard's death, is thus described by the Rev. Dr. Barclay, in a let- ter to the Secretary, from which we take the following : — MR. BARCLAY TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] New- York, Dec. ]0th, 1760. " Westchester and Rye continue still vacant. Religion is at the lowest ebb in yt country, and unless some zealous and dis- crete clergyman be appointed to those missions, the very term of it will soon disappear — as Westchester is a wide extended county, three missionaries can find more than sufficient employ- ment, and I know of no place where they can be more service- able, provided they have the interest of religion at heart." a From the following passage, in the life of Samuel Johnson, D. D., by Dr. Chandler, it appears that as early as 1755, the So- ciety had provided an assistant and successor to Mr. Standard, in the person of Mr. William Johnson, a younger son of the Doc- tor'sj but unfortunately their plans were frustrated by his early death. "Mr. William Johnson embarked for England, Novem- ber the 8th, 1755, with a view of returning in Holy orders, to assist and succeed Mr. Standard, the superannuated missionary at Westchester. He was received by the Society, by the Bishops Sherlock and Seeker, and all the Doctor's friends, with great af- fection. They recommended him to the University of Oxford, for the degree of Master of Arts, which was readily conferred upon him, in the month of May, and soon after to the Univer- sity of Cambridge, where he was^admitted ad eundem. He had received holy orders in March, and had preached several times in and about London, with great reputation. But soon after his return from Cambridge, he was seized with the small-pox, which proved fatal to him on the 20th of Jane, 1756. He was buried in Mr. Morley's vault, in St. Mildred's in the Poultry, where there is a handsome marble monument erected to his memory. » New- York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 282. (Hawks'.) AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 69 Thus to the inexpressible grief and disappointment of his friends, and to the great loss of the church in America, was this amiable and promising youth cut off, in the bloom of life, making the seventh of those, who in their voyage to England, for Holy orders, from the northern colonies, had perished by sundry kinds of death." * Upon the 25th of February, 1761, the REV. JOHN M1LNER, A. M., was licensed as a Missionary, to the Province of New-York, by the Bishop of London. He was the son of Nathaniel Milner, of New- York, a descendant of the Mylners, or Milners, of Pugesey, in Yorkshire. b One of the early pioneers of the family in this country, was Michael Milner, of Lynn, Mass., who removed to Long Island, in 1640. c Mr. Milner was born in this county circ. 1738, d and graduated at Princeton College, New Jersey, in 175^ • In 1760 he went to England for Holy orders, and the same year was ordained Deacon and Priest, by Bishop Sherlock. He embarked for his mission sometime in March, 1761, and ar- rived home, after a long and tedious passage, on the 13 th of May, following. Upon the 12th of June, of that year, he was institu- ted and inducted Rector of the Parish, by Lieutenant Governour Colden, in the following manner : — LETTERS OF INSTITUTION BY LIEUT. GOVERNOUR COLDEN, TO JOHN MILNER, CLERK. I, Cadwallader Colden, Esq., President of his Majesty's Council, and Com- mander-in-Chief of the Province of New- York, and the Territories depending * Life of Samuel Johnson, D. D., by Thomas Bradbury Chandler, D. D., for- merly Rector of St. John's Church, Elizabethtown, N. J. p. 96. b The arms of John Mylner, Lord of the Manor of Pugesey, were : — sable, three bridle bits or. Crest, a bridle bit or. see Berry's Genealogies of Kent. c Farmer's Register. * "Mr. Milner was a native of "Westchester Colony, his father residing in N. Y." Fowler's M. S. S., B. iii. 573. B. v. p. 965. * List of Princeton Graduates. 70 HISTORY OF THE PARISH thereon in America'; do, in pursuance of the power devolved on me, collate, in- stitute and establish you, John Milner, Clerk, Rector of (he Parish Church at Westchester, commonly called St. Peter's Church, including the several districts of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and the Manor of Pelham, in the County of Westchester, -within this government, to have the care of the souls of the par- ishioners of the said church and district aforesaid, and to take your cure and mine. Given under my hand and the prerogative seal of the Province of New- York, at Fort George, in the City oi New- York, the thirteenth day of June, one thou- sand seven hundred and sixty-one. CADWALLADER COLDEN. • MANDATE FROM LIEUT. GOYERNOUR COLDEN TO INDUCT JOHN MILNER, CLERK, INTO THE RECTORSHIP OF THE PARISH CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. The Honorable Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, President of his Majesty's Coun- cil, and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of New- York, and the Territories depending thereon in America : To all and singular, Rectors and Parish Ministers whatsoever, in the Province of New- York, or to Samuel Sneden and John Hunt, the present churchwardens of St. Peter's Church, at Westchester, in the county of Westchester, and to the vestrymen of the said church, and to each and every of you, Greeting : whereas I have collated, instituted and established our beloved in Christ, John Milner, Clerk, to be Rector of the Parish Church at Westchester, commonly called St. Peter's Church, including the several districts of Westches- ter, Eastchester, Yonkers, and the Manor of Pelha n, in the county of Westchester, within this government, vacant as is said by the natural death of Thomas Stand- ard, the last incumbent there, on the day of January, 17G0, with all its rights and appurtenances, observing the laws and canons of right in that behalf required, and to be observed ; To you therefore, jointly and severally, I do commit, and firmly enjoining, do command each and every of you that in due manner, him, the said John Milner, or his lawful proctor, in his name and for him, into the real, actual, and corporal possession of the said Rectory and Parish Church at West- chester, including the districts aforesaid, and of all its rights and appurtenances whatsoever, you induct, or have to be inducted, and him so inducted, you do de- fend, and of what you shall have done in the premises thereof, you do duely cer- tify unto me, or other competent Judge, in that behalf, when thereunto you shall be duely required. Given under my hand and the prerogative seal of the Province of New- York, at Fort George, in the City of New- York, the thirtieth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-one. CADWALLADER COLDEN. *> • Record of Commissions, Secretary of State's Office, Albany, vol. v. 188-9. k Ibid. AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 71 The Rev. Mr. Milner, the Society's Missionary at Westches- ter, in his letter of October 3d, 1761, acquaints the Society, "that after a long and dangerous passage, he arrived at his mission May 13th, and has ever since preached to crow*..-, d audiences. His mission, he says, is of large extent, and he is obliged to at- tend three churches, and till Mr. Houdin came to New Rochelle, officiated there once a month. One of his churches is a new edifice, raised by the generosity of Col. Frederick Philips, who has given to its service a fine farm as a glebe, consisting of two hundred acres ; upon which he purposes to build a good house for a minister. Mr. Milner has baptized forty-three white in- fants, and four adults, twelve black children and three adults. His communicants are sixteen. His catechumens, he says, have made a laudable proficiency, by which means he hopes his com- municants will increase." 81 Mr. Milner, in his letter dated June 29th, 1762, writes : — « yt since his arrival at his mission, which is fourteen months, he had baptized one hundred and fourteen, of whom forty were adults, viz: thirty whites and ten blacks, and had administered the sacrament of the Lord's supper four times, to thirty communi- cants, of which he hopes the number will increase. He con- stantly attends three churches in three different townships, preaching to crowded audiences of devout, well-behaved people. They have no dissenters among them, except a few Quakers. He adds, that the school is still vacant, and deprived of a teach- er, but petitions the Society to continue their bounty to some worthy person who shall be chosen schoolmaster; as the school is a nursery for the church, and of great service in these parts, which request is accordingly granted." 15 In a letter dated June the 4th, 1763, Mr. Milner "expresses his own and his people's sense of the favour done them in giv- ing them leave to choose a schoolmaster for this place, tho'they have not yet been able to find a person properly qualified for that office. He likewise informs the society that he has pro- • Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc, for 1762-3-4-5-G-7-8, p. 51. The New-York Post Boy of May 7, 1761, says:— "the Rev. Mr. Milner has arrived from London in the Ship Oliver." * Printed Abstracts of Yen. Prop. Society, for 17G2. 72 HISTORY OF THE PARISH cured a charter for St. Peter's Church, which will greatly promote the interests of virtue and religion, and that his people have purchased a house, with a glebe of thirty acres, not far from the church. From June 29, 1762, to the date of this letter, he has baptized eighty infants, among whom were three blacks, and seven adults ; one of them a man near sixty years old, who is since admitted to full communion. The number of his commu- nicants is increased to fifty-three, above forty have been added since his arrival at his mission, which was about two years at the time of his writing." a The following petition was presented for the charter alluded to in the above letter : — TO THE HONOURABLE CADWALLADER COLDEN, ESQ.., HIS MA- JESTY'S LIEUTENANT GOVERNOUR AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE PROVINCE OF NEW- YORK, AND THE TERRITORIES DEPENDING THEREON IN AMERICA. The petition of the subscribers, inhabitants of the Borough Town of Westches- ter, in the county of Westchester, in behalf of themselves and the rest of the in- habitants of the said Town, in communion of the Church of England, as by law established ; Humbly Sheweth : That for many years past there has been a church in the said town of West- chester for the administration of Divine Service according to the use of the Church of England, as by law established, but that for want of proper persons to superintend the affairs and interests of the same with legal authority ; the building is now considerably out of repair, and pious and well disposed persons are dis- couraged in their designs of contributing to, and establishing proper funds for the support of the said church and the minister thereof ; for remedying which, Your Petitioners humbly pray that your honour will be favourably pleased to grant unto them his Majesty's Letters Patent, constituting your Petitioners, or such of them as shall be thought proper, a Body Politic and Corporate, for the pur- poses of conducting and managing the affairs and interests of the said church in such manner and form, and with such rights, priviledges and immunities, as were heretofore granted to the inhabitants of the town of Flushing, in Queen's County, in communion of the Church of England, or with such other rights, priviledges, and immunities, as shall be thought reasonable and proper; and your petitioners, shall ever pray. John Milner, Peter De Lancet, John Bartow, N. Underbill, J. Willett, James Graham, Lewis Morris, Jr., James V. CoRTLANDT. b • Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. for 1763. * New- York Col. M. S. S. (Colden,) 1761-2, vol. xc. Sec. of State's Office. AND CHURCH OP WESTCHESTER. 73 On the 12th of May, 1762, the petition was read and granted in the following manner : — ROYAL CHARTER OF ST. PETERS CHURCH, WESTCHESTER. " George the third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, &c, to whom these presents shall come, greeting: whereas, our loving subject, the Rev. John Milner, rector of St. Peter's church, in the borough town of Westchester, and the county of Westchester, in our province of New- York, and John Bartow, Isaac Willett, Lewis Morris, jr., Peter de Lan- cey, Nathaniel Underhill, James Graham and James van Cortlandt, inhabitants of the said borough town of Westchester, in communion of the Church of England, as by law established ; in behalf of themselves and the rest of the inhabitants of the said town, in communion as aforesaid, by their humble petition, presented on the twelfth day of May last, to our trusty and well beloved Cadwallader Colden, Esq., then our lieutenant Governour and Commander-in-chief of our Province of New- York, and the territories depending thereon in America ; in council did set forth, that for many years past there had been a church in the said town of West- chester, for the regular administration of divine service according to the use of the church of England, as by law established, but that for the want of proper persons to superintend the affairs and interests of the same with legal authority, the build- ing was considerably out of repair, and pious and well disposed persons were dis- couraged in the designs of contributing to and establishing proper funds for the support of the said church and the minister thereof ; for remedying whereof, the said petitioners did humbly pray a letter patent, constituting the said petitioners, or such of them as shall be thought proper, a body politick and corporate, for the purpose of conducting and managing the affairs and interests of the said church, in such manner and form, and with such rights, privileges and immunities as were hereto- fore granted to the inhabitants of the town of Flushing, in Glueen's county, in com- munion of the Church of England, or with such other rights, privileges and immu- nities as should be thought reasonable and proper ; now, we being willing to encourage the pious intentions of our said loving subjects, and to grant this their reasonable request, know ye, that of our especial grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, we have ordained, given, granted and declared, and by these pres- ents for us, our heirs and successors, do ordain, give, grant and declare, that they the said petitioners, and the rest of the inhabitants of the said borough town of Westchester, in communion of the Church of England, as by law established, and their successors, the rector and inhabitants of the said borough town of Westches- ter, in communion of the Church of England as bylaw established, hereafter shall be a body corporate and politic, in deed, fact and name, by the name, stile and title of the rector and inhabitants of the borough town of Westchester, in communion of the Church of England, as by law established, and them and their successors by the same name. We do by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, really and fully make, erect and constitute one body politic and corporate, in deed, fact and name forever, and we give, grant and ordain, that they and their successors, the rector and inhabitants of the borough town of Westchester, in communion of the Church of England, as by law established, by the same name shall and may have perpetual successions, and shall and may be capable in law to sue and be 74 HISTORY OF THE PARISH sued, implead and be impleaded, answer and be answered unto, defend and be de- fended in all courts and elsewhere, in all manner of actions, writs, complaints, pleas, causes, matters and demands whatsoever, as fully and amply as any other our liege subjects of our said province of New- York may or can sue or be sued, implead or be impleaded, defend or be defended, by any lawful way or means whatsoever, and that they and their successors by the isame name shall be forever hereafter capable and able in the law to purchase, take, hold, receive and enjoy any messuages, tenements, personal and real estate whatsoever in fee simple for the term of life or lives, or in any other manner howsoever for the use of the said church; and also any goods, chattels or personal estate whatsoever, provided al- ways that the clear yearly value of the said real estate (exclusive of the said church and the ground whereon the same is built, and the cemetery belonging to the same,) doth not at any time exceed the sum of five hundred pounds current money ol our said province, and that they and their successors by the same name shall have full power and authority to give, grant, sell, leave and dispose of the same real estate for life or lives, or year or for ever, under certain yearly rents, and all goods and chattels and personal estate whatsoever, at their will and pleas- ure, and that it shall and may be lawful for them and their successors to have and use a common seal ; and our will and pleasure further is, and we do hereby for us, our heirs and successors, ordain and appoint, that there shall be for ever hereafter belonging to the said church, one rector of the Church of England as by law es- tablished, duly qualified for the care of souls, two churchwardens and eight ves- trymen, who shall conduct and manage the affairs and business of the said church, and confer in manner as hereafter is established and appointed, and for the more immediate carrying into execution our royal will and pleasure herein, we do here- by assign, constitute and appoint Isaac Willett and Nathaniel Underbill, the elder, to be the present churchwardens, and Peter de Lancey, James Graham, James van Cortlandt, Lewis Moms, John Smith, Theophilus Bartow, Cornelius Willett and Thomas Hunt, to be the present vestrymen of the said church, who shall hold, possess and enjoy their respective offices until Tuesday in Easter week, now next ensuing, and for the keeping of the succession in the said offices our royal will and pleasure is, and we do hereby establish, direct and require, that on the said Tues- day in Easter week now next ensuing, and yearly and every year thereafter, for ever on Tuesday in Easter week in every year, the rector and inhabitants of the borough town of Westchester in communion of the Church of England, as by law established, shall meet at the said church, and there by the majority of voices of such of them as shall so meet, elect and choose two of their members to be churchwardens, and eight others of their members to be vestrymen of the said church for the ensuing year, which said churchwardens and vestrymen so elected and chosen, shall immediately enter upon their respective offices, and hold, exer- cise and enjoy the same respectively, from the time of such elections for and during the space of one year, and until other fit persons shall be elected and chosen in. their respective places, and in case the churchwardens or vestrymen, or either of them, by these presents named and appointed, or which shall hereafter be elected and chosen, shall die or remove from the said borough town of Westchester, be- fore the time of their respective appointed services shall be expired, or refuse or neglect to act in the office for which he or they is or are herein nominated and appointed or where unto he or they shall or may be elected and chosen, then our AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 75 royal will and pleasure is, and we do hereby direct and ordain and require the rector and inhabitants of the borough town of Westchester in communion as aforesaid, forthe time being, to meet at the said church and choose other or others of their numbers in place and stead of him or them so dying, removing or re- fusing to act within thirty days next after such contingency, and in this case for the more due and orderly conducting the said elections, and to prevent any undue proceedings therein, we do hereby give full power and authority to, and ordain and require that the rector and the churchwardens of the said church for the time being, or any two of them, shall appoint the time for such election or elections, and that the rector of the said church, or in his absence one of the churchwardens for the time being, shall give public notice thereof by publishing the same at the said church immediately after divine service, on the Sunday preceding the day appointed for such elections, hereby giving and granting that such person or per- sons as shall be chosen from time to time by the rector and inhabitants of the said borough town of Westchester in communion as aforesaid, or the majority of such of them as shall in such case meet in manner hereby directed, shall have, hold, exercise and enjoy such the office or offices to which he or they shall be so elected and chosen from the time of such election until the Tuesday in Easter week thence next ensuing, and until other or others be legally chosen in his or their place instead, as fully and amply as the person or persons in whose place he or they shall be chosen might or could have done by virtue of these presents, and we do hereby will and direct that this method shall for ever hereafter be used for the filling up all vacancies that shall happen in either the said offices between the annual elections above directed; and our royal will and pleasure further is, and we do hereby for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant that as well the churchwardens and vestry, or those present nominated and appointed as such, as shall from time to time be hereafter elected and chosen as is herein directed, shall have and they are hereby invested with full power and authority to execute their several and respective offices in as full and ample manner as any churchwardens or vestrymen in that part of our kingdom of Great Britian called England, or in this our province of New- York, can or lawfully may execute their said respective offices ; and further our royal will and pleasure is, and we do by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, give, grant, ordain and appoint, that the rector and churchwardens of said church for the time being, or any two of them, shall and may from time to time as occasion shall require, summon and call together at such day and place as they shall think proper the said rector, churchwardens and vestrymen for the time being to meet in vestry, giving them at the least one day's notice thereof, and we hereby require them tc meet accordingly, and we do hereby give, grant and ordain, that the said rector, and one of the said churchwar- dens for the time being at least, together with the majority of the said vestrymen of the said church, for the time being, being met in vestry as above directed, shall for ever hereafter, have, and they are hereby invested with full power and authority by a majority of their voices to do and execute in the name of the rector and in- habitants of the bo ough town of Westchester, in communion of the Church of England as by law established, all and singular powers and authorities hereinbe- fore given and granted to the said rector and inhabitants of the borough town of Westchester in communion of the church of England as by law established, any wise touching or relating to such lands, messuages, tenements, real aud personal estate whatsoever, as they the said rector and inhabitants of the borough town of 76 HISTORY OF THE PARISH. Westchester, in communion as aforesaid, shall or may acquire for the use of the said church, and also in like manner to order, direct, manage, and transact the general interest, business and affairs of our said corporation, and also shall have full power and authority in like manner to make and ordain such rules, orders, and ordinances as they shall judge convenient for the good government and dis- cipline of the members of said church, provided such rules, orders and ordinances be not repugnant to the laws of that part of our kingdom of Great Britian called England, or this our province of New- York, but as near as may be agreeable thereto, and that the same be fairly entered in a book or books to be kept for that purpose, and also in like manner to appoint the form of the common seal herein before granted, and the same to alter, break, and remake at their discretion, and also in like manner tc appoint such officer or officers as they shall stand in need of, always provided that the rector of the said church for the time being shall have the sole power of nominating and appointing the clerk to assist him in performing divine service, as also the sexton, anything herein before contained to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding, which clerk and sexton shall hold and enjoy their re- spective offices during the will and pleasure of the rector of the said church for the time being, and in case of any avoidance of the said church either by the death of the rector thereof or otherwise, then our royal will and pleasure is that the powers and authority hereby vested in the rector, churchwardens, and vestry- men, in vestry to meet as above mentioned, shall, until the said church be legally supplied with another incumbent, vest in and be executed by the churchwardens of the said church for the time being, provided always they have the concurrence and consent of the major number of the whole vestrymen of the said church for the time being, in any thing they shall in such case do by virtue hereof, and further we do by these presents, for us, our heirs, and successors, give and grant unto the rector and inhabitants of the borough town of Westchester in communion of the church of England as by law established, and their successors forever, that l his our present grant shall be deemed, adjudged and construed in all cases most favourably and for the best benefit and advantage of the rector and inhabi- tants of the borough town of Westcheser in communion of the church of Eng- land as by law established, and that this our present grant being entered on record as is hereinafter particularly expressed, shall be good and effectual in the law to all intents, constructions and purposes whatsoever, against us, our heirs, and successors, according to our true interests and meaning herein before declared, notwithstanding the not reciting or mis-reciting, not naming or mis-naming of any of the aforesaid franchises, privileges, immunities, or officers, in either the premises or any of them, and although no writ of ad quod damnum or other writs, inquisitions in precept hath or have been upon this account, had, made, or prosecu- ted or issued, to have and to hold all and singular the privileges, liberties, ad- vantages, and immunities hereby granted or meant, mentioned, or intended so to be, unto the said rector and inhabitants of the borough town of Westchester in communion of the church of England as by law established, and to their succes- sors forever. In testimony whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent, and the great seal of our said province to be hereunto affixed, and the same to be entered on record in our Secretary's office, in our city of New- York, in one of the books of patents there remaining. Witness, our trusty and well beloved Robt. Monckton, our captain general and governor-in-chief of our province of New -York and the territories depending thereon in America, vice admiral of the AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 77 same and major-general of our forces, at our fort in our city of New-York, by and with the advice and consent of our governour for our said province. Second day of December, in the year A. D. 1762, and of our reign the third. Signed, CLARKE." » [L. ..] The Society's abstracts for 1764, say : — "The Rev. Mr. Mil- ner, the Society's Missionary at Westchester, in his letters dated June 8th, and December 21st, 1764 ; acquaints the Society that he has, at his own expense, laid out a sum, amounting to two hundred pounds currency, repaired the pacsonage house, built a new barn and out houses, (the vestry promising to reimburse him as soon as their circumstances will permit,) and the people of Eastchester have laid the foundation of a new stone church, seventy one feet by thirty-eight, in the room of a small decayed wooden building, erected in the' infancy of their settlement. Mr. Milner has, in pursuance of the powers given him by the Soci- ety ; appointed Mr. Nathaniel Seabury, a son of the late worthy missionary at Hampstead, to be schoolmaster at Westchester." The churchwardens of Westchester in their letter, dated July 7th, 1764, acquaint the Society " that they have purchased a glebe of near thirty acres, with a house, which, when they have re. paid Mr. Milner the expense he has been at, will cost them, in the whole, near seven hundred pounds, which they spend with great cheerfulness, as their minister's behaviour has very much endeared him to the people ; and his diligence has been attend- ed with such success, that whole families of Quakers, the only dissenters in this parish, have conformed to the church. Mr. Milner has baptized, within the year, seventy-two whites, and nineteen black infants, and has fifty communicants." b Mr. Milner continued his services in the parish, until the fall of 1765, as appears by the following extract from a letter of Mr. John Bartow, to the Bishop of London : — Borough of Westchester, in the Province of New- York, Oct. 15/A, 1765. "The Honourable Society's Missionary for our parish of West- chester has left us. — I expect the vestry of this parish will ■ Alb. Rec. Book of Patents, No. xiii. 490. b Printed abstracts of Yen. Prop. Soc. from 17th Feb. 17C4, to 15lh Feb. 17G5. 78 HISTORY OF THE PARISH soon address the Honourable Society for the continuance of their favours; and I beg your lordship's care and protection over us, and that you will assist in sending a faith fill minister to reside here. I suppose our vestry may nominate, but still there may want inspection. ' ~; records from ; .i^til the close of die " Trustees from 1788 : 1795 1795. Israel Undei Philip I. Livingston. i:: Philir I. Livingston, Israel Underhill. 1797. Israel Underbill, Samuel Bayard. 1796 Isrnei Unif.'. N::i::^sBr" 179a Israel Underhill, Phiiir I. Livingston. 1800-1 PinLij I L: fingsl Israel Underhill. 1802. Israel Underhill, Philip I. Livingston. I E : 3-4. Israel Underhill, is, 1805. lames Ifforris, R: '; : *•".- ::;. 18 B-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14 Robert Watts, 1 1 ..is. 181546-17-18-1 -2 Jame s Morris, A'; : ;ii: Hammond. 1821-2. Jamc : Hon Josfaoa Waidington. :s:: Joshua Wa - James Morris. 1824-5-6-7. i Jzshua Waddington. 1828-9. Abijah Hammond, George Lorillard. 183 George L Robert Morris. 1S32. Ab ij afa H immond, Robert Mo:: i a . 1S33. R: ;■=:-. ?: Valentine Nutter. ASD CHTECH OF WESTCHESTER. 129 1534-5-6. Valentine Nutter, Robert Morris. 1S37 to 1840. Francis Baretto, Richard Hunt. 1840 to 1S43. Francis Baretto. James DeWolfe. 1543 to 1844. Francis Baretto. Robert R. Morris. 1544 to 1850. Francis Baretto. Elnathan HawLois. 1850 to 1553. Francis Baretto, Gouverneur M. Wilkins. Sealoj St. Peter 's Ctiurch.jjnserdedhy Samuel IBaymrd M A Z HISTORY OF THE PARISH AID CHURCH OF RYE. This parish, which formerly included the three townships of Rye, Bedford and JVlamaroneck, was originally embraced in the great purchase of " Ubiequaeshook," or " Weckquaskeck,"* made by the Dutch West India Company, of the Indians, in the year of our Lord 1640. " In order (says the historian of the State) to maintain the character and privileges, of the West India Company, Kieft dispatched secretary Van Tienhoven, early in the spring of 1640, with instructions to purchase the ' Ar- chipelago,' or group of islands, at the mouth of the Norwalk Rive^ together with all the adjoining territory on the main land, and to erect thereon, the standard and arms of the High and Mighty Lords, the States General ; to take the savages under our protec- tion ; and to prevent effectually, any other nation encroaching on our limits. These directions were executed, and the West India Company thus obtained the Indian title to all the lands, between Norwalk and the North River, comprehending much of the present County of Westchester." b The aborigines however, still continued to maintain posses- sion, for in the year 1660, the lands of Rye or Poningoe, were in the tenour of "Shanasockwell" or " Shanorocke" (as he subse- quently signed his name,) an independent chieftain of theSiwa- » Weckquaskeck (in pure Algonquin Weec — quaes — guck) signifies the place of the bark kettle. In the Delaware language Wi — qua — jeek, denotes the head of a creek or run. k Brodhead's History of the State ofNew-York, First Period, 1609—1664, p. 296. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 131 noys, whose clan formed a portion, if not one of the Mohegan tribes itself, of the " Seacoast." Poningoe, the Indian name of Rye, is supposed to be derived from Ponus, the title of an early aboriginal proprietor of this territory. The final termination oe or ong, denoting locality. — Thus the whole word may emphatically express the place or locality, of that sachem's residence. It was not until ten years after the provisional arrangement of boundaries between New Netherland and New England, by Governour Stuyvesant, and the New England Commissioners in 1650, that a permanent settlement was made in Rye, by a num- ber of Puritans from the east. On the 29th day of June, 1660, John Coe, Peter Disbrow and Thomas Stud well, purchased the Island of Menne wies or Manus- sing, of the Indian Sagamore, Shanasockwell and other In- dians, for eight coats, seven shirts, and fifteen fathom of wam- pum. To the Island village, its new proprietors gave the name of Hastings. Purchases on the main soon followed, and the village of Rye was commenced in 1663. In the year 1683, Rye was annexed to the Province of New- York, but it was not till 1731, that the lines between the two colonies were established as they now exist. The first religious society of Rye was Congregational, at that time, the established religion of the Colony of Connecticut. " Rye and Westchester," says Humphreys, " as soon as they had fixed the civil magistracy, they did establish a public worship of God ; and suitable to this prudent, as well as religious proce- dure, the Colony throve apace, &c. But when the Independents found themselves fixed in power, they began to enact a rigid con- formity to their manner of worship. Men of all persuasions but their own, were styled opprobiously sectaries, and tho' they had declared at first for moderation, and a general liberty of consci- ence, they, notwithstanding, banished and drove out of the coun- try the Quakers, the Antiiiomian and Familistical Parties."* * An Historical account of the Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, &c. by David Humphreys, D. D. Sec. to the Honorable Society. London, printed by Joseph Downing, MDCCXXX. 13^ HISTORY OF THE PARISH " By authority it had been enacted that no persons within the colony should embody themselves in church estate without the consent of the general court. The law also prohibited any minis- try being attended by the inhabitants, in any plantation distinct and separate from that which was established in the place ; ex- cept by the approbation of the general court and the neighbouring churches. One object of these laws was doubtless to prevent Baptists, Episcopalians and others from gaining a foothold." a " As early asS1660," says the historian Trumbull, " Rye paid taxes for the support of religion, although no church was formed, nor pastors ordained. Greenwich and Rye, continues the same authorily. " were but just come under the jurisdiction of Connec- ticut, and not in circumstances for the support of ministers ; they had occasional preaching only for a considerable time." b "At a town meeting, held in Rye, November 17th, 1670, the town made choice of Joseph Horton, Thomas Brown, and John Brondig, who are to do their endeavour to procure a minister." It was also agreed, for to allow "two pence in the pound for the maintenance of a minister amongst us ; that is to say an ortho- dox minister." From the following document, however, it appears that the town had not succeeded in procuring a minister : — " May the 11th, 1671, at a Court of Assembly holden at Hartford, Captain Nathan Gold, Thomas Fitch, Mr. Holly, Lieut. Richard Olm- stead, and Mr. John Burr, they, or any three of them, are desired to repair to the said Rye, as soon as may be, and to endeavour a comfortable composure and issue of such differences as are among the people there, and to use their endeavours in procuring a minister, and comfortably settling of him in the plantation of Rye. Then the Court doth empower the aforesaid committee to agree with a suitable man for that work in that place, and to agree with him for maintenance to the value of £40 per annum, which the Treasurer, by warrant to the Constable of said Rye, » Lambert's History of New Haven, p. 189. b Trumbull's History of Connecticut, p. 300. • Town Records of Rye. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 133 shall order for the gathering and payment thereof with the county rate." a On the 8th of October, 1674; the General Court again em- powered Captain John Allyn, Mr. James Bishop, Major Robert Treat, with Mr. Gold, " to endeavour also the obliging and settling of a minister at Rye." b " At a Court, holden at Hartford, May 17th, 1675, Major Nathan Gold, Major Robert Treat, and Mr. John Burr were nominated and appointed a committee to treat with the inhabitants of Rye and those concerned in lands there, and labour to accommodate matters, as that there may be suitable encouragement for Mr. Prudden to settle in the ministry, and such other suitable inhabi- tants with him as may promote the settlement of said town of Rye and the ministry therein ; and if they shall find any averse- ness or difficulty with the inhabitants or proprietors, in so just and necessary publique good of the town, "they are empowered to doe what they see meet for the end aforesaid, and make re- port to the Court in October next, for approbation ; and for the encouragement of the ministry at Rye, this Court, for this year, grants them a penny of the pound upon all the ratable estate of their town, to be pay'd out of their county rate, and shall be ready as need requires to continue such necessary encourage- ment as they shall judge suitable." Upon the 27th May, 1675, the town ordered that the home lot of Peter Disbrow, adjoining Timothy Knapp, be taken by the town in exchange for the land by the Blind brook, south of Jacob Bridge's. The above lot to be for Mr. Peter Prudden for a parsonage lot; if not thus disposed of, this agreement to be void. February 26th, 1676. The town released Peter Disbrow'slot and cancelled the above agreement. February 26th, 1677. John Brundige and John Purdy, were empowered to sell the frame intended for a parsonage house. The same year the Rev. Thomas Denham appears to have ■ Hartford Col. Rec. vol. iii. p. 12. k Hartford (J->1. Rec. vol. iii. p. 53. • Hartford Coi. Rec. vol. iii. p. 59. 134 HISTORY OF THE PARISH been minister here ; for, June 15th, a house lot is ordered for Mr. Thomas Denham, and on the 22d of November, following, we find the same individual admitted an inhabitant of the townof Rye. " June 21st, 1678, Mr. Thomas Denham is to have all the grass on the high-way, at the old town, besides an equal share with the proprietors of Poningoe neck." March 5th, 1679. " 50 poles of land lying before his door, to- ward the brook, are granted to Mr. Thomas Denham, and the ensuing year he is to have all the grass on the highway at the first of the old town lots ; also £30 allowed for his maintenance."' The General Court of Connecticut, on the 14th of October, 1680, ordered : "that thirty pounds per annum, agreed by Rye to be paid to the minister, Mr. Denham. shall be gathered by the Constable with the County rate, in the same specie and prices as the County rate, and by him to be paid to the said minis- ter." 1 ' A. D. 1682, the town confirmed the sum of £30 as a salary to Mr. Denham and ordered the same to be paid in pro- visions. In 1684, Mr. John Woodbridge was minister here ; but he must have resigned in 1687 ; for the historian Trumbull, in- forms us, that about the year 1688, the Rev. John Bowers, re- moved lrom Derby, and settled at Rye. c » May 10, 1680 ; " The Town agree to allow £30 to Mr. Thomas Denham, for his maintenance, for this year ensueing, and to be gathered in way of rate, pro- vided the said Mr. Denham continue amongst us and preach the Gospel." Town Rec. p. 44. March 1681-2. " The Town gave Timothy Knapp, 40 shillings for the liberty of his house, to meet in, and for beating of the drum, for the time past." — Town Rec. p. 53. June 23. 1681. " The proprietors of Poningoe neck, granted to Mr. Thomas Denham, all the moveable grass in the highway, lying by the old town, so called, so long as the said Mr. Denham shall continue a preacher of the Gospel amongst us, &c. — and £-20 to be paid him, upon the 1st of March, next ensueing this date ; as our maintenance to the minister." Town Rec. p. 54. b Hartford Col. Rec. vol. iii. p. 59. • Trumbull's Hist, of Connecticut, 523. The Rev. John Bowers graduated at Harvard College, in 1649. AND CHURCH OF RYE, 135 April 22d, 1690, Capt. Horton, Joseph Theall, and John Bron- dig, were chosen by the Town to procure a minister, and if possible, a school master. 1 On the 24th of March, 1693, by an act of General Assembly, approved and ratified by and with the consent of the Governour of the province, it was ordered, that "there shall be called, in- ducted and established, a good, sufficient Protestant minister, to officiate and have the care of souls, within one year next, and after the publication hereof, that is to say : In the city of New- York one ; the county of Richmond one ; in the county of West- chester two ; one to have the care of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers and the manor of Pelham ; the other to have the care of Rye, Mamaroneck, and Bedford, &c, &c. b On the 27th of June, 1693, Capt. Horton. Joseph Theall, John Brondig, Hachaliah Brown, George Lane, and Timothy Knapp, were appointed a committee to procure a minister as soon as possible. The people doubtless were becoming alarmed, lest the Governour should nominate under the new act. Upon the 26th of February, 1694, it was ordered, " that the Townsmen make a rate to defray the expense of repairing the parsonage house.** Pursuant to the act of Assembly, passed in 1693, a town meet- ing was held February 28th, 1694-5, by virtue of a warrant granted by Justice Theall ; when George Lane and John Bron- dig were elected Churchwardens, and Jonathan Hart, Joseph Horton, Joseph Purdy, Timothy Knapp, Hachaliah Brown, Thomas Merritt, Deliverance Brown and Isaac Denham, Vestry- men, the two last being chosen for Bedford. 4 ' "At a Town meeting held in Rye, April 22d, 1690, at which Town meeting they did manifest their desire for the procuring of a minister amongst ihem, and in order thereunto, have made choice of Captain Horton, Joseph Theall, and John Brondig. who are to enquire and endeavour the best they can, for the pro- viding of a minister for the Town aforesaid" — Town Rec. p. 74. k Laws of New- York, vol. 1. chap, xxxvi. • The original resolution reads thus : — " as a committee to take care for the pro- curing of a minister, with what speed they can for us." Town Rec. p. 76. ' Ibid. •Ibid. 78. 1 36 -HISTORY OF THE PARISH " On the 27th of May, 1697. Deliverance Brown, John Frost, John Lyon and Jonathan Hart, were chosen in the Town behalf, to discourse Mr. Woodbridge, concerning his settling amongst us." a The difference among the people, however, in the selection of a pastor, appears to have continued, for on the 22nd of July, 1697, another committee, consisting of Capt. Theall, Hachaliah Brown, George Lane and Thomas Merritt, were chosen by vote, " for the procuring of a minister for the town of Rye." b Upon the 16th of June, A. D. 1701, the act for incorporating the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, was procured by the Rev. Thomas Bray, D. D., and several others who felt a deep interest in the religious welfare of the colonies, through the agency of Archbishop Tennison and Bishop Comp- ton. The year following, the R,e v. John Bartow, was licensed by the latter prelate to officiate as a Missionary at Rye. In re- gard to this appointment, which had been made at the earnest solicitation of the people of Rye, Col. Heathcote writing to the Venerable Society, April 10th, 1701, observes : — < c That I did in October last, give my Lord of London my reasons for the neces- sity of his (Mr. Bartow's) being settled at Westchester, the people in that place having been the first in this County, who desired a minister of the Church, and being disappointed, might have been of ill consequence, for no sooner was Mr. Bartow arrived but ye vestry immediately came to me and gave me no rest until I consented to use my interest with my Lord Cornbury, to have him inducted there, and the inhabitants of Rye supposing West- chester was first to be supplied, were easy in that matter, there being on one hand no fear of disobliging the people of Rye, and on the other great danger of hurting the interest of the Church at Westchester ; I desired my Lord Cornbury to induct him there &c." c Dr. Humphreys, in his historical account of the Society, prior to 1728, says : — " The act of 1693, did not take ef- fect till about the year 1702, nor was the provision made there- ■ Town Rec. p. 78. k Ibid. • See original letter in Westchester Parish. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 137 by, a sufficient maintenance for the ministers in country towns. These applied to the Society for help ; particularly the inhabi- tants of Westchester, were very pressing for a minister. Earnest memorials were sent from the inhabitants of New Rochelle, from those of Jamaica, and Hempstead, towns in Long Island ; from Staten Island, and from Rye ; and their desires have been com- plied with, and missionaries sent to those places. a Mr. Bartow having accepted the call and been inducted to Westchester ; the vacant mission of Rye was now offered by Bishop Compton to the REV. THOMAS PRITCHARD, A. M.,b a young gentleman in holy orders. He was born in Wales, about 1672, and descended from the family of the Pritchard's of Camp- stone, in Monmouthshire. He was educated, mostpro bably, in the University of Cambridge. Mr. Pritchard was pleased to ac- cept the appointment, and immediately sailed for New-York, where he arrived some time in the month of April 1704. Col. Heathcote, the senior warden of the parish, writing to the Vener- able Society the 10th of April. 1704, says : — " Since writing the former part of this letter, and whilst it was waiting for a passage, Mr. Pritchard is arrived, whom my Lord of London has directed to officiate in Rye Parish ; he is a promising young gent, and I question not, but will, with God's assistance, do great service to the Church. He shall not want any thing I can do for him, to make his pilgrimage easy, nor my advice which I can give him to answer the end of his coming." ■ Humphreys Hist. Account of the Ven. Prop. Society, &c. p. 28. b The Venerable Thomas Pritchard, Archdeacon of Landaffe, who suffered and died under Cromwell's usurpation, was of this family. Walker's sufferings of the Clergy. A. D. 11th Nov. 1660, Thomas Pritchard, Subsiz. Mr. Bainbrigg. Ex- tract from the Admission Book of Trinity College, Cambridge. Thomas Pritch- ard of Trinity College, took his B. A. Degree in 1665, and his M. A. in 1669- Another of the same name, also of Trinity Col. received his B. A. degree in 1674, and his M. A. in 1678. Lists of Cambridge graduates. The arms of the Pritch- ards are : — Barry of six or and az, on a chief of the first three pallets betw. two es- quires, base, dexter and sinister, of the second, an innescocheon ar. Crest — an arm, ppr.. holding a battle axe, handle gu. 138 HISTORY OF THE PARISH The Rev. John Bartow, writing to the same on the 24th of May, 1704, says : — " I have only time to tell you that Mr. Pritchard is arrived, and fixed at Rye, to the general satisfaction of the people there." a The following mandate was issued for his induction by Gov- ernor Combury, in April 1704 : ORDER TO INDUCT REV. THOMAS PRITCHARD TO THE RECTORY OF RYE. " Edward Viscount Combury, Capt. Gen. and Governour in Chief of the Provin- ces of New- York, New-Jersey, &c, and Vice Admiral of the same : To all and singular Rectors, Vicars, Chaplains, Curates, Clerks and ministers, wheresoever constituted in ye said Province of New- York, and also to Caleb Heathcote, Esq. and Joseph Theall, Churchwardens of the Parish Church of Rye, in the County of Westchester ; I do hereby firmly enjoyne and command that you induct and present the Rev. Thomas Pritchard, as Rector to ye Rectory or Parish Church of Rye aforesaid, and that you put him in the real, actual and corpo- ral possession of the said Rectory or Parish Church of Rye aforesaid, and of all the Glebes, Rights, and appurtenances thereunto belonging ; and you are to make a return to me of what you shall have done herein. Given under my hand and prerogative Seal of ye said Province of New- York, this day of 1704." fc The subjoined letter from Col. Heathcote to the Secretary of the Venerable Society, shows the deep interest the former took in promoting the Church's welfare. COL. HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY. New- York, 1st June, 1704. Sir: " I troubled you with a very long letter by the Virginia Fleet, wherein amongst many other of those thoughts, I gave you as my opinion for the best means of Propagating the Gospel in these parts of the world, that every minister who is sent over on that errand, should after having been some time in his Parish send the Society an exact list of his Parishioners, distinguishing them under three several heads, as first, how many are communi- ■ Doc. Hist, of N. Y. vol. iii. p. 932. fc " Rye is served by Mr. Pritchard, lately arrived, (a very young man,) here is no Church built as yet." N. Y. M. S. S. vol. i. p. 44. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 139 cants: secondly, howmany come to hear him who are not so; and thirdly, those which wholly dissent from the church ; and that they should be also directed to use their best endeavours in their private conversation with the people, to persuade those who come to hear him, which are regular in their lives, and do not receive the sacrament, to come to the communion, and to use the like diligence in persuading such who where wholly Dissenters, to conform, and every six months at least, to give an account what progress they make therein, by which means the Society would have a true account of the service which is done by those they send over. I have since spent some further thought concerning that matter,and in my opinion it would be likewise very needfull for them to send an accouut of all in their Parish, both young and old, which are, and which are not baptized, being strictly order- ed to use their best endeavours, to persuade those of riper years to come to the baptism, and others which have children to have them christened, returning likewise an account of their success therein, every six months. It would not likewise be amiss, that directions were given, that there should be four quarterly meet- ings of the clergy, annually, two in Westchester County, and Queens County two; thesecounties being contiguous ; who by their preachings, resolving of doubts, and other ways, would not only be of considerable service, but might at those meetings, ta- king to their assistance the best of the people, consider of the best and most effectual ways to propagate the Church, transmitting to the Society an exact account of their proceedings at every meeting. — Sir, to be plain and free with you herein, if a more than ordinary care be not taken in these matters, to keep those gents to their duty, which are sent over, that they may carry on that great work with the zeal and earnestness, they ought ; the money which is expended thereon will be little better than squan- dered away, and in this I take my measures from what 1 have al- ready observed, and if the Society are pleased to direct accounts, to be sent them for the time past, according to the rules I have laid down, they will find what I say to be truth. I did in my last, acquaint you that I would put forward a school in Westchester County, which I hope in a few months to inform you I have done, 140 HISTORY OF THE PARISH having the promise of an extraordinary good man for a school- master, one who is not only very firm to the Church, but I am sure will be indefatigable to instill those principles into the youth and children, of whom the greatest hopes are, I believe. At first setting out it will be attended with some difficulties, that I beg the favour of you to move the Society, that tliey would be pleased (until such time as we are able to carry it on without help) to give us £16 a year, or what they shall think convenient towards maintaining of the schoolmaster, and I will take care with the blessing of Almighty God, to make it as useful as I can to the church, and that satisfactory accounts shall be sent over, how the same is employed and what good is done for it; and I pray you likewise, to move that some catechisms and prayer books be sent over for the scholars. Sir, the people of Westchester county are more generally English than they are in any country of the government, and although there is not at present, above 2000 souls in it, yet it contains a very great body of land, and generally the best I have seen in any of these parts. That time will make it a very great peopled county, that were the Church with chris- tian schools well settled in its minority, it would in future ages probably bear no other spirit. Sir, I hope you will be pleased to pardon the freedom I have taken, and to believe that nothing but my zeal to the church, would have made me thus troublesome, and that I am. Sir, Your most obedient Servant, Caleb Heathcote."* The school alluded to in the foregoing letter, was soon after organized at Rye, and Mr. Joseph Cleator, appointed School- master by Col. Heathcote. The Society also at once acted upon the request made them, and granted the sum of £15 per annum for his maintenance. In 1706-7, " the inhabitants and freehold- ers of the towns of Rye and Mamaroneck, in the Province of New- York, became humble supplicants to the Lord Bishop of ■ New- York M, S. S. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 30-31-32. (Hawks'.) AND CHURCH OF EYE. 141 London, that Joseph Cleator, whose affairs required his attend- ance in England, might obtain such an allowance from the So- ciety, as with what they were able to give him, might encourage his return among them, to teach school, for the instruction of their children."* 1 Mr. Joseph Cleator, after a long and useful service died in March, 1732. Mr. Pritchard's first report to the Secretary of the Venerable Society is as follows : — MR. PR1TCHARD TO THE SECRETARY. Mamarojieck, 6th June, 1704. Honor'd Sir : " Hoping that the extraordinary success wherewith the Al- mighty has been graciously pleased to bless my labours and en- deavours, during this my short residence in the Province of New-York ; will be a motive and inducement for the Illustrious and Venerable Society, to extend their generosity and bounty to me, as they have been pleased to do to gentlemen or mission- aries on the same account ; questioning not of effecting the same, so you'l be pleased to communicate this my humble re- quest, to that gracious and venerable body ; being my Lord of London and other worthy members are pleased to appear in my behalf, in that particular, having, in order thereunto, left my letter of attorney with Sir Jeffrey Jeffrey's eldest son. The en- couragement they are pleased to give gentlemen, on this account, being, as I am informed, fifty pound per annum. What is settled upon us in this province by an Act of Assembly, is very inconsiderate, as being but fifty pound per annum, which falls short in the payment of ten pound, so that it will do little more » Col. Heathcote writing to the Secretary, 24th Feb., 1707, says—" I have heard nothing of Mr. Cleator, so I suppose he is either dead* or hath declined the ser- vice." N. Y. M. S. S. See Cor. vol. i. 13. 142 HISTORY OF THE PARISH than equip a gentleman, considering at what excessive rates most things are vended in this province. There, I must not omit, as being obliged thereunto in gratitude, to inform you that His Excellency, my Lord Cornbury, is pleased to show an un- paralleled and uninterrupted zeal for the carrying on of that great and glorious design of propagating the faith, and settling the church as well in this, as others of Her Majesty's planta. tions, thereby rescuing them from the grossest ignorance, stupid- ity, and obstinacy ; and therein righting them in those dam- nable and dangerous positions and tenets which have been im- bued and instilled into these poor, unwary, deluded souls in their minority, by blind, ignorant, and illiterate guides. a The provi- dential care wherewith the Almighty has been graciously pleased to agitate that great, glorious, and publick spirited body, in seeking the good of souls, will entitle them to a more imme- diate immanation of God's glory by being enrolled next to those great and glorious martyrs that have been imbrued in their own blood, in testimony of the true Catholick and Christian faith and a good conscience. I pray God to bless that great and glorious body with the choicest of his blessings, as well temporal as spiritual. Begging leave also, with all imaginable submission, to subscribe myself, Honor'd Sir, Your most obliged, Humble servant, Thomas PRiTCHARD." b In a summary account of the state of the church in the Pro- vince of New York, as it was laid before the Clergy, convened a Madame Knight, in her Journal, Dec. 1704, records the following: " From Merrinak we came to Horse Neck, where we baited, and they told me that one Church of England parsan officiated in all those three towns, ( Mamaroneck, Rye and Greenwich,) once every Sunday, in turns, throughout the year ; and that they all could but poorly maintain him, which they grudged to do, being a poor and quarrelesome crew as I understood by our host. Their quarreling about thei r choice of a minister they chose, to have none, but caused th e Government to spnd this gentleman to them. Here we took leave of York Government, &c." * New- York M. S. S. from Archives, at Fulham, vol. i. p. 20. (Hawks'.) AND CHURCH OF RYE. 143 at New York, October the 5th, 1704, &c., it was stated, that "at Rye, of which the Rev. Thomas Pritchard is Rector, there is no church, but the minister preaches in the town house. The par- ish is divided into three districts, viz., Rye, Bedford, and Mama- roneck. There is a salary of £50 per annum, established by Act of Assembly. The number of communicants are consider- ably increased since the first celebration of the Sacraments, &c. a In a letter to the Secretary, about five months after the pre- ceding, Mr. Pritchard thus writes : MR. PRITCHARD TO THE SECRETARY. Rye, November 1st, 1704. Honor'd Sir : " It was no small pleasure and satisfactionto me to experience in a short time after my arrival, that the Almighty was gracious- ly pleased to succeed my preaching and poor endeavours, as to influence my auditors minds to so good an approbation of those two grand and indispensable duties, viz. : — Baptism and the Lord's Supper, notwithstanding others who were prejudicely aversed to them, absented themselves, calling the Cross in bap- tism, popery and downright idolatry. Others, our Liturgy, the gaggling of geese. Nay, they cast all the calumnies and asper- sions imaginable upon our most pure and Apostolick Church, as being prompted thereto by their blind and illiterate guides, as they are pleased to denominate them ; now, seeing the Almighty has been plesased to open their eyes, so as to see the ill conse- quence and tendency of such pernicious assertions. Their pas- tors, as they intimated to me, did never inculcate to them the indispensable duty of receiving the blessed Sacrament, nor never could explain those texts of Scripture that were proposed them, and being so far from explaining them, that they were embar- rassed with more amazing intricacy's; but, having since, fre- quent conferences with those persons, and answering their fool- • Church Record, vol. i, No. 15. Rev. Francis L. Hawks', D. D., Editor. 144 HISTORY OF : THE PARISH ish objections, I have had (the Lord be praised) the good success of bringing many of them over, and I question not, (God being my help) but to bring more in time, to a good liking and ap- probation of both our Church and its discipline, esteeming it the only pure Church in the world. What steps and progress have been made hereto, are mostly owing to his Excellency, Lord Cornbury's influence and encouragement to us, the Attorney General being also very zealous for the thorough settlement of the Church. Hoping, therefore, Honor'd Sir, that the Society will be pleased to allow me £50 per annum, which is allowed Mr. Bartow and other Missionaries, otherwise, I design, (God willing) to return by next conveniency, being I can't make above £30 per annum of the £50 which is settled by an Act of As- sembly, it being paid in corn and other country pay, as they call it. So that we are at great charge in paying for the car- riage to New- York, in order to have it sold there, besides 12d per pound that's allowed the Collector, and a great part of the people are so very poor as to be incapacitated to pay their pro- portions, though otherwise very willing thereto. I perceive by the account of the Society, that one Mr. Stuart is recom- mended to Bedford, and £50 per annum allowed him, whereas Bedford is a part of my parish, as settled by an Act of Assem- bly, so that he can't be inducted there. Hoping therefore, that the Society will be so condescendingly pleased to allow it me, as also to send per next conveniency, the £15 worth of books of which mention is made in the account. The Society would do very well, if in their great wisdom they think it fit, to recom- mend Mr. Stuart to Hempstead, upon Long Island, where they stand very much in need of a minister, and complain very much for a churchman, it being the best place in the Province of New- York, and the best affected for the Church. I design, (God wil- ling) to preach there frequently, in order to continue them in a good opinion of our Church till a minister comes. Mr. Vesey, Minister of the English Church in New- York, as also the people of Hempstead, have been very pressing upon me to remove there, teiling me that my Lord Cornbury would willingly con- sent thereto for my advantage, as having a great kindness for : r AND CHUKCH OF RYE. 145 me, but I shan't give occasion to my Lord of London to be dis- pleased at me. I'll rest contentedly here, so that the Society be pleased to allow me £50 per annum as is allowed Mr. Bartow, who is minister in the same county. The county is divided between Mr. Bartow and myself by an Act of Assembly, he having the care of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and New Rochelle, and I the care of Rye, Bedford, and Mamaro- neck. I am, Honoured Sir, Your most obedient, And most humble servant, Thomas Pritchard." 4 The following letter, written nearly four months after the fore- going, shows how much the infant parish was suffering through the imprudence and neglect of the Rector ; who resided in New Rochelle, six miles from Rye : — COLONEL HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY. Manor of Scarsdale, Feb. 26th, 1704-5. Sir, "I gave you the trouble of three letters, one by the Virginia Fleet, and two direct from this Port, one whereof went by Capt. Davison, and the other by Capt. Rogers, and shall hope they have all reached your hands, which I should be glad to hear. I did therein give you the trouble of so full an account, concern- ing Church affairs, in this part of the Government, that I have nothing now to add, save taking the freedom to give you my opinion concerning Mr. Muirson ; who was schoolmaster at New- York for some time, and went home in the Jersey : in order to qualifie himself to be an assistant to Mr. Vesey, and to return into his former station. As to that gentleman, according to my best observation of him, his behaviour was exceeding well: but how it has happened I know not, most of the leading men in the • New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 59. CO. (Hawks'.) 10 146 HISTORY OF THE PARISH city are violently bent against him ; that in my opinion it will by no means be adviseable to send him there, but if he returns to this Province, the best service he can do the church, will be to go to Staten Island, where there is an establishment of £40 a year, by Act of Assembly. I did in my last, which went by Capt. Rogers, acquaint you how uncommonly unhappy and unfortunate we were in Mr. Pritchard, who had during his stay, totally ruined the interest of the church in this Parish ; his management is so strange and unaccountable, that but barely to relate what that Gentleman does not blush to do, looks more like malice than a true account of things. I do assure you he has not for near a quar- ter of a year now past, preached four sermons in any part of his Parish, nor scarcely been there in all that time ; he living at a public house in a french town called New Rochelle, about 6 miles from his church, that being so intolerably careless of his flock, the people some not knowing of it, and others being enraged, that when he preaches, nobody will come to hear him. I am extremely concerned for this great misfortune, and I hope God will in his due time make better provision for us. Sir, I most heartily beg pardon for all the freedom I have taken in this and my former letters, and that you would believe that I am firm and zealous, for the service of the Church, and Sir, Yours, &c, &c., Caleb Heathcote." 8 The unfortunate Mr. Pritchard, terminated his earthly career some time in March or April, 1705, about a year after his set- tlement at Rye. In June, 1704, he had married Anna Stuyves- ant, daughter of Nicholas William, and grand-daughter of the illustrious Peter Stuyvesant, but died without issue and intes- tate, leaving his wife his heir at law. Mrs. Pritchard died in 1759, at the age of nearly 74 years. • New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 71. 72. (Hawks'.) AND CHURCH OF RYE. 147 LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION FROM GOVENOUR CORNBURY | TO ANNE PRITCHARD, WIDOW AND RELICT OF THOMAS * PRITCHARD, CLERK. " Edward Viscount Cornbury, Captain General, and Governour-in-Chief of the Provinces of New- York, New-Jersey, and of allthe territories and tracts of land depending thereon in America, and Vice Admirall of the same, &c. to Anne Pritchard, widow and relict of Thomas Pritchard, late of the province of New- York, Clerk, deceased, sendeth greeting. Whereas ye said Thomas Pritchard so as aforesaid deceased, lately dyed intestate, having while he lived, and at the time of his death, goods, chatties and creditts in divers places within this province : by means whereof the full disposition of all and singular the goods, rights, and creditts of the said deceased, and the granting the administration of them ; also, the hearing the account, calculation or reckoning of said administration, and the final discharge and dismission from the same, unto me solely, and not unto any other inferior Judge, are manifestly knowne and belong. I desireing that the goods, rights, and creditts of the said deceased may be well and faithfully ad- ministered, and converted, and disposed of to pious uses, do grant unto you, the said Anne Pritchard. in whose fidelity in this behalfe I very much confide, full power by the tenour of these presents to administer the goods, chatties, and creditts of the said deceased and faithfully to dispose of them; also to ask, collect, levy, recover, and receive the creditts whatsoever of the said deceased, which unto the said deceased while he lived and at the time of his death did belong, and to pay the debts which the said deceased stood obliged, so far forth as ye goods, rights and creditts oi the said deceased can thereunto extend, according to their rate, chiefly of will, and truly administering ye same and of making a true and perfect Invent- ory of all and singular the goods, chatties and creditts of the said deceased, and exhibiting ihe same unto ye Registry of the Prerogative Court of the said pro- vince of New- York, in the Secretary's Office, at or before ye thirteenth day of August next ensuing, and of rendering a just and true account of said adminis- tration att or before the thirteenth day of February then next following, being duly and lawfully sworne upon the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God; and I do or- daine, depute, and constitute you, the said Anne Pritchard, administratrix of all and singular the goods, rights, and creditts of the said deceased. In tkstimo.vy whereof, I have caused the Prerogative Seale of the said pro- vince of New- York, to be hereunto affiixt att New- York, this 13th day of Febru- ary, 1705-6."» The rectorship having become vacant by the death of Mr. Pritchard, was filled by the appointment of the REV. GEORGE MUIRSON, A. M. This individual was a native of Scotland, and descended • Record of Wills, Surrogate's Office, N. Y., vol. vii, p. 227. 148 HISTORY OF THE PARISH from the Munson's of Anchorfield, a branch of the ancient family of the Mures of Caldwell, who were originally- seated at Polkelly, near Kilmarnock, in Ayrshire.* The name occurs, written at various periods. More, Mure, Muir, Moor, &c. The termination son being an addition to the ancient pa- tronymic. Mr. Muirson was born about the year 1G75, and educa- ted most probably, in one of the colleges of the north part of Scot- land. He appears to have commenced his career of usefulness as a teacher ; for in 1703 he was sent over to this Province, by the Venerable Society, as their schoolmaster at Albany. When Lord Cornbury established a latin free school in New- York, he appointed Mr. Muirson master, "who for some time discharged that function with approbation and success." b Jn 1704 he was spoken of as assistant to the Rev. William Vesey, rector of New- York. He was also a candidate for the office of catechist in that city. The Rev. Evan Evans, of Philadelphia, thus recommends this valuable and zealous man, in a letter to the Bishop of Lon- don, from which the following is an extract : — " October 17th, 1704, this comes by the hands of the ingenious Mr. George Muir- son to receive holy orders from your Lordship, by the approba- tion of his Excellency, my Lord Cornbury. 1 find that he is very well beloved and esteemed by all sorts of people, a man of a very sober and blamelsss conversation. He seems to be endued with great humility of mind, and has the character of being very pru- dent in his conduct. I give him this recommendation not to gratify himself, nor any body else, but because I sincerely be- lieve he may be very instrumental of doing much good in the church." Lord Cornbury writing the same year says of him : — "he was sent over to be schoolmaster at Albany" — "he is now * Sir Reginald More or Mure, of Abercorn and Cowdams, appears to have been Chamberlain of Scotland, as early as 1329. The lands of Cowdams, in Ayrshire, belonged to him previously to 1328, as shown by an agreement concerning them, between him and the Monks of Paisley, dated in that year. The arms of the Murison's of Anchorfield are: — Ar. three Moor's heads, couped sa, banded az. a bordure, engr. gu. Crest— Three Moor's heads conjoined in one head, ppr. banded az. Motto— Mediocriter. b Mr. Muirson's License to keep school in New- York, bears date 25lh of April, 1704. Albany Rec. vol. x. 5. - AND CHURCH OF RYE. 149 going into England in hopes of being admitted into holy orders. I shall be glad he might be dispatched hither early in the spring."* He was also bearer of the Governour's dispatches. The church- wardens and vestrymen of Braintree, in New England, by letters also to the Bishop of London, October 19, 1704, give their testimo- nials to Mr. George Muirson, returning into England to receive holy orders." b Mr. Vesey writing to the Bishop of London, on the 26th of October, says : — " Mr. George Muirson, a sober, ingenious man designs, God willing, to receive holy orders, and is recom- mended by my Lord Cornbury, and the Rev. Clergy conven'd at New- York. " c Furnished with such credentials, Mr. Muirson embarked for England, and readily received ordination from the hands of the Right Rev. Henry Compton, D. D., Bishop of Lon- don. £n the spring of 1705, he once more sailed for America, and arrived in New- York on the 19th of July, following. Scon after his arrival, he was appointed by Governour Cornbury to Rye, and the following mandate issued for his induction. MANDATE FROM GOVERNOUR CORNBURY TO INDUCT THE REV GEORGE MUIRSON INTO THE RECTORY OF RYE. " Edward's Illustrissim's Vice Comes Cornburie provincice Novi Eboraci nee usu Novae Cesari* in America strategus & Imperator, ejusdemq's Vice Thalassiar- cha &c. Universis &. singulis Rectoribus Vicar' & Capellas, Curat'. Clericis & ministris quibuscumq's in pr totam provinciam, ubilibet consitutis actiam Ecclesiae parochialis de Rye, Mamerenock & Bed- ford pro hoc Tempore Elilibus salutem. Cum Dilect, in Christo Georgium Muirson Cleric', ad Rectoriam, sive Eccle- siam parochialem prselict Paroch' de Rye Mamerenock & Bedford in Die. Proline. Nov. Eborac. in America. Jam vacantem, prssentatum, Rectorem ejusdem Rectorise, sive Ecclesioe parochialis in & de eadem Institus, vobis con- junctim & Division Com'itto, & fermiter Injungendo, mando, quatenus eun- dem Georgium Muirson Cleric. Sive procuratorem suum, Legitimum ejus no- mine, & pro eo, in realem, actualem & Corporalem possessionem ipsiusRec- toriae sive Ecclesiee parochialis de Rye, Mamerenock and Bedford, Predict. » Printed Abstracts of Ven. Soc. b New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 50. (Hawks'.) • New- York MS3. from Archives at Fulham. (Hawks'.) 150 HISTORY OF THE PARISH Glebarum, Jurumq's & pertinentium suor' universor', conferatis, Inducatis Inducive faciatis, & defendatis Inductum, & quid in pr. missis me aut ali- um in hac parte Competent', quemeunq's debite (cum ad id congrue' fueritis requisti) certificetis, sui sic. certificet, ille vestrum qui prsesent hoc mandatum derit Executus. Dasub sigil Praerogat's. Diet Provinciae Nov. Eborac Tri- cesimo primo die Juli, salutis millesimo sept, ingentesimo duinto Anno. CORNBURY. By His Excellency's command. WILL. ANDERSON, Defy Secretary." CERTIFICATE OF MR. MUIRSONS INDUCTION. Aug't 20 mo. Dec. 1705. " Virtute suprascripti Instrument ego Gul. Vesey Induxi Rev'um Dom' Muir- son in Eccl'am. Paroch'em. de Rye, Maranock & Bedford &c. Gul. Vesey, Wit- ness, Caleb Heathcote, Joseph Theale."" On the 22nd of November, 1705, Governour Cornbury writes to the Secretary, that : — " Mr. Muirson is settled at Rye, in ye room of ye unfortunate Mr. Pritchard, deceased, where I hope he will do a great deal of good for ye people, and he agree very well."* The day previous to the above date, Mr. Muirson closed his first report to the Venerable Society. MR. MUIRSON TO THE SECRETARY. New- York, Rye, Nov. 2\st, 1705. Much Honoured Sir, "The vessel in which I sent my last being taken, I presume (according to your desire) to give a brief account of my own cir- cumstances, with ye state of my Parish, viz: when I arrived at New-York with a resolution to settle in the city, my Lord Cornbury, for the good of the Church, ordered me to supply the place of Mr. Pritchard, minister of Rye. I have officiated in this Parish ever since my arrival, ye 19th of July, and blessed be God, have had happy success in my * Surrogate's Office. N. Y. H. Lib. vii, 210. * New- York. MSS. from Archives at Fulham. vol. i. 83 to 86. (Hawks'.) AND CHURCH OF RYE 151 ministry, for notwithstanding the Parish lies bordering upon New England, where the enemies of the Church are numerous ; yet I have a very great congregation every Sunday, and they are my constant hearers, who never were in a church of England con- gregation before, and tho' they are a people made up almost of all persuasions, I thank God who hath made me an instrument of admitting eighty persons, young and old into ye Church by baptism. There are some hundreds in this Parish that are not yet baptized, some of whom I have, and ye rest in time I hope I shall persuade to consider ye necessity of that holy sacra- ment. It is divided into three towns, Rye, Bedford and Mama- roneck, mostly of ye Independent pursuasion, lately an Inde- pendent minister hath removed out of it, which I am assured will beofgreat advantage to ye Church. By the aid and assistance of ye good Colonel Heathcote, I have pursuaded the Parish to build a stone church, which will be finished next spring, so that we shall want pulpit cloaths and furniture for ye communion table. Common prayer books and expositions upon ye church catechism, with other small useful books, are very much want- ed ; in this we humbly address the Honourable Society for supply. I have lately been in ye Government of Connecticut, where I observe some people well affected to ye church, for those that are near, come to my parish on Sabbath days, so that I am as- sured an itinerant Missionary might do great services in that Province, some of their ministers have privately told me that had we a Bishop among us, they would conform and receive Holy Orders, from which as well as on all ye Continent, ye ne- cessity of a Bishop will plainly appear. Yours, &c.. &c, George Muirson."* This letter shows how early the spiritual condition of the province of Connecticut had attracted Mr. Muirson's attention ; and we shall see by his subsequent reports, that he was frequents ■ New- York, MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 81. 82. (Hawks'.) 152 HISTORY OF THE PARISH ly in the habit of going there, " holding services, preaching, bap- tizing, and distributing prayer books, and devotional works. On these expeditions he was invariably accompanied by Col. Heath- cote, they rode on horseback with their saddle-bags full of books ; and the Colonel always went fully armed, as in those tolerant times it was as much as a man's life was worth even to talk of the Church in Connecticut, without the means of self defence. Col. Heathcote was the leading man at that time in Westches- ter county, and one of the most influential persons in the Prov- ince. His manor comprehended a great part of Mr. Muhson's parish, of which he was one of the first wardens, and for a time its chief supporter. — He was the richest man in the county, and an ardent churchman. To his efforts and to his means, does Westchester county owe nearly every one of her ancient parish- es, now among the oldest in the United States. He was one of the petitioners for the charter of Trinity Church, New-York, in 1697, a liberal contributor to its construction, and his name heads the list of its first vestry. He was elected a member of the Venerable Society, for the Propagation of the Gospel, in 1704 ; and he and his friend, Col. Morris, Governour of New Jersey, were, it is believed, the first persons in America who received that honour. To Col. Heathcote's influence, cordial cooperation, and perso- nal participation in his labours, did Mr. Muirson owe, under God, the success he met with in Connecticut. In fact, the method adopted by Mr. Muirson, in building the Church in that Colony, originated with Col. Heathcote ; whose object in establishing Churches in Westchester was two-lold, first: to ground the Church well in that county : and secondly, to act upon Connec- ticut. The following letter of the Colonel, to the Secretary of the Venerable Society, not only proves these facts, but gives a lively picture of Connecticut and its inhabitants, nearly a century and a half ago, and of the spiritual darkness which then enveloped that Colony." AND CHURCH OP RYE. 153 COLONEL HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY. Manor of Scarsdale, Nov. 9th, 1705. Sir, " I am indebted to you for yours of the 11th Jan. and 9th of April, and am wonderfully surprised that the Society should make choice of me for one of their members. It was a very great satisfaction to me, that any thing I could offer was accep- table to them, and should very joyfully embrace any opportu- nity of doing service to the church, and I bless God for it I am not conscious to myself of ever having slipt one fair occasion therein, when government would give me leave. I beg of you, sir, to present my most humble duty to that honourable body, and thank them for the honour they have been pleased to dome, and may assure them that 1 shall not only endeavour to give them satisfaction as to any thing they shall desire of me ; but if any new matter occurs, which I believe may be of service to the Church, I will not fail laying it before them for their considera- tion. If I mistake not, the several heads you desire satisfaction of, in both your letters now before me, are, first : an exact and impartial account of all your Ministers. Secondly : what fruit may be expected from Mr. Moor's mission. Thirdly : what my thoughts are of sending Mr.TJellius into those parts again. Fourthly: my opinion of the Society's having appointed that good man, Mr. Elias Neau, as Catechist to the Negroes and In- dians, and the cause of misunderstanding betwixt him and Mr. Yesey. As to the first, I must do all the gentlemen which you have sent to this province, that justice as to declare, that a better clergy were never in any place, there being not one amongst them that has the least stain or blemish as to his life or conversation, and though I am not an eye witness to the actions of any, save those in this county, yet I omit no opportunity of inquiring into their behaviour, both of the friends and enemies of the Church, and they all agree as to the character of the gentlemen ; and that they use their best endeavours to gain over the people : and as to their diligence in the faithful discharge of their trust, tiie So- 154 HISTORY OF THE PARISH. ciety, I hope, will, in their instructions, have laid down such rules as they won't fail coming at it without being imposed on. Mr. Urquhart, minister of Jamaica, has the most difficult task of any missionary in this government, for although he has not only the character of a very good man, but of being extraordina- ry industrious in the discharge of his duty; yet he having a Presbyterian meeting house on the one hand, and the Quakers on the other, and very little assistance in his Parish, except from those who have no interest with the people, that his work can't but go on very heavily, as I understand it does : but Mr. Thorn-, as, of Hempstead, having better assistance, the leading men in his parish not being disgusted, are helpful in the work ; and having no other sectaries to oppose him by their meetings but the Quakers, makes very considerable progress, as 1 have been told by some of the most sensible of his parish. As for Mr. Mackenzie, he has a very good report from the people of Staten Island, and I shall not fail making further inquiry concerning him, and let you know it in my next. But when all is done, what I can tell you concerning any minister, except in this county, is only by information from others, which is often very uncertain ; for some gentlemen may many times, and very deservingly, have a fair and good character by the generality of their neighbours, and yet at the same time, by one misfortune or other, not perform much of the service of the Church, in which I will give you this plain instance. There is not any gentleman whom the Society have sent over, that is clothed with a fairer character than Mr. Bartow, of West- chester, and truly he is a very good and sober man, and is ex- tremely well liked and spoken of by his parishioners in general ; yet although he has been three years in that parish, not many are added to the communion, nor baptized, and few catechised; and if he is directed to send an account how he has advanced on each of these heads, annually since his coming there, it will be found accordingly. For this and many other reasons, I can't help still to be pressing that the Society should lay the gentlemen which are sent over, under exact rules, and methinks it is no difficult matter to have it ordered so as to know almost as well what is done as if they were present in every parish. F" AND CHURCH OF RYE. 155 The people of Westchester were very angry with me because I was for having this county divided into three parishes, and every minister to have 70/ ; instead of 50/., and I had brought the county, except that place, to a willingness to have it so, as I formerly acquainted you ; and had they permuted that projec- tion to have taken place, it would have been a great ease to the Society : for first, what Mr. Bartow had more than the 50/., he now bath, might reasonably have been deducted at home. Sec- ondly, Mr. Bondet would have been provided for ; and thirdly, one Mr. Morgan, who was minister of Eastchester, promised me to conform : that there would not have been occasion of another being sent to us, and by that means have saved 50/. a year more at home, and wholly out of all hopes of any dissenting minister getting footing amongst us, and it will never be well until we are in three parishes ; and I shall not fail, when I have a fair op- portunity, to push for it again ; and to satisfy you of the reason- ableness in what I offer, I believe there has not six public taxes been laid on this county by the Assembly this fifteen years past, but. I have been at the proportioning of, and when the places in Rye parish pay 50/. the towns in Westchester parish were allot- ted 120/. ; and there are two places more, which, both together, are one third part as big as Rye parish, which are now in nei- ther of them. And now I am on this subject, it comes in course to make out what I told you in my former letters, viz : that there is no parish in the government but what is able to pay twice as much as they do. For Rye parish which is not by one half so large as the least parish established by law in the government here, since my living here, maintained two dissenting ministers, viz : one at Rye and Mamaroneck, and one at Bedford, and gave the former 50/. and the latter 40/. a year, which I think makes it out very plain what I have offered on that head ; and you may be assured that I shall omit no opportunity of serving the Socie- ty therein ; but the work must be done, in a great measure by the minister's taking pains, and bringing the people into a good opinion of the Church, for though the reason hereof is very plain, it must be a business of time to effect it. We have had it report- ed that the Queen would be at the charge of maintaining aSuf- 156 niSTORY OP THE PARISH fragan Bishop iti these parts. If that was granted, I question not but a great many who have had their education in Boston College would conform, and would be content with the benefi- ces as settled by Assembly, without being very burthensome to the Society. I have been so long wandering from one subject to another, that I had almost forgot to give you my thoughts of Mr. Muir- son, whom my Lord of London has sent for this parish. He has been here about three months, in which time he hath by much outdone my expectation ; having very fully retrieved all that unfortunate gentleman, Mr. Pritchard lost ; and if he continues so faithful in the discharge of his trust, of which I have not the least doubt but he will, he'll be able to give as large account of his services as any that has been sent over to this Province ; and I must do him the justice to own, that he is as deserving of the Society's favours. For as some of his parishioners told me, and which I know in a great measure to be true, that although they have had a great many ministers amongst them since the settle- ment of their town, yet Mr. Muirsondid more good amongst them the first six weeks after his coming, than all they ever had be- fore; and I question not, but when you have the particulars of his proceedings transmitted, you will find what I have said of him to be true. As for Mr. Brooks, whom the Society have sent to the Jerseys, he has an uncommon good character given him from those parts; and it is reported of him that he makes won- derful advances for the service of the Churcn, and 1 question not but Col. Morris will be very particular concerning him — that being properly his watch. For though that Province is not above 50 miles from my house, and Staten Island about forty, yet by reason of the difficulty of water passages, I have never been at either of them above twice since my coming to America ; and I am now more tied at home with a family and my private affairs than formerly, for which I humbly crave an .— allowance. My principles and natural temper lead me to do the Church all the service I can everywhere, but I dare not promise for more than this county at present, and my best endeavours in the westernmost towns in Connecticut colony, when the Church is well rooted here ; and it has always been my opinion, and CI AND CHURCH OF EYE. 157 V is so still, that there is no part of this Province, or even America, that would be of greater use or service to have the Church thoroughly settled in ; for it is not only large in extent, and the land very good, and near the city ; so, consequently, will in time be a great settlement. But bordering on Connecticut there is no part of the continent from whence the Church can have so fair an opportunity to make impressions upon the dissenters in that government, who are settled by their laws from Rye parish to Boston colony, which is about 35 leagues, in which there are abundance of people and places. As for Boston colony, I never was in it, so can say little to it. But for Connecticut, I am. and have been pretty conversant ; and always was as much in all their good graces as any man ; and now I am upon that sub- ject, 1 will give you the best account I can of that colony. It con- tains, in length, about 140 miles, and has in it about 40 towns, in each of which there is a Presbyterian or Independent minis- ter settled by their law ; to whom the people are all obliged to pay, notwithstanding many times they are not ordained ; of which I have known several examples. The number of people there, are I believe, about 2,400 souls. They have abundance of odd kind of laws to prevent any dissenting from their church ; and endeavour to keep the people in as much blindness and un- acquaintedness with any other religion as possible; but in a more particular manner the Church, looking upon her as the most dangerous enemy they have to grapple withal ; and abund- ance- of pains is taken to make the ignorant think as bad as pos- sible of her ; and I really believe that more than half the people in that government, think our Church to be little better than the Papist ; and they fail not to improve every little thing against us ; but I bless God for it, the Society have robbed them of their best argument, which was the ill lives of our clergy that came into these parts ; and the truth is. I have not seen many good men but of the Society's sending; and no sooner was that honourable body settled, and those prudent measures taken for carrying on of that great work, but the people of Con- necticut, doubting of maintaining their ground without some further support, [^they with great industry went through 158 HISTORY OF THE PAEISH their colony for subscriptions to build a college at a place called Seabrook ; and the ministers who are as absolute in their respective parishes, as the Pope of Rome, argued, prayed, and preached up the necessity of it ; and the passive obedience, people who dare not do otherwise than obey, gave even beyond their ability. A thing which they call a college was prepared accordingly, wherein, as I am informed, a commencement was made about three or four months ago. But notwithstanding their new college here, and an old one in Boston, and that every town in that colony has one, and some two ministers, and have not only heard them say, but seen it in their prints, that there was no place in the world where the gospel shone so brightly, nor that the people lived so religiously and well as they ; yet I dare aver, that there is not a much greater necessity of having the christian religion in its true light preached anywhere than amongst them. Many, if not the greatest number of them, being little better than in a state of heathenism ; having never been baptized nor admitted to the communion. And that you may be satisfied what I tell you herein is not spoken at random, nor grounded on careless observation, Mr. Muirson's parish is more than three fourths of it composed of two towns, viz : Rye and Bedford, which were first settled unde the colony of Connecti- cut, and of the people bred and born under that government ; and some time before my coming, had a minister, one Mr. Denham, and had afterwards two more, Woodbridge and Bovvers, at Rye, and one Mr. Jones, at Bedford ; and the people of Rye only had of this county the care to provide a parsonage house ; and not- withstanding all those great shows of religion, and that at such times as they were destitute of a minister. Greenwich and Stamford, the bounds of the former of which places join upon theirs, and the other is not above ten miles dis- tant, where they were always supplied. But they could not be said to want the opportunity of having the sacraments admin- istered to them, yet I believe 20 of them had never received the communion, nor half of them been baptized, as Mr. Muirson will more fully inform you. And now I have given you an account of the state of that colony, what will in the next place be natur- AND CHURCn OF RYE. 159 ally expected lrom me ; is to know my opinion of the best and most probable way of doing good amongst them. There is nothing more certain, than that it is the most diffi- cult task the Society have to wade through. For the people are not only not of the church, but have been and are trained up with all the care imaginable to be its enemies. That to make an impression under all those disadvantages is very difficult, though I hope not impossible ; and though, at first view, the prospect of doing any good upon them is very little, yet no doubt but the most proper measures ought to be taken, leaving the event to Almighty God. Now, to give you my thoughts in what way this great work may best be endeavoured at, so as it may be done with little ex- pense. I believe, for the first step, the most proper way would be, that one of the ministers in this country were directed by my Lord of London to inform himself where there are any in that government that profess themselves to be of the church, and to know if they or any ot their neighbours have any children to bap- tize, or desire to partake of the sacrament ; and that he will come to the towns where they live, and after having given them a sermon, will perform those holy rites. There need, I think, no more be done in this matter for the present. But the Socie- ty may, if they please, leave the rest to me, and I won't only give him the best advice and directions I can therein, but will, God willing, wait upon him in his progress, and persuade some useful friends along with me. And when this essay has been made, I shail b3 much better able to ^uess at the state of that government, and what is fitting to be done next. Now the per- son that I would advise them to pitch upon by all means for this expedition, is Mr. Mnirson, he being not only posted next those parts, and so will look less like design, but he has a very happy way of delivery, and makes little use of his notes in preach- ing, which is extremely taking amongst those people; and for argument, few of his years exceed him. The chief end I have in this projection, is to have the people of that government undeceived in their notions concernin 0, our church,; there being, I believe, fifteen thousand in that colony 160 HISTORY OF THE PARISH who have never heard, nor scarce seen a church of England minister; and I have the charity to believe, that after having heard one of our ministers preach, they will not look upon our church to be such a monster as she is represented ; and being convinced of some of the cheats, many of them may duly con- sider of the sin of schism. However, let the success be what it will, to me the duty seems plain. 1 have not only mentioned this to yon, but in my letter to my Lord of London, and shall patiently wait for his and the Society's commands therein. I will now proceed in giving direct answers to the several queries mentioned in yours. Having as yet, only spoke to the first, so shall now take the rest in course ; and as for Mr. Moor's mission, you will undoubtedly have the account thereof very ful- ly by Mr. Talbot, whose place he supplies, having not thought it worth the while to stay at Albany. A.s for my opinion in that matter, I think it is too heavy for the Society to meddle with at present, and would properly lie as a burthen upon the crown, to be defrayed out of the revenue here. For their being brought over to our holy faith, will at the same time, secure them in their fidelity to the government; and not only that, but the Society will, 1 believe, find employment enough for their money in send- ing of missionaries amongst those who call themselves christians, on the coast of America ; which I find to be their resolution. — And it is certainly the greatest charity in the world, to have the best religion planted in these parts, which with time will, in all probability, be so vast a country and people. But whether the charge of missionaries for converting the Indians fall to the share of the Crown or the Society, to effect that matter well and thor- oughly, those sent over on that errand, must be such as can en- dure hardships, and are able and willing to live with the Indians in their own country, and according to their way and manner, which are the methods the French take ; and I believe some of those gentlemen who have had their education in the colleges of the north part of Scotland, being in orders from my Lord of Lon- don, may be the likeliest to undergo it. As for Mr. Dellius, I don't think it worth the while in being at any extraordinary charge in sending of him ; because I believe no consideration would make him live in the Indian country; and if he did, he AND CHURCH OF RYE. 161 has not the language ; and one that goes on that mission must be a young man, who is able to grapple with fatigues, and will not only take pains, but is capable of learning the language ; and it is a general observation, that none are so apt to gain foreign tongues as the Scotch. As for my thoughts of the Society's having appointed that good man, Mr. Neau, as catechist to the Negroes and Indians, it is undoubtedly a very good work ; and he is wonderfully in- dustrious in the discharge of his duty, and the truth is, takes more pains than he needs, by going from house to house to per- form that office ; and I believe he would find it as effectual to gain the end, and not the fourth part of the trouble to himself, to appoint set times in having them together at the English church, or at least so many at once as may be proper, and cate- chise and instruct them. And Mr. Vesey assures me that he shall be very free and willing to let him have the use of the church for that purpose. And now I am on this subject, it will be very proper that the society direct Mr. Cleator, if he comes over, or any schoolmaster whom they appoint in their respective places, to catechise and instruct the Negroes and Indians ; and that the ministers in their several parishes were desired to send a list of all the slaves or free negroes and Indians, the society would then see how that matter was further worth their con- sideration. I did, in my former letters, make mention of one Mr. Bonder, a French Protestant minister, who is in orders from the Bishop of London. He is a good man, and preaches very intelligibly in English, which he does every third Sunday, in his French congregation, when he uses the liturgy of the church. He has done a great deal of service since his first coming into this coun- try, and is well worth the thoughts of the society. The town he lives in is called New Rochelle, a place settled by French Protestants ; it is comprehended in Mr. Bartow's parish, and con- tributes towards his maintenance, which disables them, in a great measure, to pay towards Mr. Bondet's, who is in very great want. It is true, besides twenty pounds a year, which the peo- ple of New Rochelle promise him, and is very ill paid, he has 11 162 HISTORY OF THE PARISH thirty pounds a year settled on him out of the public revenue here, as the French minister in York hath ; but that is paid with so much uncertainty, that he starves under the prospect of it. Now for a remedy for this poor gentleman, and that he may be made as useful to the church as possible ; if the society would use their interest that he might have an order from the court that he may not only forthwith be paid his arrears, but that he should afterwards have his money by quarterly payments ; and that at the same time, he be directed by the Bishop of London, to consult with and be helpful to Mr. Bartow and Mr. Muirson, in taking care of the scattering towns of their parishes; especially Mr. Bartow's, where it is impossible for any one to manage it. And whereas, he has been obliged for his bread, to use the French prayers in his French congregation, according to the order of the Protestant churches of France, and he had that liberty gran- ted him (as he tells me) upon his receiving of orders, it is his earnest request, that he might have directions relating thereunto, wherein he might be required not to use otherwise than the liturgy of our church in any congregations where he preacheth, whether English or French ; and it would be well that some French common prayer books and catechisms were sent over for that purpose. The reason of desiring an order of that nature is, that it would put the matter out of dispute. Mr. Bondet and I have gone as far as we can in that affair, and it would spend too much time to tell you what tempests we waded through in attempting it, but if directions came from England about it, none, I believe, would be found to oppose it. The chief cause of its being hindered with so much heat was, that the French con- gregation in York were apprehensive that it might be a prece- dent for them ; and for that reason fired the most ignorant of Mr. Bondet's people, and persuaded them to recant from what they had agreed to. But I must do the most sensible of them the justice, that they hold fast their integrity, and are willing to receive the church. If this matter goes forward, I expect that the greatest part of the people of New Rochelle will cease their contributions to Mr. Bondet ; so I must desire the society to consider him with some AND CHURCH OF RYE. 1G3 allowance in England. And if effectual care could be taken that 30/. is paid him, 15/. sterling more, with the small helps he will have from those who will continue steady to the church, will enable him to maintain himself and family. If care is not already taken therein, in the instructions which are preparing, it will be of absolute necessity, that the clergy of this county be directed to meet twice at least, annually, and taking to their assistance the best and most sensible of their parishes, to consult of the most effectual ways for settling the church; and to give you an impartial account how the parishes are settled in point of conveniency, and which way it may be better done, not only to make it easy for themselves, but so as the bread of life may be fairly and equally divided amongst their people, that proper measures might be taken, in having it regulated by an act of Assembly ; for if something of this nature is not done, one half the people of the county won't have much benefit by all the cost that is laid out upon them. In the conclusion of your last letter, you tell me that you had sent some common prayers and catechisms, by Mr. Mackenzy, but do not understand he hag brought any ; so beg of you to inquire into that mistake ; and in case you send any other books to be disposed, pray let them only be Dr. Beveridge's (now Bishop of St. Asaph,) Sermon concerning the common prayers, a little book entitled : " A Christian's Way to Heaven," and one of the Lawfulness of the common prayer. No books can be more serviceable than they ; and I would take care to have them scattered through Connecticut colony to both min- isters and people, and am apt to believe they would do service. As for the deputation the society are now pleased to send me, I am exceeding sorry I can do them no service therein ; for the people of this county, having generally land of their own, al- though they don't want, few or none of them very much abound ; there being besides, a settlement belonging to Col. Morris, and another to Mr. Philips, and mine, not any that belong to partic- ular men of any great value in the county ; nor are there ten in the whole county but what have been brought over to the church since I came into the province, that truly sir, if we can persuade them to build and finish their churches and schools, 164 HISTORY OF THE PARISH help to maintain their ministers and schoolmasters, and fit con- veniences for them, it is the most that can be expected till things are better settled, and the church a more firm footing among them. I have not had the happiness to be in company with Col. Morris since I received the deputation ; but shall discourse with him concerning that matter when I see him next. I could offer some few things more to the consideration of the society, but time won't permit me to enlarge, so I shall reserve it to the next opportunity. So with my humble duty to the society, beg- ging their pardon for the trouble I have given them therewith, I desire to remain, sir, &c, &c. Caleb Heathcote." a We have seen that the first services in Rye, according to the rites of the Church of England, were held by the Rev. Thomas Pritchard, in the town house. This practice appears to have been continued until the completion of the stone church, referred to by Mr. Muirson, in his first report to the Secretary. The license to erect an English Church in the town of Rye, bears date 22nd of January, 1706. LICENSE FROM GOVERNOUR CORNBURY TO BUILD A CHURCH IN RYE. " By His Ex'cy, Edward Viscount Cornbury, Capt. Gen. & Gov. in Chief of ye Province of New- York, New Jersey, and of all the Territories, and Tracts of Land Depending thereon, in America, and Vice Admiral of the fame, &c. It being the incumbent duty of all good Christians to serve Almighty God in a de- cent manner, I have by virtue of the power and authority to me given, by her Majesties Letters Pattents and the Broad Seale of England, hereby Licensed and Impowered the Rector and inhabitants of the Town of Rye, in the County of Westchester, in the said Province of New- York, to erect and build a Church in the said Town, for thepublick worship of God, and the encouragement and in- crease of the Christian Religion, according to the rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England, as by law Established, and likewise to procure, obtain and re- ceive the gifts and Contributions of all such as shall be Piously inclined to the Promoting and Carrying on the work aforesaid. Given under my hand and Seal at Fort Anne, in New- York, this 22d day of January, in ye fourth year of the » Church Rec. Francis L. Hawks', D. D., vol. i. 29, AND CHTJRCn OF RYE. 165 Reigne of our Sovereign Lady Anne, by the grace of God of England, Scotland France, and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the faith, &c, Anno Dom. 1705-6. CORNBURY. By his Excellency's Command, George Clarke."* Mr. Wetmore, writing to the Secretary in 1728, says : — " That the chief promoter of the Church and its greatest benefactor was Col. Caleb Heathcote, who gave the nails and all the iron work* Mr. Muirson paid the masons, whose work amounted to about £40." (He probably procured the money by donations in New-York.) " The remainder was paid by tax upon the Town. Nothing more of the inside was done in Mr. Muirson's time but the ceiling." This church stood exactly upon the same ground as the present edifice, where God has been worshipped for nearly one hun- dred and fifty years. Mr. Muirson having been requested to baptize several families in Connecticut, obtained the following license from the Governour for that purpose : — A LICENSE TCTREY. GEORGE MUIRSON TO BAPTIZE IN CON- NECTICUT. " By his Excellency Edw., YiscountCornbury, &c. Whereas, I am inform- ed that severall persons in the Towns of Stamford, Hertford, and severall other places in the Colony of Connecticutt, ha' e not been baptized by reason they have had no Church of England Minister among them ; and being now desierous to be baptized by such a Minister, I have therefore thought fitt, and do hereby give and grant unto the said Ge*o. Muirson, full and free liberty, leave and lycense to visit those places and persons for the service aforesaid, from time to time, as often as you shall be thereunto requested by them. Given under my hand at Fort Anne, in New- York, this 4th day of Aprill, 11706.)" b Of his own parish Mr. Muirson again reports : — * Albany deed book, x. 101. Sec. office. * Doc. Hist. New- York, vol. iii, 936. 166 HISTORY OF THE PARISH MR. MUIRSON TO THE SECRETARY. Rye, May 22d, 1706. Hon'd Sir, " I think myself obliged to embrace every opportunity to give the Honourable Society an account of the state of the Church in my Parish. I have baptized about two hundred, young and old, but most adult persons, and am in hopes of initiating many more into the church of Christ, after I have examined, taught, and find them qualified. This is a large parish ; the towns are far distant ; the people were some Quakers, some Anabaptists, but chiefly Presbyterians and Independents; they were violently set against our church, but now (blessed be God,) they comply heartily, for I have now above forty communicants, and only six when 1 first administered that holy sacrament, two of which never received before, several others will gladly joyne quickly, whom I intend to admit when I shall think them worthy. I find that catechi- sing on the week days in the remote towns, and frequent visi- ting is of great service, and I am sure I have made twice more proselytes by proceeding after that method, than by public preaching. Every fourth Sunday I preach at Bedford, and I am afraid, without success, for they are a very willful, stubborn people in that town, there are about 120 unbaptiz3d, and notwithstanding all the means I have used, I could not presuade them of the necessity of that holy ordinance till of late, (thanks be to Al- mighty God for it,) some of them begin to conform. I intend to stay a month at once with them, which I hope by God's help, will produce good effect. The town of Rye are very diligent in building our Church, which will be finished this sum- mer ; it is of stone 50 foot long, and 36 foot wide, and 20 foot high, besides a steeple, which is to be finished next summer. This town is very willing to do what they can, but extremely poor, therefore we humbly ( address our superiors at home to as- sist us with some nesessaries which cannot be procured here, i.e. furniture for the communion table, the pulpit and a bell. I in- AND CHURCH OF RYE. 167 treat you to remind the Society to send me the books, for I stand in great need of them. I have drawn two bills upon the Treasurer which I hope he has paid, according to the Society's promise that if I went to Rye, or elsewhere but York City, they would allow me £50 per annum, with other missionaries : — I am invited by some persons in Connecticut Colony, to baptize their children; the town is called Stratford, about 60 miles distant, whither I intend to go in a few days. By the next I shall give you an account of what progress I made. Several representa- tions have been made of my neighbour, Mr. Bondet, French Minister at New Rochelle, I know him to be a very good, pious person, very diligent in the service of the church, he truly de- serves some consideration. Col. Heathcote is highly instrumen- tal in promoting the interest of our holy church, both by his ex- ample and persuasions ; he has given all the iron work to our church at Rye. I shall not offer you any further trouble at present, seeing the worthy Mr. Evans, (who is bearer) is well acquainted with our circumstances, and has promised to give you an account. I beg your prayers for my further success in my ministry. I ever shall remain beseeching God to keep up your glorious work in hand, for his glory and men's good. Sir, Your most faithful and obedient Servant, George Muirson.*" COL. HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY. New- York, April 16*//, 1706. Sir: " I wrote you a very long letter by the Jamaica Fleet, and being informed that those convoys are arrived, it will be needless to trouble you with any duplicate thereof. As for the affairs relating to the Church, they continue to go on exceeding well in this » New- York, M3S. from Archives at Fulham. vol. i. 139. (Hawks'.) 168 HISTORY OF THE PARISH Parish, where there hath been about 200 baptized, and most grown persons, since Mr. Muirson's coming ; and about 20 or 25 added to the communion, and if it please God to preserve him amongst us a year longer, I believe this Parish will as generally con- form to the Church as most Parishes in *he Q,ueuns dominions ; which I must confess is very wonderfuil, and I wish with all my heart I could say so much of Westchester. But I hope after the ministers of this county have settl'd their monthly lectures* which they are about to do, we shall in a little time find an alter- ation in things much for the better. I have since my last been taking some pains to find out the best ways for introducing tho Church into the neighbouring colony of Connecticut, and am in- formed that there are a considerable number at a place called Stratford, about 6 miles from this parish, who are willing to con- form, and some families who refuse baptism from any other than a church of England minister ; that Mr. Muirson intends, God willing, about a month hence, to take a journey amongst them where I design, God willing, to accompany him, and after tha* progress, we shall be able to give a better account of ye state of that Colony relating to the Church. In my last I made bold to recommend Mr. Bondet to the Society as a worthy object to their favour, he having always been very firm and zealous for the Church, and if he has been otherwise represented to the Society, they have not done him justice. What I have to request in his behalf is, that the society would be pleased to use their interest, that he might have an order from home, that the £30 a year which is settled upon him by the Government, may be punctually paid him in quarterly payments, and that the Society would add £15 sterling more to it, which would enable that poor gen- tleman to live, directing him at the same time not only to ad- vise and consult with Mr. Bartow and Mr. Muirson, of the best methods for propagating the Church in this county, but likewise to assist Mr. Bartow by preaching in his parish, it being not pos. sible that any one man can take care of more than half of it. — I wrote you by Mr. Talbot, that the people of this Parish had resolved to build them a stone church, and had made some pre- parations by carting stone in order to it. They have since got AND CHURCH OF RYE. 169 most of their timber upon the place and about 14 days hence the masons will begin to work ; that I hope with God's assistance we shall against Winter have it so forward as to preach in. I hope it won't be long ere we shall see Mr. Cleator, whom we want very much, and would be of infinite use in the thorough settle- ment of the Church in this Parish. We are in dayly expecta- tion of the mast fleet, by whose return you shall, God willing, have a very long letter from me. So with my most humble duty to the Society, begging their pardon for my brevity at this time, 1 remain, Sir, Your affectionate, humble Servant, Caleb Heathcote." a MR. MUIRSON TO THE SECRETARY. Honor'd Sir, "Please to give me leave to present by you, my most humble duty and respect to the Honourable Society, with an assurance that I always shall from time to time give 'em an account (accord- ing to their desire) of the condition of the church, where I am concerned ; and that having written so lately, I have nothing new at present to offer, only, that since that time I have baptized several, both old and young, that the number of communicants in- creases daily, and the people frequent the Church duly on Sun- days. They seem to like the ways of the Church very well, but, (as in all other places,) there are some stubborn, ill natured persons among 'em, yet I'm encouraged to hope that in time, (by God's blessing upon my endeavours) I shall bring over even those to have a good opinion of our Constitutions. The stone-work of our Church is finished and covered, but the winter approaching and the people being extremely poor and having exhausted what lit- tle money they had, on what is done already, we cannot^proceed any further this fall, but hope next year to finish all, with a steeple, ■ New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 89-91. (Hawks'.) 170 HISTORY OP THE PARISH. which when completed will make a large and beautiful Building. Expositions on the Church Catechisms and Common Prayer Book's are much wanted — Please to communicate to your Society that I have lately been in Connecticut Colony, and found some persons well disposed towards the Church. I preached in Strat- ford to a very numerous congregation both forenoon and afternoon. I baptized about twenty four persons ye same day — I intend another journey thither again quickly, being invited to baptize their children, and hope (by the Divine aid) to make a fair be- ginning for the Establishment of the Church in a considerable part of that Government. — There are I'm informed, some thou- sands of persons in that Colony unbaptized, and the reason is this, most of their ministers refuse to admit any children into Christ's Church by Baptism, but those whose Parents are in full communion with them — The Independents threaten me and all those that are Instrumental in bringing me thither, with Prison and hard usage. — They are very much incensed to see that the Church (Rome's Sister as they ignorantly call her) is like to gain ground among 'em, and use all the stratagems they can invent to defeat my enterprises. 3 - But however, since I hope my superiors approve of my undertaking, I shall not fail to visit, as often as the affairs of my Parish will permit ; neither shall all they can do or say discourage from prosecuting (to the utmost of my ability) so good a design. 1 shall be glad to receive the instructions of your Honourable Corporation by the next opportunity, which I shall always think myself happy in obeying. In the meantime shall continue to proceed in this method till I receive further orders. The Hon. Col. Heathcote (who always studies and en- deavours the good of the Church) has been very diligent and industrious in carrying on this great work ; the eminency of his a The spirit of the Puritans at Stratford, (says Dr. Chapin,) may be inferred from a single fact. .Not long after the death of the Rev. Mr. Muirson, Isaac Nell, one of the Churchwardens there— a man of unblamsable conversation — also died, where- upon some doggrel verses were written and circulated there, having these lines, : "Isaac Nell is gone to hell To tell Mr Muirson that his Church is well." AND CHURCH OF RYE. 17i station, and with all his favouring and countenancing my at- tempts of this nature, is of so great consequence among the peo- ple, that truly what success I have hitherto had, either at home or abroad, is more owing to his prudent conduct, than the best of my weak labours. He honours me with his good company in all such progresses, and exerts his utmost endeavours to settle the Church wherever he goes, which will recommend him the esteem and regard of all good men, but especially (I'me persua- ded) of your worthy members. Let me entreat you to send the books the Society promised me. Shall rejoice often to receive yourcommands. I earnestly beg your Prayers that my labours may be blessed with that happy success that God's glory may be advanced, and his people's good, farthered ; and that God, of his infinite goodness, may bless and direct your Honourable body in so glorious and laudable design, and at last reward you all with eternal bliss, is the frequent Prayer of Honor'd Sir, Your most faithful, humble Servant, George Muirson. Rye, October 2d, 1706. Directions are To Jno. Chamberlayne, Esq." B The following extract is taken from the MSS. of the Vener- able Society, for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts : — COL. HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY. . Sir, " After I had finished my other letter by the bearer, Mr. Evans, he resolving to tarry a month or six weeks longer than he first proposed, gives me the opportunity to send you what new mat- *■ Conn. MSS. from Archives at Fulham, p. 5. (Hawks'.) 172 HISTORY OP THE PARISH ter hath since occurred. And to begin with Connecticut: about fourteen days ago, Mr. Muirson paid his congregation in those parts a visit, and had the happiness to be accompanied with Mr. Evans, who out of his zeal to serve the Church, though of a weakly constitution, undertook that troublesome journey ; that being an eye witness to those affairs, he might be the more able to give a satisfactory account concerning the state of the Church there, to whom I shall make bold, in a great measure, to refer you. I bless God for it, every thing has almost outgone my first hopes, and I am very much of opinion, that if that matter is pushed on with care, a wonderful deal of service may be done the Church in that government. The people having been kept in perfect blindness, as many of them now declare, and as I told you in mine by the Jamaica Fleet, it cannot be a greater act of charity to undeceive the Indians, than those blinded people, and where there are such vast numbers debarred from the benefit of God's holy ordinance, concerning which I was so full in the let- ter before mentioned, that it will be needless to enlarge on that head. I did, in my two last letters, acquaint you that there was a very ingenious minister in that colony who showed great incli- nations to come over to the Church, and that I was of opinion he would be well worthy the recovery ; I also told you that his affections for the Church had created him so many enemies ; that he had undergone a sort of persecution on that account ; but now his enemies have done their worst to him. having turned him out of his living, as Mr. Evans can more fully inform you — he having seen and discoursed with him — that as I really be- lieve it will conduce very much to the service of the Church — and also in justice to the poor gentleman, who has a large family of small children, who must come to ruin and misery, and be- come a sacrifice in the cause of the Church, which would be a great dishonour not to be relieved by us. I did, therefore, make bold to assure bim of the Society's favors; and that upon his going to England, and making a solemn declaration that he will receive orders from the Bishop of London, so soon as he can with AND CHURCH OF EYE. 173 conveniency do it ; that to enable him to maintain bis family during his absence, I would pass my word that he should be en- titled to the usual missionary's allowance of 50/. a year from the time of his going off ; and that in order thereunto, I would give him my best recommendations to the Society. So it is my humble request they would be pleased to allow it if he comes ; or in case they do not think proper to settle a salary upon him before such time as he is actually in orders, that it may be considered him under some other name ; because my promise to him is such ; and I am not under the least doubt but he will merit it by his services to the Church. This sudden turn concerning Mr. Reed, has put upon me new thoughts, which are to have Mr. Muirson removed from this parish, and that his mission be for Connecticut colony in general, the place of his residence being at Stratford, or at such town as he shall judge to be most for the service of the Church. This will, in my opinion, not only be the most effectual way for carry- ing on that great work, but the Society will be put to no diffi- culty in getting a proper person ; in which, if the least mistake should happen as to the qualification of a minister, the whole mission would be endangered by it ; and as experience hath fully satisfied us how fitting Mr. Muirson is for that undertaking, by what he hath already done, I am humbly of opinion, for that reason, it would not be prudent to put that matter to a new risk ; and, in the next place, it will be of absolute necessity not only to have a very good man in this place, being on the frontiers of that government, but also one who will be zealously assisting to Mr. Muirson, in which none will be more proper than Mr. Reed. And in case there is a removal according to the advice given herewith, it is my desire it may be so ; and then as to Mr. Muirson, if he goes on that mission, he cannot have less allowed him than 100 pounds sterling a year, because, at the first set- ting out, nothing must be expected from them, nor indeed any offers made toward it, and as his mission will be four times as large as any other, so he must consequently be in a perpetual motion, which will be chargeable and troublesome. I have not 174 HISTORY OF THE PARISH had much talk with him about it ; but I doubt not in the least, if my Lord of London, and the Society direct his removal, I can persuade him to be easy under it. I have, since writing my other letters, taken some pains to inquire concerning the character and behaviour of the bearer, Mr. Evans, and upon the whole, find him to be an extraordinary good man, and one that hath done very great service to the Church, not only in Philadelphia, but in other neighbouring towns ; that I am very much concerned that there should be any misunderstanding betwixt him and any of his parish ; as he re- presents things, and being a very honest, good man, I can't help giving credit to it. The Church and he have had hard usage of- fered them ; though I am past a doubt upon making out those things to my Lord of London, he will find means to settle and complete their differences, and return him to his Parish ; and so far as it may be proper for the Society to concern themselves in that matter, I could wish they would give their assistance therein ; because, whilst they are in that broken condition, the Church can't but receive many wounds by it. I can't think of anything further of moment at this time; so remain, sir, your obedient servant. Caleb Heathcote. New- York, April 14th, 1707. To Jno. Chamberlayne, Esq., etc."* The following letter shews, that : "Mr. Muirson, besides his salary of £50 from the Society, was entitled to £50 currency, as settled by Act of Assembly on Rye parish ; but as his people were poor, and for the most part recent converts, he considera- bly forbore to press his legal claim, and during the first two years of his ministry, had only received about ten or twenty pounds currency ; thus plainly showing that he sought not theirs, but them." b * Church Record, Vol. I. 317-18. (Hawks'.) fc Hawkins Hist. Notices, 279. AND CHURCH OF RYE, 175 MR. MUIRSON TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Much Honor'd Sir, " I received your's dated May 2d, 1706. The Instructions you sent along with it I'm informed, are*at York, which will come to my hands quickly. I understand by yours, that the Society expects an account of all the subscriptions and contributions, I receive from the Government or Inhabitants, of which this is an exact ; that there is £50 New- York money settled by act of Assembly upon Rye parish, but the people being very poor, I've received only about 10 or £12 since I've been their minister. Its true 1 could compell 'em by Law to pay the whole, but such proceedings I'm well assured would have been very hurtful to the Interest of the Church, in a place especially surrounded with Dissenters from all sorts ; and therefore. I thought it better to have patience with 'em till they are more able, than that our Glo- rious work should anyways suffer. They are all new Converts, and so I must be with 'em in many things, tho' to my present disadvantage, but I hope when our Church is finished, they will consider my circumstances and make my life more comfortable, than hitherto it has been. As to the present circumstance of my Parish, I've nothing new to offer, only since my last, I've Baptized several Persons; that the number of Communicants increases, that the people duly frequent the Church, excepting a few Quaker and Anabaptist Families. There is a considerable number of growing Persons not yet Baptized, but I intend to admit 'em after they are instructed into the principles of thatReligion, of which their Baptism makes them members, for I think it necessary that the adult be first taught what they are to promise and perform in that covenant. It would be of great service if the Society wou'd be pleased to send over Common Prayer Books, and some small treatises in defence of the Church, for our adversaries have mustered up all the scandalous and reviling pamphlets they can get, and have dispersed them among the people in order to prejudice 'em against us. I want Books very much for my own use, having only a few I bought before I came from London, but I hope the 176 HISTORY OF THE PARISH Society have been pleased to consider my request before this time. I humbly beg your Prayers, that all my endeavours may an- swer the glorious end of my mission, and the advancement of God's Glory in the due edyfying of his people. That Almighty God may be pleased (out of the immense treasury of his riches) so to increase your stock, and bless all your laudable designs, that you may, for the further good of his Church and people, send forth more labourers into his harvest shall ever be ye fervent prayer of Honored Sir, Your most faithful friend, And very humble servant, George Muirson."* Rye, 4th April, 1707. COL. HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY. Manor of Scarsdale, June 18, 1707. Worthy Sir, " I received yours of the 5th June last, by Mr. Cleator. I am very thankful to the Society for the books sent by him which shall, with a more than common care, be disposed of for the service of the Church. As for the Common Prayer Books, I shall not give or send 'em to any but such as give me an assu- rance of their making a right use of them, and I question not, by the blessing of God, with the help of these Prayer Books that we shall be the most regular parish in the Province, except New-York, as to the people making responses ; as to which in most other places, they are generally too defective. I wa? truly very much surprised at Mr. Cleator's arrival, for not having had a line from him for two years past, could not believe he was alive, though he hath since satisfyed me that it was not his fault, but the miscarriage of his letters. He has entered upon his school teaching and with all the success which can be de- New-York, MSS from Archives at Fulham, p 8. 10. (Hawks'.) AND CHURCH OF RYE. 177 sired, for the people, being exceedingly fond of him, most wil- lingly commit their children to his care to be trained up by him according to the discipline of our church, which, with the as- sistance of Almighty God, will be established on a lasting foun- dation in this parish ; and besides the care of his school, which trust he discharges with the utmost faithfulness when Mr. Muir- son is absent from the town of Rye, either to the extreme parts of his parish, or otherwise for the service of the church ; the people being called together after the usual manner, he reads the prayers of the church to them, and a lecture morning and evening, and the people come very readily to hear him. I take notice that the Society are not willing to send any minister nor ministers into Connecticut, unless they have a formal applica- tion ; which having been done to my Lord of London, and sent by Mr. Evance, shall wait till I know their result therein. I did, in my former letters, very earnestly move the Society that directions might be given to the missionaries of this county and Queens county, which are contiguous, to appoint Quarterly Assemblies amongst them, and gave them my reasons of how great use that would be for the service of the church, and should be glad they had taken that matter into consideration, and to know their result therein. 1 am the more earnest on this head, because I am of opinion it will be of greater service to the church than can at first sight be imagined. I desire my most hearty thanks may be presented to the Society for their favours to Mr. Cleator, and will be very careful that the charge they are at concerning him shall be faithfully applied for the service of the church. I have wrote unto you so lately and fully by Mr. Evance, who I hope is ere this arrived, that I shall not now en- large, but remain, Worthy Sir, Your most obed't serv't, Caleb Heathcote."* • New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 165, 166. (Hawks'.) 12 178 HISTORY OF THE PARISH Col. Lewis Morris, in a letter to the Secretary of the Ven. So- ciety, "concerning the state of the Church in New- York and the Jersey's, supposed to be writ about the end of the year 1707, or beginning of 1708," speaks in the following flattering terms of Mr. Muirson : — COL. MORRIS TO THE SECRETARY. Sir, " The ministers they (the Society) have sent, have gained some ground, especially the Rev. Mr. Muirson ; he is placed on the borders of Connecticut, and among a people labouring under the greatest prejudices to our Holy Church. He has among these made many converts, and persuaded the building of a very fine church of stone in the town of Rye. His cure is not con- fined to his parish, but he sometimes sallys into Connecticut, and has made a very great harvest there ; and in my humble opinion, deserves the thanks of the Society and what encour- agement they can give him." a The following extract is taken from Col. Heathcote's letter to thejSecretary, dated : Manor oj Scarsdale, 18th Dec, 1707. Worthy Sir, " As to what you mention of the people of our parish, I hope we shall, besides their zeal in building the church, with time, pre- vail with them to do every thing that is proper towards the en- dowing of it ; though I must acquaint you that 'tis only the town of Rye, and not the parish which hath built it ; and I hope in some years (if I live) to have another church, if not more, in the bounds of this parish. " b Besides the above, Col. Heathcote addressed the following let- ter to the same : — • New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 93-94. (Hawks'.) [, * New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 168, 169. (Hawks'.) AND CHURCH OF RYE. 179 COL. HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY. Manor of Scarsdale, 2ith Dec, 1707. Worthy Sir, "I do herewith make bold to beg your care in delivering of the inclosed to his Grace, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and to make my apology for taking that freedom. The contents whereof are in the first place, to prevail with his Grace to use his utmost endeavours and interest, that my Lord Cornbury may be succeeded in this Government by one of whom there is all the moral assurance that can be had, that he will be a true pro- moter of religion and virtue, and will not be wanting in best en- deavours to forward that glorious design the Society are labour- ing for. In the second place, that he would give us his best as- sistance in the speedy dispatch of a Bishop, the great need and want thereof appears more and more. The usage of the two Mis- sionaries, Mr. Moore and Brooks, is an unanswerable argu- ment on that account ; and unless there is a speedy relief to our clergy, in having one to head and quiet them, we may expect more examples of that nature. I am so well assured of your temper and zeal for promoting that great and good work the Society are labouring for, that I need not multipty arguments. So begging pardon for this freedom, I beg leave to remain un- alterably, &c, &c, Caleb Heathcote. P. S. I should be glad you would obtain his Grace's assist- ance in that affair I wrote to you about by Mr. Brooks, as either that he would be pleased to ask the Queen for it in his own name, the Society's, or both."* In his last communication to the secretary, Mr. Muirson men- tions that they had completed the house of God at Rye, and gives some account of the Indians. • New-York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 169. 170. (Hawks'.) 180 HISTOET OF THE PARISH MR. MUIRSON TO THE SECRETARY". [extract.] Honor'd Sir, " You desire me to give an account of all those persons that contribute to my support in these parts. That I can easily do ; they are but few, for since I came into the country, I have not received in all above 18J., tho' there is a salary of £50 per annum, New- York money, established by act of Assembly upon the minister of this parish : but the people being very poor, and the building of our church having cost a great deal, I thought it more proper to bear with them, than to exact by force what is due ; and so suffer rather in my own condition, than that the house of God should not be finished — which now, to my great comfort, is completed, and a stately fabric it is indeed. It was built by the inhabitants of the town of Rye, without the help of the rest of the parish. And as for subscriptions from other parts of The government, we have had none ; but I expect some at York, for making the pulpit, communion table, and finishing the seats. You'direct me to bring to the church the negroes and Indians of this parish, and to consult with Mr. Neau about the most proper means for their instruction. Mr. Neau is a good, religious man ; his conversation is desirable and edifying. I always have, and ever shall esteem it my happiness to keep a settled corres- pondence with him : for I know he will joyfully do anything that may contribute to the conversion of infidels to Christianity. But there are only a few negroes in this parish, save what are in Colonel Heathcote's family, where I think there are more than in all the parish besides. However, so many as we have, I shall not be wanting to use my endeavours for their good. As to the Indians, the natives of the country, they are a de- caying people. We have not now in all this parish twenty fam- ilies ; whereas, not many years ago, there were several hundreds. I have frequently conversed with some of them, and been at their great meetings of powowing; as they call it. I have taken AND CHURCH OF RYE. 181 some pains to teach some of them, but to no purpose ; for they seem regardless of instruction ; and when I have told them of the evil consequences of their hard drinking, etc., they replied that Englishmen do the same : and that it is not so great a sin in an Indian as in an Englishman ; because the Englishman's religion forbids it, but an Indian's does not. They further say they will not be Christians, nor do they see the necessity for so being, because we do not live according to the precepts of our religion. In such ways do most of the Indians that I have con- versed with, either here or elsewhere, express themselves. I am heartily sorry that we should give them such a bad example, and fill their mouths with such objections against our blessed re- ligion. But to prevent this, as likewise many disorders that there are amongst us, I know of no better way, than that the honorable Society would be pleased to recommend to our Gover- nour, my Lord Cornbury, or if he is called home, to his successor, to make some acts of Assembly against the many vices and im- moralities that are too common in most places of this government, or to take care that the wholesome laws of our realm be put in execution against the offenders. Swearing, and drinking, and Sabbath breaking, are chiefly predominant, which are all owing to the evil example and great neglect of our magistrates ; and that, again, is owing to the neglect and indifferency of our su- perior officers, who mind but little whether our justices discharge their duty in that affair or not. These things put a great stop to the growth of piety and god- liness among us, and it is an objection that I frequently met with from several dissenters, both in this and in the neighbouring col- ony, that many of the members of the Church of England are irregular in their lives, and therefore they ought not, and will not join. The consequence is unjust and groundless — being the unworthiness of one or more communicants, is not charged a sin upon him who receives it in a fit and becoming manner. Yet, however, among ignorant and unthinking people, and even sometimes among the more knowing too, it is a great hindrance and stumbling-block, and is partly the reason that some of your missionaries have so few communicants. 182 HISTORY OF THE PARISH I thank God, I have no great reason to complain of my own people, nor do I mention these things for their sakes only, but for the good of the whole. And I heartily wish that the honoura- ble Society would do their endeavour that a good governour may be sent ; one that will discharge his place faithfully, and take care that others under him would do the same. This will be a means of bringing about a happy reformation, and will won- derfully conduce to the interest of our Church in these parts. Sir, I intreat your acceptance of my most humble and hearty thanks for the kind and Christian advice you were pleased to tender me in relation to Connecticut. Such measures as you proposed, I have all along observed ; and I am sure no man in that colony can justly accuse me of the contrary. I know that meekness and moderation is most agreeable to the mind of our blessed Saviour, Christ, who himself was meek and lowly, and would have all his followers to learn that lesson of him. It was a method by which Christianity was at first propagated, and it is still the best policy to persuade mankind to receive instruc- tions. Gentleness and sweetness of temper is the readiest way to engage the affections of the people ; and charity to those who differ from us in opinion is the most likely to convince them thatour labours are intended for the welfare of their souls ; where- as passionate and rash methods of proceeding will fill their minds with prejudices against both our persons and our principles, and utterly indispose them against all the means we can make use of to reclaim them from their errors. I have duly considered all these things, and have carried myself civilly and kindly to the Independent party, but they have ungratefully resented my love ; yet I will further consider the obligations that my holy religion lays upon me, to forgive injuries and wrongs, and to return good for their evil. Thus I hope, by God's assistance, I shall behave myself, and avoid the doing any thing that may bring blame upon that godly Society, whose missionary I am, or hinder the progress of that glorious work they have undertaken ; and ever since I have been invited into that colony, I have been so far from endeavoring to intrench upon the toleration which her Ma- AND CHURCH OF RYE. 183 jesty has declared she will preserve, that, on the contrary, I de- sired only a liberty of conscience might be allowed to the mem- bers of the national Church of England ; which, notwithstand- ing they seemed unwilling to grant, and left no means untried, both foul and fair, to prevent the settling the Church among them ; for one of their justices came to my lodging, and fore- warned me, at my peril, from preaching ; telling me that I did an illegal thing in bringing in new ways among them. The people were likewise threatened with prison and a forfeiture of 51. for coming to hear me. It will require more time than you will willingly bestow on these lines, to express how rigidly and severely they treat our people, by taking their estates by distress, when they do not wil- lingly pay to support their ministers. And though every Church- man in that colony pays his rate for the building and repairing their meeting houses, yet they are so maliciously set against us, that they deny us the use of them, though on week days ; they tell our people that they will not suffer the house of God to be defiled with idolatrous worship and superstitious ceremonies. They are so bold that they spare not openly to speak reproach- fully and with great contempt of our Church. They say the sign of the cross is the mark of the beast, and the sign of the devil ; and that those who receive it are given to the devil. — And when our people complain to their magistrates of the per- sons who thus speak, they will not so much as sign a warrant to apprehend them, nor reprove them for their offence. This is quite a different character to what, perhaps, you have heard of that people ; for I observe particularly, one expression of your letter, where you say they are an ignorant, hot-heady, but well meaning people. That they are ignorant I can easily grant ; for if they had either much knowledge or goodness, they would not act and say as they do ; but that they are hot heady, I have too just reason to believe ; and as to their meaning, I leave that to be interpreted by their unchristian proceedings with us. Who- ever informed you so, I may freely say, that he was not so well acquainted with the constitution of that people, as I am, who give you the contrary information. I beg that you would be- 184 HISTORY OF THE PARISH lieve that this account (though seemingly harsh and severe, yet no more than is true,) does not proceed from want of charity, either toward their souls or bodies, but purely for the good of both. And to give you better information concerning the state of that people, that proper remedies may be taken for curing the evils that are among them, and that our Churchmen in that Col- ony may not be oppressed and insulted over by them, but that they may obtain a liberty of conscience, and call a minister of their own communion, and that they may be freed from pay- ing to their ministers, they may be enabled to maintain one of their own. This is all these good men desire. I have lately preached to a Dutch congregation, about 18 miles from this town ; they seem to be well disposed to the Church, and I intend to give them frequent visits on week days, but more of this hereafter. Mr. Cleator is still with us ; he continues faithful in the discharge of his duty, (he is, according to your instructions,) very useful and serviceable to me upon all occasions. He reads di- vine service and sermons to the people, when the affairs of the Church call me abroad. In short, I believe him to be a very good man, and that he justly deserves your bounty. I hope by this time Mr. Moore and Mr. Brooke are with you — two good men indeed, who suffered for discharging their office. I intend- ed to have laid down some arguments to show the necessity we have of a bishop among us ; but I think their treatment will be sufficient for all ; and if some speedy methods be not taken, I cannot tell how soon their's may be our fate. There was a time when our Governour looked with a favorable countenance upon us ; but tempora mutantur, I pray God to put it into the hearts of our superiors at home to send us a head to bless and protect the whole. Honored sir, your most assured friend and very humble ser- vant, Geo. Muirson. 1 Eye, 9th January, 1707-8." * Connecticut MSS. from Archives at Fulham, p. 25. (Hawks'.) AND CHURCH OF RYE. 185 The Rev. George Muirson, after a short, but a most useful service in the ministry of the Church, died on Tuesday, the 12th of October, 1703, much lamented by his friends, and missed by his parishioners. '' He was a most zealous, devoted, and truly good man ; a sound Churchman in his principles, and bold and fearless in advocating his views; cool in judgment, winning in manners, and possessed of great natural eloquence ; he was well fitted for the position in which he was placed, and admi- rably calculated to introduce the church into the then benighted Government of Connecticut. " From the following entry in the records of the Honorable William Smith, of Long Island, it appears that Mr. Muirson was buried in the old stone Church, at Rye : — Manoar of St. Georges, June 20th, 1707. "Then sister Glorrana was mary'd to the Rev. Mr. George Muirson, who, the 12th of October, 1708, departed this life at Rye, and was intered in his Parish Church." What more suitable mausoleum could have enshrined his bones, than the stately fabric his pious zeal had reared. " What needs more words, the luture world he sought And set the pomp and pride of this at nought, Heaven was his aim, let heaven be still his station That left such work for others' imitation." By his wife Glorianna, youngest daughter of the Honorable William Smith, of St. George's Manor, L. I., Chief Justice and President of the Council of New- York, he had one son, George Muirson, M. D. of Setauket, L. I.,» who married his cousin, Anna Smith, and left one son, Heathcote Muirson. The latter was a graduate of Yale College in 1776, and died from wounds received in the attack upon Lloyd's Neck, L. I., July, 1781. Catherine, b the sister of Heathcote Muirson, married her fath- ■ " Dr. Muirson possessed a large property in Setauket, or more correctly, in Brookhaven ; this however was confiscated after the war of the Revolution, and but little of it was recovered by his family. He died at New Haven, Conn., aged 79." — Communicated by the Rev. Frederick M. Noll, of Setauket. b Catherine Muirson was born at Brookhaven, June 8th, 1742, died, April 15th, and was buired under Caroline Church, in that place, A. D., 1785. 186 HISTORY OF THE PARISH er's pupil, Cyrus Punderson, M. D. Their grandson, Henry Ty- ler Punderson, is still living at Setauket. Mrs. Muirson was born at Brookhaven, L. I., June 21st, 1690, and survived her husband only two years, as appears by the following entry in the Smith MSS : "(Thursday)" — " Mannour of Scarsdale, October 7th, 1710" — " Then God Almighty, after days sickness and bloody flux, was pleased to take to himself our Dear Sister, Glorianna Muirson, who the Saturday ensuing was intered in Brot. Colonel Heathcote's burying place." THE WILL OF GEORGE MUIRSON, CLERK. " In the Name of God, Amen. The thirteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord God, one thousand seven hundred and eight, I, George Muirson, of Rye, in the county of Westchester, and province of New-York, clerk, being weake in body, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God therefor, calling unto mind the mortality of my body, and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to dye ; do make and ordaine this my last will and testament, that is to say: principally, and first of all, I give my soule into the hands of God that gave it, and for my body, I commend it to the earth to be buried in a christianlike and decent manner att the discretion of my Executrix, nothing doubting but att the General Resuerection I shall receive the same again by the Almighty power of God; and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give and devise, and dispose of the same in the following man- ner and forme : I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved wife, Gloriana, whom I likewise constitute, appoint, and ordain my only and sole Executrix of this, my last will and testament, all and singular my estate, Reall and personall, whether of lands, messuages, tenements, money, gooods, chattels of what kind and na- ture and quality now in my possession, or in possession of any other, or owing me from any person or persons, which is, or may, by any way or means be my just rights and title att the day of my death, by her, the said Gloriana, freely to be possessed and enjoyed. And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke, and disannull all and every testaments, wills, legacies, requests, and executors .by me made, or before this time named, willed and bequeathed ; ratifying and confirming this and no other, to be my last will and testament. In wittness whereof, I have hereunto sett my hand and seale, the day and year above written. GEO. MUIRSON. Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said George Muir- son, as his last will and testament, in the presence of us the subscribers. ROBERT BLOOMER, SAMUEL LANE, JOSEPH CLEATOR."* * Sur. office, N. Y. Rec. of Wills, Vol. v. p. 385. Proved 10th day of Nov., 1708< AND CHURCH OF RYE. 187 Col. Heathcote, writing to the Secretary, April 28th, 1709, sa y S : — « I must in the first place give you the melancholy ac- count of Mr. Muirson's death, who was a very industrious and successful Missionary, and had it pleased God to have preserved his life, would have been able to have given a wonderful ac- count of his labours. By his constant journeys in the service of the Church, and the necessary supply of his family, he ex- pended every farthing he got here and of the Society, and were the stock not so low, the Society could not have done a better act, than to have considered his widow whom he has left very bare, and has since his death been brought in bed with a boy, which is living." 11 In a letter of May 30th, 1709, Col. Morris writes to the Sec- retary as follows: — " About the affairs of the Church in New- York, I shall only add to the copy of my former letter, that Rye being vacant by the death of Mr. Muirson, there wants a man of a peculiar learning, temper and life, to supply that place, and I think no man can be more fitted for that employ than Mr. Mackenzie, on Staten Island, in which place he is buried among a parcel of French and Dutch, who can't understand him, there being but few English there, and a place in which he seldom has his health ; the other, a place of ten times the number, and bor- dering on Connecticut, where a man of his learning and en- gaging temper is very much wanting." b The following memorial in behalf of Mrs. Muirson and Mrs. Urquhart, was addressed by the u New- York Missionaries to the Bishop of London :" — TO THE RIGHT REV. AND RIGHT HONORABLE, HENRY, LORD BISHOP OF LONDON. New- York, Nov. 24th, 1709. May it please your Lordship : "We think ourselves obliged by the ties of humanity and sa- • Conn. MSS. from Archives at Fulham. (Hawks'.) b New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 159, ICO. (Hawks'.) 188 HISTORY OP THE PARISH cred relation of paternity, as well as those of Christian charity to the indigent, to make this representation to your Lordship, our most worthy Diocesan, and the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, in the behalf of the virtuous relicts of our late deceased Reverend Brethren, Mr. Muirson and Mr. Urqu- hart, who present difficult circumstances, as they extort this our petition, so we humbly hope will render them proper objects of your commiseration. The former was Missionary of Rye, a parish bordering on Connecticut Colony, where God was pleased to bless his painful labours with suitable success, and that he might not fall under the censure of avarice, or give the least oc- casion of any reflection amongst his people, (who were for the most part proselytes to the church) he not only frequently parted with what, by law, was his just demand, but out of his mission- ary allowance of £50 per annum, endeavoured to support him- self that he might make the Gospel as little burdensome to them as possible, one of the most effectual means to establish the Church in these parts, and by his frequent journies to Stratford, a town in that Province where he was invited to preach, and had a very good prospect of erecting a church for the worship of God according to the form and manner of the Church of Eng- land, he was put to more than ordinary charges, which, (had God granted him a longer life) he might have reaped so much advantage from, as to have made a settlement there for the ser- vice of our church, and in a great measure repaired the volun- tary poverty he had brought upon himself in his endeavours to effect this good work; but it pleased God to remove him in the midst of his labours and dawning of our hopes, by which his poor widow, and one son born since his death, are leftto struggle with some difficulties which we hope the pious zeal of your Venerable Society will remove, by an allowance of £50 sterling, to commence from his death, for one year, to pay his just debts contracted in that service, &c, &c. ; and further, that the same charitable bounty of a year's salary, may con- tinue to be paid to the widows of your missionaries who shall hereafter die in the service of the Church, &c, &c. My Lord, yours, &c, AND CHURCH OF RYE. 189 Evan Evans, de Philadelphia. Jno. Talbot, de Burlington. Jno. Thomas, de Hampstead. Jno. Bartow, de West Chester. Jno. Sharp, Chap, to the Queen's Forces. C. Bridge, de Rye. Samuel Myles, Henry Harris, de Boston."* Mr. Muirson was succeeded in October, 1709, by the Rev. Mr. Reynolds. This gentleman appears to have been licensed and appointed in England by the Bishop of London, (at the request of the Venerable Society) as Missionary to Rye, but from the following letter, it seems he had scarcely arrived at his mission, ere the Society revoked their orders, by recalling him after offi- ciating here for two or three Sundays. MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY. Westchester, in America, October 30th, 1709. Sir, " I am sorry at the occasion, to acquaint you of the death of our late Reverend Brother, Mr. Urquhart, of Jamaica, whose place is now supplied by the Rev. Mr. Vesey, Mr. Sharp and the Missionaries in the province of New- York, every other Sunday, until you can send another curate. I lament the unhappy circumstances of the Rev. Mr. Reynolds, your Missionary for Rye, who having escaped the danger of the seas and a violent sickness after his arrival, and was received with joy and satisfaction by Col. Heathcote, and his parishioners, as their undoubted minister, and your missionary, whom they greatly respected as such, till there came a letter from you, di- rected to my Lord Lovelace, deceased, in which our present Gov- ernour, Col. Ingoldsby, found your express orders to prohibit him from preaching in any part of his government. These are judged hard measures by some, and the more, because you have given no reason of your rigid proceedings, to the satisfac- • New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 211. 212, (Hawks'.) 190 HISTORY OF THE PARISH tion of those who respect and favour him ; but I presume you have done nothing but what you thought most requisite to promote the interest of Christ's Church, therefore labour that all would put such a candid interpretation on this matter as the just cause thereof deserves, and I crave leave to testify, that during his small stay amongst us, he has behaved himself as becomes a sober and religious pastor, and knowing not the cause of your displeasure, must (as in duly bound for a distressed brother) re- commend him to your favour, as one by his appearance here, well worthy his function, and shall be heartily glad if your recall- ing him, be intended for his advantage. We hear Mr. Bridge is arrived at Boston, and has by your orders to fix himself at Rye. Sir, yours, &c, John Bartow."* The REV. CHRISTOPHER BRIDGE, M. A., who thus superseded Mr. Reynolds, in the charge of this Parish, was the son of the Rev. Robert Bridge, b and was born near Tillington, in the County of Essex, A. D. 1672. He received his early education in the city of Chester, under Mr. Hancock. At the age of seventeen he was admitted to St. John's College, Cambridge, as a sub-sizer, under the tuition of Mr. Wigley ; (June 4th, 1689,)° and in 1692 took the degree of Batchelor of Arts. d After obtaining holy orders, he was appointed assistant minis- • New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 208, 209. (Hawks'.) b The Bridge's have been seated for many ages in the Counties of Hereford, Es- sex and Lancaster. The arms of Bridge of Bosbury, Hereford and Essex, are : — arg. a chief gu. over all, a bend, engr. sa — Crest, two wings endorsed arg. on each a chev. engr. sa. charged with a chaplet or. •Extract from the admission Books of St. John's College, Cambridge -.—"Chris- topher Bridge, Castrensis, Alius Robert Bridge, Clerici, natus infra Tillington in Comitatu Esseneae, Uteris institutus in Civitate Cestrensi sub Mro. Hancock, setatis suae 17 admissus ut subsizator pro Mro. Stillingfleet, Tutor et fidejussore, «jus Mro. Wigley, Junii, 4to. 1689." * See lists of Cambridge Graduates. AND CHURCH OF EYE. 191 ter to the Rev. Mr. Miles, the rector of King's Chapel, Boston, and arrived in March, 1699. In 1703, at the request of the vestry, Mr. Bridge proceeded to England, in order to solicit subscriptions for the enlargement of the chapel, a measure made necessary by the increase of the congregation. A misunderstanding about this time arose between Mr. Miles and Mr. Bridge, which grew into a serious division, and threatened the peace and prosperity of the church. The Bishop of London, (Compton) condemned the course of Mr. Bridge,.and in his letter to the church says : " There- fore I shall not be so earnest for his removal, otherwise than I am convinced it is impossible for him and Mr. Miles to live to- gether in peace. I know his spirit is too high to submit to that subordination which is absolutely necessary he should comply with, while he stays at Boston, so that I would by all means, advise him to go to Narragansett, where he may have a hundred pounds per annum, sterling, besides what perquisites he may make upon the place, and then he will be his own master." About the first of October, 1706, Mr. Bridge came to Narra- gansett. The wardens of King's Chapel spoke of him with re- gard and respect, and the Bishop promised him the continuance of his favour. It however appears that Mr. Bridge, after his settlement in Narragansett, created a new difficulty, as we learn from the Bishop's letter to the officers of King's chapel, dated in May, 1708, he says : " not being yet fully informed to what degree and upon what grounds Mr. Bridge hath committed that insolent riot upon the church of Rhode Island." " What is meant by the violent riot committed by Mr. Bridge upon the church of Rhode Island, alluded to by the Bishop, has not been ascertained." 4 Mr. Bridge did not remain long in Narragansett, but at the request of the Venerable Society removed to Rye, in January, 1709, when he was again settled in the ministry. His commis- sion from the Venerable Society bears date 19th of August, 1709. He was not however called by the vestry until April, 1710. Updike's Hist, of the Narragansett Church, p. 38. 192 HISTORY OF THE PARISH REV. CHRISTOPHER BRIDGE'S COMMISSION, TO BE MINISTER OF RYE. " To all people to whom these presents shall come. — The Society for ye Propa- gation of the Gospel in Fforeign Parts, sends greeting : Whereas, Mr. Christopher Bridge, ye bearer hereof, being in Priest's orders, hath been sufficiently recommended to ye said Society, and by farther examina- tion appears to be a person duly qualified for promoting the good work in which ye said Society is engaged ; and whereas, he is by the Right Rev. Father in God, Henry, Lord Bishop of London, a member of ye said Society, at the request of the said Society, lycensed and appointed to performe all the offices of his sacred function at Rye, in New-Yorke, in America : Now, know yee, that ye said So- ciety have given and granted unto the said Christopher Bridge, and his assigns, and do hereby for themselves and successors, give and grant an annuity or yearly pension of the sum of fifty pounds of lawful money of Great Britain, to hold, re- ceive and enjoy the same from the feast day of the Nativity of St. John Baptist, be- fore the date of these presents, during the pleasure of ye said Society ; the same to be paid at the ffeast days of St. Michael the Archangel, the Nativity of our Lord, ye Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Nativity of St. John Baptist, in every year during their said pleasure, provided always, and on condition that the said Christopher Bridge, do without delay at the first opportunity after ye date of these presents, transport himself to the said parish of Rye ; and also from and after his arrival, continue and reside there, (unless otherwise directed by the Society) and do with fidelity and diligence, discharge his holy function : other- wise this grant to be void and of none effect. And the said Society doth hereby heartily recommend ye said Christopher Bridge to the protection and blessing of Almighty God, the countenance and flavour of the Honourable the Governour of New- York, and the good will of all christian people at Rye aforesaid, for his further encouragement and support. In witness whereof, ye said Society hath hereunto caused to be sett their com- mon seal, this nineteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord 1709, and in the eighth year of our Most Gracious Sovereign, Lady Anne, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the ffaith, &c. JOHN CHAMBERLAYNE, Secretary."*' Col. Heathcote thus writes in behalf of Mr. Bridge : — COL. HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY. [[extract.] Manor of Scarsdale, 15th May, 1710. Worthy Sir, " The chief occasion of this is to acquaint the Society that since » Doc. Hist, of N. Y. vol. iii. pp. 943-4. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 193 Mr. Reynolds' removal from hence, Mr. Bridge, according to the Society's directions hath taken care of this parish in which he hath, with great care and industry answered the end of his mission ; nor am I under the least doubt but he will continue to do the church considerable service, being a gentleman not only of extraordinary good parts, but of an active temper. I am very much concerned I have cause to tell the Society of a very great misfortune which befell him on his removal from Boston to his appointed cure, having lost almost all his books and abundance of other necessaries ; the vessel in which he sent them being chased ashore by a French privateer, and being billged, were all either lost or damnified to the value of £150 or £2U0. This mischance happening to him as he was removing in the church's service, and it being what he is never like to retrieve in the parish, if the Society would be pleased to consider his misfor- tune by an allowance for books. Yours, &c.j Caleb Heathcote."* Mr. Neau, of New- York, also writing to the same, on the 5th of July, 1710, observes : — " that Mr. Bridge is arrived with his family here, where he has spent the winter. I believe him ca- pable of edifying his flock. I have sent him several French books, he having had the misfortune to loose all his own ; for a French privateer forced the sloop that carried them, to run ashore, by which means they were all spoiled and lost, and the vessel plundered." b It appears from the following, that Mr. Bridge did not enter into actual possession of his benefice until October, 1710 : — INDUCTION OF THE REV. CHRISTOPHER BRIDGE. Rob'tus Hunter Armiger Provincicc Novi Eboraci, nee non Novse Casarioe in America Stratcgus & Imperator ejusdemq: Vice Admiralis &c. • New-York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 210. (Hawks'.) b New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 216, 217. (Hawks'.) 194 HISTORY OP THE PARISH Universis et Singulis Rectoribz Vicar : et Capellar : Curat : Clericis et Min- istris quibuscumq in et per totam Provinciam ubilibet Constitutis ac etiam. Ecclesiae Parochialis de Rye infra Provinciam Novi Eboraci praedict, pro hoc tempore iEdilibus salutem. Cum Dilectum in Christo Christopherum Bridge Clericum ad Rectoriam sive Ecclesiam Parochialem Predict. ParocUiae de Rye in diet. Provincial Novi Eboraci in America jam vacantem praesentatum Rectorem Ejusdem Rectoriae sive Ecclesiae parochialis in et de Eadam Institutus, Vobis Conjunctim et divisim Committo et fermiter Injungo Mando, duatenus eundem Christopherum Bridge Cleric, sive procuratorem suum legitimum ejus nomine et pro eo in Realem Ac- tualem et Corporalem possessionem ipsius Rectoriae sive Ecclesiae parochialis de Rye praedict. Glaebarum, Jurumq : et pertinentium suorum universor. Confe- ratis Inducatis, Inducive faciatis : et Defendatis Inductum, Et quid in Premissis feceritis me aut alium Indicem in hac parte competentem quemcumq ; debite (cum ad id Congrue fueritis Requisit.) Certificetis seu sic certificet ille vestrum qui presens hoc Mandatum fuerit Executus. Dat. Sub Sigillo praerogativo diet- Provinciae Novi Eboraci Decimo Septimo die Octobris Anno Salutis Millesimo Septingentesimo Decimo. ROB. HUNTER. By His Excellency's command, H. WILEMAN, Dep. Secretary."" January the seventh, Anno Dom. 1710 : — "At a lawful meeting of the Parishioners, at their Parish Church in Rye, to elect and choose Churchwardens and Vestrymen for the year ensuing, were elected and chosen : CHURCHWARDENS. Capt. Joseph Theale, Capt. Jonathan Hart, Cornelius Seely. VESTRYMEN. Andrew Coe, George Lane, Jr., John Merritt, Sr., Joseph Lyon, Daniel Purdy, CorcPr, George Kniffen, Thomas Purdy, John Disbrow, Mamaroneck, Thomas Merritt, Jr., John Miller, Bedford, Joseph Cleator, Clerk of the Vestry for this year? Documentary Hist, of N. Y., vol. iii. 944. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 195 In accordance with the rules of the Ven. Society, Mr. Bridge thus opens a correspondence with them through their Secretary :— MR. BRIDGE TO THE SECRETARY. Rye, 20tk Nov. 1710. Worthy Sir, "About this time twelve-month I wrote to you from Boston, of my arrival here, and that I was with utmost diligence preparing for my journey to this place, and was necessitated however to stay here till the beginning of January, by reason I had my books, clothes, and other necessaries on board one of the mast ships at Piscataqua, and could not get them sooner to me. In February, I wrote you hence of my arrival at this place, and I think about the same time Col. Heathcote gave you the like informa- tion. This I mention because Mr. Wesendunk, my Attorney, acquaints me that the Treasurer deny's to pay him my salary for want of information of my being in the place appointed me. I made the best haste I could out of England, and stayed at Boston no longer than was absolutely necessary, and travelled hither, about 240 miles, in extreme bad weather, and the stop- ping my salary has been the greater hardship to me because I have yet received nothing from this place towards my subsist- ence. I must likewise take this occasion to acquaint you that im- mediately upon the receipt of my books, clothes, &c. from Pis- cataqua, I put them, together with what books I had at Boston, and such other things as I should have present occasion for, on board a sloop bound for New-York. My books I had been several years in collecting, and were at a low estimation, worth £150; my clothes and other necessarys worth 50 or £60; with them was the box of small books I received from Mr. Treasurer Hodges, for the use of the parishioners of this place. But soon after the sloop went out of Boston harbour she was chased by a privateer, and to get clear of him run ashore, and bad weather coming up, she stove to pieces, and what she had on board was lost. As soon as the weather was seasonable, I returned to Boston 196 HISTORY OF THE PARISH for my family, and then with great trouble and more charge than they were worth, recovered a very few of my books that were taken up out of the salt water, about 30, but they were so dam- nified that they can hardly be used. I could recover nothing of my clothes ; some of the books I bought upon credit when last in London, of Mr. John Lawrence, at the Angel in the Poultry, and they are not yet paid for. I find no library here, that I need not say how uneasy and dissatisfied I am to be destitute of books, and without any company that might supply that want. I hoped to borrow out of the library at New- York, but scruples were raised against letting any of those books go so far. I humbly leave my case with the Honourable Society, and rely on their charitable benevolence for some relief and assistance in this my necessity. I give you here the best account T can of the present state of this parish. The inhabitants are 772, in- cluding children, servants, and slaves. The baptized, 441. The greatest part of them were baptized before the Church was settled here. The communicants 43, several of them are not constant, some still Presbyterians or Independents in their judgment, but are persons well disposed and willing to partake of the Sacrament in what way they can, rather than not at all. Those that profess themselves of the Church of England, 284, though several of them do very seldom come to church. Dis- senters, 468, several of those are serious people and do frequently come to church. I reckon all the children according to their parents professions, except those that are grown up and profess themselves otherwise. Many, both of those that profess them- selves of the Church of England and of the Dissenters, are very loose, and seem to have little or no regard to religion. Heath- ens 24, that are servants in families, besides 4 or 5 families of Indians that often abide in this parish, but are frequently re- moving, almost every month or six weeks. Among the Dissent- ers are 7 families of Quakers, and 4 or 5 families inclining to them. The rest are Presbyterians or Independents, transplanted out of the Connecticut Colony. I may hereafter be able to give a more clear and better account. My care and time hath hith- AND CHURCH OF RYE. 197 erto been chiefly employed in bringing the young people to a regular method of catechising, which I find both very necessary and difficult, and in persuading the looser sort of the necessity of public worship; and as from the foregoing ac- count the Honourable Society will judge what books may be most serviceable when they shall please to supply us with oth- ers in the room of those that were lost. So whatever further directions and commands they shall be pleased to honour me with, shall be most readily observed by, Good Sir, Yours, (fee, Christopher Bridge." 3 - It seems from the following letter, that about this period, cer- tain violent men in the county, set themselves up to reform the Church, or in other words, to deform it ; and would probably have succeeded in their diabolical ends, but for the goodness of God in raising her up such a defender as Caleb Heathcote, who was too conscientious to buy his own peace at her expense : — COL. HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY. New-York, February \ith, 1711. " And as the Devil never wants his agents every where, so much about the same time, they began to run upon the like strains in Westchester county, and two or three loose and riotous men setting up for reformers ; these even raised a storm amongst us, and made all the best of the people uneasy, for which I very warmly opposing their proceedings, was immediately branded as an enemy to the Church, andahinderer to its growth. Being sensible of the danger the Church was in, I firmly resolved to do all in my power, to prevent its ruin, and believing it then to be no time to take pet and leave her in distress, as her friends in Jamaica had done, I went to the Governour and did not only tell •New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 236, 240. (Hawks'.) 198 HISTORY OF THE PARISH him my mind, but desired to see my accusers or accusations, which altho' I never was so happy as to obtain, yet I still con- tinued the same method as oft as I heard any complaint was made against me, and by God's assistance and these methods, I prevented those violent reformers from gaining their ends, and prevented the Church's ruin and confusion there ; but the trouble I underwent was inexpressible, and what I would not again un- dergo for any other consideration whatsoever. After these storms were over, God be thanked, the churches grew and flourished, and we have three so well settled, that no dissenting minister of any sort can fix himself in any part of that county." a Upon the 12th of December, 1711, Col. Heathcote wrote thus to the Secretary: — " I hope the Society will think proper, till ways can be found whereby some help may be had, to give the same allowance of £100 a year, which was settled on Mr. Muirson. If this design goes forward, and great caution is used in the choice of a missionary ; I doubt not but experience will convince the Society, of his doing the church more real service, than any two missionary's in North America besides." 13 The following minutes are recorded in the vestry book : — " May the seventh, Anno Domini, 1711. At a meeting of the Justices and Vestrymen, at the church, it was voted and agreed that the sum of £55 5s, be levyed on the Parish — that is to say, for the Minister ... £50 for beating the Drum - 1 for the Clerk 1 for charge of Express to Bedford - 10 for ye Constable for collecting 2 12 6 £55 2 6 voted also on ye other side, that warrants be issued out for half the above-said sum, to be paid on the tenth day of July next ■ New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham. vol. i. p. 359. (Hawks'.) b New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 346. (Hawks'.) I AND CHURCH OF RYE. 199 ensuing, and for ye other half or moyety thereof, which is one fourth part of said sum, to be paid on the tenth day of Octo- ber next, and the fourth part to be paid on the tenth day of Jan- uary next, and that the moyety payable on the tenth day of Ju- ly be laid in proportion to the last Quota : — that is to say, Rye £17 6 6 Mamaroneck 3 13 6 Scarsdale 1 11 6 Bedford 5 5 0"* The method adopted by Mr. Bridge, to break up the new sectaries in his parish, is very happily related in the following extract: — MR. BRIDGE TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Rye, 27th July, 1711. Worthy Sir, " I have not yet been honoured with any thing from you since I wrote to your last, a copy of which I sent soon after, and hope they have not both miscarried. I then sent you the state of this Parish and do now give you another to this time. Num- ber of Inhabitants 787 ; number of baptized 452 ; adult per- sons baptized since my last, 3 ; communicants 44 ; that profess themselves of the Church of England, 288; dissenters 478; heathen, that are servants in families, 21. Several of Cates' followers being in the neighbourhood of this parish, they began the last winter to form themselves into a so- ciety, and were very busy to invite the neighbours to their meet- ings, upon which I acquainted the chief of them, that I should be glad to be with them, if they would let me know when they held a meeting on a week day ; and after 2 or 3 more debates » Church Records of Rye, pp. 1. 2. 2J0 HISTORY OF THE PARISH among themselves, wether it was convenient to admit me, they at length sent me the time and place where I might meet them, and three of their speakers entered into a dispute with me about the scriptures, the doctrine of perfection and the divinity of Christ. Their ignorance and extravagance by this means be- came so manifest, to a multitude of people that were about us, that they could not any longer find room for their insinuations, and soon after fore bore their meetings. 1 am willing to confine myself to the affairs of my own parish, but I hope the Honourable Society will not think it amiss, if I observe that the want of frequent consultations of the clergy, is a great defect in us ; I have taken notice of it to some of my brethren, and doubt not, but it would be of great service to Re- ligion, if we were obliged sometimes, to meet and consult about the affairs of our several cures. With humble submission, I be- lieve an order from the society, with proper directions, would be expedient. There is another thing we may lament, though we cannot redress it — The want of zeal in the officers of Justice to punish profaneness and immorality. The complaint is general, and there is too much occasion for it here. I have sometimes made complaint upon good information, of some gross immoralities, but without success, for we have one in commission of the peace hat has formerly been convicted of a notorious crime, and is generally at the head of all our disorders. I have prayed the countenance of the Governour, and I hope I may obtain it. I hope the Honourable Society will be pleased to consider the great loss I sustained in their service, for without their assis- tance I cannot retrieve it. Their commands shall be always re- ceived with due obedience from, Sir, Your very humble servant, Christopher Bridge." a During the year 1711, 150 Common Prayer Books with £5 » New-York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 259, 260. (Hawks'.) AND CHURCH OF RYE. 201 worth of tracts were sent to Mr. Bridge, on his affirmation and assurance that they might he bestowed to great advantage. He was also allowed for the services of two schoolmasters in the Parish, at a distance from his church, where several children want instruction, £5 per annum cash, on a certificate that they have taught thirty children the Bible, the Catechism and the use of the Liturgy. 3 - Mr. Bridge's next report to the Secretary, will afford an idea of the state of his parish in 1712, and shows the good success that followed his dispute with the ranting Quakers. b MR. BRIDGE TO THE SECRETARY. Rye, June 9th, 1712. Worthy Sir, " The last you was pleased to honour me with, bears date the 24th May, 1711, to which I answered the last fall, and inclosed as you directed, a catalogue of what books Mr. Muirson left be- hind him. I received in April last, the small tracts you men- tioned as ordered for me some time ago, together with the Hon- ourable Society's bounty of a library of £10 worth of books, of which I shall take all possible care to secure them to my succes- sors, and as I return my humble thanks for this their benevolence, so I must acknowledge my full satisfaction in the choice of books, which are such as I should have made my own choice, if I had but that sum to purchase with, but I hope the illustrious So- ciety will yet be pleased, further to consider that I lost £200 ■ Printed abstracts of V. P. Society, from February 15th, 1711-12, to Feb. 20th, 1712-13. The following curious item is extracted from the Town books, da- ted March the 10th, 1711, — " The Rev. Mr. Bridge's ere marks entered in as fol- loweth : — a hapeny on the underside of the nere ere, and a crop on the top of the of ere, and a hapeny on the foreside of the same." — Town records p. 80. b These were, probably the Keiihiansor followers of the famous Geo. Keith, a party which seperated from the Quakers of Philadelphia, in 1691. Their leader deserted them and took orders in the Episcopal Church. They were also called Quaker Baptists, because they retained the language, dress, and manner of the auakers."— Bucks Theol. Diet. 202 HISTORY OP THE PARISH in their service, and that I can but barelysupport my family out of my salary, that that loss must be heavy upon me, without the Society's further charity. The present state of my parish stands thus : — Number of In- habitants 799 ; of the baptized 469 ; adult persons baptized since my last, 4 ; communicants 42. Three of our communicants are removed out of the parish, one is dead and two have been lately admitted. Number of those that profess themselves of the church of England, 313 ; presbyterians 466; heathens that are servants of familys, 20. In this account I keep as near as I can the prin- ted directions of the Society, but the number of those that pro- fess themselves of the Church of England and of the Dissenters, can't certainly be stated ; because many of the latter come some- times to church, and several of the former are inconstant, but both become more sensible to their duty, and attend the public worship more frequently than they used formerly. I bless God for the great success of the dispute I had with some of Cates followers, whom we call ranting Quakers, they have never since held a public meeting in these parts, and one of their preachers did soon after, before a wittness, make an oath or confession of his faith in all the points we then disputed. He owned himself fully convinced, and came sometimes to Church, but it pleased God soon after, to take him suddenly out of the world. I have since baptized two grown persons, of about 30 years old, both children of the ringleader of that sect. The case of one of them was very remarkable ; he had often said, if any religion was true it must be theirs, but according to the principles of that sect, led a very loose and extravagant life, but upon hearing their errors confuted, desired baptism, and when he received it, declared to his parents and kindred in very solid terms, the ground of so doing, and earnestly exhorted them and his former companions, to forsake their errors, and wicked courses, and by his whole carriage and discourses with them, silenced their reproaches. There are two places in this parish at great distance from the Church. If the Honourable Society will be pleased to make some small allowances to them, there might be found proper persons AND CHURCH OF RYE. 203 here to undertake that charge, to the great benefit of many poor children that want instruction. I have disposed of the small tracts I received, and could bestow more with great advantage ; for we have had none sent hither of a long time. I humbly pray that some Common Prayer books might be sent, for they are much wanted. I hope the stated meetings of the missionaries which we have now agreed upon, will be pleasing to the Society, and their directions, as they will be of great service and advan- tage to us, too, will be received by us with a due submission and regard. I beg the continuance of their patronage, and am, good Sir, Your very obedient servant, Christopher Bridge." 1 At a meeting of the Vestry, at the church in Rye, the twenty- ninth day of July. A. D. 1712, Mr. Bridge communicated to the vestry, the following order and letter from his Excellency : — " You are to give order forthwith (if the same be not already done) that every orthodox minister within your government, be one of the vestry in his respective parish, and that no vestry be held without him, except in case of sickness, or that after notice of vestry summoned, he omit to come. Rev. Sir, this copy of her Majesty's instructions, I have thought fit to direct to the several ministers within this Province, that their respective vestries may regulate themselves accordingly ; and if there be any practice contrary thereunto, I desire you may duly inform me, that effectual care may be taken therein. I remain, Reverend Sir, Your assured Friend and Servant. Robert HuNTER. b To the Rev. Mr. Christopher Bridge. Minister of Rye, in ye County of Westchester." J • New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 3G9, 372. (Hawks'.) t> Church Records of Rye. 204 HISTORY OF THE PARISH The Society's abstracts for 1714, say: that "Mr Bridge of Rye, had reduced many who were brought up in a very disso- lute way of living, and to total neglect of public worship, to a more sober conversation, and a constant attendance on the wor- ship of God, using his utmost endeavours to put a stop to many disorderly practices, which had prevailed among the people, to the great reproach of religion. The same year the Propaga- tion Society presented to Mr. Huddleston, schoolmaster in Rye, £5 additional salary, and to Mr. Bridge, common prayer books and devotional tracts, of which the people were very desirous before he wrote, and heartily thankful for them since. To these donations the Society added two dozen prayer books for Mr. Huddleston, with the old version of the singing, and as many of Lewis' Church catechism, for exercise in his school or on morn- ings of the Lords days, (when not only his own scholars, but several of the young people of the town, of both sexes, came willingly to be informed,) one dozen bibles with the common prayer and the new version of psalms, twenty-five psalters, and fifty-one primers, all which he requested as contributing might- ily, to the spreading the good work he has in hand, having taught besides British children, six hundred Dutch and French, to read and write English." Surely such zealous efforts, to promote the glory of God, and the good of souls, well deserved the aid and assistance of the Society. In 1717, the Society requested some further particulars, rela- ting to the parish ; in answer to which Mr. Bridge says : — MR. BRIDGE TO THE SECRETARY. Rye, July 30th, 1717. Sir, " The first episcopally ordained minister that officiated here was the unfortunate Mr. Pritchard, he was succeeded by Mr. Muirson, who came hither in the year 1705, and died 1708, after whose decease the Church was vacant (excepting two or three AND CHURCH OF RYE. 205 Sundays that Mr. Reynolds preached here) till I arrived in Jan- uary, 1709-10. I was called by the vestry in April following, as the act of Assembly directs, and soon after had induction from the present Governour. Before the Society was incorporated and while this town was under the government of Connecticut, they had two or three dissenting ministers in that place, but the generality of the people being such as would not willingly contribute to the support of any minister. However, some few of the inhabitants having more zeal, they found ways to build a small parsonage house, and annex to it three acres of land, which is all the glebe we have, and at my first coming here, I found the house so much decayed, that it was scarce habitable. In the year 1706, some extraordinary methods were used to induce the town to raise a tax for building a church, and they raised a handsome outside, and covered and glazed it, but found nothing done to the inside, not so much as a floor laid. When I had for a year or two preached upon the ground, I got subscriptions for about £50, among the inhabitants towards finishing the in- side. I have no great alterations in the state of my parish to give you an account of — since my last I have baptized 10 adult per- sons. It is my constant care to watch the motions of the Qua- kers, to prevent their seducing any of my parishioners, (for they come frequently in great numbers from Long Island, and other places, to hold their meeting in the outpartsof my parish) and to put an end to those riotous and unruly practices, which to the scandal of all religion had so much prevailed here ; but I hope, thro' God's assistance, I shall be able to subdue that spirit of pro- faneness. I take all occasions in my public discourses, and my private exhortations, to show the great enormity and dangerous consequences of them." a We shall now conclude Mr. Bridge's reports with the follow- ing extract from the letter books of the Venerable Society : — 1 New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 541-2. 206 HISTORY OP THE PARISH MR. BRIDGE TO THE SECRETARY. Rye, Nov. Uth, 1717. Sir, " Many of them being Quakers and such others as have never shewed any regard to religion, under any denomination whatsoever. Tis our great misfortune here, that our vestries are made up of such persons ; especially when they are apprehen- sive that we have any design to raise money for the repair or other services of the church, as it was our case at the last elec- tion, and I doubt will be so at the ensuing one, and is what I think, very much amiss in Mr. Cleator, that instead of being ad- vised by me, he seeks to shelter his neglect under the recom- mendation secretly obtained of professed Quakers, and some other persons of the loosest carriage among us. There are in Stratford, and the neighbouring towns in Connecticut, about 36 communicants of the church of England, and within these few years, I find there have been about 24 adult persons, and between 70 and 80 children baptized by me, and other missionaries of the Society, who have occasionally been there ; they seem ex- tremely desirous to have a minister settled among them." a The Rev. Christopher Bridge, finished his earthly pilgrimage at Rye, on Friday, the twenty-second of May, 1719, and was in- terred in his parish church. There is this record of the event in the minutes of the vestry : — « The Reverend Mr. Christopher Bridge, died the twenty-second, and was buried on Monday, the twenty-fifth day of May, Anno Domini, 1719, having been minister at Rye, ten years and four months." b The following obituary, is copied from the Boston News Let- ter a weekly paper, and the first newspaper published in Bos- ton where it was commenced in 1704. The date of this num- • New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 534. (Hawks'.) •• Church Records, p. 15. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 207 ber is from June 1st to 8th, 1719. "We have an account from Rye, in the government of New- York, of the death of the Rev« Mr. Bridge, M. A. a presbyter of the church of England, and minister of the Gospel in that place, who died on Saturday, the 23d of May last. He was formerly, for many years together, one of the ministers of the church of England in Boston, a re- ligious and worthy man, a very good scholar and a fine, grave preacher, his performances in the pulpit, were solid, judicious and profitable, his conversation was agreeable and improving, and though a strict churchman in his principles, yet of great respect and charity to dissenters, and much esteemed by them He was bred at the University of Cambridge, in England, and was about forty-eight years of age when he died, very much la- mented." a His last will and Testament was proved on the 25th of June, 1719. THE WILL OF CHRISTOPHER BRIDGE, CLERK, " In the name op God amen. The eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord Christ, one thousand seven hundred and eighteen and nineteen, I, Christopher Bridge, Rector of the parish of Rye, &c, in the county of Westchester, in the Colony of New- York, in America. Although sick in body, yet of good, perfect and sound memory, praised be Almighty God, I therefore do make and ordain this, my present will and Testament, containing therein my last will, in manner and form following : First, I commend myself, and all my whole estate, to the mercy and protection of Almighty God, being fully persuaded, by hia Holy Spirit through the death and passion of Jesus Christ, to obtain full pardon and remission of all my sins, and to inherit everlasting life, to which the Holy Trinity, one eternal Deity be known, and glory forever, Amen. And as for the disposal of my worldly estate, I will, and ordain, that after my decease, my debts which I happen to owe, and funeral expenses, shall be first paid. Item, it is my will that all my estate which I have, in this world, either in possession or reversion, or remainder, or otherwise, howsoever, be the same Real or Personal, after my decease, shall be divided into three equal part or parts, which I give, devise and bequeath, as fol- • Greenwoods Hist, of King's Chapel, Boston, p.72. The Rev. A. Fowler says of Mr. Bridge : " that he laboured himself in all respects, worthy the high and sacred character of a Clergyman, and the members of his parish increased greatly at Rye. He had for several years past an indifferent state ol health, and died in 1719.- Fowler's MSS. Biog. of the Clergy. 208 HISTORY OF THE PARISH lows, (viz :) one third part thereof, to my dear and loving wife, Elizabeth Bridge : To have and to hold the same to her, the said Elizabeth Bridge, her heirs and as- signees for ever. Another third part to my children, by even and equal portions, share and share alike, to be equally divided amongst them. To go to them each, an equal dividend thereof, and to each of their heirs and assignees for ever. The other third part, I give and bequeath likewise to my children, but to be given or distributed to them, according to the discretion of my said wife, Elizabeth, as she shall see meett ; and to the end, that this, my last will and Testament, may in every particular devise the better to be performed, I make my said Joving wife, Elizabeth Bridge, whole and sole executrix, and it is my will, that she in that station, shall bargain, sell and dispose of all my estate above mentioned, and when sold, to give good and sufficient conveyances in the law, for the same, which shall be valid and a barr against my heirs for ever. The consideration money, arising from such sale, being divided in three parts, and paid to the uses above di vised and bequeathed ; and that this my said last will, may be the more effect- ually executed ; it is my further will and desire, that if in case my said Executrix should happen to dye, before the full execution thereof, that the said will, and the final full execution thereof, shall be managed and executed by my loving friends, David Jameson, Esq., John Bartow, Rector of the parish of Westchester, &c, and Mr. Elias Neau, of the city of New- York, merchant, and the survivor and survivors of them, whose assistance in the execution of this my last will, and I intrust and depend upon ; and now revoking all other wills and Testaments, heretofore by me made, I declare this to be my last will. //;, witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the day and the year first above written. CHRISTOPHER BRIDGE. (L. S.) Signed, sealed, published, and delivered in the presence of us, Joseph Cleator, Samuel Wiley, Samual Haight." * " At a meeting of the Justices and Vestry at the school house in Rye, August 21st, Anno Domini, 1719, to examine the receipts and disbursements of ye late Rev. Mr. Bridge, concerning ye finishing of ye church ; and also to consider of his salary, and what money to be thought necessary to repair the church, and to choose proper persons to see ye same repaired ; there ap- peared : — Capt. Joseph Budd, Justice. John Haight, ) j Caleb Hyatt, David Ogden, \ j Henry Fowler, Robert Bloomer, ( Vestrymen. ^ John Disbrow. John Brundige, Record of Wills, Surrogates office, New- York, vol. ix. 72, 73. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 200 First : They examined the accounts then produced, and there was found due to Maddm. Bridge, - - - - £2 and for Mr. Bridge's salary, ---- ]G (I £18 The money designed for the ministers rate and other things as will appear by this book, was £56 3s. Ordered by the justices and vestry abovesaid, that of ye said sum, thirty three pounds be applyed and made use of for re- pairing of the parish church of Rye, according to Act of Assem- bly.'" * Mr. Cleator, schoolmaster at Rye, in his report to the Secre- tary for 1719, says : " That he has taught in the last year, about fifty children to read and write, and instructed those that were capable of learning, in the church catechism." b Upon the death of Mr. Bridge, we find the enemies of the church, who could without any scruple revile her services and doctrines, coveting her small possessions and accommodations. Their objects, however, were happily defeated by the vigilance of Mr. Vesey, the Bishop's Commissary. MR. COMMISSARY VESEY'S LETTER TO THE CLER- GY OF NEW- YORK. ( This letter has no date.) Rev. Brother, '•'- 1 have been credibly informed that since the death of the Rev. Mr. Bridge, late minister of Rye, the Dissenters have made some attempts to possess themselves of the church in that town, and introduce an Independent teacher : wherefore, to frustrate their designs, and to keep our brethren steady in their profes- sion, I desire the favourof you to officiate in that church in your order with the clergy of this province, till my Lord of London, * Church Records, p. 1G. 1 Printed Abstracts of Ven Prop. Soc. 14 210 HISTORY OP THE PARISH or the Venerable Society send a minister to supply that vacant parish. This I earnestly recommend to you, and remain, Yours, &c., Wm. Vesey." The order which the Reverend Clergy of the province of New-York will take to officiate in the parish of Rye : " The Rev. Mr. Bondet, - - the 2nd of August, " « " Bartow, - - « 16th of " « " « Thomas, - - " 13th of September, u u tt poyer, - - " 30th of August, « " " McKenzie, - - " 27th of September, « " " Jenney, - - " 11th of October, " « « Vesey, - - " 25th of October." » Having provided for the immediate wants of the parish, Mr. Vesey addressed the following letter to the Secretary ; requesting that another minister might be sent, and earnestly recommend- ing the afflicted widow and children to the Society's protec- tion. MR. VESEY TO THE SECRETARY. New-York, Nov. 15, 1719. Sir, " 1 have lately given you an account of the method I proposed to the clergy for officiating in the church at Rye, now vacant by the death of the Rev. Mr. Bridge, the clergy have officiated at their own expense there in their order, and will continue to do so till the Venerable Society shall please to send a minister to that parish. That church being thus supply'd without any charge to the parishioners or to the Society, I presume from hence to recommend the afflicted widow and her poor children, as proper objects of the Society's compassion, earnestly praying that one year's sal- * New- York, MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 557, 558. (Hawks'.) AND CHURCH OF EYE. 21 L ary, commencing from Mr. Bridge's death, may be given for their support. I shall only observe on this occasion, that a mis- sionary dismist by the Society, is allowed, as I am informed, one year's salary after his dismission ; if therefore, one of these missionaries is removed by death, and the vacancy supplied by his brethren, it may be thought charitable at least, to do some- thing of that nature towards the subsistence of his widow and. children in their melancholy circumstances, which is neverthe- less humbly submitted to the consideration of the "Venerable Society, by your most obedient and humble servant. William Vesey." a On the 16th of January, 1720-1, it was agreed by the vestry of tbe parish, "that Capt. Budd, the two churchwardens, Henry Fowler and Daniel Purdy, two of the vestry, should draw up a- letter to ye Hon. Col. Heathcote and the Rev. Dr. Vesey, desiring their advice and assistance in procuring a minister for the parish of Rye," &c.b In 1720-1, the Rev. Thomas Poyer c appears to have officiated statedly here; for at an adjourned meeting of the vestry, held on the 2Sth of February, A. D. 1720-1, "It was agreed to pay to the Rev. Mr. Poyer the just and full sum of twelve pound, ten shillings, for his service done to this Parish as a minister, and that he be continued minister of this parish, with this proviso, that the Honourable Society for Propagating ye Gospel in Foreign Parts do allow it." d In 1721-2, the Venerable Society voted £50 to the clergy * New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i, p. 559. (Hawks'.) b Church Records, p. 17. ■ " The Rev. Thomas Poyer, was a grandson of Col. Poyer, who fell in the de- fence of Pembroke Castle, in the time of Oliver Cromwell, and was the succe^ur of Mr. Urquhart, at Jamaica. He arrived in the Colony during the summer of 1710, and was inducted by power from Col. Hunter, July 18th, of that year." d Church Records, p. 17. 212 HISTORY OF THE PARISH of New-York for supplying the church at Rye, vacant by the death of the Rev. Mr. Bridge. 11 MR. POYER TO THE SECRETARY. Jamaica, Feb. llth, 1719. Hon. Sir, " I make no doubt of your being informed of the death of the Rev. Mr. Bridge, late pastor of the Church at Rye, and that the Honourable Society have ordered another to succeed him. I am just returned from serving that church in my turn, ac- cording to an agreement between the ministers of this province ; and cannot but acquaint you that most of the inhabitants, some communicants, are doing what they can to pull down what the established ministers — [sic in MSS.] They have resolved to call one Mr. Buckingham, a Dissenting minister, and have accord- ingly sent to acquaint him of it. I was then at Rye, in company with a great many of them, and did all that I could to bring them into a better mind in that respect, after which they told me their resolution was this,, that they were so well satisfied with me and my conduct, that they would call no other than myself, and that if I would not accept of their call, they knew one, naming the aforesaid Mr. Buckingham, that would; so they desired my answer, and I told them I would write home to the Honourable Society about it the first opportunity, (not at all expecting to meet with this ship that I thought sailed some weeks ago,) and I questioned not but they would order me to Rye, on which 1 find they have resolved to call me ; had I known of this ship in those parts, I would have got the Churchwardens and Vestry called, and sent it herewith, but expect this per next conveyance. I have not time now to write to my Lord of London, my much honoured Diocesan, and pray that this may be communicated to him, and that what is necessary from the Venerable Society, a Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 213 and that worthy Lord, in order to removal, be sent to me per the next opportunity. I trust there are none of my most honoured Patrons, do en- tertain so hard a thought of me as to believe I have any pros- pect of a temporal advantage by this removal. No, God knows I have not indeed, I must say that I cannot have, for besides that Jamaica is a much pleasanter place, \yhere I have abund- antly better conversation than can be had at Rye, and then the allowance from the country, for the Minister, is £10 per annum more here than there. I assure you if riches were my aim, I had invitations enough, and between £400 and £500 per annum, offered me if I would have removed from here, into the West Indies, but those arguments, powerful enough to induce some. I thank God, have not been able to prevail with me to leave the church over which, though most unworthy, I was thought fit to be appointed overseer, in so much troubles ; its nothing but the peace of the church that has inclined me to listen to the fre quent requests of the people at Rye, they have promised me if I would come to them, they would be united in their affections, and one and all come to hear me. May the Lord Jesus Christ, the great and good master of the flock, make me under him, a happy instrument in uniting the people in making up the divisions among them, and quenching the flames that blaze out. I present my utmost duty to my ever honoured Patrons, hearti- ly, earnestly, and constantly praying for them, and to beg Sir, you'll please excuse this haste, and to send an answer per first opportunity, to Honoured Sir, Your humble servant, Thomas Poyer." The Rev. John Thomas of Hempstead, L. 1., writing to the Secretary, April 20th, 1722, makes the following statement, in regard to the necessity of a minister for the vacant parish : — " The want of a missionary so long at Rye, has introduced a dissenter to build his nest there, but I believe a discreet gentle- 214 HISTORY OF THE PARISH man sent over, would soon utmost him, and discourage him in his undertaking. The people there are very poor, and incapa- ble to maintain two differing ministers, had they a churchman to perform divine service, and preach every Lords day, their dissenter must of necessity give way and be gone." 3 - About one month after the date of this letter, the Society were pleased to appoint the Rev. Henry Barclay, formerly mis- sionary to Albany, to Rye, with a salary of £50. b Upon the 22d day of 1722, Mrs Barclay writes from Albany, " that she has received a letter from Mr. Secretary Humphrey's, dated the fifth of September last, whereby your honours signify your having received him, (Mr. Barclay,) to your missionary, and have appointed him the choice of removing either to Rye, or Jamaica, in New-York government, Ibid. 216 HISTORY OF THE PARISH TO THE HONOURABLE SOCIETY. June 4.th, 1722. May it please your Honours, "We, the Churchwardens and Vestrymen of ye Parish of Rye, in ye province of New- York, in America, having taken ye lib- erty soon after ye death of our late incumbent, the Rev. Mr. Christopher Bridge, humbly to pray that your honours would continue your usual bounty to our poor church, and supply us in our destitute condition, with a church of England minister in the room of our late incumbent ; do take this opportunity to return your honours our hearty thanks, as well for the constant supply, which by your honour's favourable recommendation we had from the clergy of this province, as for your resolution, ap- pearing in print, to supply us with a minister to reside among us, as soon as one whom your honours can approve of, shall of- fer. We have been to our great detriment, destitute about three years, and now having the opportunity of one whom we are universally pleased with, ye Rev. Mr. Robert Jenney, chaplain of the forces of this province, who is willing to relinquish his place in the forces, to settle amongst us and become our minis- ter, provided he can have your ^honours favour and bounty for his encouragement. We have taken the liberty to give him a call, as ye act of Assembly of this province empowers us, (which is enclosed to your honour) humbly praying for your approba- tion, of what we have done, and that you will please to grant Unto him as our minister, your favour and bounty, being a per- son whose conversation, preaching, and diligence in his holy func- tion we are well acquainted and satisfied with. We are confi- dent that his residence amongst us, will effectually reconcile all our differences, and heal all our breaches, occasioned by our being so long in want of a faithful and prudent pastor, to guide and instruct us. That God Almighty will prosper your honours pious and charitable endeavours for the service of his Church, in this Wilderness, and that he will grant unto every one of you, AND CHURCH OF RYE. 217 the choicest of his blessings, temporal and eternal, is the hearty prayer of — May it please your Honours, Your Honours most dutyful And most obedient and humble servants, [Signed by order.] John Carhartt, Clerk."* The letter to the Bishop of London was as follows : — May it please your Lordship, "The necessity of our Church requiring a speedy relief, and the favourable opportunity offering of the Rev. Mr. Jenney's in- clination to settle amongst us, we the Churchwardens and Ves- trymen of the Parish of Rye, in New-York, in America, have readily accepted thereof, and given him a call as required by the laws of this Province, hoping what we have done, will prove agreeable to your Lordship and the Venerable Society, with whom we beg your Lordship's kind offices for ye contin- uance of their bounty to our parish in ye person of the said Mr. Jenney, as our Minister — we humbly presume to subscribe our- selves, May it please your Lordship, Your Lordship's most dutyful Sons, and most obedient humble Servants. [Signed by order.] John Carhartt, Clerk." "The above letter to the Bishop of London, was enclosed to the Rev. Mr. William Vesey, in New- York, giving him an ac- count of our proceedings, and to pray his furtherance of our let- ter, to the Bishop, and his recommendatory one with it." b The Society were pleased to confirm the call of the Vestry, on the 30th of August, 1722, by appointing the * Church Records, p. 21. b Church Records, p. 22. 218 HISTORY OP THE PARISH REV. ROBERT JENNEY, A. M. Missionary to Rye, with a salary of £50, in the room of Mr. Barclay. Mr. Jenney was the son of the Venerable Henry Jun- ney, of VVanney Town, a in the North of Ireland, (Archdeacon of Armagh.) descended of the Jenney's, formerly of Knoddis Hall in Suffolk county, England. b He was bom in the county of Armagh, A. D. 163S, and educated in Dublin, under Dr. Jones. On the 13th of October, 1704, he was matriculated, as a pen- sioner at Trinity College. Dublin, and selected for his tutor, Mr. John Wetherby, a fellow of that College. In 1710, he was ad- mitted into holy orders, and soon afterwards appointed to a chaplaincy in the royal navy, in which service he continued un- til 1714 ; from thence to 1717, he was in the employ of the Ven- erable Society, as an assistant to the Rev. Evan Evans of Phila- delphia, and subsequently to the Rev. Mr. Vesey, of New-York. From 1717 to 1722, he was Chaplain to the Fort and Forces at New-York, and was then, as we have seen, appointed by the So- ciety to this parish. The new Incumbent was regularly inducted as Rector of a See America Dissected, in Updike's History of the Narraganset Church, p. 493. b This family, originally of France, assumed its surname from the town of Guisnes, near Calais. It probably came into England, with the Conqueror : for Bloomfield states that proprietors of the name of De Gisneto, De Gisne, or Gy- ney, were soon after the Conquest possessed of the Manor of Haverland, in Nor- folk, and that they held it until the time of Henry V. Prom that house it would appear that the one before us branched, and that the name in process of time changed from Gyney to Jenney, the mode in which it has been spelt, since the beginning of the 15th century at least. In the 9th of Richard II, (1385) Thomas, son of Sir Thomas De Gyney, Knt. enfeoffed his manor of Gislingham in Suffolk, called Geneys, which he had there purchased of John De Wayland. This manor still bears the name of Jennies. The arms of this family are :— Erm, a bend gu. cotised or. Crest, on a glove in fess arg. a hawk or falcon close or, belled of the last.— Burkes Hist, ofjhe Commo- ners, vol. iii. 446. e The following extract is taken from the Matriculation Book of Trinity Col- lege, Dublin. " October 13,-1704, Robertus Jenney, Pentionarius Alius Hen. T. D. Aun age 10— nat in Com. Ardmachensi— Educ. Dublin, sub Dr. Jones— Coll tutor John Wetherby." AND CHURCH OF RYE. 219 Rye, by the Rev. Thomas Poyer, of Jamaica, L. I., in virtue of Govemour Burnet's mandate, bearing date, Jane the 7th, 1722, of which the following is a copy : — INDUCTION OF THE REV. ROBERT JENNEY. " Gulielmus Burnet armiger Provincial Novi Eboraci, nee non Novae Csesarioe in America, Strategus et Imperator Ejusdemq Vice Admiralis &c. Universis et singulis Clericis et rainistris Ecclesiae Anglicanae GLuibu^cumque in et per totam provinciam Novi Eboraci ubilibet constitutis sive vEdilibus Eccle- sire parochialis de Rye infra provinciam Novi Eboraci prsedict pro hoc tempore Salutem. Cum Dilectum in Christo Robertum Jenney, Clericum ad Rectoriam sive Ec- clesiam paroclrialem prsedict parochiae de Rye, in dicta provincia Novi Eboraci in America, jam vacantem ipsumque prsesentatum Rectorem Ejusdem Rectorial sive Ecclesiae parochialis in et de eadem institutus, vobis conjunctim et devisim committo et fermiter injungendo mando quatenus eundem Robertum Jenney, Clericum sive procuratorem suum legitimum ejus nomine et pro se in realem, actualem et Corporalem possessionem ipsius Rectoriae et Ecclesiae parochialis de Rye praedicto Glaebarum Juriumque et pertinentium suorum universorum confe- ratis inducatis inducive faciatis et Inductum Defendatis et quid in prremissis feceritisseu ant alium judicem in hac parte competentem quemcumque debite (cum ad id congrue fueritis requisiti) certificetis, seu sic certificet ille vestrum qui prsesens hoc meum mandatum fuerit executus. Datum sub sigillo praaroga- tivo dietae provincia? Novi Eboraci Septimodie Junii, Anno Salutis, MDCCXXII. GULIELMUS BURNET. 1 By his Excellency's command, Jas. Robin, Dcp. Sec." At an adjourned meeting of the vestry, held June the 25th. 1722, present the Rev. Mr. Jenney and others, "It was resolved by a majority of votes, that the parsonage house be repaired by a tax laid on the parish, and that the salary (viz. £50) for this present year, be also raised as follows : — To be laid out and paid, Rye, £ 33 6 0. To ye Minister 50 0. Bedford. 10 119. To ye Clerk ofthe vestry 1 0. Mamaroneck, 7 13 3. To ye Drummer 1 0. Scarsdale, 3 (5 6. To Constable for collecting 2 12 0. £54 12 0. £54 12 0. » Record of Commissions, Sec. of State's office, vol. p. 497. 220 HISTORY OF THE PARISH In December following. Mr. Jenney made his first report to the Society. MR. JENNEY TO THE SECRETARY. Rye, Dec. 15th, 1722. Dear Sir, " I had the honour of yours, dated August 30th, which brought me an account that the Venerable Society has accepted me as their missionary to settle at Rye, with a salary of £50 per an- num, and which, with humble and hearty thanks, I readily ac- cept, and my desiring a larger salary, in my last to the Venera- ble Society, was for no other reason, but because £60 per an- num with the county encouragement, would but amount to what I have quitted in the fort for their service, and because this parish, with respect to the encouragement here, stands upon a much worse footing than any of the rest of this province, in relation to the salary, house, and glebe. Those on Long Island, having £10 per annum more, and all of them glebes much beyond what this Parish ; affords and this being the nearest parish to N ew Eng land, and the only one on the post road, and consequently attended with greater expenses than any of the rest, I did not think it unreasonable to request an addition of £10 to the Society's sala- ry ; but in this and all other things, I humbly submit to the So- ciety's pleasure. You may remember, I sent you the vestry's call, what they gave me according to an act of Assembly, of this Province, and their humble address to the Venerable Society foi their confirma- tion, dated June 4th, 1722, and it was then that I entered upon the care of this parish and have since continued diligently, to serve it, excepting sometimes the Governor required me to offi- ciate at the Fort, my successor there having not yet received his commission. I observe in the Society's collection ye papers which I received from Mr. Huddleston, with two copies of the missionary sermon, by the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Bristol, that the Society expects from their missionaries an exact and AND CHURCH OF RYE. 221 particular account of the state of their respective parishes, in compliance with which I take the liberty to send enclosed a draft of the two lots of land, which make up the glebe, with a copy of the survey which the violent opposition of some dissen- ters have obliged me to obtain for the proprietors of this town, being the most part such as weie desirous of having a dissent- ing teacher settled here, gave me great trouble at my first com- ing, and especially in relation to the house and glebe ; and had not His Excellency been so kind as to grant his warrant to the surveyor General to survey, it is believed they would have kept me by force, from taking possession, and here I cannot but men- tion the kindness of the Surveyor General, Cadwallader Col- den, Esq., and Mr. Wm. Forster, the society's schoolmaster at "Westchester, whom he appointed his deputy for that purpose, who have refused the fees which by law are due for that ser- vice, and have remarkably exerted themselves in the service of our Church at Rye. When I first examined into the glebe, I found one lot called the parsonage point, containing about 5 acres, as I am informed, alienated from the church by patent, to my predecesssor Mr. Bridge and his family forever, and is now possessed by his ex- ecutrix, for the use of his children ; that remaining, is represent- ed in the enclosed draft of two lots, one of which, called the house lot, having the house at the south east corner, contains a little above two acres, the other about 7 and a half, and is about a mile off, but is so encompassed with other men's land that the road to it is about two miles, so that I fear I shall have little or no use of it. The house is of timber, and so much out of repair that nothing but the frame stands good, and the lots of land are wholly out of fence. The Church also, though built in Mr. Muir- son's time is not yet finished ; the roof decays, but if not quick- ly fitted up, is not likely to stand long. These repairs call for a good supply of money, and the people will not contribute vol- untarily, so that I have been forced to demand of the vestry, to raise for that use, so much of the salary since Mr. Bridge's death, as has been omitted, and upon their refusal I have thought my- self obliged to engage a lawyer, Mr. Bickeley, (who because it is 222 HISTORY OF THE PARISH the church's cause, has refused his fee) to move the chief Justice for a mandamus, to oblige them to raise it, and when it shall be raised, I am resolved to lay it out for the use as aforesaid. I have taken all possible care to prevent my successor from the like oppositions, by having the enclosed draft and survey record- ed in the Surveyor's office, and in the office of the Clerk of the county, and a copy thereof filed in the Secretary's office. My Parish is of a very large extent, and contains a great deal of land well settled, besides a large wilderness, in which are some few settlements; there are three townships in it, Rye, Bedford and Mamaroneck, wherein there are some few settlements in the woods, so dispersed, that I have not yet been able to learn the number of inhabitants. There is a Presbyterian preacher at Bedford, and there was another at Rye, when I came here, but now he has left us, and settled in one of the towns in Con- necticut. There cannot be any certain judgement made of the number of my hearers. Sometimes the church, which will hold about 300, is full, and I have seldom less than 100. At the sacrament of the Lord's supper, I had 25. We have no papists among us that I can find, a lew Quakers, a pretty many inde- pendents or presbyterians, (they themselves dont know which) and a great number who are indifferent as to any religion and mind, only their worldly interest, so that I have a large field to work in, and much business before me, which I shall spare no pains to undergo, and I pray God, give me his assistance, to go through with it. I pray God, give his blessing to the pious and charitable endeavours of that venerable body, and I presume to subscribe myself, their most sincere and dutiful missionary. Robert Jenney. P. S. If the Venerable Society will please to send some prayer books, with the new version of Psalms, and some Whole Duty of Man, it would be of great service to us here." a New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 584, 589. (Hawks'.) AND CHURCH OF RYE. 223 The mandamus referred to in the above letter, must have been granted soon after, ns appears from the following minutes in the Vestry Book : " At a meeting of the Justices and Vestrymen held on the 16th of January, 1722, ye Rev. Robert Jenney, our Rector, delivered a writt of mandamus in his Majesty's name, from ye Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, held at the City of New- York, for the Province of New- York, commanding the Jus- tices and Vestrymen to raise and pay into the hands of the Churchwardens, all arrearages since the year 1719, to ye last of December, I721." a At a subsequent meeting, in compliance with the command of the mandamus, it was agreed to raise the sum of sixty pounds, &c. " Which sum above mentioned, viz, ye £60 With ye collecting thereof 3 3 6 63 3 6 Was quoted as follows : Rye, £37 9 Bedford, 12 8 8 Mamaroneck, 8 3 6 North Castle, 2 1 Manor of Scarsdale. b 3 10 6 63 3 6 The following petition from the Churchwardens ot Rye, was addressed to the Governor for the warrant mentioned in Mr. Jenney's letter : — CHURCH LOT IN RYE. " To his Excellency, William Burnet, Esq., Captain General and Gover- nour in Chief in and over his Majesty's Provinces of New- York and ■ Church Records, p. 24. b Church Records, p. 25. 224 HISTORY OF THE PARISH New- Jersey, and Territories depending thereon, in America, and Vice Admiral of the same, &c. The humble petition of the Churchwardens of the Parish of Rye, in ye Prov- ince of New- York : — May it please your Excellency : "Whereas, there is a parcel of Land in this town, which for many years has been in the possession of the Minister of our parish, for the time being, but now by rea- son of our long want of a settled minister to possess it. is encroached upon and very much lessened by the Inhabitants that bound upon it; we therefore, the" Church- wardens of the parish of Rye aforesaid, believing ourselves in duty bound to se- cure and defend the rights of our parish Church, do humbly pray your Excellen- cy to grant your warrant to the Surveyor General to survey the said parcel, and adjust the true bounds thereof, to prevent any such encroachments for the future, and your Petitioners be in duty bound, 1722. Shall ever pray, SAMUEL PURDY, HENRY F. FOWLER, Jr. To the Secretary, Let a warrant be prepared accordingly. "W. Burnet."" The subjoined documents are the warrant for the survey of the land in question, and the report of the surveyor general thereon : " William Burnet, Esq., Capt. Gen. and Governour in Chief of the Province of New- York. New Jersey and Territories thereon depending in America, and Vice Admiral of the same : To Cadwallader Colden, Esq., Surveyor General of the Province of New- York. At the request of the Churchwardens of the parish of Rye, in this Province, I have thought fit hereby to authorize and commission you to survey, run out and ascertain the Lymitts and Boundrys of all such parcel or parcels of land as have been formerly possessed and enjoyed by the minister of the said church, notice bein°- given to whom it may anyways concerne, of the time of your proceeding on said survey, and all Officers within this Province, both magesteriall or min- isteriall, are hereby commanded to give you all suitable countenance and assist- ance in the execution hereof, and what you shall doe herein, you are duly to certify. Given under my hand at Fort George, this 5th day of July, 1722, and in the 8th year of his Majesty's reign. Pursuant to a warrant from his Excellency, bearing date the fifth day of July, ,1722. I have, by Mr. "William Forster, one of my Deputys, run out and ascertained the limits and boundaries of such parcels of land as have been formerly possessed Documentary Hist, of New- York, vol. iii. p. 950. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 225 and enjoyed by the minister of the parish of Rye, in the county of Westchester as the same were shown to my said Deputy by the Churchwardens of the said parish, viz. : one parcel situate in the Town field, beginning at a white oak bush near the fence of Ebenezer Knifien, and runs thence south seventy-four decrees thirty minutes, east twenty-three chains seventy-eight inches, to a heap of stones thence south twenty-three degrees twenty minutes, west three chains seventy links to a walnut stump, thence north seventy-two degrees, twenty minutes, west twen- ty-four chains twenty links, to a stone set in the ground, and thence north-east and by north very near distant two chains and seventy links, to the place where it began, and contains seven acres and about half an acre. Another parcel called the Home lot, in which the Town or Parsonage house stands, beginning at a heap of stones near the said house, and runs thence north nine degrees, forty-five minutes, east three chains, thence north twelve degrees, west four chains, fifty links, to stones near Peter Brown's house, thence south eighty-seven degrees, west four chains, to a maple by blind brook, thence along the said brook, south eighty degrees, east five chains, fifty links, and south seven- teen degrees, west one chain, fifty-four links, and thence from the brook, south eighty-six degrees, east four chains, twenty links, to the stones where we began, containing two acres, three roods and thirty-six poles. Given under my hand, the 14th day of September, in the ninth year of his Majestie's Reign, Anno Dom., 1722. CADWALLADER COLDEN, Sur. Gen. MR. JENNEY TO THE SECRETARY. Rye, July 1st, 1723. Dear Sir, " Last December 15th, I had the honour to answer yours of August 30th, sent to me by the order of the Venerable Society, wherein I gave an account of the state of my parish, as exactly as I could, which I hope came to hand ; 1 have no more to add but that my congregation seems to increase, being generally above 300, as near as I can guess ; my communicants are but few, but I am in hopes in a short time to have more. We have a new settlement amongst us in the woods, which began about the time of my predecessor's death, 1719 ; the inhabitants are very loose in their principals of religion, inclining rather to the Qua- kers than any other sect. I have been amongst them with good success, having baptized a whole family, parents and children ; I have heard that more of them intend to make a confession of their faith, in order to Baptism. Books are our greatest wants, 15 22G HISTORY OF THE PARISH for stupid ignorance in point of religion, is almost general among us, and as the Venerable Society have usually extended their charity this way, so I hope they will at this time to us, by send- ing prayer books with the version of psalms by Tate and Brady? bound up with them, and instead of the usual tracts, I humbly conceive the Whole Duty of Man would be most useful. There is a small present made to our Chuch, by Mr. Isaac Denham, a of this place, of a piece of land containing about 50 square rods, ly- ing before the front of the parsonage house, which though a small spot is of great use to the house, and the donor shows him- self on all occasions a hearty promoter of the Church's interest; he is a constant attendant at the ordinances and a communi- cant ; he hath given me a deed of gift for the land and posses- sion, according to the forms of law, for my use and my succes- sors, the ministers of Rye. I conclude with my hearty prayers for that pious and charitable body, desiring theirs, for us, their missionaries, that we may be able to discharge the great trust they have been pleased to commit to us. I beg you will please to assure them that I am their faithful missionary. 1 am Sir, &c, Robert Jenney." 15 The same year the Rev. Mr. Jenney, minister at Rye, in the. Province of New- York, informed the Secretary that besides Rye, he serves several other townships and distinct liberties, all of which, excepting Rye, being too great distance from the church, constantly to attend it, he visits them in their turns; that since his admission in 1722, he has baptized 10 adults, and 50 chil- dren, that the number of his communicants is 26, two of which have been admitted the first time by him. At a meeting of the Vestry, held on the 13th of July, 1724, » Mr. Isaac Denham was the son of Thomas Denham, Congregational minister of Rye, in 1G77. b New- York MSS. from Archives at Fnlham, vol. i. 607, COS. (Hawks'.) AND CHURCH OP RYE. 227 the following order was issued ; " whereas several of ye Parish have talked of building pews in ye Church, ye vestry have thought fitt to order that there be allowed an ile, of five foot from ye west door to ye communion table, also, an ile of two feet from ye kneeling couch, round ye Rails of ye Communiontable, also, an ile of six foot from ye south door to ye desk, also that there be a partition ile between each sett of pews on ye south side of ye church, of two foot, and that all pews be built to front ye desk, and for ye more certain compliance with this order, every one that builds a pew, shall apply themselves to ye Justi- ces, Churchwardens and Rector, or any three of them." a In 1724, it was decided by a majority of votes, that a drum be provided for ye church this year." b REV. ROBERT JEXNEY'S ANSWERS TO THE QUERIES OF THE BISHOP OF LONDON. [queries to be answered by every minister.] At Rye, iii the province of New- York, July ISth, 1724. Q.. How long is it since you went over to the plantations as a missionary ? A. Please your Lordship, it is ten years since I was first received into the ser- vice of the Honourable Society, as appears by my Missionary letters, bearing date the 18th of June, Anno Domini, 17 14. Q. Have you had any other Church before you came to that which you now possess ; and if you had, what church was it, and how long have you here removed 1 A. 1 was chaplain in the Navy, from A. D. 1710, to 1714, from thence to 1717, I was in the service of the Honourable Society as assistant, first to the late Rev. Mr. Evans, of Philadelphia, afterwards to the R.ev. Mr. Vesey, of New- York- from 1717, to 1722, I was chaplain to the fort and forces in New- York, there I was appointed the Honourable Society's missionary at Rye, where I now remain. Q-. Have you been licensed by the Bishop of London, to officiate as a mission- ary, in the government where you now are "? A. I have two licenses from the Right Rev. Father in God, John, late Lord Bishop of London, both bearing date the 7th of July, 1714. the one to be assistant ■ Church Records, p. 28. ll Church Records, p. 29. 228 HISTORY OF THE PAPJSH to the late Rev. Mr. Evans of Philadelphia, the other to be schoolmaster of the same place, and for my removal to this province, I have the Honourable Society's, and the late Bishop of London's order, by their letters, both bearing date March 5th, 1711. d. How long have you been inducted into your living? • A. I was inducted into my living by the Rev. Mr. Thomas Poyer, Rector of Jamaica, on Long Island, in this Province, on the 13th of June, A. D., 1722, by virtue of his Excellency our Governour's mandate, bearing date the 7th of June, 1722, Q,. Are you ordinarily resident in the parish to which you have been inducted'? A. I am constantly resident in the town of Rye. Q,. Of what extent is your parish, and how many families in itl A. My parish contains three townships, a manor and two distinct purchases, in length about thirty miles, but at most eight in breadth, containing as near as I can guess, about two hundred families or rather more. Q.. Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your parish, and what means are used for their conversion 1 A. There are a few Negroes and Indian slaves, but no free infidels in my par- ish ; the catechist, a schoolmaster from the Honourable Society, has often pro- posed to teach them the catechism, but we cannot prevail upon their masters to spare them from their labour for that good work. Q,. How often is divine service performed in your church, and what portion of the parishioners attend it 1 A. The inhabitants of the parish are so scattered, and so few are well affected to our excellent liturgy, especially those who live near the church, that were it not for preaching, I should have no congregation, so that I am forced to be con- tent with the performance of the service, every sunday twice, when I also preach in the summer season, and once during the winter ; the number of my auditors is very uncertain, sometimes not thirty, sometimes three hundred, as the weather serves for travelling. GL How often is the sacrament of the Lord's supper administered ; and what proportion of the parishioners attend it 1 A. I administer the sacrament of the Lord's supper four times per annum, viz. : on Christmas, Easter, Whitsunday, and the sunday after the Feast of St. Michael ; the number of my communicants have never yet exceeded twenty-six. d. At what time do you catechise the youth of your parish 1 A. Neither can the Schoolmaster persuade the people to sen! their children to him to be taught the catechism, nor can I persuade them to send them to the church to be catechized, for which reason I often make some part of the catechism the subject of my sermons, and often exhort the people but in vain, to send their chil- dren to be catechised. Q.. Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent and orderly performance of di 'ine service % A. The only Church in the parish, is in the town of Rye, built of stone, well plaistered and sealed, fifty feet in length and thirty-five in breadth, with a pulpit and reading desk, but no pews ; the communion table is railed in. We have a AND CHURCH OF RYE 229 Bible and Prayer book, both to be for divine service and a silver cup, holding about a quart, and a paten ; but linen for the holy sacrament of the Lord's Supper and our Church are much out of repair. Q.. Of what value is your living in sterling money, and how does it arise 1 A. The Honourable Society is pleased to allow me £50 sterling, and by act of assembly here, there is raised upon the whole parish, by a vote proportioned to the several estates of the parishioners, £50, this currency (i. e.) allowing sixty-five per cent, difference, which is the common exchange, about £30 and a half, sterling, so that my whole salary is about £80 G 8 sterling, per annum. I have no perqui- sites nor accidental advantages, excepting that very seldom, I have six shillings this money, which is scarce three and sixpence sterling, for a marriage. &. Have you a house and glebe; Is your glebe in lease or let by the year, or is it occupied by yourself? A. I have a small framed house with two acres, three roods and thirty-six poles of land, as it was surveyed at my first comeing, with about a quarter of an acre given for the use of the minister, by Mr. Isaac Denham, deceased. I have also a lot of near eight acres but tis so encompassed with other mens farms, that I can make no use of it, so that I am forced to hire pasture for my horses. Q,. Is due care taken to preserve your house in good repair, and at whose ex- pense is it done 1 A. There is no care taken to preserve the house in good repair, for altho' we have an act of assembly yet in force empowering the trustees of the Town to re- pair the Church and other public buildings, yet the town does not choose such officers, and if they would we cannot hope that where the dissenters so much pre- vail, any persons would be chosen who would repair either the church or the house, so that if I will live in the house I must keep it in repair myself. Q,. Have you more cures than one, if you have, what are they, and in what manner served '] A. My parish is so large that I am obliged to travel, notwithstanding that our friends are so few, that were they altogether they would not make a large congre- gation. I officiate at Bedford and North-castle, eight times per annum, the form- er is about eighteen miles distant from here, the latter about twelve ; also, eight times per annum at Mamaroneek, for that place and Scarsdale and Foxes mead- ows, about three miles off; and four times at the White Plains, about four miles, the remaining Sundays here at Rye. Q,. Have you in your Parish any public school for the instruction of youth, if you have, is it endowed, and who is the master 1 A. We have a schoolmaster here from the Honourable Society, Mr. Joseph Cleator, allowed £15 sterling per annum, but God has visited him with blind- ness, so that he can teach nothing but the catechism, and the people will not put it in his power to do that, notwithstanding that I have frequently at his request, given public notice thereof in the Church, and persuaded them to it in my sermons. d. Have you a parochial Library, if you have, are the books preserved and kept in good condition ; have you any particular rules and orders for the pre- serving of them; are these rules and orders duly observed? 230 HISTORY OF THE PARISH A. 1 found here a library of £10 sterling value, given by the Honourable Society to my predecessor for the use of the Parish, without rules for their preservation. The fifteen volumes of Polisynopsis Criticorum, are very much damaged. I am, may it please your Lordship, &c* M* -/ In his report to the Secretary for 1724, Mr. Jenney says : " that he has baptized two adult persons and nine children, and has had two added to the number of his communicants." 1 * The whole number of appropriated precincts, belonging to the Parish of Rye, in 1725, were as follows :— Bedford, Scarsdale, Mamaroneck, and North Castle, to which were subsequently added, White Plains and Harrison. The following are specimens of the original taxation rolls of this benefice, in 1725 : — Rye, £34 4; Bedford, £16 2; Mamaro- neck £18; Scarsdale, £5 3; and North Castle, £2 9— Total £75 18. From the following, it seems, that Mr. Jenney removed this year to Hempstead, upon Long Island : " At a meeting of the ves- try, held May 19th, 1726 — the Rev. Mr. Jenney produced a letter from the Society, in which they gave him leave to move to Hempstead ; upon which the vestry agreed to write to the Soci- ety with the first opportunity, io pray them to appoint a mis- sionary for this parish, and then chose Justice Purdy and Mr- Brown, the churchwardens, Justice Knight, Mr. Joseph Sher- wood, Mr. Daniel Purdy. Capt. Fowler, and Mr. Willett, as a committee to write to the Society on that head — adjourned till ye 25th of this month, to meet at Thomas Fowler's." c Mr. Jenney continued at Hempstead until 1742, when he re- signed his charge, removed to Philadelphia, and was elected rector of Christ Church, in that city, where he died at the age » New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 610-11. (Hawks'.) k Rye Vestry Book. * Church Records, p. 32. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 231 of 75, January 5th, 1762, having lost his wife in the former place, December 25th, 1738, aged 64.* "The Rev. Robert Jen- ney, LL. D.. (says Dr. Dorr,) died in January of 1762, at the advanced age of seventy-five years. He had been fifty-two years in the ministry, and more than nineteen years rector of Christ Church; having been elected to that office in October, 1742." The Rev. Dr. William Smith, Provost of the College of Philadelphia, preached a sermon from Luke xvi. 21, at his fu- neral, in Christ Church, January 10th, 1762. b In that discourse, it is said of him, that he was " a man venerable in years, and a striking pattern of Christian resignation under a long and se- vere ilness. Those who knew him best in that situation, knew that his chief concern was not for himself, but for the distress- ed and perplexeJ state of his congregation. He was a man of strict honesty, one that hated dissimulation and a lie ; exem- plary in his life and morals, and a most zealous member of our Episcopal Chnrch.' ;c His remains repose in the aisle of Christ Church, immediately in front of the chancel. On his tomb- stone is the following, as near as can be deciphered : ROBERTTJS JENNEY, LL. D., * * * Col. S. S. Trinitat. Dublin studiut alumulis obiit die V Mensis Januar, Anno Salut, MDCCLXII. Mt. LXXV. Age Lector. Parce R.eligionis, honestce veritatis, benevolentissime Exemplum rulis Hunc Christianas Fidei vindicem, Pribitatis Cultorem Benevolentia^stiidia, Respice, sequere, initare, Juxta Hoc etiam moemor, sepulta jacet Joanna Elizabetha precedicti Roberti Jenney, conjuaj Q,n«e six sanlim modo dies post mariti sepuhuram obiit, anno setatis sine LXlV. d The following notices appeared in the Pennsylvania Gazette, for January 14th, 1762: "On Tuesday, the 5th inst., died, in * Thompson's Hist, of L. I., Vol. ii. p. 31. b Smith's Works, Vol. i. p. 22. e Dorr's Hist, of Christ Church, Phil., pp. 129, 130. Ibid. 232 HISTORY OF THE PARISH the seventy-fifth year of his age, the Rev. Dr. Robert Jenney, Rector of Christ Church in this city, 'a man of strict hones- ty; one that hated dissimulation; exemplary in his life and morals, and a most zealous member of the church.' On Sun- day afternoon, he was interred in said Church, when a suita- ble sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Smith, to a very crowded audience." '•'Monday last, died, Mrs. Jenney, having survived her hus- band only six days."' The vacancy created by the removal of Mr. Jenney, the ves- try proceeded immediately to fill, as appears from the following letter to the Venerable Society. TO THE REV. MR. DAVID HUMPHREYS, SECRETARY TO THE HON. SOCIETY FOR PROPAGATING YE GOSPELL, &c., AT THE ARCHBISHOP'S LIBRARY, AT ST. MARTIN'S IN THE FIELDS, LONDON. Rev. Sir, "We, the churchwardens and vestry of the parish of Rye, humbly present our thanks to the Hon. Society for their pious and charitable assistance thus long continued to our parish ; and whereas the Hon. Society have thought fitt to remove from us to Hempstead, our minister, the Rev. Mr. Jenney, whose re- moval lays us under the necessity to obtain another as soon as possible, to be actually resident among us : so we, in pursuance of ye Act of Assembly, impowering us thereto, have already proceeded to elect and call the Rev. Mr. James Wetmore, who has declared his acceptance of our call, upon condition the Hon. Society will give leave for his removal. Until their pleasure be known, he has promised to supply this parish once in three weeks, according to their directions to Mr. Jenney. We therefore humbly request the Hon. Society would consent to his removal, and that he may as speedily as may be, appoint- ed to reside constantly among us. We conclude with our hearty prayers that the blessing of God AND CHURCH OF RYE. 233 Almighty may attend the pious and charitable designs and en- deavours of that Venerable Body. We are, Rev. Sir, Yours, and the Hon. Society's most dutyfull and humble servants, [Signed by order.] Jno. Carhartt, Clerk" c The call to the Rev. James Wetmore was as follows : — "Whereas, by the removal of our late incumbent, the Rev. Mr. Robert Jenney, (to the parish of Hempstead,) this parish is become vacant : We therefore, the Churchwardens and Vestrymen of the par- ish of Rye, whose names and seals are hereunto affixed, pursu- ant to the tenor and interest of an Act of General Assembly of this Province, entitled an Act for ' settling a ministry and raising a maintenance for them, in the City of New-York, County of Richmond, Westchester, and Queens County,' do call the Rev. Mr. James Wetmore, to officiate and have the care of souls within this parish of Rye, aforesaid. And the said Mr- James Wetmore, having told them he was ready to execute the function he was called unto, when he should be inducted into the same : Whereupon, it is ordered, that this Board do forthwith present the said Mr. James Wetmore, and pray his Excellency for his induction into the Church of the said parish, with all and sin- gular, the rights, privileges and appurtenances to the same be- longing, or in any ways appertaining. Given under our hands and seals, this seventh day of June, Anno Dom. 1726. Samuel Purdy, [S] ) „ „ rcn ( Churchwardens. Benjamin Brown. |oJ ) John Brundige, [SJ " Joseph Sherwood, [SJ Daniel Purdy, [S] }■ Vestrymen}* Jonathan Haight, [S] William Willett." [S] ■ Rye vestry book. Ibid. 2'M HISTORY OF THE PARISH In the mean time, the Society had appointed the Rev. Thom- as Colgan, a as missionary to Rye. Upon which the Vestry ad- dressed the following letter to the Secretary : — Rev. Sir, " We, the Churchwardens and Vestry of ye parish of Rye, return our humble thanks to ye Honourable Society for their pi- ous and charitable care of this parish, in providing so speedily to fill this vacancy by appointing ye Rev. Mr. Colgan for us; we conclude they have before this time, been acquainted by our letters, how far we had proceeded to obtain a minister, fearing ye ill consequences of being left destitute, and we hope ye Hon- ourable Society will put a favourable construction upon our pro- ceedings. Tho' we have given our call to ye Rev. Mr. Wet- more, and he received induction immediately upon it, yet he al- ways declared that he should submit to ye resolutions of ye Honourable Society, and not in any degree interfere with their determinations, and tho : we find ye inclinations of ye people very much to have Mr. Wetmore appointed for us, on which ac- count we can't but desire that ye Honourable Society would be pleased to favour it, yet we shall always pay ye greatest deference to their pleasure, and if they finally determine that Mr. Colgan shall be for us, against whom we have no exceptions, as being a stranger to us, we shall give him ye best welcome we are ca- pable of; but inasmuch as ye Rev. Mr. Colgan is willing, by ex- change with Mr. Wetmore, to continue at New- York, and that Vestry has signified their approbation, we humbly joyn with them in requesting of ye Honourable Society that they would confirm that agreement, and give liberty for Mr. "Wetmore to come to this parish, who, by being born in ye country, and ac- quainted with ye dispositions and customs of ye people here, » "The Vestry of Trinity Church, N. Y., desired the favour of the Rev. Mr. Vesey, that when the Rev. Mr. Colgan comes to town, from his parish at Rye, he may have the liberty of reading prayers, and preaching in the afternoon ; which request Mr. Vesey readily granted and consented to." — Berrian's Hist, of Trinity Church, N. Y., p. 47. AND CHURCH OP RYE. 235 will be acceptable to us, and wo hope do much service for reli- gion, hut all this with submission to that "Venerable Body, whose pleasure we shall most cheerfully submitt to, and pray ye con- tinuance of their favours and charity to us, and that God would prosper their pious designs. We are, Rev. Sir, the Honourable Society's and your most humble and obedient servants, [Signed per order.] Jno. Carhartt, Clerk."* In accordance with this request, the Society were pleased to withdraw their appointment of Mr. Colgan, and confirm the call of the REV. JAMES WETMORE, A. M. He was the third son of Ezrahiah Wetmore and Rachel Stow, b and grandson of Thomas Wetmore, (a native of Wales) one of the first settlers of Middletown, Connecticut, where lie was horn on the 25th of December, 1695. d He was educated at the collegiate school in Seabrook, which was afterwards removed to New Haven, and obtained the title of Yale College. The degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred on him in September, 1714, and of Master of Arts, in September, 1717. About the month of May, in 1718, he was invited by the people of North Haven, to settle with them as their minister; and in November following, he was ordained the first Congregational pastor in that place. Here, Mr. Wetmore was generally esteemed and beloved by his people, as might reasonably be expected from the suavity of his temper, and the regularity of his conduct. But after he had laboured with them "nearly four years, he altered * Rye vestry book. b Ezrahiah Wetmore, was bom March 8th, lG5t3-7. — Rec. of Marriages and Deaths in Clerk's office, Middletown. c Statistical account of the Count" of Middlesex, by David D. Field. d Rec of Marriages and Deaths in Clerk's office. The Wetmore's were origi- nally seated at Apley, in Shropshire, near the borders of Wales. John Whit- more was Lord of Whytemore, in Shropshire, A. D., 1250. In 1G35, a Lawrence Whitmore, husbandman, aged 63, and his wife Elizabeth, aged 57, were passen- gers in the ship Hopewell, to Boston. — Mass. Hist. Coll. 23G HISTORY OF THE PARISH his religious sentiments, and in September, 1721, declared for Episcopacy. a la consequence of this change of opinion, b he immediately took a dismission from his then pastoral relation. and in 1723 went to England, where he was' ordained both deacon and priest, by Dr. Gibson, Bishop of London. Having been appoint- ed by the Venerable Propagation Society, their catechist at New-York, in the place of Mr. Neau, and assistant to the Rev. Mr. Vesey ; he embarked for America in July, and arrived in New-York, September the 24th, 1723. ■ See Allen's American Biog. Die. See Fowler's MSS., Vol. ii., p. 212. The Family arms. are:— ar., on a chief az. three martletts or:— Crest, a falcon ppr. Motto — Virtus, Libertas, et Patria. Of this family, is the present Prosper M. Wetmore, of the city of New- York, son of Robert Wm., and grandson of the Rev. Ezrahiah, of Trumbull, Connecticut. /fc Mr. Wetmore, the Rector, and several of the tutors of Yale College, besides many of the neighboring ministers, having, after careful enquiry and mature deliberation being led to suspect, not only the regularity, but even the lawfulness and validity of congregational ordination, conformed to the Church of England. The Rev. A. B. Chapin, D. D., gives the following account of this extraordinary movement in 1722 : — " But though neither civil nor ecclesiastical power could plant the Church in a Puritan soil, God had determined its existence, free from all the entanglements of State — to be the defender of the faith, and the conservator of the peace of the country. In the town of Guildford, was a pious layman, still clinging to the Church of his affections, and to his Prayer Book. That Book beMme known to a promising youth among his neighbors, and was thenceforth his inseparable companion through life. — He goes to College — graduates with the honors of the University — enters the Congregational ministry, and is settled over one of the Congregational Societies in New Haven. That Prayer Book went with him, - and became the pattern of public devotions that attracted the attention and com- manded the admiration of all who witnessed his labors. Slowly and insensibly that book was doing an effectual work, and in 1721, Johnson, the minister of the Congregational Church, on the west side of New Haven — now West Haven—// c Mr. Thomas, Missionary at Hempstead, L. I., writing to the Secretary on the 1st of April, 1723, says : — " Mr. Wetmore seems very well qualified for their necessities, having of late by their differencies in New England, been much ex- ercised in the controversies between us and the Dissenters, a most necessary qualification in a gentleman among them, he is best acquainted with their weak sides and their subterfuges, &c. — New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. G01. (Hawks'.) AND CHURCH OF RYE. 237 In \72(), a communication was received by the Vestry of Trinity Church, New- York, from the Rev. Mr. Wetmore, in which he acquainted the Board that he had lately been called by the Churchwardens and Vestry of the Parish of Rye, to be their Minister, in the room of the Rev. Mr. Jenney, whom the Society had appointed for the Parish of Rye, by virtue of let- and with him Cutler, President of the College — Brown, a Tutor in the same — and Wetmore, the Congregational minister of North Haven, publicly declared their belief in the divine origin and perpetual obligation of Episcopacy. These were all able, prominent men — the pride of the people, and were not to be given up without an effort. A disputation was held before the Governor — the students became interested — the flame spread — controversy increased, and thirty graduates of Yale entered the ministry of the Church in that generation — many of them having been previously in the ministry of the Congregationalists — all more or less directly through the influence of Dr. Johnson. Johnson, after receiving orders in England in 1722, became a Missionary of the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, and was stationed at Stratford and the adjacent towns. Cutler was sent to Boston, Wetmore to Rye, in New- York, and Brown died in England. The labors of Johnson were not confined to Stratford, but were extended to West Haven, Fairfield, and Newtown, where he established other Parishes within a few years. The elder Seabury, who was a stu- dent at Yale, left at the time of the Episcopal discussion, and went to Cambridge, wlyere he was graduated in 1724. After having been a Congregational minister at Groton, now Poquetanock, for several years, he declared for Episcopacy in 1728, ami becoming a Missionary of the Society already named, was stationed in New London. In the same year, 1732, Johnson had the pleasure of seeing his old friend and companion, John Beach, the Congregational minister of Newtown, who had graduated at the ever-memorable discussion of 1722, declare for the Church. He also became a Missionary of the same Society, and was stationed at Newtown and Reading. Two years later, 1734, Jonathan Arnold . Johnson's successor in the Congregational Parish at West Haven, came into the Church, an 1 having received orders, was stationed by the same Society as a Missionary at West Haven and vicinity. Richard Miner graduated at Yale, 1726— for many years Johnson's neighbor, as Congreg"atTonal minister at Ripton, declared lor Episcopacy in 1742, but died in England, whither he had gone for Orders. Ebenezer Punderson, a native of New Haven, who was graduated at Yale in 1726, and succeeded the elder Seabury as the Congregational minister of Groton, also followed his example in declaring for Episcopacy, which he did about 1732, and became a Missionary of the same Society, at Groton and Hebron, and subse quently at West Hav< n and vicinity. He was instrumental in founding Trinity Parish, New Haven, more than twenty years after the beginning of the Parish at West Haven, and organized ten other Parishes in this Diocese. Solomon 23S HISTORY OF THE PARISH ters of induction from his Excellency, Governor Burnet, and also, that if the Society should be pleased to approve thereof he intended to accept of the said parish, and remove thither, and he thanked the Vestry for their subscriptions and favours to him, and assured them that his intentions for removing did not proceed from any dislike, but purely because he conceived Palmer, a native of Bran ford, graduated at Yale in 1729— after having been the Congregational minister of Cornwall for many years, declared for Episcopacy in 1754, was enrolled among the Missionaries of the same Venerable Society, and was also stationed in Connecticut. Henry Caner, of New Haven, gradua- ted at Yale in 1724: and his brother Richard, "graduated at ihe same place in 1734 though born of Congregational parents, entered the ministry of the Church, and became Missionaries of the same Society, one in Massachusetts and the other in Connecticut. — Isaac Browne, graduattd at Yale, in 1729, the brother of Daniel Browne who died in England in 1723, came into the Church at West Ha- ven with his parents, along with Johnson, in 1722, and was for many years a Missionary of the same Society in New- York and New Jersey. The same may be said of Ebenezer Thompson, graduated in 1733, for many years a Missionary in Massachusetts. Henry Barclay; graduated at Yale in 1734, first a Missiona- ry of the. Propagation Society to the Indians, and then Rector of Trinity Church, New York, is also to be reckoned among the number of those whose services in the Church resulted from the influence of Johnson. So also, Ebenezer Dibble, graduated in 1734; Christopher Newton, graduated in 1740 ; Richard Mansfield and Joseph Lamson, graduated in 1741; Ichabod Camp, graduated in 1743; Thomas Bradbury Chandler and Jeremiah Learning, graduated in 174G — were all the sons of Congregational parents, and Missionaries of the Venerable So- ciety for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts. Within the same period, Daniel Dwight, graduated in 1721, came into the Church, and went to South Carolina— John Pierson, graduated in 1729, went to New Jersey— Ephraim Bost- wick, graduated the same year, and Jonathan Copp, graduated in 1745, went to Georgia — William Sturgeon, graduated in 1745, went to Pennsylvania — Walter Wilmot, graduated in 1735, and Hezekiah Watkius, graduated in 1737, went to New- York. Besides these, Barzillai Dean, graduated in 1737; Jonathan Cotton, o-raduated in 1745, and James Usher, graduated in 1753— all died abroad, having successively gone to England for orders for Heoron. It may be proper to men- tion here, as showing the great obstacles which the Church had to encounter at that early period, that of fifty-two candidates that had gone to England for orders, from the Northern Colonies, previous to 1777, ten of them died abroad, or were lost at sea. All the persons mentioned, born and educated Congregationalists, are known to have come into the Church, more or less directly through the influ- ence of Johnson, and all were Missionaries of the Society for Propagating the Gospel. To these must be added William, the son of Samuel Johnson — Sam- AND CHURCH OF RYE. 239 it would be for the better and more certain support of himself and family." The following mandate was issued by his Excellency. Wil- liam Burnet : — MANDATE FROM GOVERNOUR BURNET TO INDUCT THE REY. MR. JAMES WETMORE TO THE RECTORY OF THE PARISH CHURCH OF RYE. ulielmu3 Burnet arrniger Province Novi Eboraci, nee non Novas Caesariae in America strategus et Imperator ejusdemque Vice Admiralis, &e. Universis et singulis Clericis et Ministris Ecclesise Anglica.ise quibuscumque in et per to- tam Provinciara Novi Eboraci ubilibet Consf.tutis cedelibusEcclesire Parochialis de Rye iDfra Provinciam Novi Eboraci prsedict pro hoc tempore salutem. Cum dilectum in Christo Jacobum Wetmore Clericum ad Recforiam sive Ecclesiam Pa- rochialem Praedict Parochice de Rye in diet. Provincial Novi Eboraci in America jam vacantem prasentatum Rectorem ejusdem Rectoriae sive Ecclesise parochialis inetdeEadem institutus, Vobis Conjunctim etdivisim Committo et firmiterlnjun- gengo Mando. Quatenus eundem Jacobum Wetmore, Clericum. sive procuratorem suum legitimum ejus nomine et pro se in Realem actualem et Corporalem pos- uel, the son of Samuel Seabury, and John Ogiivie, the successor of Barclay, as Missionary to the Indians, all graduated in 1748; Jacob Greaten, graduated in 1751; Lucas Babcock, graduated in 1755, and Abraham Beach, graduated in 1757. all Missionaries in New- York ; James Scoville and Samuel A. Peters, graduated the same year; Roger Viets, Bela Hubbard, and Thomas Davies, graduated the year following, 1758, Missionaries in Connecticut; also, Samuel Andrews, graduated in 1759 ; Abraham Jarvis and Ebenezer Kneeland, graduated in 1761 ; Gideon Bostwick, and Richard Clarke, graduated in 1762, who were among the Missionaries of the same Society in Connecticut. These are the principal of the Clergy of Connecticut for half a century alter the conversion of Johnson — sustained, every one of them, in whole or in part, <• by the funds of an English Missionary Society/' — Extract from a sermon by the Rev. A. B. Chapin, DD., preached by request in Christ Church, Hartford, Janu- ary. 1851. " The students of Yale were compelled to submit to a fine as often as they at- tended the worship of the Church of England." The Churchwardens and Vestrymen of Newport, R. I., in a letter to the Sec- retary, dated 26th of October," 1722, say : — " This example will be followed by many, if not the most considerable men amongst them ; wherefore we have an instance in one Mr. Wetmore, a man of learning and piety, who is now become zealous for the service and interest of the Church, but whose circumstances won't at present, allow him to apply for Episcopal ordination." Conn. MSS. from Archives at Fulham, p. 79. (Hawks'.) 240 HISTORY OF THE PARISH sessionem ipsius Rectoriee sive Ecclesitc parochialis de Rye praedict glebarium, juriumque : et pertinentiuni suorum universorum. Conferatis Inducatis, Indu- cive faciatis : et defendatis Induclum, Et quid in pramissis feceritis me aut ali- um Judicem in hac parte competentem quemcumque debite (cum ad id congrue fueritis requisiti) certificetis seu sic certificet ille vestrum qui pracsens hoc man- datum iuerit Executus. Datum sub sigillo prcerogativo dicta? Provinciac Novi Eboraci — die Junii anno salutis MDCCXXVI. W. BURNET. By his Excellency's command, Jas. Robin, Dep. Secretary." At an adjourned meeting of the Vestry, held. January 24th, 1726-7, present, Rev. James Wetmore, &c, it was agreed, to raise this year as follows : — For the Minister - For the Poor ... For the Clerk of the Vestry - For the Clerk of the Church For the Drummer ... For Expenses and incidental charges For Mrs. Budd, for her Negroe's work, seven days' at the parish house, at 2s. 6d. per day 17 6 £50 10 1 10 1 1 3 10 £67 17 6 Collecting money 3 116 £71 9 Quoted as follows : Rye £35 10 Bedford - - - - - 17 Mamaroneck - - - - 10 12 Scarsdale 5 North Castle - - - - 3 7 £71 9 Upon the 25th of April, 1727, the Vestry addressed the fol- lowing letter to the Secretary of the Venerable Society : — AND CHURCH OF RYE. 241 Rev. Sir, The Churchwardens and Vestrymen of ye parish of Rye have ordered me to return their humble thanks to you and the Honourable Society for ye favour of yours of September 30th, in which you acquaint us that the Honourable Society have consented to ye exchange for which we had humbly ad- dressed, and accordingly have appointed ye Rev. Mr. Wetmore, to be our minister, which is very much to ye satisfaction of ye whole parish, even those who are dissenters from our Church. And now we are once more peaceably settled, we hope by the blessing of God, to see religion revive among us, which by con. tentions and divisions, is sunk to a very low ebb. As the Rev. Mr. Wetmore has been born in the country, and long known among us, who has had his conversation becoming his sacred character and profession, we doubt not but ye people of this Par- ish, will continue their affection to him, and hope to see this good fruit of it, viz : that they be brought to a proper sense of religion, and more general and constant attendance in ye public worship and sacraments, which, for a long time have been very much neglected among us. We earnestly pray for the blessing of Almighty God, upon that Venerable Society, whose extensive charity, (under God,) finds food for so many souls, famishing in ignorance and error, and shall always look upon ourselves strict- ly bound to pay it, the greatest honour and most cheerful obedi- ence to all their commands and directions, and beg leave to sub- scribe with all dutiful respects, Rev. Sir, your and ye Honourable Society's most humble and obedient servants, [Signed by order of the Vestry,] John Carhartt, Clerk."* In answer to a letter from the Secretary, dated December 30th, 1726, Mr. Wetmore replies : — • Church Records of Rye, p. 38. 16 242 HISTORY OF THE PARISH MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY". Rye, May Uth, 1727. Rev. Sir, "I received yours of December 30th, wherein you acquaint me that the Honourable Society have appointed the Rev. Mr. Col- gan, to New York, and me to Rye, according to our request, for which I return my humble thanks ; and inasmuch as the people of Rye appear to me to be much gratified by this exchange, I shall endeavour to make the best use I can of the good affection they profess to me, to promote the interest of piety and religion among them, which seems to be sunk to a very low ebb. My labours have been divided the winter past, between Westches- ter and Rye, but so that when I preached for Mr. Colgan at Rye, he preached for me at Westchester, and our labours have not been without success. Besides those baptized by him in both.Par- ishes, I have baptized about 40 infants, and one adult person, and have had 7 adult persons apply to me for baptism, whom 1 have, deferred for further preparations, two of which are ne- groes. I have admitted to the communion, three new communi- cants, all converts from Dissenters,- and several others with whom I have taken particular pains, have promised to come to the com- munion when they shall have gained some further knowledge of the virtue and necessity of the institution. The town of Rye, tho' by much the greater part Dissenters, have upon my request, chosen trustees, who are impowered to raise a tax upon the town, to repair and finish the Church, which is now in a very poor condition, and 1 have promised to give them a bell if they will build a steeple to hang it in, which I believe they will comply with. I shall be able to give more particular accounts of the state of the Parish, when I have been some longer time with them. Mr. Henry Caner, being, as he tells me, about to undertake a voyage to England, to offer himself to the service of the Honour- able Society, I beg leave to recommend him as a person of a good character among us. and qualified to serve the Church, sober, grave, and exemplary in his conversation, and of good report, AND CHURCH OF EYE. 243 even among those that are without, of whom I speak with the greater assurance both as to his piety and loyalty to his Majesty because I have been personally and intimately acquainted with him for more than three years. It is matter of joy to me, to see so many new churches going forward in this country, and the good position of so many people in all parts of it, notwithstand- ing the violence and bitterness of its numerous adversaries. I pray God to bless and reward the charity of that Venerable Body, which gives life and motion to the church in these parts, and beg leave to^subscribe with all dutiful regard, Rev. Sir, Yours, and the Honourable Society's, most humble and obedient servant, James Wetmore." 1 On the 16th of January, 1727, the vestry voted that a drum be bought out of ye money in Bank, for the use of the Parish, and chose Joseph Bloomer, Clerk of ye Church, drummer for ye year insuing. b In the fall of 1727, Mr. Wetmore reports "he hath baptized one adult, and 35 children, one of which is a negro, and has had three more communicants; that he is preparing 5 or 6 for baptism, 2 of which are negroes, and that his congrega- tion increases and have been much more constant and steady in attending the Church, the last summer, than formerly." In reply to certain enquiries from the Secretary, Mr. Wet- more gives the following account of his Parish : — MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY. Rye, February 20th, 1727-8. Rev. Sir. "Yours of June 16th, came not to hand, till the 14th of Novem- ber. I have since used my utmost diligence to prepare myself to ■ New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 676-7. (Hawks'.) k Church Records, p. 40. 244 HISTORY OF THE PARISH answer the queries contained therein, which is something difficulty considering the large extent of rny Parish, in which is but one Church, viz : the Town of Rye, built by a license from Lord Cornbury, Governour of New York, in the year 1706, the mate- rials of which are rough stone, from the foundation to the roof, and the east end was first built with stone to the top, but the wea- ther beating through to the prejudice of the ceiling, it has been since pulled down and built with wood and shingled, and the ceiling repaired, which cost £30, which £30 was part of a year's salary, after Mr. Bridge's death, applied to that use by order of the General Assembly. The chief promoter of the Church, and its greatest benefactor, was Col. Caleb Heathcote, who gave the nails and all the iron work ; Mr. Muirson paid the masons, whose work amounted to about £40, whether he procured the money by donations in York, or otherways, I can't certainly find ; the remainder was paid by a tax upon the Town, but nothing of the inside was then done, but the ceiling. In the Rev. Mr. Bridge's time, a subscription was promoted for finishing the Church, but nothing more was done, than building the pulpit and altar, and laying part of the place afterwards. When Mr. Jenney was minister of the Parish, £8 was raised by the Parish to make shutters for the windows, and six pieces were built by particular men. Upon the first town meeting after I was ap- pointed to this parish, I prayed the town to take into considera- tion the neglected and ruinous state of the Church, being gone very much to decay, and to think of some method that would be most acceptable to the people, to put it into a better condition } upon which they chose trustees, to repair it according to an act of Assembly of the Province, empowering trustees so chosen to repair public buildings. These trustees made a tax of £100, and immediately provided for repairing and finishing the Church, and have put a new cover of cedar shingles upon it, the old one which was of oak, being worn out ; they have also finished the floor and all the pews, and would have proceeded to repair the doors and glass which are gone much to decay, and to paint the walls and clean the church, but are obliged to cease for the present, by reason of some opposition they meet with AND CHURCH OF RYE. 245 from some of the Presbyterian party, instigated by a very troub- lesome fellow, one John Walton, who set up for a Teacher among them, before my being appointed here, from whom I have met with a great deal of opposition. These Presbyterians have com- menced a law suit against the collector of the tax, and tho' we hope they will finally get no advantage, yet it caused the work to cease; but I hope we shall find some method to revive it again and to build a steeple, to encourage which, I have promised to give them a bell when the steeple is finished. The Church is 49 feet in length from west to east, and 34 feet in width ; there are two large aisles in the Church, one from the west door up to the altar, the other from the south door up to the reading pew, which stands before the pulpit ; the rest is now filled in with handsome pews, the altar is raised two steps and railed in, but a poor al- tar piece. We have a silk carpet for the communion table, and a pulpit cloth, given by Queen Anne, of blessed memory, with a Chalice and Paten ; we have a folio Bib'e and Common Prayer Book, worn old, given by the Honourable Society, or by the Q,ueen, as also the library as usual to every minister. There is a salary of £50 per annum, New-York money, which is equivalent to about £3L sterling, settled by an Act of Assembly upon an orthodox minister, called by the Vestry, and inducted by the Governour. This Vestry consists of ten men and two Churchwardens, to be chosen annually, the second Fri- day in January, by the votes of the whole parish. The glebe is a small, old house, and three acres of land lying near the Church, one acre of which was given by Justice Denham, and about eight acres, a mile distant, lying in such a form as to be of very little use, but at present rented for three bushels of wheat per annum, for seven years. The house was first built by the town for a Presbyterian minister, before there was a church in town, but never any particular settlement of it upon any ; when a minister of the Church came, and they had no Presbyterian minister, the house was put into his possession and enjoyed successively with the glebe, by the minister of the Church, but the Presbyterian party threatening to give trouble about it in 246 HISTORY OP THE PARISH Mr. Jenney's time, he procured a survey of it for the Church, and got it entered upon the public records of the Province ; he also repaired the house, which was almost fallen down, being neglected by Mr. Bridge, who thought it not worth repairing. When the Church was first built, the town was but small and the people poor. I find by an old list, that the number of people taxed for building the Church were about ninety-three, some of which were widows, and some young men without fam- ilies, and tho' they were generally Presbyterians, by Col. Heath- cote's influence, and Mr. Muirson's industry and good behaviour and the Governour of the Province being zealous to encourage the Church, they all united in building the Church, and fre- quented the worship in it, as long as Mr. Muirson lived, and so they did in Mr. Bridge's time, but after his death they fell into division, and invited a Presbyterian minister among them, and tho' they have never had one ordained in the Presbyterian or In- dependent way, yet they have kept up their party, and whenever there has been a vacancy, the Independent ministers from the Col- ony of Connecticut have then especially been very busy to strengthen that party and increase their prejudices against the Church. This Walton I before mentioned, took an opportunity to get into the parish at a time when there was a contest be- tween the Rev. Mr. Jenney and the people, concerning the salary} during the vacancy after Mr. Bridge's death, which the Vestry raised, rather than stand a trial at law, and Mr. Jenney laid it out in repairing the house and glebe, but many that before came to the Church, and some who had been communicants in Mr. Bridge's time (yet always lovers of Independency) being now disaffected, readily fell in with this Walton, and being a bold, noisy fellow, of a volible tongue, drew the greatest part of the town after him, and he has taken all imaginable pains to give them ill impressions of the Church ; he spurred them forward to build one meeting house at the White Plains, about six miles from the Church, and has set them on to build another in the town, within about one hundred rods of the Church, to defray the expenses of which, they have obtained briefs from the AND CHURCH OF RYE. 217 General Assembly of Connecticut Colony, to beg in all the towns and villages of that Colony, who being great enemies of the Church, have contributed largely out of mere opposition to the Church. I have used my utmost diligence and prudenc e since my coming among them, to dispose them to a reconcilia- tion, and to establish and strengthen the wavering, and my en- deavours have, in some degree, been successful. I have brought some over to the Church, several to the communion, and in- spired others with a greater love and zeal for the worship and constitution of the Church, tho' it must be confessed to their shame, there is still a very great indifference and slackness in attending the public worship of God, among those that profess themselves churchmen, as well as among the sectaries. As to the general condition, employ, and business of those who frequented the Church at first, their estates lay much in unimproved lands, and I can't learn that they raised much, if anything, for the market, but what they trafficked with was chiefly wood and cattle. As to their sentiments in matters of religion, I have already intimated they were by profession, Pres- byterians, and always loved the Independent principles, but the Act of Assembly providing for the support of a ministry, being so worded as to give the benefit only to ministers of the Church of England, tho' many of the Assembly perhaps might design otherways- -and the Governour's being zealous to encourage the Church, and Colonel Heathcote. being in the parish, a man of great influence over the people, and especially the better sort; and Mr. Muirson being acceptable to the people by his sober and grave conversation, and very industrious to remove the scruples they had conceived, and their prejudices against the Church, they generally fell in to encourage and promote the Church) and frequented the worship of it, but those of them now liv- ing, who have left the Church, say they were always Presbyte- rians, but while they were in no condition to get a minister ac- cording to their own mind, they thought it was better to go to Church than to have no religion, (tho' we have some now that are hardly of that opinion.) Their manner of living was at 248 HISTORY OP THE PARISH first somewhat more compact than it is now, for as they increase, they move out into the woods, and settle, where they can get good farms. The Parish consists of three towns, Rye, and Mamaro- neck, about four or five miles south, and Bedford, about twenty miles north. The nearest English Church is Westchester, about fifteen miles north from Rye, and very bad travelling in the winter and spring, but in the summer, pretty good, but from Bedford to Westchester is thirty- five miles and always bad trav- elling. The parish is very much improved since the first settling of the Church here, especially as to their numbers, and tho' there are many that live very meanly, and counting the value of un- improved lands (all which belonged to a few men, and now sold or divided among their children) we may look upon the former inhabitants as possessing better estates than most of their children now ; yet 'tis certain in general, that the manufacture of the country is very much increased, and there are more hun- dreds of bushels of wheat sent to market in a year now, than single bushels twenty years past. There are now in the whole parish, as I find by the several lists for the year past, three hun- dred and forty persons upon whom the tax is levied, heads of families, and young men in the township of Rye two hundred in Mamaroneck twenty, in the Manor of Scarsdale thirty, in Bedford sixty, and thirty in North Castle, a new settlement be- tween Rye and Bedford, about six miles from Bedford ; this place was chiefly settled by people of no religion at all, very ig- norant and barbarous, being descendants of the Long Island Quakers, and having more knowledge of Quakerism than of any other religion, are more receptive of that, but there being a few people of the Church among them, Mr. Jenney first began to take pains with them, preached among them, and baptized several, tho' they are since all returned to Quakerism or nothing ; and 'tis certain they have left the Church, partly by the instiga- tion of the Quakers (who have been very busy among them while they were long neglected) from Mr. Jenney's being called to Hempstead, at my being fixed here, and partly upon disgustj AND CHURCH OP RYE. 249 being disappointed of some preferments they expected Mr. Jen- ney would procure for them, and being reproved for bringing a scandal upon religion by their loose and irregular living ; how- ever, there are a few sober people that live there, and to accom- modate them and Bedford, or at least some from Bedford that are willing to come to Church, I preach once in about five weeks at North Castle. There are three meeting houses in the parish, one at Bedford, built for, and used by the Presbyterians, one in the township of Rye, about seven miles from the Church, towards North Castle, built last year by the Quakers, and one at White Plains, in the township of Rye, about six miles from the Church, built last year by the followers of Walton, who are the old Independent party, and they are about building another near the Church. The haughty, insolent behaviour of Walton, drew upon him the displeasure of the dissenting teachers, on which account he removed from the parish a few days ago, but introduced a young man to be his successor, who holds forth one Sunday at White Plains, and another in the town of Rye, alternately, for which they give him £50 per annum, which they raise by subscriptions; they have besides given him money to purchase a house and land, but how much I can't tell. The Quakers have no constant holder forth among them, but keep silent meetings, unless when some travelling speaker chances to straggle among them, and then they follow it every day in the week, from one place to another, taking all imagina- ble pains to seduce the ignorant and unstable. At Bedford they have had a Presbyterian minister, they gave him a house and farm to work upon, and £40 per annum, but finding it not suf- ficient to support him with a numerous family, he has left them, and they are now settled with another young man, to whom they give the same allowance. As to the number of people dissent- ing from the Church, of all sorts throughout the parish, they are much the greater part at Mamaroneck. They are chiefly Qua- kers in the town of Rye ; the number of Church people and Independents are near equal, about sixty families each — about fifteen families, Quakers, and the rest are a sort of people that 250 HISTORY OF THE PARISH | frequent no manner of public worship, and by all I can learn have no private worship, neither. There are some of this sort at North Castle, about ten families of the Church, and the rest Quakers ; at Bedford, there are about eight or ten families of the Church, and the rest Presbyterians or Independents ; at the Manor of Scarsdale, about eight families of the Church, and the rest Dissenters of one denomination or another. There are no more Dissenting teachers in the Parish than I have mentioned, these officiate without any sort of ordination, and without qual- ifying themselves according to the act of toleration; in that peo- ple are suffered to do and say what they please about religion under a notion that the laws of England relating to religion, dorrt extend to the Plantations. ^As to schools for teaching children, there are several poor ones in the different parts of the parish ; while Mr. Cleator had his sight, they tell me he kept a constant and good school, but now, where a number of fami- lies live near together, they hire a man and woman at a cheap rate, subscribing every one what they will allow ; some masters get £20 per annum, and their diet, some £12, but there is no public provision at all for a school in ibis parish, except what the Honourable Society allow Mr. Cleator, nor is there any do- nations or benefactions to the minister or schoolmaster, besides what I have mentioned, nor is there any library besides the Honourable Society's. The number of negroes in the parish is about one hundred; since Mr. Cleator has been blind and unable to teach school he has taken pains with the negroes, so many as their masters would allow to come, but of late, they have left coming alto- gether; those that belong to Quaker masters, they will allow them no instruction; some Presbyterians will allow their ser- vants to be taught, but are unwilling they should be baptized, and those of the Church are not much better, so that there is but one negro in the parish, baptized. I had two of my own, which I baptized, but I have lately sold them out of the parish, and I have another, which I have instructed and design to baptize very speedily. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 251 Since I received my Lord of London's letters to the masters and mistresses, I have taken particular pains with them, and the}?' give me encouragement that they will send them lo be in- structed, if the masters can agree upon some regulations to pre- vent the common inconveniencies of their meeting together, and I hope I shall prevail upon many of them to send their servants upon Sunday afternoons, and if Mr. Cleator can do anything towards the instruction it will be a pleasure to the good old man and I shall assist him in it myself, and endeavour that many of them may be brought to receive Christian baptism. This is the most true and exact account I can anyways give in answer to the queries contained in your letter. Rev. Sir, your and the Honourable Society's most obedient humble servant, James Wetmore." 1 The Society's abstracts for 1728, say : " letters have been receiv- ed from the Rev. Mr. Wetmore, missionary at Rye, in New- York, that his congregation is considerably increased ; that since his last, he hath had nine new communicants, and hath bap- tized seventeen children, and five adults, one of which is a ne- gro slave ; that he hath four negroes under instruction, whom he expects to baptize in a month ; that there are many unbap- tized persons in that parish, and many careless livers who seem wholly thoughtless of a future state and quite indifferent about religion, however, he has had some success in his endeavours to reclaim them ; that at North Castle, a new settlement in the woods, there are more than forty families, most of which are unbaptized, and that he preaches there every fifth Sunday to accommodate that place and Bedford, about six miles further northward, tVjat a great many of the people come to church, and he hath baptized four adults and sundry children there." From a letter of Mr. Wetmore, to the Secretary, dated Rye, Province of New- York, November 1st, 1728, we extract the fol- lowing: ■ New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. G83, 694. (Hawks'.) 252 HISTORY OF THE PARISH Rev. Sir, "There are many whole families I have found that were never baptized, and there are many more in which some part are bap- tized, and some not, and to find out the exact number through the parish, is exceeding difficult, but I shall endeavour as fast as I can, to acquaint myself with the .state of every family, and persuade those to their duty, who have hitherto neglected it. There are three large families in this Town, that I have taken particular pains with, to convince them of the necessity and importance of attending that Institution, in one of those families there are eleven children, some of them grown to years of un- derstanding ; the mother has desired me to baptize them ; the children grown up, frequent the Church. The father is a Qua- ker, and will not consent to their being baptized. The mother would have it done without his knowledge, and this is not the only instance of this nature I have been puzzled with." a In 1728, the Society appointed My. Flint Dwight, a native of New England, educated at Harvard College, to be catechist and school master amongst the poor people at North Castle, in the Parish of Rye, in New- York. At a meeting of the Vestry, on the 3d of February, 1729, " it was moved whether the money voted to be raised for buying a pall, at the last meeting of the Vestry should be raised according as it was then voted, or not, and it was now carried in the affir- mative by a great majority, and with this explanation, that it is a convenient provision for the poor, for their decent interment. " b This year Mr. Wetmore again addressed the Secretary. MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY. Rye, July 31 st, 1729. Rev. Sir, "Since my last, dated November 5th, 1728, we have had noth- ing very remarkable in this Parish. The trial with the people of 1 New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. p. 11, 12. (Hawks'.) 6 Church Records, p. 46. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 253 the White Plains, who commenced an action against the oflicer for collecting the rate to repair the Church, was not issued till last month, so that nothing has been done towards repairing the Church, for about 12 months past, but that action being now de_ termined in favour of the Church, I hope they will go on with the work and bring it to some greater perfection ; I have been labouring to soften and reconcile the Dissenting party, for which reason I have not urged raising more money upon the Parish, but I hope the present Trustees of the town, who are 4 Churchmen to 2 Independents, will do something in the matter without my appearing active in it, and the Independents will have the less to object, because they are doing their utmost to build a meeting house, and can hardly think we should have less zeal to make the Church appear beautiful, when we have sufficient power in our own hands. The Dissenters have no teacher among them, but the common teachers come once in a while to preach among them, to keep the party alive, many of them come to Church and bring their children to be baptized, but I cannot depend upon their being so reconciled, but that they will leave the Church again if one Independent teacher comes to town, but I am in hopes while so many come to Church, and are pretty easy, the zealots of the party will never be able to make an in- terest strong enough to procure a teacher among them. My congregation is considerably increased at New Castle, a new settlement in the woods, where I go to officiate every fifth Sun- day, the Dissenters their; are all Quakers, and I have thought if we had a good school master there, it might be of great ser- vice to religion, in some sort to supply the place of a resident minister in catechising and instructing the youth, and keeping the people from running wild in their principles and practice, as they are in great danger of doing, by being among so many Qua- kers, seducers, and more of no religion. Yours, &c, &c., James Wetmore." 8 - * New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. p. 22. (Hawks'.) 254 HISTORY OF THE PARISH In 1729, Mr. Wetmore writes to the Secretary, that he meets with good success in his mission ; that his hearers increase and that several of the Independents have quitted that persuasion and very regularly attend divine service at his Church. In his report for 1730, he acquaints the Society with the good suc- cess he meets with in his mission, and the hopes he entertains of checking the growth of Quakerism. MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY. Rye ) New- York, December 2lst, 1730. Rev. Sir, " There has nothing very remarkable happened in this Parish since my last, our Church has been very full all this summer past, and the Independents having been destitute of any teacher of their sort, are grown something more complying than former- ly, and sundry of them attend the church constantly, with good satisfaction. ■ Our greatest trouble is now with the Quakers, who are very industrious to propagate their sect; where any of them set- tle, they spare no pains to infect their neighbourhood and where they meet with any encouragement, they follow them up with their meetings day after day, and new holders forth, who have all a great fame spread before them, to invite many curiosities, besides they are much encouraged by the countenance they meet with, our people of credit will often go to their meetings, especially what they call their great and general meetings, which I think are of pernicious consequence to religion, and ought to be suppressed ; these meetings debauch young people and many as to their principles. I have used my utmost dili- gence to secure my parish from the poisonous infection of those principles, but yet they have gained ground among us, by Qua- kers coming from Long Island to settle here, and some few have been seduced by them, among whom a woman of very good fam- ily, to whom I wrote the enclosed letter upon that occasion, to which having received two answers from the Quakers, I AND CHURCH OF RYE. 255 thought it proper to put this letter in print, especially having Mr. Johnson's advice, whose judgment I very much esteem, and I have writ a reply to the two Quaker letters, which I design to publish as soon as they have printed theirs; if those, who urge me to it will help to bear the charge which some of them have promised, and 'tis thought the method I have taken, was very seasonable and necessary and will be like to have some good effect in putting a stop to the growth of Quakerism, which for many years has gained ground in this Province, and having had little or no public opposition, has almost overrun us. I have baptized but one adult this last half year, who is the daughter of a Quaker, and 12 children, and have had two new communicants ; I enclose the printed letter without any other apology for so doing, but that I think it my duty to submit my- self to the direction of this Honourable Society, if I have been moved by an over forward zeal to appear publicly in a cause that might have been much better managed by other hands. My humble duty to the Honourable Society, and hearty prayers to Almighty God, to prosper all their charitable undertakings and designs, concludes this from Rev. Sir, &c, James Wetmore." 1 In the following year Mr. Wetmore reports to the Secretary : MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY. Rye, May \Uh, 1731. Rev. Sir, " Though I have nothing very remarkable to acquaint you with, yet in compliance with the commands of the Honourable Society, I think it my duty frequently to write to you, if it was for no other end but to engage myself to the greater diligence » New- York M8S. from Archives at Falham, vol. ii. p. 41, 42. (Hawks'.) 256 HISTORY OF THE PARISH and industry in the discharge of my function, that I might ha ve this at least to give an account of whatever the success proves ; however, I have some encouragement, in that my endeavours have been so far blessed with success, that the Independents can get no teacher among them, though Connecticut people have assist- ed them with money to build two meeting houses in this town. The party, I think, would soon be at an end were it not for the teachers in Connecticut that once in a while come along and enleavour to keep up the zeal of some few that instigate others ; but many of them come constantly to church, especially the younger ones, and as to the White Plains, where lives the chief body, I endeavour to make them easy by going every eighth Sunday to preach to them, when they come to church univer- sally, and seem to express a satisfaction in it. I am in great hopes I shall gain them over in time, by God's help. The peo- ple of Bedford, who are the most rigid and severe of all, came very generally to church when I was last among them, and many that never before were at church at North Castle. 3Ir. Dwisht is very diligent in his business and well beloved for his diligence and sobriety, but the people. in some respects are slack, and not so zealous as I expected many of them would be ; to remedy which, I would request in Mr. Uwight's behalf, and for the greater benefit of his labours, that the Honourable Society would signify their pleasure to him that upon a prospect of doing greater service to religion he might remove to any other part of the Parish with the advice and consent of the minister and churchwardens of the Parish. This would be a means to quicken their zeal, and make them more punctual in fulfilling their engagements, for they will be very unwilling to part with him. Since Christmas last I have baptized two adults, nineteen white children, and one negro. My communicants have in- creased none. I meet with the most trouble from the Quakers, who are extraordinary zealous to propagate their sect in this Parish, there being swarms of them at Long Island and West- chester, from whence they make frequent visits hither, and hold AND CHURCH OF RYE. 257 their yearly meetings, monthly, quarterly and weekly meetings, yea, and sometimes daily. The letter I printed to a parishioner which I enclosed to you last fall, did some service in putting a check to them, but they have very lately printed and dispersed what they call an answer to it, which, though silly enough, amuseth some people, especially after themselves have mightily applauded it ; by way of reply to which I have prepared three dialogues which I have now ready for the press, and have com- municated them to the Rev. Mr. Johnson and some others, who earnestly advise to the printing of them and think they will be of great service to stop the growth of Quakerism in. these parts, and Mr. Johnson tells me he will give twenty or thirty shillings towards it, and some of my parishioners have subscribed about forty shillings more, but the whole charge will be about £10, which considering the circumstances of my family, is something too heavy upon me ; for as the Quakers disperse their books freely, so our people will expect it from me, and indeed they have never been used to buy books, for besides the books I re- ceive from the Society, I have myself been at about £5 charge towards the letters I have dispersed among them ; for which reason, if the Honourable Society would be pleased to give me some small assistance in this matter, it shall be thankfully ac- cepted and employed for the benefit of other Parishes as well as my own, and I ask it the rather because 1 don't know how far I shall find it necessary to proceed, having thus begun with them. I shall only add my earnest prayers to Almighty God to suc- ceed all the charitable designs of the Honourable Society for the extensive good of mankind, and beg leave to subscribe, as I am in great sincerity, Reverend Sir, Yours and the Honourable Society's most obedient and humble servant, James Wetmore."* At the close of 1731, he acquaints the Society "that his Parish * New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulhaio, vol. ii, 43. 45. (Hawks' ) 17 258 HISTORY OF THE PARISH is in a flourishing condition ; that last year he baptized one adult person and twenty children, two of which were negroes ; hath some new communicants, and that all things in his Parish, are at present quiet and easy, and likely to remain so." In the following communication to his Diocesan, Mr. Wet- more refers to his printed dialogues which seem to have ended the controversy with the Quakers, and also to the great want of a suffragan bishop : — MR. WETMORE TO THE BISHOP OF LONDON. • Rye, Province of New- York, April 3rd, 1732. My Lord, "I take this opportunity, by Mr. Beach, who waits upon your Lordship for your benediction and orders, to return my humble thanks for the favour of your letter in approbation of what I had undertaken in respect of the Quakers. I now send by Mr. Beach, the dialogue I printed in reply to the Quaker's answer to my letter, in which I should have spared some expressions, if I had received your Lordship's directions before they were printed, but the greatest asperity being only the relating of such facts as are open and notorious, they can make little advantage of it. They are a sort of people that take greatest advantage from being used with smoothness, which they fancy their own merit extorts. They did not expect I would have treated them with so much freedom and plainness, but I am well assured it has done good ; it has opened the eyes and awakened the con- sideration of some that were almost drawn over to them upon account of their being thought a sober, virtuous, good people, though they have as many vitiary people in their herd as among any sort of professors, but their trick is to call such only : hangers on,' though they are as zealous for their principles as the best of 'em. It is now 9 months since the dialogues were printed, and though at first they gave out they had an answer ready, yet it AND CHURCH OF RYE. 259 does not appear, and of late not a syllable is heard about it, they are mighty still now, and rather afraid of losing their own peo- ple than intent upon prostituting ours. Mr. Beach will be able to acquaint your Lordship how fast the principles of the church gain ground in New England, chiefly among the teachers in Connecticut, on which account we might hope to have this country reclaimed from this schism so dishonourable and prejudicial to religion, and destructive to the souls of men, if some method could be projected for perfecting an establishment of religion here, and removing the difficulty which is indeed great and burthensome, of going 1000 leagues over sea,[through many perils, for ordination ; if only one suffra- gan was allowed under your Lordship, (the two or three would do better to ordain and confirm,) in other things Commissaries might answer, it would give a new tone to the Church among us, and I believe the Country would generally submit to an Episcopal government, in a little time if there was provision, that laws or canons might be made here for regulating some circumstantial things, according to the peculiar circumstances of this Country, I mean in reference to the calling of Ministers and their main- tainance, which the people will be fond of having their voice in, and in respect of which they are afraid of imposition, and per- haps it may be thought not necessary to insist upon a perfect uniformity, in things indifferent, as a term of communion, where unity in government, and all essentials can be gained, for which a discretionary power in your Lordship, or your suffragan, to prescribe for this country, the form and method of worship at Croft, wherein it may be thought proper to bar in any respect, from the established English Liturgy would be sufficient. I have not the vanity to think of projecting a scheme or pre- scribing to your Lordship, but only to breathe out my own and others wishes and desires into the bosom of your Lordship, as the Father and head of the Church, in the Plantations, who has expressed a zealous and fraternal care of us, and whose wisdom and goodness we confide in with pleasure, to project for 260 HISTORY OF THE PARISH us, and still further bring about that what is wanting, may be perfected and set in order. I am with all dutiful submission, My Lord, &c, James Wetmore." 1 His next semi-annual report to the Secretary, bears date the same year. MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY. Rye, Neio- York, June 6th, 1732. Rev. Doctor, " I have received yours of Dec. 13th, 1731, wherein I am order- ed to acquaint the people of North Castle with the sentiments of the Honourable Society, concerning their neglect in encour- aging Mr. Dwight's school, which letter 1 have communicated to Mr. Dwight, and he has discoursed the people upon it, and I expect to go among them in a fortnight, and then 1 shall dis- course them myself, upon the affair. Mr. Dwight tells me they are very unwilling he should be removed from them, the people are indeed very poor and that which is worse, they are unhappily divided one against another, which hinders their uniting to pro- mote their common interest ; those we had greatest dependence upon, to encourage learning and religion among them, are either dead or fallen to decay, and removed out of the place, within two years ; Mr. Dwight tells me, as he thinks them a poor unfor- tunate people, deserving compassion, so he has hopes, their af- fairs will mend, and he is willing to make some further trial, if the Honourable Society think fit to allow him, being urged by some new comers among them, and after some trial he will ac- quaint you with his success. Mr. Cleator, who has been the Honourable Society's schoolmaster in Rye for many years, died about the latter end of March. The people have desired me to * New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 54, 56. (Hawks'.) AND CHURCH OF RYE. 261 present their hearty thanks to the Honourable Society, for the benefit they have had by Mr. Cleator's labours, and to request in their behalf the continuance of the Honourable Society's fa- vours, and that Samuel Purdy, Esq., may be appointed to suc- ceed Mr. Cleator, who is a gentleman very well respected in the town, a constant communicant in the Church, a man of good abilities and sober exemplary life, and conversation ; he is the foremost Justice of the Peace in the Parish, and one of the Quo- rum as well as chaplain of the militia, but these being pla- ces that require, rather than make a fortune, he has private reasons to make him accept a mission from the Honourable So- ciety, and the greater his interests in the people's esteems and affections, by the honourable character he sustains ; he will be under the greater advantage to promote religion and the interests of the church for which he has always had a good affection and his father before him, who was one of the chief promoters of the Church, in the time of Mr. Muirson and Mr. Bridge, being Jus- tice of the Peace and Representative of the county upon the As- sembly, for many years. This gentleman is well qualified to teach and instruct children in the principles of religion, and such learning as is fit for the country, and I doubt not he will be very faithful and industrious, if the Honourable Society will be pleased to employ him. Since my last I have baptized one adult and twenty children, of which two are negroes, and have ad- mitted three more new communicants, and buried three of those that were formerly communicants ; the state of the Church con- tinues flourishing, all things at present are easy and quiet, and like- ly to remain so. Our trustees are repairing the windows of the church, for which they raised £20 last year by a public rate, and we are contriving to build a steeple to the Church, for which we have begun subscriptions. I have bought a bell a to make a pre- sent of, weighing 93 lb., that for the bigness sounds well, and I ■ The first notice of a Bell occurs in the minutes of the Vestry, for January lfith, 1732, when it was resolved " to raise £l for a Bell Ringer and sweeping the Church." — See Church Records, p. 57. 2G2 HISTORY OF THE PARISH have subscribed thirty shillings besides to the people ; Mr. Crea- tor has also, upon his death bed, given half his last years salary to this use, so that I hope we shall accomplish it, tho' I do not find the people so ready to subscribe as I expected ; a zeal for the honour and decency of God's house, and worship, is a tem- per very much wanting in this country, I pray God to increase it and to give abundant success to the pains and charitable de- signs and endeavours of the Honourab'e Society, &.c , James Wetmore." 3 - Mr. Joseph Cleator, whose death is alluded to in the above letter, and whose appointment has been already noticed, "la- boured faithfully and successfully for nearly twenty-eight years," in his useful calling as schoolmaster for the Society, for which he received the very moderate compensation of £15 sterling, per annum. In the following report, Mr. Wetmore again recommends Mr. Samuel Purdy, to the Society: — MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Rye, Neio- York, Aug. 20th, 1733. Rev. Sir, " Last summer I informed the Honourable Society of the death of Mr. Cleator, their schoolmaster in this town, and the request of sundry inhabitants, that Samuel Purdy, Esq., might be ap- pointed to succeed him in this school with the Honourable Soci- ety's bounty, but having had no answer to that letter, pre- sume to intercede in behalf of the poor people in this Parish, to have that mission continued, without which many children will have little to distinguish them in their education from the wild heathen. Mr. Dwight, at North Castle, continues very diligent a New-York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 63, 64. (Hawks'.) AND CHURCH OF RYE. 263 and faithful in his school, and very well esteemed by the people there, but the great misfortunes of that place make him weary of it; more than half the people that first encouraged his coming among them, and were very zealous for the church, and desi- rous of preserving some appearance of religion and the worship of God among them, in that new place, are since dead or remov- ed away, and those left are so poor that they can give him but little encouragement. His sober and good behaviour, and dili- gence in his calling, renders him worthy of recommendation, and the great extent of this Parish, the number of children, as well as slaves that live so remote, that they never appear to be catechi- zed of the Church, and are never likely to have any catechetical instructions, unless some further endeavours are used, than can be expected from one minister, in so large a Parish, makes me presume to add this further request, that the Honourable Society, if they think fit, would appoint Mr. Dwight, Catechist for the Parish of Rye, with liberty to teach school in such parts of the Parish where he shall find the best prospect of doing service in his catechetical office, and that he be ordered to take particular pains in several parts of the parish, which he may perform by appointing several places to attend that work by turns, and I shall be ready to assist all that lies in my power, to render such a method successful. Our most forward promoters of Independency, have of late dis- covered a better temper, and often come to Church, and I hope that a few years more will wholly wear that spirit out. As for the Quakers, there is little to be done with them, but only to guard against their attempts, and I think, (by God's blessing) they have not made one proselyte here for two years past. Since my last, I have baptized one adult, twenty-four children in this parish, and three in Greenwich ; I have had but one new com- municant, but there are four or five more which 1 hope will re- ceive, next Christmas. Rev. Sir, yours, and the Honourable Society's most obedient and humble servant, James Wetmore."* ■ New-York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. G7. G8. (Hawks'.) 2G4 HISTORY OF THE PARISH The Society appears to have acted immediately upon the re- commendation of Mr. Wetmore, by appointing Mr. Samuel Pur- ely, schoolmaster at Rye, with a salary of £15 sterling per an- num. Notwithstanding his arduous duties at home, it seems that Mr. Wetmore, like his predecessors, occasionally extended his missionary labors into Connecticut. MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Rye, Jime2£th, 1734. Rev. Sir, "My Parish continues in a flourishing state, tho' we have many yet that show too little reverence for religion. The Church is commonly more filled this summer than heretofore, and since my last, I have baptized in my own Parish, twenty-seven children and two adults, in Greenwich in Connecticut, three chil- dren, and Norfolk, in Connecticut, two children and one adult, an Indian slave, and I have admitted eight new communicants, all of very sober conversation, and good lives. The people of Connec- ticut begin to show a friendly disposition towards the constitu- tion of the Church of England, which disposition seems to in- crease apace, which makes more and more want of a Bishop in the country, that some places might be supplied with ministers, that now cannot, without burdening the Honourable Society. Some zealous bigots among the Independent teachers are awa- kened to make fresh attempts to amuse and enslave the peo- ple by their scurrillous pamphlets, which they spread industri- ously, full of bold, audacious calumnies, but little argument yet would be of mischievous consequence, if we did not anti- dote their poison by printing and dispersing such books as ap- pear serviceable to this end, in which I was urged last summer to give some assistance by printing an answer to a pamphlet that undertook to prove the necessity of separating from the AND CHURCH OF RYE. 265 Church of England, and the divine right of Presbyterian ordi- nation and government. There is now dispersing in this coun- try a defence of that pamphlet, stuffed with vile aspersions and unmannerly reflections upon the civil and ecclesiastical govern- ment of the nation, done by two or three hands, one of which I conclude Mr. Browne, of Providence, will reply to, and the other, Mr. Johnson and I must prepare an antidote for, which I hope will prove to as good acceptance in the country as what we printed last year, and have the same good effect, which has been very visible in promoting the interest of the Church. My prayers and endeavours shall always be zealous to promote the great and charitable designs of the Honourable Society for prop- agating the gospel of Christ. I am. Rev. Sir, your most obedient, humble servant, James WETMORE." a In his report for the years of 1735, 1738, 1739, occur the fol- lowing memoranda: — MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Rye, Neio- York, Dec. 5th, 1735. Rev. Doctor, "It is no less my inclination than duty to obey the Honoura- ble Society's order in keeping a frequent correspondence with you, although to transmit an account exactly according to the prescribed method in this Parish, seems impracticable ; the bounds of the parish being very large, and the people so often removing to and from, so many sectaries of so various denomi- nations, and so many of such an indifferent temper, that scarce themselves know what profession they are of. New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii, p. 71, 75. (Hawks'.) 206 HISTORY OF THE PARISH I continue my method of preaching alternately at several parts of the parish, viz: three Sundays in the Church of Rye; then one at North Castle ; then three again at Rye ; then one at White Plains; besides, the first Wednesday in each month I preach at Bedford, about eighteen miles from Rye, within my parish, and upon the request of some that profess themselves of the Church of England, I have preached several times at Nor" walk, Stamford, Greenwich, and Horse neck, the western towns in Connecticut colony, in which places I have baptized several adult persons and near twenty children the year past, and ad- mitted five to the Holy Communion. They are very desirous in those towns, to be supplied with an Episcopal minister, but because we have little grounds to give them encouragement to hope for such a supply at present, I have promised to preach at Stamford, which is near the centre of those towns, the third Wednesday of every month, and find a very considerable con- gregation of very serious, well disposed people, and the inclina- tion of others towards the established Church, seems daily in- creasing in those parts as well as several other parts of New England. In my own parish, although a contest among the inhabitants concerning their lands, has occasioned some difficulty to keep them united in religion, and a few rash and heady persons have grown to neglect the Church upon that account, yet by the acces- sion of others, the Church is generally as full as ever it has been, and a party spirit among the sectaries decreaseth very ev- idently. I have baptized the year past, five adults, two of which were negroes. Mr. Dwight's catechumens, and several others, are desirous of baptism, which I have promised to administer to them as soon as Mr. Dwight has prepared them by necessary instruc- tions. They belong to Quaker masters, but yet got leave to come pretty often to Church, where Mr. Dwight catechises them with such chidren as offer themselves after evening service, and keeps a school at the White Plains to the people's good satisfaction, AND CHURCH OF RYE. 267 and Mr. Purely is in his school at Rye ; is very diligent and ac- ceptable to the people." a MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Rye, July 1st, 173S. Rev. Sir : " There are, besides the numbers contained in the enclosed Notitia Parochialis, about fifty families near adjoining to this Parish, in the Colony of Connecticut, who have requested me to officiate among them as often as I can be spared from my own Parish, among whom I preach a lecture the third Wednesday in each month; visit them in sickness, baptize their children, and once in a year, administer the Lord's Supper among them : many of them live so near as to attend church at Rye pretty constantly. These people are much oppressed by the Dissent- ers among whom they live, which in some degree prevents the increase of their numbers, and when we have applied to all their courts for a just relief, according to their own law, we have been baffled under one trifling pretence or another, even where the law appears most plain in our favour, and unless some powerful protection can be obtained from home for the profes- sors of the Church of England, in their just and natural rights, that colony will find so many pretences to oppress them, as will put the Church of England under the greatest discountenance. Some particulars of this nature, will, I believe, soon be rep- resented by the clergy. " b To this account may be added the following, from the Socie- ty's Abstracts : — Mr. Wetmore acquaints the Society, by a letter of July 1st, » New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulliam, vol. ii. p. 00, 92. (Hawks'.) b New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. p. 117, 118. (Hawks'.) 268 HISTORY OF THE PARISH 1730, " that his congregation holds well together, and his church is full and flourishing ; and he had baptized within the last half year, five adults, besides children. Mr. Wetmore hath likewise transmitted certificates of the behaviour of the two schoolmasters of the Society, in his Parishes, attested likewise by the churchwardens, and other inhabitants, by which it ap- pears, that they both give daily attendance in their schools ; and Mr. Purdy, the schoolmaster in the town of Rye, teaches twenty-one children, whose parents profess themselves of the Church of England, and fourteen children of Dissenting pa- rents, as likewise three Dutch, two Jewish, and one negro child, in all, forty-one, and that Mr. Dwight, the schoolmaster, at the White Plains, six miles from Rye, teaches twenty-seven child- ren, whose parents profess themselves to be of the Church of England, seventeen born of Dissenting parents, and two negro children, in all. forty-six. The Society hath sent Mr. Wetmore two dozen of small Common Prayer books for the poor." a MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Rye, August 5th, 1739. Rev. Sir.. " The two last times I preached at the White Plains, where Mr. Dwight teaches school, it was judged the congregation con- sisted of at least three hundred people, where, not having any house large enough to receive the people, I am obliged to preach in the open fields ; and if the congregation at Rye increases as it has done the year past, we must be forced to enlarge the Par- ish church." b Mr. Wetmore, by a letter, dated July 15th, 1740, writes : — " that besides his regular duty at Rye, he officiates once a month * Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. b New-York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. p. 107. (Hawks'.) AND CHURCH OF RYE. 269 at Stamford and at Greenwich in Connecticut, and lately bap- tized at Greenwich, a very sober man, his wife, and all the fam- ily, except one negro woman, whom he reserved for further in- struction ; he had been a long time instructing this family, who had been tainted with Quakerism and Anabaptism." Mr. Wet- more spent some days last winter, in visiting sundry families in the woods, and a great number of people assembled to whom he read divine service, and preached, and baptized one adult, and eight children ; and they were very thankful, and pressed him much to visit them again, which he proposed to do in a short time. According to Mr. Wetmore's Notitia Parochial is, his number of communicants is fifty, and he had baptized from the 3d day of May, 1739, one hundred and eleven children, of Avhom, five, were negroes, and seven adults, of whom one was a negro ; and he returns thanks for some Common Prayer books lately sent him." a MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY. Rye, Sept. 2Sth, 1741. Rev. Sir, " The efforts of the sectaries in this parish, have been various the year past, and their endeavours indefatigable, to weaken and destroy our church, and they have been much encouraged by the countenance of some that were formerly professors of the Church of England, but for several years past, have proved the worst enemies to it. However, by God's help, we hitherto maintain our ground, and tho' some few of our number are cor- rupted with the wild enthusiasm of the new sect, which has in- fected the greater part of the Independents, yet in all the parts of the parish, where I preach alternately, the congregations seem to be as large as ever they have been, and I hope the measures I use to establish and strengthen my people in the faith of Chris- tianity, according to the doctrines of the Church of England, •Printed Abstracts of the Ven. Prop. Soc, from 1710 to 1741. .270 HISTORY OF THE PAEISH will, by God's blessing, prevent (his new Methodism, or rather, downright distraction, in the shape it now appears among the itinerant sectaries, • from gaining much ground among us. I shall only enclose the Notitia Parochiaiis, and beg leave to pre- sent my humble duty to the Venerable Hoard, and subscribe, Rev. Sir, your most obedient, humble servant, James Wetmore."* According to Mr. Wetmore's Notitia Parochiaiis, (for 1711.) he had baptized within twelve months, sixty-nine children, four of whom were negroes; and four adults, one of whom was a negro. In the two following extracts from reports of Mr. Wetmore, some further allusions are made to the " new Methodists, or right down distraction ists," who were probably associated with Mr. Whitefield in his labours : — MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Rye, March 25th, 1743. Rev. Sir, <: The boundaries of my parish being very large. I preach al- ternately at five different places, yet so as to be three Sundays or four, to be at the parish church in Rye. I have considerable large congregations in all the out places where I preach, but the}' mostly consist of people unsettled in their principles, and who go after all sorts of teachers that come in their way, and many of them much confused by the straggling methodist teachers that are continually about among us. Some few families that professed themselves of the Church of England, living very remote from the church, have been car- ■ Now- York MSS. from Archives at FoJham, vol. ii. V21. 105. (Hawks'.) AND CHURCH OF RYE 2711 ried away with their zealous pretences ; and as the Dissenting faction have now got one of that sort ordained among them, re- siding not far from me, it gives me a great deal of trouble and uneasiness. Some that used to frequent the church, and had al- most worn off their prejudices against it, now follow those meet- ings, and are wheedled after them by continued visits and fair pretences, but we have some again made more zealous in attend, ing the Church, and I hope are more settled in their principles."* MR. WETMORB TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Province of New- York, Rye. Sept. 29th, 1 743. Rev. Sir, "As to the state of my Parish, nothing very remarkable has happened since my last, but I find my care and labours in. creased, by having two Independent Methodist teachers settled by that party r in my Parish, besides exhorters and itinerants that frequently call people together to instill wild and enthu- siastic notions into them. They have made much confusion in the remote parts of the Parish, but chiefly among those who al- ways were Dissenters; and when my turn is to preach in those places, I find my congregations are larger than before those tu- mults, and many apply to me for instruction, and to have the doctrines of Christianity explained to them, which I endeavour, in the most plain and intelligible manner I can, according to the articles, catechism, and offices of our Liturgy. And although the teacher that holds his meeting near the parish church, is much cried up by his party, and indeed is unwearied in his at- tempts to amuse the people with fair speeches, and prejudice them against the Church in his private visits from house to house, yet some of his first proselytes have returned to the church already, and I don't know of one he has gained for * New- York MSS., from Archives at Fulham, vo'. ii. p. 148. (Hawks.) 272 . HISTORY OF THE PARISH six months past, and our church was never so full as this sum- mer, insomuch that we mid a necessity of enlarging it, which I hope with the next spring I will prevail with my people to ef- fect. I was last week at Middletown, on Connecticut River, eighty miles from this place, which, being the place of my na- tivity, I visit annually, and keep one Sunday among them, where I find a disposition to the Church grows very much, and there are near forty families that would rejoice to have a min- ister of the Church of England among them." a One of the " wild and enthusiastic notions" of the new Me- thodists referred to in the above letter, related to the doctrine of Regeneration, as appears from the following : — REV. MR. COLGAN TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Jamaica. L. I., Nov. 22nd, 1740. Rev. Sir, " Some enthusiastic itinerant teachers have of late been preach- ing upon this island. The notorious Mr. Whitefield being at the head of them, and among other pernicious tenets have broached such false and erroneous opinions concerning the doctrine of Re- generation as tend to the destruction of true religion and of a holy and virtuous life ; and therefore, I take this opportunity to beg that the Society would be pleased to bestow upon the peo- ple of this Parish a few of Dr. Waterland's pieces on that sub- ject, and of his Lordship, the Bishop of London's Pastoral Letters upon Lukewarmness and Enthusiasm. 13 The agitation of these erroneous views, led to a thorough examination of the doctrine * New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. pp. 149, 150. (Hawks'.) b New-York, MSS. from Archives at Fulham. (Hawks'.) In 1743, Mr. Colgan asks for " some small tracts, such as the Trial of Mr. Whitefield's Spirit; An Englishman Directed in the Choice of his Religion; Bishop Stillingfleets Unrea- sonableness of Separation." AND CHURCH OF RYE. 273 of Regeneration by Dickinson, on the Presbyterian, and Wet- more, on the Episcopal side. In 1743, Mr. Dickinson published a work " on the Nature and Necessity of Regeneration, with remarks on "Dr. Waterland's Discourse on Regeneration." To which the Rev. James Wet- more replied by "A Defence of Waterland's Discourse on Re- generation." At this period, Mr. Wetmore writes to the Society, " That he is fully occupied in performing duty at Rye, Scarsdale, and the White Plains, and calls for an assistant under him at Bedford and North Castle, where are four hundred families, the inhabi- tants promising £30 to his assistance." In the following letter Mr. Wetmore speaks of Mr. Lamson who was subsequently ap- pointed to fill the office : — MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Province of New -York, Rye, Dec. IWi, 1744.. Rev. Sir, " Mr. Lamson took a passage from Boston sometime in June last, and there being no account of his arrival in England, it is feared he is taken by a Spanish privateer and carried into some port in Spain. If that should prove to be his hard fortune, I hope, by the favour of Divine Providence, he may find some way for redemption and get to London. In Ridgefield not being able to do so much for the support of a minister, as to encourage them to hope for obtaining one to themselves alone, have proposed joining with the northern parts of my Parish so as to have a minister perform divine service alternately at Ridgefield, Bedford and North Castle, and many of my Parishioners in these towns seem very forward to have it effected, as they live so remote from the Parish Church at Rye, that they seldom or ever go to church except once in two 18 274 HISTORY OP THE PARISH months, which is the proportion 1 have observed for officia- ting in these parts, having a considerable congregation at the White Plains and Scarsdale, about seven miles west of the Parish Church, which I also attend once in two months. In the northern parts, Bedford and North Castle, were near four hundred families, mostly very poor people ; many un- baptized and such as have very little sense of religion. Reverend Sir, Your most obedient and humble servant, J. Wetmore."* The Society's Abstracts for 1745, say: — " Mr. Wetmore, the Society's missionary to the Parish of Rye, in this Province, ac- quaints the Society that he is so fully employed in perform- ing the duties of his holy function at Rye, Scarsdale and the White Plains, that he cannot attend the distant parts of his parish so often as he could wish, and therefore, he humbly prays the Society, instead of appointing a successor to the late Mr. D wight, the Society's schoolmaster at the White Plains, they would grant him an assistant minister to officiate under him ; and the good people of Bedford and North Castle, in which are four hundred families that stand much in want and are very desirous of instruction in the true sound principles of Christianity, and to those of Riclgefield, adjoining to them, where a church is already built ; and the inhabitants of those towns earnestly petitioning the Society to the same purpose, and promising £30 per annum towards the expence, the So- ciety hath granted this request and appointed the Rev. Mr. Lamson, lately arrived from New England, with very ample testimonials from the clergy of that province, to be upon his admission into holy orders, assistant minister to Mr. Wetmore, in officiating to the inhabitants of Bedford, North Castle, and ■ New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii, p 134. \(Hawks'.) AND CHURCH OP RYE. 275 Ridgefield, with a salary of £20 per annum ; besides a gratuity of the same sum out of compassion to Mr. Lamson's sufferings and necessities, who was taken prisoner, stripped, and carried, into France, on his voyage towards England, and afterwards in his way from Port Louis, in France, to London, was de- tained four months by a fever, at Salisbury, where he lost by that distemper, his companion and fellow sufferer, Mr. Minor, another worthy candidate for the Society's favour; and the Society hath lately had the satisfaction to be informed that Mr. Lamson arrived safe sometime since at Nen r -York, and went from thence to enter upon the duties of his mis- sion.' 4 Under date of March 25th, 1745, Mr. Wetmore writes to the Secretary as follows : — Rev. Sir, "Our several churches in this colony continue in peace, and a very good harmony among the clergy in general, which good agreement and comely order in a time of so great confusion and disorder among all our sectaries, gains the Church of England much honour and reputation in the country and brings many proselites to it. I have had several from the wild Metho- dists themselves, whose zeal and madness very much abates through the country. I am, Reverend Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, James Wetmore." 1 * The following extract shows that the flames kindled in 1 Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Society. fc New-York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. p. 155. (Hawks'.) This year Colonel Robinson, one of the wardens of Trinity Church, N. Y., was ordered by the Vestry of that church to deliver to Mr. Peter Jay, the old com- munion cloth, pulpit cloth and desk cloth, for the use of the Church at Rye, in Westchester County. l/ 276 HISTORY OF THE PARISH 1722, by Johnson, Cutler, Wet more and others, were spreading rapidly, and adding fresh numbers and strength to Episco- pacy : — MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Province of New - York, Rye, Oct. 3, 1745. Rev. Sir, " I was three weeks ago at Middletown, in Connecticut, the place of my nativity, which I have been used to visit annually while my father lived there, and have not only frequently preached among them and baptized many children and some adults, but taken pains in conversation with my relations and ac- quaintances to give them justnotionsof religionand beget inthem a liking to the Church of England, and I am rejoiced to see very hopeful prospect of a good church gathering in that place, chiefly promoted by some brethren of mine; and it was a pleasure to me to observe at the Commencement , in New Haven, (at which I was present in my way to Middletown, with Dr. Johnson and several others of our clergy) no 'ess than five of the Batchelors graduated this year, openly professing the Church of England, and was told some others of them had a good disposition to- waids it, by whom we were treated very respectfully; and if we may imagine the questions defended in publick dispu- tation as the prevailing sentiments of the country, we may see a great change in that colony for the better in a very few y ears — by the following questions, which indeed I was sur- prised to hear defended by those whose fathers have held, and acted upon their reverse, in their separation from the Church of England. The questions publickly disputed were : — 1st. The Potestus legislative sit unicumque societati Essentialis affirmat re- spondens. 2nd. Aures in se indiffiantes sunt proprie humonie potestalis objectum respon- dens affirmat. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 277 3rd. An conscientia dictenniiia, conferent jen agendi vel cogitandi contra veri- tatem nuget respondens. Reverend Sir, yours, &c, &c, James Wf.tmore."* The two following are Mr. Wetmore's semi-annual reports for 1748:— MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY. Rye, March 26th, 1748. Rev. Sir, "Since my last, dated December 28th, 1747, nothing remarka- ble relating to the state of religion has happened among us, except the deaths of sundry persons that have been esteemed principal inhabitants in the Parish, and some new attempts of the enemies of the Church to promote divisions in the Parish, in hopes of making some advantages to themselves by su,ih contentions, in which I hope they will meet with a disap- pointment. That by this means they have hindered us from repairing our Church and adding galleries and steeple to it as we projected, at least, we are obliged to defer it because some of the most wealthy of the professors of our Church have, to gain an ascendancy in the Parish, so far sided with the Independents, that they will do nothing which the others will dislike. All endeavours can't excite a proper zeal in the professors of the Church of England among us to come to the Lord's Supper so that the number of actual communicants continues small, * New- York MSS. from Archives at Pulham, vol. ii., p. 155. (Hawks'.) The Society's Abstracts fee" 1745, say : — "and Mr. William Sturgeon, a Batchelor of Arts ot that college, (Yale) who teaches a school within the precincts of the Parish of Rye, though the son of a Presbyterian teacher, who lived lately among them he desired Mr. Wetmore to recommend him to the Society as a candidate for employment in the Church, which he attends steadily, and is esteemed very worthy of favour, and as such he is entered upon the books of the Society." — Print- ed Abstracts for 1745. 278 HISTORY OF THE PAEISH 4 in proportion to the number of professors, and deaths, and re- movals, seem to equal our accessions ; but I have lately been using such endeavours with many, whose conversation in other respects, appears sober and christianlike, and have hopes of four or five new communicants at Easter. I lately preached a lecture at Mamaroneck, the westermost part of my Parish, where many more attended than I had ex- pectation of, upon which I have promised to visit them again and continue to give them frequent lectures as long as their zeal will continue to attend them ; I have also undertaken to preach a monthly lecture at North Castle, besides their usual turn upon Sundays, and this I shall continue as long as I find a good disposition in this people to attend such lectures. James Wetmore." 3 - MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY. Rye, Sept. 29th, 1748. Rev. Sir, "In compliance with the commands of the Honourable Society, to which I would always pay dutiful and strict obedience, 1 give you this trouble, with my Notitia Parochialis enclosed, and ac- quaint you that I have drawn upon the treasurer a sett of bills, bearing date this day, for £25 sterling, payable at thirty days sight in favour of Mr. Samuel Farmer, merchant. Since Mr. Lamson has removed from this Parish and Mr. Chandler decli- ned accepting the catechetical mission at North Castle and Bed- ford, I do the duty at these places as formerly ; and although I find large congregations when I preach among them, yet I don't find that forwardness I could wish, to exert themselves in building churches and providing for the support of a minister or catechist; and it is a trouble to me that the same negligent temper prevails in other parts of my Parish. Our church, the » New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii.. pp. 196, 197. (Hawks'.) AND CHURCH OP 1 RYE. 2"9 only one in the Parish, is much out of repair, which, after seve- ral year's endeavouring to bring my people to a scheme to make decent and ornamental, I am yet unable to effect, obstructed by the difficult humours of some professing themselves of the Chinch, chiefs of the Parish for estates, from whom I have had my greatest troubles since I have had the care of this Parish. To whom, also, 1 esteem it owing that the dissenters aie now endeavouring to get into their possession the small glebe be- longing to our Church, which is scarcely worth the charge of a law suit ; yet I have commenced a suit to defend it, which I believe, the wealthiest of my parishioners will not assist me with a farthing to support. I have enlarged and repaired the parsonage house some years ago, at my own charge, solely, and it is now grown so old and decayed, that it is scarce worth repairing. As I find it agreeable to the sentiments of the Honourable Society, that the people to whom they send missionaries, should provide a house and glebe for their minister, I believe a line or two from you up- on tins subject, directed to the church wardens, would be of more eff.-ct than many words of mine, which I therefore request the favourof; and as I have not been troublesome by begging books from the Society for many years, and Prayer Books and Cate- chisms are grown very scarce in my Parish, and poor people frequently applying to me to be supplied, a small present of that kind would be thankfully received by me and the poor people that are destitute. I only add further, my humble duty to the Venerable Board, and hearty prayers to Almighty God to bless all their pious and charitable designs, and am, with much sub- mission, Rev. Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant, James Wetmore." 1 ■ New- York MSS. from Archives at Fuiham, vol. ii. p. 202. (Hawks'.) 280 HISTORY OF THE PARISH The Society it seems, complied with Mr. Wetmore's sugges- tion, for, at a Vestry meeting of this Parish, held at Mr. Benja- min Brown's, Sen., in Rye, January 16th, 1749, the Rev. James Wetmore delivered the following letter from the Rev. Philip Bearcroft, D. D., Secretary to the Venerable Propagation So- ciety : — London, Charter House, June 27th, 1749. Gentlemen, " It is with much concern that the Society for the Propaga- tion of the Gospel in Foreign Parts are informed, that your church and parsonage house are very much out of repair, and that even the possession of the glebe is disputed against your very worthy pastor, Mr. Wetmore, whose great pains and abili- ties in the cause of God's Church, cannot but recommend him to every worthy member of it ; therefore, the Society hope and expect, that upon due consideration, you will give orders for the full repair of the church and the parsonage house, and defend Mr. Wetmore in the maintenance of all his just rights, as you desire his longer continuance among you. 1 am, gentlemen, your very humble servant, Philip Bearcroft, Secretary. To the Churchwardens and Vestry of the Church of Rye, New- York." 3 - In a letter dated Rye, October the 5th, 1749, Mr. Wetmore writes to the Secretary as follows : — Rev. Sir. " I use my utmost endeavours to answer the design of my mis- sion, and find that the several congregations where I officiate by turns, something increasing, and not at all lessened by the ef- forts of our adversaries, and that the tryal with the Dissenters, » Church Rec. of Rye, 115. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 281 concerning the parsonage lot, is to be the 24th of this month, according to notice of tryal given. The lot is of no great valne } be ; ng but seven and a half acres, yet I have thought it my duty not to give it up without tryal, allho' I am threatened by the same persons, to have an ejectment served upon me for the poor house, and two acres of land upon which I live, unless I will agree to some terms whereby the Presbyterians may have a share of what was anciently designed for a parsonage; but as there is no more than two small lots, (which have been long in the possession of the Church) I think to show no concession unless obliged to it." a That the Society's letter of June 27th, 1749, produced the de- sired effect, appears from the following: — 1751, the Rev. Mr. Wetmore, the Society's missionary at Rye, in this Province, writes, that "their Church had been lately improved, and is made neat and beautiful, and n >t only things, but pei sons are amended ; several who were formerly very negligent in their attendance on the Church, and very remiss in religion, being re- formed in those particulars." The following extract is from a letter of Mr. Samuel Purdy, the Society's schoolmaster at Rye : — MR. PURDY TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Rye, December- 20th, 1749. Rev. Sir, " I have for several years maintained in my house, a very capible master, well qualified, and employed wholly to tend th« school ; whom I have inspected as to his diligence and care in teaching and catechising, and by the advice of the Rev. Mr. Wetmore, I have, a few mouths ago, agreed with the people where Mr. D\vight formerly kept his school, about three miles 1 New-York M38. from Archives at Fulham, Vol. ii. p. 222. (Hawks'.) 282 HISTORY OF THE PARISH and a half from the church, in a place where there is a good schoolhouse, built in Mr. Dwight's time, and a good number of children near to it, mostly of parents belonging to the Church — among whom I have a prospect of being more useful, by having a steady and constant school kept there, than in the place where I have always kept it, near which are many Dis- senters, and their teacher having fixt himself near thereto, lately they have given me so much trouble and opposition, and made many endeavours of so little use, that I chose to be at some more trouble in having the care of my school at three miles dis- tance, and being at the expence to piy for the master's diet at a convenient house there, rather than labour to little purpose among an ungrateful people." 3 "There is nothing with which I have been so much struck and impressed, (says Dr. Berrian) as the zeal, the earnestness, and devotedness of the schoolmasters and catechists of that day. The former appear to have been selected from among the laity with great caution and care, and to have been persons of respectability and worth. Some of these were men of liberal education, who, in the commencement of their professional life, were full of promise, and who ended it with respect and hon- or. But they all seem to have entered with the same spirit upon their humble labors, and to have prosecuted them with a patience, and interest, and a blessed result, which put ours to shame at the present day. Intellectual, was not then, to the ex- tent that it is now, separated from religious improvement, but both went hand in hand throughout the week. The whole of early life was, in a certain measure, devoted to Christian instruc- tion, and not merely reserved for the scanty intervals between the hours of worship on the Lord's day. It is delightful to ob- serve, in the annual reports of the schoolmasters and catechists to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, with what cheerfulness and industry they appear to have labored in their useful, but lowly employment, &c." b 1 New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii, p. 223. (Hawks'.) b Rev. Dr. Berrian's Hist, of Trinity Church, N. Y., pp. 86, 87. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 283 The two following extracts are taken from Mr. Wetmore's reports for 1752 : — MR WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Rye, April 2d, 1 752. Rev. Sir, (: * * The party disputes which have run high among us for several years, to my great grief, obstruct the success which I might otherwise hope for, in my endeavours to promote a becoming z?al for piety and reformation of manners among the looser sort of my parishioners, which are too numerous. I am glad to hear of more visible success among my breth- ren, especially in Stamford Parish, which I am told, flourishes happily, and increases by ihe diligent endeavour of good Broth- er Dibblee, who nevertheless finds himself hard put to it, to sup- port a family with so small a salary as he has, and I am afraid the zeal of some young men in New England to undertake the ministry with such slender supports, and in expectation of more assistance from the poor people than they will find, may in the end prove of bad consequence in bringing contempt upon our order. 3 MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Rye, October 2d, 1752. Rev. Sir, My Parish is not free from factions and par- ties, but I think as quiet a^ it has been for sundry years past, and the several dissenting teachers in the bounds of my Parish 1 New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. p. 242. (Hawks'.) 2S4. HISTORY OF THE PARISH mike no advances to the prejudice of my several congregations, although they use their utmost endeavours ; however, as licen- tiousness and wickedness evidently abound more than formerly) yet I can attribute it to nothing more than party factions, which have been occasioned by the introducing and settling among us these sort of teachers which we had no trouble with till a few years ago." a Mr. Wetmore, in his report, for 1753, -acquaints the Society that his several congregations at Rye, White Plains, North Cas- tle and Bedford, are large and flourishing, and the disposition of those that opposed the interest of the Church in those places, seems changed for the better. The new light preacher is re- moved from Bedford, and there are some hopes of the people uniting with North Castle towards supporting a minister in the holy orders of our Church, to officiate alternately to them; in the meantime, the Church hath suffered a loss by the death of Mr. Purdy, the Society's schoolmaster, who was a friend to reli- gion, and did many kind offices to the poor, as far as he was able. His corpse was attended to the church, on Ash- Wednes- day, by a great concourse of people of all persuasions, to whom Mr. Wetmore preached a sermon adapted to that day, and to the melancholy occasion." Mr. Wetmore also mentions the loss of another worthy communicant, of exemplary piety and virtue, praying God to fill the breach made in his flock, by the loss of two such worthy members. b Mr. Purdy was succeeded in his office of schoolmaster for the Parish, by Mr. Timothy Wetmore, eldest son of the Rector, the appointment having been made by the Society, on the recommendation of the inhabitants of Rye. The Rev. James Wetmore. by his letter of October 4th, 1756, acknowledges the receipt of the Society's instructions, and prom- ises his best endeavours to observe and perform the contents of them ; in order to which, he had gone through all the parts of his extensive Parish, and preached in some adjacent places, where he had never been before, and where the people much wanted 1 New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulhaio, vol. ii. p. "242. (Hawks'.) * Printed Abstracts of Yen. Prop. Soc. from lGth Feb., 1753. to loth Feb., 1754. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 285 and seemed very desirous of further instruction. Mr. Wet more hath furnished his son, the Society's schoolmaster at Rye, with some proper sermons, and sends him on Sundays to read pr.iy- ers, and officiate to them, which gives such good satisfaction, and affords such promising hopes of promoting christian know- ledge among them, that young Mr. Wetmore continues the la- bour with great pleasure. " a The Abstracts of the Society's proceedings for 1759, say : — " The Rev. Mr. Wetmore, the Society's missionary, at Rye, in the Colony of New- York, has the pleasure of acquainting the Society by his letter, dated April 7th, 1759, that a very worthy person, a native of England, but now living in New- York, has put into his hands £600 of that currency, of which he reserves to himself the interest during his life, and hath left by his will £400 more to be added to it after his death, to purchase a con- venient glebe for the use of the Society's missionary at Rye, for ever; and he hath likewise intrusted several other charita- ble legacies to the care of the Society, besides the remainder of his estates for those good purposes for which the Society is in- corporated, and Mr. Wetmore makes not the least doubt of this good gentleman's perseverance in this resolution, he having given him leave to communicate thus much to the Society, and being always extraordinarily careful in the religious education of his family ; wherefore, the Society have returned their hearty thanks to this most worthy benefactor, for the £600 already aiven, and for his kind intentions of his other benefactions by his last will, with the assurance that they will most religiously ob- serve his directions concerning them, and to the utmost of their power fulfill the same." b In a letter of April 7th, 1759, Mr. Wetmore acquaints the Society, "That a very worthy person, a native of England, (St. George Talbot, Esq.,) but now being in New-York, had put into his hands £600 currency, of which he reserves to himself the * Soc. Abstracts from 20th Feb., 1756, to 18lh Feb., 1757. b Printed Abstracts of the Ven. Prop. Soc. for 1759. 280 HISTORY OF THE PARISH interest during life, and hath left by his will £400 more to be added after his death, to purchase a convenient glebe, and other liberal legacies." 3 - The Rev. James Wetmore, finished his earthly course, and fell asleep in the Lord, on Thursday, May loth, 1760, having been nearly thirty-four years minister of this Parish. " The last scene of his life was such as afforded the most pleasing pros-, pectof the real Christian's ho; e. His views were clear, his love was strong, and his joy unspeakable and full of glory." His re- mains repose in the old Parish burial ground, on the north-west side of Blind brook. A plain monumental tablet marks the spot and bears the following inscription : — Sacred to the Memory of The REV. MR. JAMES WETMORE, the late, Worthy, learned and faithful Minister of the Parish of Rye, for above 30 years, Who having strenuously defended the Church with his pen and adorned it by his Life and Doctrine, at-length being seized of the small pox, Departed this Life, May 15, 1760. jEtatis, 65. Cujus Memorise sit in Benedictione sempiterna. The subjoined notice of his death appeared in the New- York Mercury, for May 29th, 1760. " On the 13th, of the small pox, in the 65th year of his age, the Rev. Mr. James Wetmore, Rec- tor of Rye, very much lamented. This worthy clergyman was blessed with an extensive understanding, which he improved by a due application to the most important studies. He was well versed in various parts of useful learning, and had a thorough knowledge of our happy constitution, both in Church and State, » Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Society. — Mr. Wetmore's death is mentioned in the Society's Abstracts for 1761, where the following character is given of him by the Rev. Mr. Winslow : " He was a gentleman of extensive usefulness, and a father and exemplary pastor to the clergy in those parts." AND CHURCH OF RYE. 287 of which he was a staunch friend and an able advocate. a In the important discharge of his ministerial office he was zealous, con. stant, and unwearied ; and though he observed with grief, the great decay of true Christianity and genuine piety, (which he often heartily lamented to his friends,) yet he persevered warmly in the defence of the former, and in recommending the latter, both by precept and example. His church has lost a faithful pastor, his wife and family, an affectionate husband and a tender parent, and the publick, a worthy and useful member. But, — " Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." "I have often heard some aged persons (says the Rev. Andrew Fowler) who recollected Mr. Wetmore, speak of him with great veneration, as a good man and a sound divine. He was not the eloquent orator, nor the fascinating speaker ; b but he » The following is a list of his writings, as far as known, viz: — 1. Two Printed Letters in Answerto the Quakers, 1730. 2. Printed Dialogues in Answer to the same, 1732. 3. A Defence of Waterland's Discourse on Regeneration, 1744. 4. A Vindication of the Professors of the Church of England, in Connecticut, in reply to Mr. Hobart's Sermon in F.tvor of Presbyterian Ordination and a Re- joinder to Mr. Hobart's Serious Address, 1747. 5. The Englishman Directed, 1748. 6. Appendix, &c, to Rev. J. Beach's " Calm and Dispassionate Vindication of the professors of the Church of England," 1749. b • It is reported of Mr. Wetmore, that being in the city of New- York on a visit, be was invited by the Rector of Trinity Church, Dr. Ogilvie, to preach for him; but no sooner was the sermon over, than a particular friend of the rector, asked him, privately, how he could invite that old f—l into his pulpit 1 " Why," said the Rector, " did you not like him ?" His friend replied, " No: I never heard a more stupid discorcrsc in my life." When the Rector came home, he desired Mr. Wetmore to lend him the sermon he had preached that day and promised to return it when he should see him again. Mr. Wetmore readily complied with his re- quest, and loaned him the discourse ; and not long after, the Rector thinking his friend had forgotten it, took it to church, where he happened to be as usual, and the Rector preached it instead of his own. His friend was pleased with the ser- mon, and told him after church, that he had outshone himself, and that his dis- course was the best he had ever heard in his life. The Rector replied that he felt highly gratified to think that he was well pleased with the sermon ; but added, i t was none of his own; it was the very one which the Old F — I, as you called him, at the time, delivered in my pulpit. " Well," said he to this Rector's friend, " if he preaches such sermons as that, I will never object to his preaching in your pulpit again." So apt are people to condemn a clergyman for what they them- selves do not understand."— Fowler's MSS. Biog. of the Clergy, vol. ii., p. 548. 288 HISTORY OF THE PARISH was the rational and evangelical divine, and few clergymen in his day wrote better. When a little work, entitled, "The Eng- lishman Directed in the Choice of his Religion," was republish- ed in the city of New- York, he wrote a preface or introduction to it, which was considered to be very good. He also wrote and printed several dialogues in answer to the Quakers, and in de- fence of the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England. One of his pamphlets 1 have in my possession, which appears well calculated for the purpose it was intended ; and I see not how the Quakers could answer it in a rational and spiritual manner. I believe the Christian Church could never boast of better men, take them as a body, than the Society's missionaries to this country. They chose their profession from a pure love to religion and the cause of Christ, not from the love of money or the praise of men. They sought for no honour but that which cometh alone from God, and an approving conscience. Like their beloved Master, they were despised and rejected, and their reli- gion was everywhere spoken against and vilhfied. As the Apos- tles were a spectacle to men and angels, so were these men, and if they suffered not as martyrs, it was because the civil authority protected them." a Mr. Weimore left issue by his wife Anna, who died on the 2sth of February, 1771, two sons, Timothy, for several years the Society's school-master at Rye, and a person of considerable influence in the county, who, after the close of the Revolutionary War, retired to New Brunswick, resided at St. John's, and held numerous situations of honor and trust. Thomas, the son of Timothy, also removed to New Brunswick, where he was ap- pointed Attorney General, and died in lb28. b James, second son of the Rev. James Wetmore, was also the Society's schoohnas- » Fowler's MSS. Biog., of the Clergy, vol. ii, p. 212. b Robert G. Wetmore, of New- York, eldest sod of Timothy, also became a res- ident of New Brunswick, and abandoning the profession of the law, to which he was educated, devoted himself to the study of divinity, and was ordained a clergy- man of the Episcopal Church. He died in 1803, in Savannah, Geo., at the seat of the Hon. Joseph Clay." — See Sabine's American Loyalists. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 289 ter, at Rye, for a short time, and died in Nova Scotia, leaving several sons, one of these was the late Ezrahiah Wetmore, who died on the 7th of February, 1838, aged 81. Elizabeth, widow of the latter, is still living at the advanced age of 93. The Rev. James Wetmore left also four daughters, Alethea, wife of the Rev. Joseph Lamson; Anna, wife of Gilbert Brundage; a Charity, wife of Joseph Pnrdy, son of Samuel, the Society's school- master, from whom descend the Purdy's of Rye; and Esther, who married first, David Brown, and secondly, Jesse Hunt, Esq., high sheriff of this county, in 17b0. THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF JAMES WETMORE, CLERK. " In the name of God, Amrn. This sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord 1759. I, James Wetmore, of Rye, iu the County of Westchester, and Prov- ince of New- York, Clerk, being of sound mind and memory; but calling to mind the uncertainty of human life, and that 'tis appointed for man, once to die, and after that, the judgement ; do make, and ordain, and appoint this, my last will and testament, in manner following :, That is to say : First of all, I bequeath my soul to God whj gave it, hoping in his mercy, for everlasting life, through the alone merits of my blessed Redeemer ; and my body to the earth, to be buiied in a christianlike manner, at the discretion of my executors hereinafter named, in an assured expectation of its being raised up again at the last day by the Almigh- ty power of my Redeemer, to a state of greater glory and perfection, to remain forever; and as to the small portion of my worldly estate, with which it has pleased God to bless me, I will, bequeath, and dispose of the same in manner fol- lowing, viz: — Imprimis: I give and bequeath unto my loving wife, Anna Wet- more, instead of a legal dowry, the use and emolument of all that land, orchard, meadow, and pasture, which Samuel Lane sold to Raphael Jacobs, lying in the town of Rye, with the house thereon, and all appurtenances thereto belonging, and also that pasture lot adjoining thereto, which formerly belonged to Peter Brown, on the east side of the road leading to Harrison's purchase, to the sole use of my said wife and her assigns, during the term of her natural life ; also, one equal half of linnen, bedding, and other household furniture, and the privi- ledge of what firewood she shall have occasion of for her own use ; also, three cows and one horse. Item, I give, devise, and bequeath to my loving son, James Wetmore, the priviledge of the shop, and dam upon Blind brook, for accommo- dating a fulling mill, with the utensils belonging to said mill ; also, the wood and pasture lott above the first stone fence, to extend from Abraham Brundige's land, south-westerly, half the width of my land bought of Joseph Haight, and from the stone fence that runs across my land near Brundige's house, north-westerly to the next fence that now runs across my land, together with a priviledge to cart and ■ Mother of Gilbert Brundage, the father of the present Mrs. Buckley, of Rye. 19 290 HISTORY OF THE PARISH drive cattle thereto, from the bridge to the fulling mill, to him, his heirs, and as- signs forever. Item, I give and bequeath to my loving son, Timothy, that house, barn, and improvements, bought of Mr. Jacobs, lying in the town of Rye, with all the land on the west side of the road which formerly belonged to Peter Brown. and also that part of my land bought of Joseph Haight, on the west side of Blind brook, running from said brook, north-westerly to the stone fence that now runs cross my land, near Abraham Brundige's, and to extend northerly to the lai:d I have sequestered for a glebe, which, at the upper end, by the stone fence, is to be half the width of my lot, to him, my said son Timothy, his heirs and assigns for- ever. Item. I give and bequeath unto my loving daughter, Alethea, wife of the Rev. Joseph Lamson, .£30, to be paid by my executors in one year after my de- cease. Item, I give, devise, and bequeath to my loving daughter, Anne, wife ot Gilbert Brundige, so much of my land at Bullock's meadow, as will be included by a line bearing the same course with the line between said Gilbert Brundige's land and that part of my farm he adjoins to, to begin at the south-east corner of said Gilbert Brundige's lot, bought of Henry Strang, to run cross meadow and woods, the course before specified, unto the land of William Haight, comprising that part of my farm that is north of said line, unto my said daughter Anne Brundige, her heirs and assigns forever; also, .£10, to be paid by my executors unto my said daughter within a year after my decease. Item, I give and bequeath unto my loving daughter, Charity, wife of Josiah Purdy, £30, to be paid by my executors in one year after my decease. Item, I will, devise, and bequeath unto my loving daughter, Esther Wetmore, the reversion of all that house, orchard, meadow, and pasture, which was formerly Samuel Lane's, and that pasture lot which did belong to Peter Brown, eastward of the road that leads to Harrison's purchase, with all the priviledges and appurtenances thereto belonging, after the decease of my wife, to whom I have given the use for life, the reversion and re- mainder to my said daughter, Esther Wetmore, to her heirs and assigns forever. I also give and bequeath unto my loving daughter, Esther, one equal half part of all my linnen, bedding, and other household furniture, the same to be equally di- vided between my wife and said daughter. All the residue and remainder of my estate real and personal, after the payment of above legacies and all my just debts, I will, devise, and bequeath unto my two loving sons, James Wetmore and Timothy Wetmore, to each, in severalty, to be equally divided between them, af- ter the sale of so much as shall be necessary for payment of .my just debts and legacies, unto them, their heirs and assigns forever ; and I do hereby nominate and appoint my said loving sons, James and Timothy, to be executors of this, my last will and testament, disannulling all former wills by me made, or executors by me nominated, and do confirm this, contained in these two pages, alone to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my name and seal. JAMES WETMORE.* ■ Surrogate's office, N. Y., Lib. xxiv. 125, 126. This will was proved 10th June, 17t>0. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 201 Signed, sealed, pronounced and declared to be his last will and testament, in disposing mind and memory, in presence of Hachaliah Brown, Roger Park, Jr., Benjamin Brown, Jr." The Society's Abstracts for 1760, say that — " the Missions of "Westchester and New Rochelle are both within the large and populous county of Westchester, as is also the Mission of Rye, to which the worthy and learned Mr. Wet more was appointed Missionary in the year 1727 ; but there is come lately an ac- count of his death, to the inexpressible concern, not only of his own, but of the neighbouring congregations of our Church in those parts, and more especially and particularly of those Mis- sionaries, who esteemed themselves happy in his friendship and good counsel, and his loss will be endeavoured to be repaired in the best manner in which it may be done." a At a Vestry meeting held in Rye, on the 9th of February, 1762, ' ; it was agreed to allow the executors of the Rev. James Wetmore, our late minister, the interest of what is due from the Parish to the estate of the said James Wetmore. Allowed to Timothy Wetmore, on account of his father's salary of £20." Nearly six months after Mr. Wetmore's decease, Dr. Johnson addressed the Secretary of the Venerable Society as -follows : — MR. JOHNSON TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] King's College, New -York, Nov. 25th, 1760. ' : I wish (Mr. Camp) may be appointed at Rye, where we lament the death of good Mr. Wetmore, of the small pox, and a good successor is much wanted, as well as at New Rochelle and Westchester, especially the latter, for which, perhaps, Mr. Milner may do well, or one Mr. Davis, a hopeful youth, who is going in the spring." b ■ Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Society, for 1760. «> New-York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii., p. 282. (Hawks'.) 292 HISTORY OF THE PARISH Mr. Barclay writing to the Secretary, from New-York, Dec. 10, 1760, observes — " That Westchester and Rye continue still vacant ; religion is at the lowest ebb in that county, and unless some zealous find discrete clergyman be appointed to those mis- sions, the very term of it will soon disappear. As Westchester is a wide extended county, three missionaries can find more than sufficient employment, and 1 know of no place where they can be more serviceable, provided they have the interest of religion at heart."* The following extract occurs in a letter from Mr. Timothy Wetmore, to the same : — Rye, May 6th, 1761. Rev. Sir, " It is now, I think, six or eight months since we have been favoured with a sermon, or had either of the sacraments admin- istered in this Parish by a minister of the Church. The Parish being in this destitute condition, I have presumed, at the request of the poople, to read service every Lord's day, and upon other convenient occasions, which appears to have a tendency, by the blessing of God, to keep up a spirit of religion, and as I have a singleness to the glory of God and the good and comfort of my fellow creatures, I hope it may tend to the furtherance of the glori- ous designs of the Venerable Society. The people are constant in their attendance, decent in their deportment, and the temper of many of the Presbyterian congregation is such, (who have no minister) that I am much inclined to think, if a popular man is settled in this Parish, they will not call another preacher, but many of them may be brought into the Church. The constitution of this Parish is such, that the minister must be called by the Vestry and inducted by the Governour. The Vestry are chosen by all sects in the Parish, which is thirty miles • New- York, MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii., p. 282 (Hawks'.)—" The Society have informed the Vestry (of Rye) that as soon as they shall make appli- cation for a minister, and enter into proper engagements to contribute towards his support, they intend to appoint a missionary." — Society Abstracts, 1761. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 293 in length. Mr. Thomas, who is one of the representatives in tli is county, and who, in Governour DeLancey's time, being favour-id with all the administration of all offices in the country, civil and military, by the help of which, he has procured him- self a large interest in the county, especially in the distant and new settlements, which abound with a set of people governed more by vinality than by anything else. This gentleman, though one of the Society's missionaries' sons, is so -negligent and indifferent towards religion (in imitation of some of our great men) that it has been a steady method with him for years, not to attend publick worship, perhaps, more than once or twice in a year, whose example has been mischievous. This man is not only one of our Vestry, (though very little esteemed by the true friends of the Church,) but has procured that the majority of the Vestry are men that will be governed by him ; several of the Vestry are not of the Church, and not one of them a communi- cant in the Church ; accordingly, the Church are not at all con- sulted with regard to a successor. It is, therefore, a mere chance will be pleased in this place, which will really be, if pos- sible, a more melancholy in this Parish than others, from the peculiar circumstance of it. As our Governour depends, from year to year, upon the Assembly for his living, &c, and we have not so fully hopes of relief there, I have thought fit to give the Venerable Society a hint of these things, which they may pos- sibly improve to the good of the Church. Reverend Sir, &c, Timothy Wetmore."* In answer to this letter the Venerable Society expressed their readiness to send a missionary to Rye, if necessary, and did so, by appointing the Rev. Mr. Palmer, in 1762. From the following communication, however, it seems that the Vestry in accordance with the Act of Assembly, had already called the Rev. Ebenezer Punderson, of New Haven. » New- York MSS. from. Archives at Fulham, vol. ii, pp. 28G, 287. (Hawks'.) 294 [HISTORY OF THE PARISH CHURCH-WARDENS OF RYE TO THE SECRETARY. Rye, October 5th, 1762. Rev. Sir, " As we are informed that the Vestry that have preceeded us since the decease of our late worthy minister, the Rev. Mr. Wet- more, have omitted writing to the Venerable Society, which we are afraid may be thought a neglect proceeding from a spirit of ingratitude, and may have a tendency to give that Venerable Body a disadvantageous opinion of the Parish. We think it our duty to represent to the Society, that the former Vestry did give a call or invitation to two gentlemen, who refused to accept it, and that it seems likely that they omitted writing, expecting from time to time, some gentleman might be procured to recommend to the Society for a missionary in this Parish. But, however their conduct has been, we are well as- sured, that the people of this Church have a most grateful sense of the goodness of the Venerable Society to this Parish. We, therefore, in behalf of the Parish of Rye, humbly present to that Venerable Board our sincere and hearty thanks for their great expense in promoting the religion of the blessed Jesus in this Parish, and earnestly desire a continuance of their favours, although we blush, yet it is a pleasing blush, to hear the Society (by you to Mr. Timothy Wetmore, dated January 4th. 17b2.) express their readiness to appoint a missionary here, be- fore we have made application. We have, at length, given the Rev. Mr. Ebenezer Punderson, of New Haven, an invitation to be our pastor, which he has ac- cepted, and as the Parish are well united in him, we have good reason to hope he may be very serviceable ; and I hope that his request to the Society to be removed here, will meet with a favourable acceptance. As to a title, we observe t-Mhe Society, that by a law of the province, a minister properly inducted into the Parish, is entitled to £50 currency. That we have petition- ed His Excellency, Mr. Monckton, our Governour, to induct Mr. Punderson, and we have no reason to doubt he will comply with AND CHURCH OF RYE. 295 our request, as every thing that can be required, on the part of the Parish, is done. We have also a parsonage house and lot, which Mr. Pundersop has seen and expressed his satisfaction with. We have only to add our thanks to the Venerable Society, and beg leave to subscribe ourselves, Your most obedient and humble servants, Elisha Budd, Samuel Purdy, Churchwardens, and others." a Dr. Johnson, writing to the Secretary,May U)th, 17(33, says: — " Mr. Punderson was indeed much urged by that people to Rye, who have, by law, a right to choose their incumbent, but upon my urging the irregularity of it, without the Society's appoint- ment, they desisted, and he did not move and only visited them now and then. But as things were so unhappily embar- rassed by the appointment of Mr. Palmer, then I saw there was no way to accommodate the difficulty but by advising an ex- change between him and Mr. Palmer, who was afso desirous of it, and 1 did not doubt but the Society would readily come into it. If I presumed too far in giving that advice, I humbly ask pardon, but as things are gone so far it will certainly be ex- tremely detrimental to the interest of religion, in both those places, if they are not permitted to exchange. I do, therefore, humbly beg, for once, that the Venerable Board will allow Mr. Punderson to go on and settle at Rye, and appoint Mr. Palmer, at New Haven, who have lately sent their address for him." b Mr. Palmer thus addresses the Secretary in relation to this affair : — ■ New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii., p. 291. (Hawks'.) b r 'onn. MSS. from Aichives at Fulliam, p. 417. (Hawks') c The Rev. Solomon Palmer was a dissenting teacher, at Cornwall. Conn. In 1754 lie conformed and went to England for holy orders. He died at his mission of Litchfield, Nov. 1st, 1771. and was interred the Sunday following. — See Conn. MSS. from Archives at Fulliam, p. G28. (Hawks'.) 296 HISTORY OF THE PARISH MR. PALMER TO THE SECRETARY". [extract.] Lilchjield, Conn.. June 8th. 1763. Rev. Sir, "I wrote the Society my most hearty and unfeigned thanks for their appointment of me at Rye, where I would gladly have gone had 1 not been intercepted by the Rev. Mr. Punderson's being there before that designation was known or expected ; however, I should have made them a visit and offered myself to be chosen by them, had they not taken a seasonable precaution to prevent it, by writing and sending me a letter of the follow- ing contents, which I received in less than a week, after yours of the 6th of November last came to hand, which gave me the first notice of my appointment to that mission." Rye, February 2\st, 1763. Rev. Sir, "We, the justices, churchwardens and vestrymen of the Parish of Rye, having greatly at heart the preservation of our happy union, that subsists in our church, presume, Sir, that you, a preacher of the gospel of peace, will highly concur with us in opinion of the absolute necessity of guarding against every event that threatens to impede its continuance. Ever since the decease of the Rev. Mr. Wetmore, our late worthy pastor, an unhappy spirit of discord about a successor to that office, very unfortunately prevailed among us, till the coming of the Rev. Mr. Punderson,in September last, when, by his unwearied endeavours and successful preaching in the several parts of his Parish, it pleased God to reunite the minds of the people in Mr. Punderson, and we did then, with one general voice, give Mr. Punderson an invitation to be our pastor, and he, to our great satisfaction, favoured us with his acceptance of it, and in con. sequence whereof, a petition was inline iiately drawn and lodged in the hands of the Honourable Daniel Horsmander, Esq , in New- York, to be presented at a proper time, by him and the AND CHURCH OF RYE. 297 Rev. Dr. Barclay, to his Excellency the Governour, to induct the Rev. Mr. Punderson into our Church, and on the 5th of Oc- tober last, the Vestry, attended by a number of parishioners, wrote a letter to the Honourable Society, acquainting them with their proceedings, and requested their consent to Mr. Punder- son's establishment among us, and which was transmitted to the Rev. Dr. Johnson, of New- York, to be forwarded by the first conveyance, under cover of the Dr's. letter of recommenda- tion, on this occasion, to the Society, so that both the Dr's. and Vestry's letters have doubtless long ere now, reached the Socie- ty's hands, and we have the greatest reason to expect, from the known pious interest of that Venerable Body, an agreeable an- swer to our request. Mr. Punderson, who is now here, and has once more favoured us with many visits, wherein he has happi- ly revived no inconsiderable spirit of religion among us, and in consequence thereof has gained our greatest esteem ; and in- deed, it now visibly appears that he is actually sealed in the hearts of the people in general, who, with great discontent now lament our misfortune, (excuse the expression) of your appoint- ment for this Parish, before the Dr.'s and Vestry's letters could meet the Society's hand, and on which occasion, a cloud of dis- cord does already threaten our peace in the Church; and we firmly believe that a disappointment of having Mr. Punderson for our minister, would prove very fatal to her. Thus, sir, we have considered well ourduty and our representationsof this Par- ish, giving you a faithful information of our proceedings since Mr. Punderson's first coming here, and also our own, as well as the parishioners sentiments in regard to your appointment, which we freely communicate to you, on no other motive than an ear- nest desire of the parishioners in general, that neither the con- tinuance of our happy reunion in Mr. Punderson, nor his estab- lishment among us may be impeded on your application to Dr. Johnson and other gentlemen of the clergy, who in general, very well know how matters stand here. We presume you'll be convinced to your satisfaction, that we speak the real senti- ments of the Parish in general, as they are also our own, without the least tincture of prejudice or any other motive than the preser- 298 HISTORY OF THE PARISH vation of peace and harmony in the Church, and also his res- toration from his much reduced situation ; and be assured, if things were circumstanced now as they were before Mr. Pun- derson's coming here, we should receive you cheerfully with open arms, agreeable to your character, and with the respect that is justly due to the Venerable Society's appointment. We remain, most respectfully, Rev. Sir, your very humble servants, Andrew Merritt, ; ,-,, , » ! 3 ( Churchwardens, Ebenezer Kniffen. ) and several others." At the same time I received the above, came to hand the fol- lowing one : — Neio Haven, February 25th, 1763. Dear Brother. "Your letter for Dr. Johnson of the 22d of January, which came not to hand until Wednesday evening last. I am inform- ed the Society have appointed you to succeed the Rev. Mr. Wetmore, deceased, at Rye ; (not having received the united re- quests of the people there, the Doctor's and myself, for my re- moval to that place) as this news was altogether unexpected to us all, it seems not a little to disconnect matters, for had I known of your writing to the Venerable Society for that Parish, I should never have consented to their desires of becoming minister. However, the Doctor gives it as his opinion to the Vestry at Rye, and also in his letter to me, the best method of preserving peace and unity in the Church, is for you to succeed me here, and for me to remove to Rye, and he cannot but think you will give satisfaction here. I have with this, forwarded a letter from the representatives of that Parish, which they com- mitted to my care, as the likeliest method of a direct convey- ance of it, for it is the Doctor's desire that the affair may be settled as soon as possible. I am, your affectionate brother, Ebenezer Punderson.'^ » Conn. MSS. from Archives at Fulham, p. 452. (Hawks'.) AND CHURCH OF K\E. 299 The REV. EBENEZER PUNDERSON, A. M., Mr. Wetmore's successor, was the son of Thomas Punderson, of New Haven, where he was born in the year 1704. His grandfather, John, was the only son of John Pnnderson, who emigrated from Yorkshire to New England in 1637. and was one of the "seven pillars" who formed the first Congregational Society at New Haven. a Mr. Punderson was educated at Yale College, where he graduated in 1726. He also received the de- gree of Master of Arts from King's College in New-York, in 1753. Studying theology in the dissenting way, he was in" stalled pastor over the Second Congregational Society at Groton? December 25th, 1729. b In 1732, he came into the Episcopal Church, and in April, 1734, crossed the Atlantic to be ordained. c On his return, he reorganized a church at the village of Poque- tannuck, North Groton, 1 73S, which has ever since existed, though it has always been small, and has never been able to sustain a pastor of its own, but has principally relied on Nor" wich for ministerial supply. Mr. Punderson was, for some years, an itinerant missionary of the Society, for the Propaga- tion of the Gospel, and preached at Groton, Hebron, and other places adjacent, from 1740 to 1750. He was the first regular * John Punderson sailed from England on the 25th of July, 1637, in company with John Davenport and others. He died llth February, 1680. His only son, John, was born in 1643, and died in 1729. The name originally was Punchardon. The arms of Punderson are : — ar. a fesse within a bordure gu. charged with eight escallops of the first, ('rest — a unicorn's head, erased, gu., bezantee and armed or. b Trumbull's Hist, of Conn., vol. ii. p. 530 • Mr. Seabury writing to the Sec. from New London, March 30th, 1734, says: — " Mr. Punderson, who is going to England, about five years ago was called to preach in a Presbyterian or Independent way at Groton, near New London, where be even received ordination, but falling under d >ubts and scruples concerning their form of ordinal ion and method of Church government, and at the same time ac- quainting himself with the Church of England, he found himself obliged upon true and regular conviction to embrace her communion, and thereupon he laid down his ministry, in which he was settled to good advantage." — Conn. M.SS. from Archives at Fulham, p. 18!). (Hawks'.) 300 HISTORY OF THE PARISH officiating clergyman at Norwich, upon the erection of their church in 1750. The Venerable Society's Abstracts for the year ending 1753, say: — "The Rev. Mr. Punderson, the Society's itinerant mis- sionary in Connecticut, having petitioned the Society to be set- tled a missionary, with only a part of his salary, (which is £70 per annum) to the members of the Church of England in New Haven, the place of his nativity, (where a new Church is built, to which Mr. Punderson gave the greatest part of the timber,) and to those of the neighbouring towas of Guilford and Bran- ford ; the Society, out of regard to the advanced years of Mr. Punderson, and to his past good services, and to the great trou- bles he has met with from some oppressive persons in Connect- icut, have granted his request, and have appointed him their missionary to the three towns of New Haven, Guilford, and Bran ford, with a salary of fifty pounds per annum; and de- sired him to recommend some proper young person, educated in one of the colleges there, to succeed him in the remaining part of his itinerant mission." Mr. Punderson was presented to the Governor for induction, in the following manner : — THE PRESENTATION OP THE CHURCHWARDEN'S AND VESTRY- MEN OF THE PARISH OF RYE OF MR. EBENEZER PUNDERSON TO THE RECTORY OF SAID PARISH. " To the Honourable Cadwallader Colden, Esq., his Majesty's Lieuten- ant Governour, and Commander in Chief of the Province of New- York, and the Territories depending thereon, in America : The Churchwardens and Vestrymen of the Parish of Rye, including the districts or precincts of Rye, Mamaroneck, and Bedford, in the County of Westchester, in the Province of New- York, the true and undoubted patrons of the said Parish, with- in your Honour's government ; in all reverence and obedience to your Honour, due and suitable, send greeting, in our Lord God everlasting, and certifye that to the said Parish of Rye, including the districts or precincts of Rye, Mamaroneck, and Bed- ford, now being vacant by the natural death of James Wetmore, the last incum- beut of the same, and to our presentation of full right belonging, we have called our beloved in Christ, Ebenezer Punderson, Clerk, to officiate in the said Parish church of Rye. called Grace Church ; and him, the said Ebenezer Punderson, sends by these presents to your Honour, present, humbly praying that you would vouchsafe him to the said church and Parish of Kye, including the districts or precincts aforesaid, to admit, institute, and cause to be inducted, with all its rights, members, and appurte- AND CHURCH OF RYE. 301 nances, and (hat you will, with favour and effect, do and fulfill all and singular, other things which in this behalf are proper and fitting for your Honour to do. In testimony whereof, we, the Churchwardens and Vestrymen aforesaid, have to these presents put our hands and seals, this day of November, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-three. Ebenezer Kniffen, ) „, , , > Churchwardens, Andrew Merrit. S and seven Vestrymen." 3 LIEUTENANT GOVERNOUR COLDEN'S ADMISSION OF MR. PUN- DERSON AS RECTOR OF THE PARISH CHURCH OF RYE, &c. " I, Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, his Majesty's Lieutenant Governour, and Commander in Chief of the Province of New- York, and the Territories depending thereon in America, do admit you, Ebenezer Punderson, Clerk to be Kector of the Parish Church of Rye, commonly called Grace Church, and of the Parish of Rye, including the several districts or precincts of Rye, Mainaroueck, and Bedford, in the County of Westchester, within the said Province. Given under my hand and the prerogative sea] of the Province of New-York, at Fort George, in the City of New-York, the seventeenth day of November, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-three. CADWALLADER GOLDEN."*- LIEUTENANT GOVERNOUR COLDEN'S INSTITUTION OF MR. PUN- DERSON AS RECTOR OF THE PARISH CHURCH OF RYE, &c. " I, Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, bis Majesty's Lieutenant Governour and Commander in Chief of the Province of New- York, and the Territories depending thereon, in America, do institute yuu, Ebenezer Punderson, Clerk, Rector of the Parish Church of Uye, commonly called Grace Church, and of the Parish of Rye including the several districts or precincts of Rye, Mamaroneck, and Bedford, in the County of Westchester, in the said Province, to have the care of the souls of the parishioners of the said Parish ; and take your cure and mine. Given under my hand and the prerogative seal of the Province of New-York, at Fort George, in the City of New-York, the seventeenth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-three. CADWALLADER COLDEN." MANDATE FROM LIEUTENANT GOVERNOUR COLDEN TO IN- DUCT MR. PUNDERSON INTO THE RECTORSHIP OF THE PAR- ISH OF RYE. '•' The Honourable Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, his Majesty's Lieutenant Gover- * Copied from the original document in the possession of John C. Jay, Esq., Se- nior Warden of the Parish. b Ibid. 302 HISTORY OF THE PARISH nour and Commander in Chief of the Province of New-York, and the Territories de- pending thereon in America. To all and singular. Rectors and Parish Ministers whatsoever, in the Province of New-York, or to Andrew Alcrrit and Ebenezer Knif- fen, the present Churchwardens of the Parish of Rye, in tho County of Westches- ter, and to the Vestrymen of the said Parish, and to each and every of you, greet- ing : — Whereas, I have admitted our beloved in Christ, Ebenezer Punderson, Clerk, to the Rectory of the Parish Church at Rye, commonly called Grace Church, and of the Parish of Rye, including the several districts or precincts of Rye, Mamaro- neck, and Bedford, in the county of Westchester within this government, to which the said Ebenezer Punderson was presented unto me by the Churchwardens and Vestrymen of the said Parish, the true and undoubted patrons of the said Parish, va- cant, as is say'd by the natural death of James Wetmore, the last incumbent there, on or about the nineteenth day of May, one thousand seven hundred and sixty ; and him, the said Ebenezer Punderson, I have instituted into the Rectory of the said Parish Church and Parish, with all their right:, members, and appurtenances, observing the laws and canons of right, in that behalf required and to be observed. To you therefore, jointly and severally, I do commit, and firmly injoining, do com- mand each and every of you, that in due manner, him the said Ebenezer Punder- son, or his lawfull Proctor, in his name and for him, into the real, actual, and corpo- ral possession of the Rectory of the said Parish Church and Parish, including the districts or precincts aforesaid, and of all their rights and appurtenances, whatsoever, you induct, or cause to be inducted, and him so inducted, you do defend: and of what you shall have done in the premises thereof, you do duely certify unto me or other competent judge, in that behalf, when thereunto you shall be duely required. Given under my hand and the prerogative seal of the Province of New-York, at Fort George, in the City of New-York, the seventeenth day of November, in tho year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-three."* CADWALLADER COLDEX." CERTIFICATE OF MR PUNDERSON'S INDUCTION INTO THE REC- TORSHIP OF THE PARISH OF RYE, &c. " I, John Milner, Rector of the Parish of Westchester, in the County of West- chesLer and Province of New- York, do hereby certifye, that by virtue of a warrant hereunto annexed, from the Honourable Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, his Majesty's Lieutenant Governour and Commander in Chief of the Province of New-York, aforesaid, and the Territories depending thereon, in America ; I have this day in- ducted the Rev. Ebenezer Punderson, into the real, actual, and corporal possession of the Rectory of the Parish Church of Rye, commonly called Grace Church an^ of the Parish of Rye, including the several districts or precincts of Rye. Mama- runeck, and Bedford, in the County of Westchester aforesaid, with all their rights, members, and appurtenances, the 21st day of November, Anno Domini, 17G3. 1 Rec. of Commissions at Albany, fol. v., 274-5. — The original documents are in the possession of John C. Jay, Esq. AND CHURCH OP RYE. 303 The induction of the Rev. Ebenezer Punderson being executed, the above cer- tificate was signed, in consequence thereof, by the Rev. John Milner, in the presence of us, who subscribe our names as witnesses thereunto. JOHN MILNER, Rector of St. Peter's Church, Westchester, and twenty-one others." " I, Ebenezer Punderson, do here declare my unfeigned assent and consent to alj and everything contained and prescribed in and by ye Book entitled the Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of ye Sacraments; and ye Rites and Cere, monies of ye Church, according to the use of the Church of England ; together with ye Psalter or Psalms of David, pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches, and the form or manner of making, ordaining, and consecrating Bish- ops, Priests, and Deacons." " Upon the 4th day of December, 17G3, the above mentioned Ebenezer Punder- son, after divine service was began, and before it was ended, read distinctly the thirty-nine Articles of Religion, and declared his unfeigned assent and consent to them; and also made the above declaration. Witness. Hachaliah Brown, Timothy Wetmore."" The following extract is from Mr. P undersoil's first report to the Secretary : — MR. PUNDERSON TO THi^ SECRETARY. [extract.] Rye, November 12th. 1762. Rev. Sik, "I am now entered upon the thirtieth year in the service of the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, &c, and notwithstanding I have laboured under many infirmities, a Copied from the original documents in the possession of John C. Jay, Esq. " The ancient mode of induction was as follows : — The person who executed the induction, took the individual to be inducted by the hand, laid it on the key of the Church, in the door, and pronounced these words, viz : — ' By virtue of this warrant, I induct you into the real, actual, and corporal possession ot the Parish Church of Rye, commonly called Grace Church, and of the Parish of Rye, in- cluding the several Districts or Precincts of Rye, Mamaroneck, and Bedford, in the County of Westchester, within this Province of New- York, with all their rights, members, and appurtenances' — Then he opened the door of the Church, and put the person in possession thereof, who usually tolled the Church bell — 304 HISTORY OP THE PARISH yet have by divine goodness been enabled to perform divine service every Sunday, save one, during the long term ; and have rid, and preached more than two sermons in three weeks, ye whole of the time. Upwards of nine years have I been in the Society's service, at New Haven, Guilford, and Brandford, where I have six churches, and have more than one hundred and sixty communicants, and by the blessing of heaven upon my zealous and painful endeavours to serve the Church of God which he has purchased with his own blood ; I have almost solely raised up eleven churches in Connecticut, and from the force and fraud of the powers of darkness and evil, and wicked men, who are their instruments, have suffered more than probably almost any man now alive ; but blessed be God whose property it is lo bring light out of darkness, good out of evil, and order out of confusion, has made all these things work together for my best good, the increase of my faith, and patience and fer- vent zeal to promote the salvation of immortal souls. a Rev, Sir, &c, Ebenezer Punderson." At a meeting of the Vestry held at the house of Abraham Theall, on the 1st of February, 1763, the Vestry "allowed to the Rev. Ebenezer Punderson, for his service in the Church, from the 1st day of July, 1762, to the 1st day of February, 1763, the sum of £25 0; also, for his salary to January 1st, 1764, £50." Upon the 9th of April, 1763, "The Justices and Vestry voted then the inductor certified the induction, which he endorsed on the warrant, and also all those who were present usually set their hands to it as witnesses. The person thus inducted, had to, within two months afterward, read the thirty-nine Articles, and declare his unfeigned assent and consent lo them, after the Com- mon Prayer was began, and before it was ended, and likewise within the said t wo months, he had upon Sunday, to read the whole service for that day, out of the Book of Common Prayer, and deilver his assent to it in that very Church to which he was i.iducted, in the words as above. ■ New- York MSS. from Archives at Pulham, vol. ii. pp. 311, 312. (Hawks'.) AND CHURCH OF RYE. 305 the sum of two hundred and forty-five pounds on the several districts of the Parish, in manner following, viz : — Rye, - - - - £68 18 7 Manor of Scarsdale, - 25 4 6 Bedford, - - - 50 18 6 Mamaroneck, - - 18 10 White Playns, - - 24 9 North Castle, - - 56 19 5 £245 00 At this meeting, " The Vestry considered that there was not money in the Churchwardens hands to pay the Rev. Mr. Pun- derson the twenty-five pounds that was voated, for services done in the Church by said Mr. Punderson, from July the 1st, 1762, to January 1st, 1763. — There then appeared Mr. Peter Jay, John Thomas, Esq., Mr. Benjamin Griffen, Elisha Budd, Esq., and Mr. William Sutton, and advanced five pounds a piece, ma- king the twenty-five pound. Ordered that the aforesaid be paid as soon as it shall be collected by the constables, and paid to said persons above, by the Church wardens." 3 - The Society's Abstracts for 1763, say :— « The Rev. Mr. Pun- derson, the Society's missionary at Rye, in his letter dated Oc- tober 10th, 1763, writes, since his removal to Rye, in May last, besides preaching two-thirds of the Sundays at Rye, and the other third at White Plains, North Castle and Bedford, (the first? seven, and the other, twenty miles from Rye Church) he has been twice to Crumpond and once to Croton, each thirty miles from Rye. In his occasional visits, and since his residence at Rye, he has christened nineteen adults, and ninety-two children, and he has added several to our communion, and is preparing many more. Upon Mr. Punderson's representation of a great want of Prayer Books, a large number have been sent him to be distributed among his poor parishioners." b ■ Church Records of Rye. b Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. from 18th of Feb., 1763, to 17th of Feb., 1764. 20 306 HISTORY OF THE PARISH Thus actively engaged in the glorious work of extending the Redeemer's kingdom, the life of this faithful and virtuous sol- dier of the Cross glided peacefully along, until the 22d day of September, 1764, when his Master called him home tothe rest that remaineth for the people of God. His remains are interred be- side those of Wetmore, in the Episcopal burying ground at Rye, where a neat monument is erected, with the following inscrip- tion : — Sacred to the Memory of the Rev :d . Ebenezer Punderson, Late Missionary to the Rev'" 1 . Society for Propagating the Gospel in foreign Parts, who died 22d SeP., A. D. 1764, Being 60 Years of Age. With Pure Religion Was his Spirit fraught, Practis'd Himself what he to others Taught. The following notice of his death appeared in the " New- York Post Boy," for October 4th, 1764 :— "We hear from Rye, that the Rev. Mr. Ebenezer Punderson, late Minister of that place, missionary from the Honourable So- ciety for the Propagation of the Gospel, &c, died there on Sat- urday, the 22d alt., after a few days illness, much lamented."* Mr. Punderson left two sons, Ebenezer, the eldest, graduated at Yale College in 1755, and settled at Preston, Connecticut, where he died, A. D., 1809. b His son, Ebenezer, died in 1846- 7, leaving two sons, Francis, of Hudson, Columbia Countv, N. Y., and the Rev. Ephraim Punderson, of Western New- York ; besides two daughters, Mary and Elizabeth. Cyrus » The Boston Gazette ftfr the 15th of October, 1764, says :— "that he died at Rye, on Sunday, the 22d ult.," but this must be a mistake, as the 22d occurred on a Saturday. — See Cresswell's Secular Diary, published in N. Y., A. D., 1849. b The following obituary notice appeared in the Churchman's Mag., for 1809. " Uied at Preston, in Connecticut, on Thursday, the 6th of April last, after about a fortnight's illness of the epidemic, typhus fever, Mr. Ebenezer Punderson, Mer- chant, eldest son of the Rev. Ebenezer Punderson, deceased, who was formerly a missionary for the Ven. Soc. for the Propagation of the Gospel, in Connecticut, afterwards at New Haven, and finally at Rye." AND CHURCH OF RYE." 397 Punderson, the second son of the Rev. Ebenezer, was born at North Groton, Conn., April 17th, 1737, educated at Yale, and was admitted Master of Arts of Kings College, N. Y., in 175S. He entered the medical profession, and married Catharine, el- dest daughter of Dr. George Muirson, (only son of the Rev. George Muirson, second Rector of this Parish,) by whom he left issue, six children, viz :— Elizabeth, George Muirson, Cyrus Mi- ner, Thomas, Anna, and Gloriana. The latter, who was born August 9th, 1778, and married Capt. Jedediah Hart, is still liv- ing at Setauket. Dr. Punderson died at New- York, January 10th, 1789, and was buried beside his wife, under Caroline Church, Setauket, Long £sland. a Upon the 19th day of December, 1764, Grace Church, Rye, received the following charter from King George the Third :— ROYAL CHARTER OP GRACE CHURCH, RYE. " George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, Prance and Ire- land, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth, To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting: "Whereas our loving subjects, Peter Jay, Elisha Budd Christopher Isinghart, Timothy Wetmore, Caleb Purdy, Joshua Purdy, John Guion, Joseph Purdy, Gilbert Willet, John Carhart, Thomas Sawyer, Gilbert Brundige, John Thomas, William Sutton, Anthony Miller and John Adee, in- habitants of the Parish of Rye, in the County of Westchester, in our province of New- York, in communion of the Church of England as by law established ; by their humble petition presented on the sixteenth day of November last past, to our trusty and well beloved Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, our Lieutenant Governour and Commander in chief of our Province of New- York and the territories de- pending thereon in America, in Council, did set forth that the inhabitants of the said Parish of Rye, in communion of the Church of England as bv law established, have by voluntary contributions erected and finished a decent and convenient church in the town of Rye, in the said Parish, for the celebration of divine service, according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England, but that from a want of some persons legally authorized to superintend the same and manage the affairs and interests thereof, the said church is greatly decayed, and the petitioners discouraged from contributing to the repair thereof, least the money given for that purpose may be mis-applied, and that on that account also, charitable and well disposed people are discouraged in their design of establishing proper funds for the future support of the said church and the better maintenance of the ministry, * Kindly furnished by the Rev. F. M. Noll, Rector of Setauket. 303 HISTORY OF THE PARISH and therefore humbly prayed in behalf of themselves and the rest of the inhabitants of the said Parish in communion of the Church of England as by law established, our letters patent incorporating them and the rector and inhabitants of the said Parish in communion of the Church of England as by law established, for the time being, a body corporate and politick, with such rights, privileges, and immu- nities, as should appear proper and expedient to answer the purposes aforesaid. Now, We being willing to encourage the pious intentions of our said loving sub- jects and to grant this their reasonable request, Knew Ye, that of our espe- cial grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, we have ordained, given, grant- ed and declared, and by these presents for us, our heirs, and successors, do ordain, give, grant and declare, that they the said petitioners and the rest of the inhabi- tants of the said Parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law established, and their successors the inhabitants of the said Parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law established, with the rector of the said Parish of Rye for the time being, for ever, shall forever hereafter be one body corporate and politick in deed, fact and name, by the name, stile and title of the rector and inhabitants of the Parish of Rye, in communion of the Church of England as by law established, and them and their successors by the same name, we do by these presents, for us our heirs and successors really and fully make; erect, create and constitute one body politick and corporate indeed, fact and name for ever, and will, give, grant, and ordain, that they and their successors, the rec- tor and inhabitants of the Parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law established, by the same name shall and may have perpetual succes- sion, and shall and may be capable in law to sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, answer and be answered unto, defend and be defended in all courts and elsewhere, in all manner of actions, suits, complaints, pleas, causes, matters and demands whatsoever, as fully and amply as any other our liege subjects of our said Province of New- York may or can sue or be sued, implead or be im- pleaded, defend or be defended, by any lawful ways or means whatsoever, and that they and their successors by the same name shall be tor ever hereafter capa- ble and able in the law to purchase, take, hold, receive, and enjoy any mes- suages, tenements, houses, and real estate whatsoever, in fee simple, for term of life or lives, or in any other manner howsoever, for the use of the said church, and also any goods, chattels, or personal estate whatsoever; Provided always, that the clear yearly value of the said real estate (exclusive of the said church and the ground whereon the same is built aad the cemetery belonging to the same) doth not at any time exceed the sum of five hundred pounds current money of our said province, and that they and their successors by the same name shall have full power and authority to give, grant, sell, lease and dispose of the same real estate for life or lives, or years, or for ever, under certain yearly rents, and all goods, chattels and personal estate whatsoever, at their will and pleasure, and that it shall and may be lawful for them and their successors to have and use a common seal, and our will and pleasure further is, and we do hereby for us, our heirs and suc- cessors, ordain and appoint that there shall be for ever hereafter belonging to the said church, one rector of the Church of England as by law established, duly qualified for the cure of souls, two churchwardens and eight vestrymen, who shall AND CHURCH OP RYE. 309 conduct ami manage the affairs and business of the said church and corporation in mariner as hereafter is declared and appointed, and for the more immediate carryiig into execution our royal will and pleasure herein, we do hereby assign, constitute and appoint Peter Jay and Elisha Budd to be present churchwardens, and John Thomas, Joshua Purdy. Christopher Isinghart, William Sutton, John Adee, Caleb Pardy, Anthony Miller and Timothy Wetmore, to be the present ves- trymen of the said church, who shall hold, possess, and enjoy their said respective offices until Tuesday in Easter week, which shall come and be in the year of our Lord one thousand, seven hundred and sixty-six, and for the keeping up the succes- sion in the said offices, our royal will and pleasure is, and we do hereby establish, direct and require, that on the said Tuesday in Easter week in the said year of our Lord one thousand, seven hundred and sixty-six, and yearly and every year thereafter for ever, on Tuesday in Easter week in every year, the rector and inhabitants of the Parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law established, shall meet at the said church, and there by the majority of voices of such of them as shall so meet, elect and choose two of their members to be churchwardens, and eight others of their members to be vestrymen of the said church for the ensuing year, which said churchwardens and vestrymen so elected and chosen, shall immediately enter upon their respective offices, and hold, exer- cise and enjoy the same respectively from the time of such elections for and du- ring the space of one year, and until other fit persons shall be elected and chosen in their respective places, and in case the churchwardens or vestrymen, or either of them, by these presents named and appointed or which shall be hereafter elect- ed and chosen by virtue of these presents, shall die or remove from the said Par- ish of Rye before the time of their respective appointed services shall be expired, or refuse or neglect to act in the office for which he or they is or are herein nomi- nated and appointed, or whereunto he or they shall or may be so elected and chosen, then our royal will and pleasure is, and we do hereby direct, ordain and require the rector and inhabitants of the Parish of Rye in communion as aforesaid, for the time being to meet at the said church, and choose other or others of their members in the place and stead of him or them so dying, removing or refusing to act within thirty days next after such contingency, and in this case for the more due and orderly conducting the said elections and to prevent any undue proceedings therein, wo do hereby give full power and authority to, and ordain and require that the rector and the said churchwardens of the said church for the time being, or any two of them, shall appoint the time for such election and elections, and that the rec- tor of said church, or in his absence, one of the said churchwardens for the time being, shall give public notice thereof by publishing the same at the said church, imme- diately after divine service on the Sunday next proceeding the day appointed for such election, hereby giving and granting that such person or persons as shall be so chosen from time to time by the rector and inhabitants of the said Parish of Rye in communion as aforesaid, or the majority of such of them as shall in such case meet in manner hereby directed, shall have, hold, exercise and enjoy such the office or offices to which he or they shall be so elected and chosen from the time of such elec- tion, until the Tuesday in Easter week thence next ensuing, and until other or others 310 HISTORY OF THE PARISH be legally chosen in his or their place or stead, as fully and amply as the person or persons in whose place he or they shall he chosen might or could have done hy vir- tue of these presents ; and we do hereby will and direct that this method shall for ever hereafter be used for the filling up all vacancies that shall happen in either the said offices between the annual elections above directed ; and our royal will and pleasure further is, and we do hereby for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant that as well the churchwardens and vestrymen in these presents nominated and appointed, as such as shall from time to time be hereafter elected and chosen as is herein directed, shall have and they are hereby invested with full power and authority to execute their several and respective offices in as full and ample manner as any churchwardens or vestrymen in that part of our kingdom of Great Britain called England, or in this our province of New- York, can or lawfully may execute their said respective offices ; and further our royal will and pleasure is, and we do by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, give, grant, ordain and appoint, that the rector and the said churchwardens of the said church for the time being, or any two of them, shall and may from time to time, as occasion shall require, summon and call together, at such day and place as they shall think proper, the said rector, churchwardens and vestry- men for the time being, to meet in vestry, giving them at the least, one day's notice thereof, and we hereby require them to meet accordingly : and we do hereby give, grant and ordain, that the said rector and one of the said churchwardens for the time being at least, together with the majority of the said vestrymen of the said church for the time being, being met in vestry as above directed, shall forever hereafter have* and they are hereby invested with full power and authority by a majority of their voices, to do and execute in the name of the rector and inhabitants of the Parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law established, all and singular, the powers and authorities hereinbefore given and granted to the said rector and in- habitants of the, Parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law established, any wise touching or relating to such lands, messuages and tenements, real and personal estate whatsoever, as they the said rector and inhabitants of the Parish of Rye in communion as aforesaid, shall or may acquire for the use of the said church, and also in like manner to order, direct, manage and transact the general in- terest, business and affairs of our said corporation, and also shall have full power and authority in like manner to make and ordain such rules, orders and ordinances as they shall judge convenient for the good government and discipline of the members of the said church, provided such rules, orders and ordinances be not repugnant to the laws of that part of our kingdom of Great Britain called England, or of this our pro- vince of New-York, but as near as may be agreeable thereto, and that the same be fairly entered in a book or books to be kept for that purpose ; and also in like man- ner to appoint the form of the common seal hereinbefore granted, and the same to alter, break, and new make at their discretion ; and also in like manner to appoint such officer or officers as they shall stand in need of; always provided, that the rector of the said church for the time being shall have the sole power of nominating and ap- pointing the clerk to assist him in performing divine service, as also the sexton, any thing hereinbefore contained to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding ; which AND CHURCH OF RYE. 3U clerk and sexton shall hold and enjoy their respective offices daring the will and pleasure of the rector of the said church for the time being. And whereas by the death of the late # ministerof the said church the same is now in avoidance, our royal will and pleasure is, that in this case, and also in case of every future avoidance of the said church, either by the death of the rector thereof or otherwise, that the pow- ers and authorities hereby vested in the rector, churchwardens and vestrymen, in vestry met as above mentioned, shall, until the said church be lega'ly supplied with another incumbent, vest in and be executed by the said churchwardens of the said church for the time being ; provided always, they have the concurrence and consent of the major number of the whole vestrymen of the said church appointed by these presents, or chosen by virtue hereof, for the time being, in every thing they shall in such case do by virtue hereof. And further, we do by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant unto the rector and inhabitants of the Parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law established, and their successors for ever, that this our present grant shall be deemed, adjudged and construed in all cases most favorably and for the best benefit and advantage of the said rector and in- habitants of the Parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law established, and that this our present grant being entered on record as is hereinafter particularly expressed, shall be good and effectual in the law to all intents, construc- tions and purposes whatsoever, against us, our heirs and successors, according to our true intent and meaning herein before declared, notwithstanding the not reciting or misreciting, not naming or misnaming of any of the aforesaid franchises, privileges, immunities, offices or other the premises, or any of them, and although no writ of ad quod damnum, or other writs, inquisitions or precepts hath or have been upon this account had, made, issued or prosecuted ; to have and to hold all and singular the privileges, liberties, advantages and immunities hereby granted or meant, mentioned or intended so to be, unto them the said rector and inhabitants of the Parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law established, and to their succes- sors for ever. In testimony whereof, we have caused these our letters to be made patent, and the great seal of our said province to be hereunto affixed, and the same to be entered on record in our secretary's office ill our city of New-York, in one of the books of patents there remaining. Witness, our trusty and well beloved Cadwaliader Colden, Esquire, our Lieutenant Governour and Commander in chief of our Province of New- York, and territories thereon in America, at our Fort in our city of New- York, by and with the advice and consent of our Council for our said province, the nineteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand, seven hundred and sixty-four, and of our reign the fifth. First skin, line the fortieth, the words or with, and second skin, line the twenty- seventh, the word is are interlined. CLARKE.'" At a vestry meeting, for this Parish, on the 7th of May, 1765, Book of Commissions, Secretary of State's office, Albany. 312 HISTORY OF THE PARISH it was "ordered that the churchwardens do take up on interest, the sum of twenty-five pounds to payoff the salary of the Rev. Mr. Punderson, deceased, in case his widow shall give security that it shall not be hereafter claimed by his executors or other per- sons as his estate." The following month the Society were favored with another letter from their faithful friend and schoolmaster at Rye : — MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Rye, June 1st, 1765. Rev. Sir, "The Venerable Society have, doubtless, long since heard that our Parish is again reduced to the melancholy state of being without. a minister, exposed to the infection of schism, irreligion, profaneness, and deism, or rather atheism. Mr. Smith, some- thing of a popular dissenting preacher, is again introduced into Rye and the White Plains. I am sorry to say it, I think the appearances of religion, are not so favourable as they have here- tofore been, and though the necessity is so great, the neighbour- ing clergy are so attached to their proper missions, that we have, not had, I think, the sacrament but once, and but two sermons preached in our Parish, since the death of Mr. Punderson. This being the melancholy state of the Church, and many mani- festly verging towards an indifferency about public worship ; to prevent which, and the dreadful consequences thereof, and also to prevent as far as lay in my power, as many as possible from being habituated to the dissenting meeting, taverns, and sloth- fulness on the Lord's Day, vices to which many of our people are too much addicted, and which Mr. Punderson's successor might be obliged to struggle hard with before he would be able to master, as also that we may have an opportunity of publicly adoring our great Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifyer ; I have presumed again to enter the sacred desk and read prayers at AND CHURCH OF RYE. 313 Rye and the White Plains, and elsewhere, occasionally, and such sermons, as I think, are best calculated for these purposes, and to propagate the great doctrines and practice of Christians ; and I have the satisfaction to think that my weak endeavours are not without a blessing ; many profess to be pleased, and established and comforted thereby in the blessed hopes of the Gospel. " a Upon the 2nd of June, 1765, the REV. EPHRAIM AVERY, A. M., was licensed and appointed to the vacant mission of Rye. He was the son of the Rev. Ephraim Avery, whose ancestors, originally seated at Wells, in Somersetshire, were among the early settlers of New England. b His father was installed pas- tor of the Second Congregational Society, at Pomfret, Windham County, Conn., Sept. 4th, 1735, and died Oct. 20th, 1754. <= His mother, Deborah, in 1765 married the distinguished patriot, General Israel Putnam, who died in 1794 ; she died at his head- quarters, in the Highlands, in 1777, and was interred in the family vault of the well known Col. Beverly Robinson. Mr. Avery was born in Pomfret. on the 13th of April, 1741, d and graduated at Yale, in 1761. Soon after he left college, he went into New Jersey and taught school there, at a place called Second River, in the township of Newark. e The Society's » New- York MSS. from Archives at Pulham, vol. ii., pp. 392, 393. (Hawks'.) b William Avery received a grant of land, at Ipswich, in 1638. John Avery, of Boston, died 31st of July, 1651. Christopher Avery was a selectman, of Gloucester, in 161(5. The arms of Avery, of Wells, are :— gu. a chev. between three bezants. Crest — two lions gambs, or, supporting a bezant. c Trumbull's History of Connecticut, vol. ii., p. 532. d " Ephraim Avery and Samuel Avery, sons of the Rev. Ephraim Avery, by Deborah his wife, were born April the 13th, 1711."— Extract from the Records of the town of Pomfret, Windham County, Conn. Ephraim and Samuel Avery, twin sons of the Rev. Ephraim Avery, were baptized at Pomfret, Sunday April 19th, 1741.— Record of the 1st Ecclesiastical Society of Pomfret. e Fowler's MSS., vol. iv., p. 726. 314 HISTORY OF THE PARISH Abstracts for 1763, say: — « The Rev. Isaac Brown, the Society's missionary, at Newark, in his letters, dated October 6th, 1762, and April 6th, 1763, acquaints the Society that Mr. Avery, a young gentleman, graduated at Yale College, has taken care of the school at Second River, from Dec. 1st, 1761, and proposes to continue it upon the encouragement of the Society's bounty and some allowance from the inhabitants. The Society have in consequence of Mr. Brown's recommendation, appointed Mr. Avery schoolmaster at Second River, with the usual salary, and given him leave to draw for the same from Christmas, 1761." a Whilst laboring here, he turned his attention to theology, in which he made good proficiency, and was considered a very promising young man. He then went to England for holy orders, and was ordained deacon and priest by Dr. Hinchman, Bishop of London. b From the Society's Abstracts for 1765, we learn, that " Mr. Ephraim Avery, being well recommended to the Society, by the clergy in New Jersey, and others, and found worthy by the Lord Bishop of London, to be admitted into holy orders, is appointed to the vacant mission of Rye, to which he has since been inducted by the Governour." c At a meeting of the vestry of this Parish, held on the 24th day of August, 1765, "Mr. Jay presented a letter to the church- wardens and vestrymen from the Honourable Society, acquaint- ing them that the Society had appointed the Rev. Ephraim Avery, to be rector of the Parish Church of Rye. Upon reading the letter the vestry adjourned to meet at the house of Jotham Wright, on the 27th inst., at 2 o'clock, in the afternoon." "Pursuant to adjournment, there met and was present, this 27th of August, 1765, James Horton, Jr., Samuel Purdy, William Griffen, liobert Bloomer, Timothy Wetmore and Roger Parke, Jr. The Rev. Mr. Avery having relinquished all claim to the salary due from the Parish, since the death of the Rev. Mr. * Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. from Feb. 18, 17G3 to Feb. 17, 1764. t> Fowler's MSS. c Printed abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. for 1765. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 315 Punderson, to this day, which he signifies by subscribing his hand hereunto ; the vestry gave him a call, and a presentation to the Hon. Cadwallader Colden, Esq., Lieut. Governour of the Province of New- York, to induct him accordingly." 51 LIEUTENANT GOVERNOUR COLDEN'S ADMISSION OF MR. AVERY TO BE RECTOR OF THE PARISH CHURCH OF RYE, &c. " I, Cadwallader Colden, Esa., His Majesty's Lieutenant Governour and Commander in Chief of the Province of New-York and the Territories depending thereon in America, Do admit you, Ephraim Avery, Clerk, to be Rector of the Parish Church of Rye, commonly called Grace Church, and of the Parish of Rye, including the several Districts or Precincts of Rye, Mamaroneck and Bed- ford, in the County of Westchester, within the said Province. Given under my hand and the prerogative seal of the Province of New- York, at Fort George, in the City of New- York, the 9th day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-five. CADWALLADER COLDEN." b LETTERS OF INSTITUTION BY LIEUTENANT GOVER- NOUR COLDEN TO MR. AVERY. <: I, Cadwallader Colden, Esa., His Majesty's Lieutenant Governour and Commander in Chief of the Province of New- York and the Territories depend- ing thereon in America, Do Institute you, Ephraim Avery, Clerk, Rector of the Parish Church of Rye, commonly called Grace Church, and of the Parish of Rye, including the several Districts or Precincts of Rye, Mamaroneck and Bed- ford, in the County of Westchester, in the said Province, to have the care of the souls of the Parishioners of the said Parish, and take your cure and mine. Given under my hand and the prerogative seal of the Province of New-York, at Fort George, the 9th day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-five. CADWALLADER COLDEN." MANDATE FROM LIEUTENANT GOVERNOUR COLDEN TO INDUCT MR. AVERY INTO THE RECTORSHIP OF THE PARISH OF RYE. "The Honourable Cadwallader Colden, Esq., His Majesty's Lieutenant ■ Church Records of Rye. b Book of Commissions, Secretary of State's Office, Fol. v, 297. 316 HISTORY OF THE PARISH Governour and Commander in Chief of the Province of New- York, and the Terri- tories depending thereon in America. To all and singular, Rectors and Parish Min- isters whatsoever in the Province of New- York, and to Peter Jay and Elisha Budd, the present Churchwardens of the Parish of Rye, in the County of Westchester, and to the Vestrymen of the said Parish and to each and every of you Greeting : Whereas, I have admitted our beloved in Christ, Ephraim Avery, Clerk, to the Rectory of the Parish Church of Rye, commonly called Grace Church and of the Parish of Rye, including the several Districts or Precincts of Rye, Mamaroneck and Bedford, in the County of Westchester, within this Government, to which the said Ephraim Avery was presented unto me, by the Churchwardens and Vestrymen of the said Parish, the true and undoubted patrons of the said Parish, vacant by the natural death of Ebenezer Punderson, the last incumbent .there; and him, the said Ephraim Avery, I have instituted into the Rectory of the said Parish Church and Parish, with all their rights, members and appurtenances observing the Laws an. I Canons of Right in that behalf re- quired and to be observed. To you, therefore, jointly and severally I do commit and firmly enjoining, do command each and every of you, that in due manner him, the said Ephraim Avery, or his lawful proctor in his name, and for him, into the real, actual and corporal possession of the Rectory of the said Parish Church and Parish, including the Districts or Precincts aforesaid, and of all their rights and appurtenances whatsoever, you induct or cause to be inducted, and him so inducted you do defend ; and of what you shall have done iu the premises thereof, you do duly certify unto me, or other competent judge in that behalf when thereunto you shall be duly required. Given under my hand and the pre- rogative seal of the province of New- York, at Fort George, in the City of New- York, the 9th day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-five. CADWALLADER COLDEN."* On the 21st of January, 1766, the vestry of the Parish "al- lowed to the Rev. Ephraim Avery, for his service as rector of the Parish of Rye, from the 27th day of August last to the 1st of January, 1766, £16 13 4, added for three days 8s. 6d.; and rais- ed for the rector's salary, from January 1st, 1766 to January, 1767, the sum of £50;" also ordered, "That the Church warden, Joshua Purdy, to pay unto the Rev. Mr. Avery, £17 Is., from this date, till paid on January, 1767." "At a vestry meeting held on the 18th day of March, 1766, the justices and vestry agreed to raise for the poor, &c, for the present year, * Book of Commissions, Secretary of State's Office, Fol. V. 297-8. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 317 £150, which was quoted in the following manner, viz. : — Rye, - - - - £81 13 9 White Plains, - - - 28 2 6 Manor of Scarsdale, - - 20 10 Mamaroneck, - - - 14 13 9 Bedford, - . - - - 55 00 6 North Castle, - - - 68 15 £268 15 0"a Extract of a letter from MR. AVERY TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Rye, March 25th, 1766. Rev. Sir, " I have the pleasure to inform the Venerable Society, that the people of my Parish seem to be under very peaceable circum- stances, an entire harmony subsisting between them and myself, especially those who are professors of tb.p. Church of England, and indeed, the other party are very quiet. It gives me a good deal of satisfaction to find my people, in general, much more calm with respect to the stamp act than the most of others ; 'tis true, they esteem the act rather aggressive ; but to resist the higher powers in a rebellious manner they think not only un- lawful, but unchristian. In this Parish are at present about forty communicants, some of which have come to the holy ordinance since my resideuce among them, and many more, I believe, would soon join themselves, could their too scrupulous con- sciences, be fully satisfied in a few points, that now seem to be a bar in their way ; for which reason I would beg of the Ven- erable Society a few pious tracts to be distributed among lhem. b » Church Records of Rye. fc New-York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. (Hawks'.) 318 HISTORY OF TIIE PARISH In 1767, Mr. Avery received the degree of Master of Arts, from King's College, New- York, a literary honor which he richly deserved. Mr. John Rand succeeded Mr. Timothy Wetmore, as the Society's schoolmaster and catechist for the Parish, in 1769. He must have removed, however, the same year, for the name, of Mr. John Avery occurs on the Society's list, as schoolmaster at Rye, in 1770, with a salary of £10 per annum. In 1779, Mr. Avery left his school, being engaged in other employments, whereupon, Mr. James We'.more, a brother of the former school- master, was appointed to the office. In 1772, Mr. Avery writes, " That peace and unanimity subsists between him and his people. " a The Society's Abstracts for the year 1773, say : — " two letters have been received from Mr. Avery, whose congregation at Rye, continues as usual, ten or twelve children are regularly in- structed by Mr. Wetmore, the schoolmaster. The church at North Castle which hath been some time building, is in a tolera- bly decent state. Mr. Avery's notitia stands thus : — baptized ninety of white children and infants; of adults, six ; of black infants, five ; marriages, fifteen ; burials, ten." b In 1774, <; Mr. Avery assures the Society that Mr. Wetmore carefully attends upon his school ; instructs ten or twelve ; four children upon the bounty of the Society. He hath baptized thirty-seven white, and four black infants and four white adults ; married seven, and buried five." c "Soon after this the clergy of the Church of England fell upon troublous times, which tried to the utmost the firmness of men, and often excruciated the minds of the scrupulous and conscientious. The Revolutionary War broke out, threatening an utter disruption of the ties which had so long bound the colonies and the mother country together. The relations of the clergy » Printed Abstracts of Veil. Prop. Soc. from Feb. 21st, 1772, to Feb. 19th, 1773. * Ibid from Feb. 19th, 1773, to Feb. 18th, 1774. « Ibid from Feb. 18th, 1774, to Feb. 17th, 1775. AND CHURCH OP RYE. 319 with the latter, were perhaps of a more close and enduring character than those of almost any other class of men. They were for the most part employed and supported by the Society at home, they were nurtured in sentiments of loyalty, and they could not bring themselves to forsake at once, and forever, the ruler whom God in his providence had placed over them, and whom they had so long implored him to prosper and bless. Whatever may be politically our view of this great question, in which men equally good, so widely differed, we must at least respect the scruples which no worldly considerations ct'iild over- come, and which led to the sacrifice of home, comfort and wealth, for conscience' sake. With these qualifications, I trust that [ shall be open to no misconstruction, in the unvarnished narrative I am about to give." In a letter, dated October 31, 1776, "Mr. Inglis assures the So- ciety, that all their missionaries, without excepting one, in New Jersey, New- York, Connecticut, and so far as he could learn in the other New England colonies, had proved themselves faith- ful, loyal subjects in those trying times, and had to the utmost of their power opposed the spirit of disaffection which had in- volved this continent in the greatest calamities ; and although their joint endeavours could not prevent the rebellion, yet tor some time they had considerably checked it. Amidst all the suc- ceeding disorder and confusion, they went on steadily with their duty in their sermons; confining themselves to the doctrines of the gospel, without touching on politics, using their influence to allay political heats and cherish a spirit of loyalty among their people. This conduct, however harmless, gave great offence. They were every where threatened, often reviled with the most opprobious language and sometimes treated with bru tal violence." He then goes on with an enumeration of the many instances of insult, outrage and wrong, which had been inflicted on his brethren and friends; and concludes his account with the re- mark, "that if every case of the kind could be faithfully collect- ed, it is probable that the sufferings of the American clergy might appear in many respects not inferior to those of the same 320 HISTORY OF THE PARISH order in the great rebellion of the last century, and that such a work would be no bad supplement to Walker's Sufferings of the Clergy." " Some (say the Society's Abstracts) were carried prisoners by armed mobs into distant provinces, and were detained in close confinement for several weeks. Some flung into jails for frivo- lous suspicious. Some obliged to fly the provinces, have been taken prisoners and brought back, and threatened to he tried for their lives, because they fled from dangers. Some have been pulled out of the reading desk, because they have prayed for the King, and that before Independency was declared. Others have been warned to appear at militia musters with their arms, have been fined for not appearing, and threatened with impris- onment. Others have had their houses plundered, and their desks broken open, under pretence of their containing treason- able papers. After the Declaration of Independence, the clergy were greatly embarrassed to officiate publicly, and not to pray for the King, according to the Liturgy, was against their duty and oath, as well as the dictates of their conscience ; and to use the prayers, would have drawn on them inevitable destruction. The only course which they could pursue, to avoid both evils, was to suspend the public exercise of their functions, and shut up their churches. " a This wasdonewithoutany concert, through- out the whole extent of the above mentioned provinces. The venerable Mr. Beach, of Newtown, in Connecticut, is alone to be excepted, who officiated as usual after Independency was de. clared ; and upon being warned of his danger, he said, with more firmness and spirit than prudence and discretion, that he would do his duty, and pray and preach for the King till they should cut out his tongue. It is a little remarkable, that not- withstanding his contumacy, he was never disturbed. 15 "The persecutions and privations to which the clergy were * Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. b Hist, of Trinity Church, N. Y., by Dr. Berrian, p. 141. AND CHURCH OF RYK 321 exposed (says Dr. Hawkins) in the war, whether from the royalist or amerioan armies, proved fatal to several of them. At Rye, Mr. Avery was a principal sufferer. His horses were seized, his cattle driven off, and his property plundered. His death, by some supposed to have been occasioned by these loss- es, happened soon afterwards." 3 One letter from Mr. Avery, dated 5th June, 1776, containeth nothing material ; having lost the use of his right hand, he was incapable of v/riting, and sent no account of the state of his Parish. " Mr. Wetmore hath diligently attended his school, consisting, in the course of the year, of seventy-one scholars, whom he instructs to the satisfaction of their parents." b The Society's Abstracts for 1776, say : — " By a private letter, since received from Mr. Inglis, it appears that Mr. Avery was murdered by the rebels in a most barbarous manner on the 3d • Hist. Not. of the Miss, of the Church of England, by Ernest Hawkins, B. D. b Printed. Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc, from 16th Feb., 1776, to 21st Feb., 1777. The Abstracts for 1777, say :— " Mr. Wetmore, the Society's schoolmaster at Rye ; from whom three letters have been received in the course of the year acquaints the Society that in October, 1776, he had sixty scholars, but was then obliged to fly to N. Y., leaving his numerous family in the power of the rebels. From Mr. Wetmore's last letter, it appears that he had taken a school on L. I. and hath fifty scholars." • Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. from 16th Feb., 1776, to 21st Feb., 1777. — Tradition, however, reports that Mr. Avery was murdered by one Harris an Irish Jesuit, who at that period kept a private school, which for many years stood upon, or near the site now occupied by a carriage shed, directly opposite the Church, at Rye. It is said that frequent discussions on religious topics ha& taken place between them ; on these occasions, Mr. Avery was always observed to maintain his argument with great coolness and moderation, while his antago- nist, who was naturally of a violent and hasty temper, would frequently betray the worst feelings. Under the garb of liberty, the murderer waylaid, and shot his innocent and defenceless victim; cut his throat, and dragged him into the public highway; thus adding to his crime, a vile attempt to defame the fair character of a worthy and excellent minister. But amid the turmoil of civil war the conscience-stricken murderer found no rest ; he wandered from place to place, entirely dependant on the charity of others, and finally removed into the State of Ohio. Not long afterward he was tried for a second murder, and condemned to expiate his crime on the gallows. According to an account of his execution, published in one of the Ohio papers of the day, on the bolts being drawn, the rope 322 HISTORY OF THE PARISH of last November, for refusing to pray for the Congress, his body- having been shot through, his throat cut. and his body thrown into the public highway." The full particulars of this melancholy event are thus related by Mr. Seabury, afterwards Bishop of Connecticut. MR. SEABURY TO THE SECRETARY. New- York, March 29th, 1777. Rev. Sir, " When I last wrote, I neglected to inform the Society of the death of their missionary at Rye, the Rev. Mr. Avery. With re- gard to the circumstances of his unfortunate end, I can now only relate what has been commonly reported. When the King's army were about to leave the County of Westchester, the latter end of October last, one brigade under the command of General Agnew, pushed forward about two miles beyond Rye, in hopes of bringing a large detachment of the rebel army which lay there, to an engagement, but not being able to come up with them, they returned on a Sunday afternoon to join the Royal army near the White Plains. That evening, the rebels returned to Rye, and as Mr. Avery and many of the loyalists had shown particular marks of joy when the King's troops came there, they became very obnoxious to the rebels, who showed their resentment by plundering their houses, dri- ving off their cattle, taking away their grain, and imprisoning some of them. Among the rest, Mr. Avery was a sufferer, and lost his cattle, horses, &c. On Tuesday morning, he desired a maid servant to give the children their breakfast, and went out. broke, and the unfortunate man fell to the ground. While in this distressing situ- ation, he entreated the officers of justice to spare him a few moments, as he had something further to communicate ; when he solemnly declared that he first shot Mr. Avery, and then cut his throat." — Related on the testimony of Mrs. Wet- more and other aged inhabitants of this Parish, who have heard their parents speak of Barris, and remember to have seen an account of his execution in the papers of the day. — Editor. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 323 Sometime after, he was found, some say, under a fence, or in an out-house, with his throat cut, either dead, or just expiring. a Many people are very confident that he was murdered by the rebels ; others suppose that his late repeated losses and disap- pointments, the insults and threats of the rebels, and the ab - sence of his best friends, who had the day before, gone off for fear of the rebels, drove him into a state of desperation too se- vere for his strength of mind. He had last spring, a stroke of the palsy, which deprived him of the use of one hand, and af- fected his reason a good deal. He also about the same time lost his wife, a prudent and cheerful woman, which affected him so much, that when I attended at her funeral, I did not think it right to leave him suddenly, but tarried with him several days till he was more composed. I visited him again a fortnight af- ter, and found him much better, and would have repeated my visits, but the times became too critical to admit of it. He has left five or six helpless orphans, I fear in great distress ; indeed I know not what is to become of them ; I have only heard that •the rebels had humanity enough to permit them to be carried to Mr. Avery's friends at Norwalk, in Connecticut." 11 From the above letter, it appears that Mr. Avery's death took place on Tuesday, November 5th, 1770. He had been rector of Rye nearly eleven years, and was the sixth minister who died incumbent of this Parish. His remains, with those of his wife repose in the burying ground belonging to the Church, on the opposite side of Blind brook. " There the weary are at rest." The inscription on the tombstone of Mrs. Avery is as fol- lows : — • Mr. James Wetmore writing to the Secretary from New- York, January 10th , 1777, says: — "Our unfortunate minister, Mr. Avery, was found dead near his house, the beginning of November last."— New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. p. 609. (Hawks'.) * New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 614. (Hawks'.) 324 HISTORY OF THE PARISH SACRED to the Memory of Mrs. Hannah, late Consort of the Rev. Ephraim Avery, who having lived greatly beloved, Died universally lamented, after six weeks excruciating pain on ye 13th Day of May, A. D. 1776 in ye 39th year of her Age. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. The Mission of Rye, (say the Society's Abstracts) being va- cated by the death of Mr. Avery, the REV. ISAAC HUNT, A. M., who had been lately ordained by the Lord Bishop of London, as a missionary to Trinity Bay, Newfoundland, 11 was in the month of March, 1777, appointed missionary to Rye, with a salary of £40 per annum." b He was the son of the Rev. Isaac Hunt, Rector of St. Michael's, in Bridgetown, Barbadoes, where he was born in 1752. On his father's side, his ancestors were Cavaliers, who tied from the tyranny of Cromwell, and settled in Barbadoes. For several generations, they were clergymen. He was intended for the same profession, but being sent to col- lege at Philadelphia, he there commenced, on the completion of his studies, as a lawyer, and married. He took the degree of Master of Arts, both in Philadelphia and New- York. c It was, again curious, that the Revolution breaking out, the conserva- tive propensities of the family broke out so strong in him, as to cause him to flee for safety to England, as his ancestors had formerly fled from it. He had been carted through Philadel- phia by the infuriated mob, only escaping tarring and feather- ing by a friend taking the opportunity of overturning the tar a He was licensed for Trinity Bay, on the 4th of March, 1777. b Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc'. « He was graduated A. M. at Kings College, (now Columbia) in 1773. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 325 barrel set ready in the street, and being consigned to the prison, he escaped in the night by a bribe to the keeper. a Tn 1777, he was ordained deacon and priest by the Rt. Rev. Robert Lowth, D. D., Bishop of London, and in the month of March of that year, appointed missionary to Rye. Whether he ever visited his mission, we have no means of ascertaining ; prob- ably the troubles of the Revolution prevented his doing so. His name appears, however, on the Society's list of missiona- ries, until February 20th, 1778. "Mr. Hunt," says Howitt, '•'■ seems to have been one of those who are not made to succeed in the world. He did not obtain preferment, and fell into much distress. At one time he was a very popular preacher, and was invited by the Duke of Chan- dos, who had a seat near Southgate, to become tutor to his ne- phew, Mr. Leigh. Here he occupied a house at Southgate, call- ed Eagle Hall ; and here his son, the poet, was born, and was named after Mr. Leigh, his father's pupil. " b His wife was Mary, daughter of Stephen Shewell, merchant, of Philadelphia, whose sister was the wife of Benjamin West." c The Rev. Isaac Hunt died in 1S09, aged 57 years, and was buried in the church yaid in Bishopgate street, London. During the subsequent years, the Parish of Rye suffered con- siderably from the confusion that attended the Revolutionary War. The Church was burned, the glebe lands hired out on terms which produced but a small income, and the parishioners scattered." 1 " The Revolution, (observes the late Right Rev. J. P. K. Hen- » Howitt's Homes of the Poets, and Autobiography of Leigh Hunt. b Ibid. Vol. ii. p. 399, 340. See Autobiography of Leigh Hunt, published in 1810. c Sabine's Hist, of American Loyalists. d The last meeting of the Veitry took place in tlic house of John Doughty, in Rye, April the 5th, 1776, present— Lewis McDonald, Jan., and Gilbert Merritt, Esq'rs., Justices, Joshua Purdy and Jam:s Horton, Jan. Churchwardens, Gilbert Bloomer, Stephen Baxter, Israel Lyon, Gilbert Horton, Joseph Owens, John Haight, Joshua Hunt, and Zene Carpenter, Vestrymen. 326 HISTORY OF THE PARISH shaw) glorious as it was in its results upon our civil and politi- cal interests as a nation, was. for a time, most disastrous to the interests of our Church. After the storm of war had swept over our country, it was found to have left in its train, not only scepticism in religion and looseness of morals as a common ca- lamity to our people, but as most of ?he clergy of our commu- nion were obliged to flee on account of their attachment to the cause of a sovereign for whom they had been bound to pray, the Episcopalians were left with a few scattered flocks, wander- ing as sheep without a shepherd ; with churches deserted and altars desolate ; with only here and there a man of God who dared to put on the sacerdotal garments to lead their devotions and break to them the bread of life. Although Washington and Lee had fought our battles, though Duche made the first prayer in Congress, and White was its reg- ular chaplain, and though many other of the leading spirits who guided the Revolution, and laid the foundation of the Re public, were sincere Churchmen; yet in the view of the multi- tude, Monarchy and Episcopacy were mseperable, and such was the bitterness of opposition to the former, that the latter was scarcely allowed toleration. As there are some, in our day, weak or wicked enough to re- peat this worn out appeal to vulgar, political prejudices, it may Hot be amiss to notice, that Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Jackson, Van Buren, Harrison, Tyler, and Taylor, among our Presidents ; Henry, Jay, Hamilton, Marshall, and others, among our departed revolutionary worthies, were atten- dants upon the services of our Church ; and Clay, Webster, Badger, Woodbury, Kent, Berrian, and others, among the most distinguished statesmen and jurists, the nation has ever known, became Churchmen as the result of patient inquiry and exami- nation. The late Rufus King, of New- York, on his death-bed, speaking of the great good effected by the Propagation Society, said. ' It is the brightest light shining in the candlestick of the Reformation.' It seems almost a marvel that the Church was saved from extinction. In the mercy of God, it was so saved ; and towards the close of the last century, in the consecration of three AND CHURCH OP RYE. 327 Bishops for the United States-, we received as an independent nation, that boon which had been denied to the Colonies for more than one hundred and fifty years. Thus made an inde- pendent branch of the Church of Christ, and having organized an ecclesiastical union, under a Constitution and Canons closely resembling the fundamental laws of the Federal Government, our Church began to ' lengthen her cords, and strengthen her stakes.' The dominion of ignorance and bigotry over the pub- lic mind gradually subsided. The Church, freed from alliance with all human sovereigns, and acknowledging no king but Him ' whose kingdom is not of this world,' having struck its roots into the soil, and demonstrated its congeniality with our free institutions — took an attitude to demand notice, and chal- lenged an examination of her claims." - For six months, at the close of the Revolutionary War, Mr- Andrew Fowler read prayers and sermons in the parsonage every other Sunday, and collected the congregation here and at White Plains. b Upon the 27th of April, 1785, a meeting of the congregation of the Episcopal Church of Rye, was called at the house of Mrs. Tamar Haviland, when the following persons were cho- sen trustees to take charge of the temporalities of the Church, — John Thomas, Esq., William Miller, Esq., Col. Gilbert Budd, Mr. Joshua Purdy, Mr. John Falconer, and Mr. Isaac Brown. William Miller, Esq., was chosen clerk. The same year, the trustees hired out the Church glebe, con- * Discourse delivered in Grace Church, Providence, on the occasion of the Third Jubilee of the Soc. for the Prop, of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, on the First Sunday after Trinity, June 22d, 1851, by J. P. K. Henshaw, D. D., Rec- tor of said Church, and Bishop of Rhode Island. b " At the close of the war, (says Mr. Fowler) I collected the congregation there and at the White Plains, where I read prayers also, every other Sunday Began at Rye the 1st Sunday in April, 1784. (1th of April,) and at White Plains the next Sunday, (11th of April.) The Church was burnt by the British i war."— Fowler's MSS. 328 HISTORY OF THE PARISH sisting of the lands called the old parsonage, the parsonage house, and the lands on the west side of Blind brook. The following year, the congregation received a letter from the Rev. Samuel Provoost, rector of Trinity Church, New- York, Abraham Beach, and Benjamin Moore, dated April 17th, 1786, enclosing the journals of the convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, held in Philadelphia, September, 1785. Upon the reception of this letter, a meeting of the congregation was called, which assembled at the house of Mrs. Haviland, in Rye, on the 5th of May, 1786. Mr. Joshua Purdy, (the last senior warden of the Parish, prior to the Revolution) was unanimously elected president of the meeting. " On motion, it was resolved to take the sense of the congregation, whether they would com- ply with the request of the letter, and send delegates to meet in convention at St. Paul's Church, in New- York, upon the third Tuesday in May next. The sense being taken, it was unani- mously agreed to send delegates, whereupon, William Miller, and Alexander Hunt, Esq'rs., were chosen for that purpose." Upon the 5th of September, 1787, the REY. RICHARD CHANNING MOORE, A. M., M. D., was elected to the rectorship, the first since the close of the war. He was the son of Thomas Moore, and grandson of Colonel John Moore, of Whitehall, in the city of New-York, where he was born on the 21st of August, 1762. After completing his preparatory education, he studied medicine, and engaged in the practice ol the healing art till July, 1787 ; at which period, a desire that he had for some time indulged of entering the sa- cred ministry, was gratified, by his receiving ordination from the hands of Bishop Provoost, as deacon, on the 15th of July, and priest, on the 22d of October, 1787. He was admitted at Columbia College, M. A., in 1794, and D. D., of Washington, now Trinity College, Hartford, in 1S29. The following is a copy of the call given to the Rev. Richard C. Moore, September 5th, 1787 : — AND CHURCH OF RYE. 329 Rev. Sir, u We, the Trustees and Members of Grace Church, in the Parish of Rye, and County of Westchester, stimulated by mo- tives of sincere affection for the advancement of true religion and piety, have raised a sufficient sum of money by subscrip- tion, to afford you a comfortable maintenance, and have thought pioper to adopt this mode, by which to solicit your acceptance of the Rectorship of the said Church, formerly relying upon your integrity as a minister of that sacred gospel, through which we hope for the attainment of eternal joy and happiness, and duly sensible of the important duty required of us, we find ourselves inclined to submit the care of our spiritual concerns to you as shepherd of this floclc, and sincerely hope that by lives of virtuous obedience to the commands of the Bishop and shepherd of our souls, you will be enabled through divine as- sistance, to present us without spot or blemish, into the arms of the Master of our salvation. The amount of the salary which we have been enabled to raise, is £120 per year, which for your convenience we have engaged to pay at different periods. Believe us, Rev. Sir, with the most sincere wishes for your present and future happiness. Trustees. Joshua Purdt, William Miller, Elisha Purdy, Thomas Haight. Members. Peter Jay, Esq., a Alex. Hunt, John Thomas, 1 * Ben. Griffen, John Falconer, Samuel Purdy, Joseph Budd, Jona. Hunt, Isaac Purdy. Roger Purdy, Moses Purdy, Daniel Park, Jonathan Purdy, Joshua Secor, Jas. Wetmore, * Son of Peter Jay, and great grandson of Pierre Jay, the Huguenot. b Sheriff of Westchester County, and grandson of the Rev. John Thomas, one of the Ven. Soc. Missionaries. c Second son of the Rev. James Wetmore. 330 HISTORY OF THE PAPJSH Henry Budd. Tamar Barker, Thomas Thomas." 11 Josiah Brown, John Puruy. " At a meeting of the members of Grace Church, in the Parish of Rye, on the Tuesday of Easter Week, being the 25th of March, 1788, and the day appointed by Charter 1 * for the elec- tion of two wardens, and eight vestrymen, to take into charge the temporalities of the said Church, the following persons were unanimously chosen : — T -r, * ' > Churchwardens. Isaac Purdy. ) Joshua Purdy, Sen., ] f Thomas Thomas, Jesse Hunt, Esq.., I Elijah Purdy, . T > Vestrymen. < T Andrew Lyon, ] Joshua Skcor, Thomas Brown, CHRIST CHURCH, ERECTED IN 1788. During the period of Mr. Moore's incumbency, and owing principally to his unceasing exertion, the present church was erected in place of the old stone edifice. At a vestry meeting a Major General Thomas Thomas, son of the Hon. John Thomas, a distin- guished officer of the Continental army, and a member of the Legislatue of the State of New- York. b See the .Charter of 17G4. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 331 held in the month of March, 1788, it was determined by that body to erect a new church, and to place it upon the hill, on or near the place where the old ruins stood, at a cost of $5,500. a The following items are taken from the vestry book : — " May, 1788. for one day giting boards and puling down the old church, 5 shill^igs — To one day clearing rubbish from the old church, &c." It was designed at first to have erected a steeple in place of the present tower, as appears by an act of the vestry, dated Sept. 17th, 1791, " wherein it was ordered to remove the works projected for a steeple on the lop of the roof, at the west end." Subsequently the pulpit and reading-desk were removed from the north wall of the church to the east end, and the southern door closed. Under Mr. Moore's animated exertions for the benefit of his cure, the languid hopes of the people began to revive, and the deranged state of the Parish resumed the appearance of order and prosperity, but as he continued his labours here but one year the people were again left destitute and very much dis- couraged. At a vestry meeting, held Friday, August the first, 1788, "The Rev. Mr. Moore laid before the house, the particular ad- vantages arising from a call, which he had received on the 17th inst. from Staten Island, in consequence of which, Mr. Jay re- quested him to leave his papers and to withdraw, in order to afford the wardens and vestry an opportunity to attentively con- sider the business, when after an hour spent in deliberating upon the subject, Mr. Brown requested Mr. Moore to attend, at which time Mr. Jesse Hunt informed him, that the vestry was willing to give him a dismission, but at the same time requested ■ " On the 28th of March, 178S, it was resolved unanimously, that the Church be built of wood, that the length thereof be 50 feet, the width 38 feet, and the posts 20 feet high. On the 16th of April, 1788, it was determined by the Vestry to allow Mr. James Ford, carpenter, from New-York, the sum of £120 for erecting and en- closing the church without a steeple. At a subsequent meeting it was resolved to omit the gallery on the east, by which means the church will bo rendered lighter, and the altar more solemn and grand." 332 HISTORY OF THE PARISH him to continue until the expiration of the year, commencing on the 1st of Oct., '87— and ending the 1st of Oct., '88— which proposal Mr. Moore readily assented to." The following notice of Mr. Moore's subsequent career, ap- peared in the Churchman for November, 1841 : — " His first spiritual charge was the Church in Rye, Westches- ter, New- York; at the expiration of two years he removed to Staten Island, where he resided twenty-one years and where his faithful and zealous labours were most remarkably blessed in the conversion of sinners. In 1S09 he was invited to the rec- torship of St. Stephen's Church, in the City of New-York, a small Parish, and presenting but few encouragements to useful- ness. So signally prospered, however, was his ministry, that when at the close of five years he left New- York to enter on the duties of his Episcopate in Virginia, the communicants added through his instrumentality, numbered between four and five hundred. Bishop Moore was the cordial choice of the convention, which on the 5th of May, 1S14, with so much unanimity invited him to the Episcopal charge of this diocese, and was consecrated in New-York, on the 18th of May, 1814, by Bishop White, assisted by Bishop Hobart, Griswold and Dehon. In regard to the manner in which he discharged the responsi- ble functions of his high and dignified office as chief pastor of this diocese, we do not propose to dwell. It is generally known how entirely he possessed the respect, confidence and love of his clergy and what an object of veneration and filial affection he was universally among the whole people of his Episcopal charge. At his decease, (11th Nov., 1811) Bishop Moore was in the eightieth year of his age ; in the fifty-fifth of his ministry, and the twenty-eighth of his Episcopate." From the month of Oct., 17S8, until Nov.. 1790, the Parish re- mained destitute of a settled minister, although not without occa- sional services; when the REV. DAVID FOOTE, A. M., accepted an invitation to the rectorship. He was the son of Asa, AND CHURCH OF RYE. 333 and grandson of Nathaniel, the fourth in descent from Nathaniel Foote, one of the first settlers of Wethersfield, Conn. a He was born at Colchester, now Marlborough, Oct. 5th, 1760, and was graduated M. A., at Dartmouth, in 1778. b Mr. Foote was or- dained deacon by the Rt. Rev. Samuel Seabury, D. D., Bishop of Connecticut, on the 11th of June ; and priest on the 22nd of October, 1788. In 1790 he was called to the rectorship of this Parish. At a meeting of the wardens and vestrymen of Grace Church, Rye, Dec. the 15th, 1790. it was resolved, — " that we make choice of the Rev. David Foote, to act as rector of this Parish, and agree to pay him £100, in half yearly payments, to- gether with the profits of the glebe, for his services, one year from the seventh of last November," which proposal was accept- ed by Mr. Foote. Mr. Foote seems to have retained his con- nection with Bishop Seabury; always attended the conventions of Connecticut, and was a member of the Connecticut Conven- tion in 1792. His name is entered there as Daniel Foote and the same mistake occurs in the register of the clergy, in the Journal of New- York, in 1791, and also in the Journal of the General Convention of 1792. c He continued rector of this church till L 793, when, after many judicious efforts to restore order and promote both the spiritual and temporal prosperiiy of the Parish, in the morning of life and the midst of his usefulness he was called from the field of labor to reap an eternal reward. His tombstone bears the following simple inscription : — In memory of the Rev. Mr. DAVID FOOTE late Pastor at Rye & White Plains, who departed this life the 1st of Aug : t. 1793, aged 32 Years. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. ■ See History of the Foote Family, by Nathaniel Goodwin, Hartford, 1849. k Historical notice of the Clergy ordained by Bishops Seabury and Jarvis, from Appendix to Conn. Journal of Convocation. No. xxxiii. • Historical notice of Clergy ordained by Bishops Seabury and Jarvis, Appendix to Conn. Journal of Convocation- No. xxxix 334 HISTORY OF THE PARISH Upon the 14th of June, 1792, Mr. Isaac Purely and Captain Joshua Purdy, were empowered to receive of the executors of Miss Anna Maria Jay, deceased, a legacy of £100, given by her in her last will to the corporation of the church in Rye, and put the same at interest on good security, payable in one year. This sum was judiciously appropriated towards enlarging the glebe lands belonging to the Parish. Miss Jay, who died on the 4th of September. 1791, was the daughter of Peter Jay, Esq., first senior warden of the Parish under the charter of 1764. Upon the death of Mr. Foote the REV. JOHN JACKSON SANDS, B. A., was called to, and accepted the rectorship in 1793. He was the son of John Sands, by Elizabeth Jackson, and grandson of Col. John Sands, of Cow Neck, L. I., a descendant of Capt. James Sands, who emigrated from Berkshire, England, to Plymouth Mass., in l658. a He was born at Cow Neck, 25th of December 1760, and was educated at Hempstead, under the tuition of the Rev. Leonard Cutting, A. M., the rector of that Parish. He was ordained deacon by Bishop Provoost, in 1792, and soon afterward appointed minister of the churches at Eastwood and Is lip, L. I. from whence he removed to this Parish. The sum of money raised, for the Rev. John J. Sands, as a salary for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ at Rye and White Plains, was £93 per annum. The glebe lands of the church, at this time, appear to have been very unproductive, so that the rector was principally supported by public subscription. In 1791, it was determined by the vestry, to change the name and seal of the church — accordingly, at a meeting of that body * Capt. James Sands was born at Reading, Berks, A. D., 1622, and arrived with Sarah, his wife, at Plymouth, in 1658. Shortly thereafter, he, with fifteen others purchased Block Island, and removed thither from Taunton. He died, March 13, 1695. He had four sons and two daughters. The three elder brothers, John, James and Samuel, removed to Long Island, and purchased a tract of land on Cow Neck, since called Sands' Point. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 335 on the 26th of January, it was resolved to substitute the title Christ, instead of Grace, by which the church had heretofore been distinguished, and Mr. Peter Jay was requested to obtain a new seal." 8 The old parsonage having been destroyed by fire this year, the Vestry resolved to purchase the house and land of Mr. Isaac Doughty, for the sum of £400. A subscription was accordingly set on foot for that purpose. The names of the subscribers, and the; amount of their contri- butions, are recorded in the book of vestry minutes. One half of the purchase money was subsequently paid by the vestry, and the balance in May, 1795. This purchase embraced the glebe, now owned by the church, on which the parsonage stands. Upon the 4th of May, 1796, Mr. Sands, in consequence 'of some dissatisfaction, resigned his charge as rector of the Parish. He subsequently abandoned the ministry and died in Brooklyn, not long since, leaving issue, one son, John Joseph, and a daughter. He was succeeded in November, 1796, by the REV. GEORGE OGILVIE, B. A. He was the son of the Rev. John Ogilvie, D. D., of New- York, by his wife Catharine Sims, and grandson of William Ogilvie, youngest son of Sir Walter Ogilvie, Kn't, afterward Baron Ogilvie, of Deskford. b His grandfather who was a a Church Records.— On the 11th of September, 1794, Mr. Jay presented a new seat to the Church. k The noble family of Ogilvie has given rise to the Lords of Findlater and Sea- field, the Barons of BaufF and other eminent houses of North Britain. Its descent from Dubican, the sou of Indechtraig, Maormor, or Tliano of Angus, who died iu 930, is capable of proof. The more recent progenitor, however, was James Ogilvie, of Cardell, who was succeeded by his grandson, Sir Walter Ogilvie, knight, (sou of Alexander, by Barbara, daughter of Walter Ogilby, of the Boyne,) who was elevated to the peerage of Scotland, 4th Oct., 161G, by the title of Baron Ogilvie, of Desk- ford. His lordship married first, Agnes, eldest daughter of Robert 3d Elphinston, 336 HISTORY OF THE PARISH native of Scotland, came to this country about the middle of the last century. He was born at New-York, October 16th, 1758, and was educated at King's College, where he graduated Batchelor of Arts, in 1774. During the Revolution he held a commission in a corps of loyalists; - and at the peace removed to England. He subsequently returned to his native country, studied theology under the Rev. Dr. Ogden, of Newark, N. J.? was ordained deacon by Bishop Provoost, in Trinity Church, New- York, A. D., 1767, and priest by Bishop Seabury, October 3rd, 1790. b He was rector of Christ Church, New Brunswick, from his ordination to 1790, and of St. Paul's Church, Norwalk, Conn., from 1790 to 1796, when he was called to this Parish. At a vestry meeting held in the town of Mamaroneck, on the 26th of Oct., 1796, it was ordered : — " That a call be made out and delivered to Mr. Ogilvie. His salary to consist of £110, yearly, for three 5 ears, and all the sums of money over and above that amount, that shall be hereafter put in the subscrip- tion papers." Mr. Ogilvie died at Rye, April 3rd, 1797, and was buried by the side of his predecessors in the cemetery belonging to the by whom he had a daughter; Christian married T:ir John Forbes, of Pitsligo. He espoused, secondly. Lady Mary Douglas, third daughter of William, Earl of Morton, and had by that lady, James, who succeeded him, and William, besides a daughter, Margaret, who married first, James Douglas, Earl of Buchan, and secondly, Andrew, eighth Lord Gray. William married Catharine, daughter of Lancaster Sims, of New-York, and had by that lady, William, a lieutenant in the royal navy who was killed during the Revolution and interred at Albany ; and the Rev. John, who was born in the City of New-York, A. D., 1723. Mary, only daughter of William and Catharine Ogilvie, married Dr. Barent Rourbach. The arms of Ogilvie are : — " Ar. a lion, passant, guardant, gu. armed and langued az., crowned with an imperial crown, ppr. — Crest, a lion, rampant ppr., armed and langued gu. holding in the dex- ter paw a rose of the last, stalked and leaved, vert. — Motto over the crest, — Fortiter et suaviter. • Sabine's American Loyalists. h Historical notice of Clergy ordained by Bishops Seabury and Jarvis, from Appendix to Conn. Journal of Convocation. No. xxxix. e Rye Vestry Book. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 337 church or opposite side of Blind Brook. He was a tall, noble looking man, a pleasant companion, a good reader and a very respectable preacher. There is a fine portrait of him as a boy, painted by Copley, in the possession of his daughter, Mrs. Coin- stock. He is depicted in a long crimson coat with gilt buttons and blue vest. His first wife, to whom he was married 4th of September, 1778, was Amelia, daughter of Cornelius VVillett, of Willett's Point. By this lady he had issue, — first, Elizabeth Anne, born July 20th, 1779, who married Thomas Belden, of Fairfield, Conn., and died January 16th, 1846 ; secondly, Amelia Willett, born December 13th, 1780, widow of the late Jabez Comstock, Esq., of New- York. Mrs. Ogilvie died March 18th, 1781. Mr. Ogilvie espoused, secondly, a daughter of the Rev. Dr. McWhorter, the Presbyterian minister of Newark, N. J., by whom he left no issue. We have already seen that Grace Church, Rye, was first incorporated by royal charter in 1764, under the title of the " Rector and inhabitants of the Parish of Rye, in communion of the Church of England, as by law established. It was now determined to re-incorporate the church under an act of the Legislature of this State, entitled "An Act for the relief of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New-York, passed the 17th of March, 1795, 'by the style and title of Christ Church, at the town of Rye, in the County of Westchester and State of New-York;' and Monday (in Easter Week) be observed yearly and every year, forever hereafter, to be the day for the election of officers."* The REV. SAMUEL HASKELL, B. A., was chosen Rector in 1797. Mr. Haskell was born in the vi- * County Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. A. The first officers under the above incor- poration were :— Peter Jay and Isaac Purdy, Church wardens; Joshua Purdy John Haight, Thomas Brown, John Gu ion, Thomas Thomas, Gilbert Hatfield, Jonathan Purdy and Nathaniel Purdy, Vestrymen. 22 33S HISTORY OP THE PARISH cinity of Boston, Mass., in 1762, and was descended from Ro- ger Haskell, one of the original settlers of Salem, in 1G39. His early inclinations led him to adopt a military life. In the sum- mer of 1781, being then an orphan,' he entered the military service of his country. Upon the evacuation of the City of New- York, by the British forces, November 25th, 1783, he was among the troops under General Knox, who took possession of the city. In October, 1784, he received an honourable dis- charge, and subsequently, a sergeant's pension, which he en- joyed to the day of his death. Returning to his native state, he became a student in Philip's Academy, Andover, and in Sep- tember, 1786, entered Yale College, New Haven, where he grad- uated in September, 1790. He was afterwards employed for two years as a tutor in Queen's College, New Brunswick, N. J. In the year 1794, he received deacon's orders, and in 1795, priest's orders from the hands of the Right Rev. Samuel Provoost, Bishop of New- York. From the period of his ordination, (1794,) until May, 1S23, he was an officiating clergyman in the Protes- tant Episcopal Church. At a vestry meeting held on the 7th of August, 1797, it was ordered, " that the Rev. Samuel Haskell have a regular call to take the rectorship of Christ Church at Rye and the White Plains, and that the clerk of this house make the call in writing, and forward the same to Mr. Haskell as early as possible." In April, 1 SOI, Mr. Haskell resigned the charge of this Par- ish, and in the month of May following, succeeded the Rev. William Walter, D. D., as rector of Christ Church, Boston. Here he remained till September, 1803, when he resigned, and accepted an invitation from St. Ann's Church, Gardiner, in the state of Maine. a At a meeting of the vestry of Christ Church, Rye, held the 18th day of April, 1801, it was on motion resolved, " that an ad- dress of thanks be presented to Mr. Samuel Haskell for his ser- vices to the said Church, and that the clerk draw and lav the Hist. Account of Christ Church, Boston, by the Rector. Boston. 1824. AND CHURCH OF RYE. ' 339 address before the house, &c." In answer to the petition of the churchwardens and vestrymen of this Parish, praying for a donation to enable them to finish the church and parsonage house, the corporation of Trinity Church, New-York, were pleased to contribute the sum of $750 for a parsonage at Rye. " At a meeting of the standing committee, appointed by the wardens and vestry of Christ Church, Rye, August the 27th. 1S01, on motion, resolved, that this committee for, and in behalf of the wardens and vestry of Christ Church at Rye, do present their grateful thanks to the wardens and vestry of Trinity Church, in the City of New-York, for the generous donation re- cently received of them ; sincerely hoping, that with the bles- sing'of God, their liberality may be a means of promoting the prosperity of our Church." On the 18th of October, 1S01, the REV. EVAN ROGERS received an invitation to the rectorship, and in the month of April following, took the pastoral charge of the Parish. He was the son of Enos and Margaret Rogers, and was bom in Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania, April 9th, 1766. Though the son of Quaker parents, he joined the Methodist Society in 1790, and became a zealous and laborious itinerant preacher in that connection, in the Maryland circuit. In 1791, he was or- dained by them, and appointed to the City of New- York in 1793. The next year he was appointed to Boston, Lynn, and Marblehead, and subsequently to Middletown, Connecticut. In 1793, he left the Methodist persuasion, was ordained deacon by the Right Rev. Abraham Jarvis, D. D., Bishop of Connecti- cut, June 5th, 1799, and priest by the same, October 6th, lbOO. He officiated at Hebron, Conn., until 1802. He was called to this Parish, as we have seen, in IS01, and remained its rector until January 25th, 1809, when he rested from his laboFs. He was once a delegate to the General Convention from Connecti- cut. 1 * Hist. Not. of Clergy, ordained by Bishops Seabury and Jarvis, from Appen- dix to Conn. Journal of Convocation. No. lv. 340 HISTORY OF THE PARISH At a vestry meeting held on the 18th day of October, 1801, it was resolved, " that a call be given to the Rev. Mr. Evan Rogers, of Hebron, in Connecticut, and that a salary of $275, together with the parsonage house and lands, be offered to him for the term of three years, &c." The above call was accepted by Mr. Rogers, on the 16th of January, 1802. In 1803, it was resolved by the vestry, " that Mr. Rogers, our present minister ; or whoever shall succeed him in the rec- torship, shall hereafter attend service and prayers at Rye and at the White Plains, alternately as usual, provided our brethren in and about the White Plains, shall raise an equal proportion of the salary, or that such rector shall attend at the White Plains, in proportion to the sum of money that shall be raised by our brethren in and about the White Plains." Upon the 11th of April, 1S04, it was resolved by the vestry, " that the Rev. Mr. Rogers have the charge of cleansing the Church the present year ; and that he cause it to be lighted up on Christmas Eve, for which he is to have the sum of ten dol- lars." In 1807, Mr. Rogers reported to the Convention as follows : « since the last Convention, nothing remarkable has taken place in this Church ; there appears however, of late, an in- creasing attention to public worship, and also to the holy ordi- nances." His notitia parochialis for 1808, stood thus : — " Baptisms, nine- teen • marriages, thirteen ; burials, nine ; communicants about forty ; and the number of families belonging to his church, about one hundred." Upon the 2d of May, of that year, it was resolved by the vestry — "that the Rev. E. Rogers, have the care of the church the ensuing year." It proved alas, the last of his ministry ; for, on the 25th of January following, " he fell asleep." In vain our fancy strives to paint The moment after death, The glories that surround the saint, When he resigns his breath. One gentle sigh his fetters break ; We scarce can say, " He's gone," AND CHURCH OF RYE. 341 Before the willing spirit takes Her mansion near the throne. Faith strives, but all its efforts fail To trace her heavenward flight ; No eye can pierce within the veil, Which hides that world of light. Thus much (and this is all) we know, They are supremely blest ; Have done with sin, and care, and woe, And with their Saviour rest. On harps of gold his name they praise, His presence always view ; — And if we here their footsteps trace, There u-c shall praise Him too. The following obituary notice, of this individual, is taken from the Churchman's Magazine. "Departed this life on Thursday, the 25th of January, 1809, after a few days illness, the Rev. Evan Rogers, Rector of Christ Church at Rye, New- York, — In the death of this excellent man society has suffered a real loss, because his life was an exem- plification of the doctrines he preached. He was endeared to a numerous acquaintance by his deep piety, the mildness of his temper, the profitableness of his conversation and the purity of his morals ; such a life must produce a happy death. He died in the full exercise of his reason, happy and resigned to the will of God and confident of a joyful resurrection." 1 His remains repose in the ancient village burying ground, near the entrance of the Neck proper. The following is the in- scription on his grave stone : — The Masonic Society in the town of Rye, have erected this monument sacred to the memory of their beloved brother, the ■ Churchman's Magazine vol. vi. p. 80. 342 HISTORY OP THE PARISH REV. EVAN ROGERS, pastor of Christ Church, in this town, who departed this life January 25th, 1809, in the 42d year of his life, extremely lamented. " My flesh shall slumber in the ground, Till the last trumpet's joyful sound ; Then burst these chains with sweet surprise, And in my Saviour's image rise." At a meeting of the wardens and vestry of Christ Church at Rye, held at the house of Nathaniel Penfield, 25th of February, 1S09, it was resolved, " that Messrs. John Guion, Gilbert Brown, and David Rogers, Jr., be a committee to settle all ac- counts, between the Parish and the late Rector, &c, and that the same committee be authorized to present a call to the Rev. Samuel Haskell, Rector of St Ann's Church, Gardiner, Maine, to remove and take the Rectorship of our church, &c." The REV. SAMUEL HASKELL, B. A., accepted the invitation and on the last Sunday in June, 1809, delivered his first sermon in the Parish, after an absence of nearly eight years. At a meeting of the wardens and vestry of the Episcopal Church of Rye and the White Plains, held at the church in the town of Rye, 12th of August, 1809, on motion resolved, " that whereas we the wardens and vestry of the aforesaid church of Rye, have called the Rev. Samuel Haskell, to take the rectorship of said church, we do hereby guarantee or secure to him, the said Rev. S. Haskell, the use and occupancy of the parsonage house and the glebe belonging to said church, during his residence with us ; we also insure to him three hundred dollars per annum, the sum stipulated in our call to him for the first three years, and the monies which may from time to time be subscribed for his maintenance. We also agree that he be regularly inducted in- AND CHURCH OF RYE. 343 to the Church agreeably to the constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the State of New-York, whenever the Bishop of said Church shall be disposed to attend to such in- duction ; also resolved, that the salary of the Rev. S. Haskell, commence the first of June, the time he left his church at the Eastward." 4 On the 26th of August, 1S09, it was resolved, " that the clerk (of the vestry) request Bishop Moore to attend to the induction of the Rev. Mr. Haskell. " b The following passage appeared in the Churchman's Magazine for September, 1809. " The Rev. Samuel Haskell has been duly instituted rector of Grace Church, Rye, and White Plains, which had become vacant in conse- quence of the much lamented death of the late rector, Evan Rogers." At a meeting of the vestry of Christ Church, Rye, in 1809, it was resolved. " that the pulpit and pews in the Church be altered, and that the standing committee be authorized to hire the sum of £50 to defray the expenditures of the proposed al- terations, &c." d The Rev. Samuel Haskell, in his report for 1809, says : — " Christ Church, Rye, appears to be in a flourishing state ; since the 1st of July last, baptisms — adults, 4, infants, 4 — S ; marri- ages, 2 ; deaths, 9 ; communicants, about 50." At a meeting of the wardens and vestry of Christ Church, August 30th, 1810, it was on motion resolved, "that the propo- sals from Peter Jay Monro, and John Peter de Lancey, to erect an Episcopal Church, be postponed until the next meeting, for future consideration." In his report for the above year, Mr. Haskell observes, " that the Parish of Rye and the White Plains, by the grace of God, is in a peaceable and harmonious state. The congregations are large, increasing, and in good fellowship among themselves and with each other." * Church Rec. of Rye. b Ibid c Churchman's Magazine. d Church Records. 344 HISTORY OF THE PARISH Upon the 27th of June, 1811, "the vestry went into a dis- cussion of the subject of building a chapel on Rye neck, to be connected with the Church at Rye, came to no decision — but resolved to postpone the subject for further consideration, &c. n In his parochial report for 1816, Mr. Haskell observes, "that the wardens and vestrymen of Christ Church, Rye, judged it expedient to withdraw from the White Plains, and to have the stated services of the rector limited to the Church in Rye, and have acted accordingly ; so that the White Plains are now destitute." In May, 18 23, as before stated, Mr. Haskell relinquished the charge of this Parish, and never afterwards accepted a paro- chial cure. He went from this place to New Rochelle, where, on the 24th of August, 1845. in the S3d year of his age, he was call- ed to give an account of his stewardship. His remains are in- terred in the burying ground of Trinity Church, New Ro- chelle, a short distance from the sacred edifice, in which, du- ring the last twenty two years of his life, he had attended the services of the Church. His tombstone bears this epitaph : — Sacred to the Memory of the REV. SAMUEL HASKELL, who died Aug. 24th 18-45 aged S3. The REV. WILLIAM THOMPSON, A. M., who succeeded Mr. Haskell, was a native of Enniskillen, in the north of Ireland, and came to America about 1S16-17. After obtaining holy orders, he was for a short time rector of Trinity Church, Pittsburgh, Penn., and on the 1st of October, 1823, he took charge of this Parish. He fell asleep in the arms of his Saviour, on Thursday, Au- gust the 26th 1830. His remains were interred in the old til- lage burying ground, near those of Mr. Rogers. The following AND CHURCH OF RYE. 345 notice of his death appeared in the Christian Journal of 1830. !' Died, at Rye, Westchester County, New- York, on Thursday, August 26th, the Rev. William Thompson, rector of Christ Church, in that town. Mr. Thompson was a native of Ireland, and came to this country about twelve or fourteen years ago. Soon after his ar- rival here, he reviewed a determination which he had previous- ly cherished at home, but abandoned on account of delicate health, of entering the holy ministry ; and after completing a course of study with that view, was ordained deacon by the Right R,ev. Bishop Hobart, in Christ Church, in this city, on the Thursday before Easter, April 19th, 1821. He soon after removed to the charge of Trinity Church, Pittsburgh, Penn., and at the convention of that diocese, in St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia, on Wednesday, May 8th, 1822, he was admitted by the Right Rev. Bishop White, to the holy order of priests. Two or three years afterwards, Mr. Thompson returned to this Diocese, and settled in the Parish, in the charge of which he continued until his death. He was a man of great piety, and land and affectionate dispositions, and most sincerely devoted to his Master's service. He understood well, and therefore highly prized the distinctive principles of the communion at whose altars he ministered, and happily illustrated the natural union of the sound and good churchman, the truly pious man, and the faithful and evangelical preacher. His health was de- clining for a long time before his death. He was conscious of it ; but was supported and consoled under that consciousness, by the grace of God strengthening his faith, and brightening his christian hopes. Mr. Thompson was in the prime of life ; when in the ordinary course of Providence, many years might have been expected to be added to his ministry." 11 A neat monumental tablet, on the north side of the chancel of Christ Church, perpetuates the memory of this excellent man. The Rev. John M. Forbes, was called to, and accepted the rec- a Christian Journal, vol. xiv. p. 286. 346 HISTORY OF THE PARISH torship in 1830. This gentleman, who is a son of the late James Grant Forbes, Esq., and a grandson of the Rev. John Forbes, one of the Venerable Society's missionaries for the Propa- gation of the Gospel, has recently apostatized to the Church of Rome, and is now officiating in his appropriate character as a priest of that Communion. For the successors of Mr. Forbes, see list of rectors. THE CHURCH. Christ Church, Rye, is agreeably situated upon rising ground, overlooking the village and vale of Blind Brook. This building erected in the year 1788, upon the site of the old stone edi- fice, called Grace Church, is a plain edifice of wood, surmount- ed with an embattled tower, and a small vestry room attached to the rear. Its interior consists of the nave, two aisles, galle- ry and chancel. The two following tablets are placed on the walls : — In memory of WILLIAM THOMPSON, Rector of Christ Church at Rye, a native of Emiiskil'en, Ireland, ordained April, 1820, appointed to the charge of this Parish, September, 1823, Died August 26th, 1830. " Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace" — Psalm xxxvii. v. 37. Erected by his affectionate Widow. Our Father and Mother, DAVID BROWN who died Sept. 7th, 1850, aged 88 years and Sophia his wife AND CHURCH OF RYE. 347 who died March 24th, 1851, Aged 80 years. " Rejoice, because I said I go unto the Father." • Beneath the floor of the church, lie pillowed in the darkness of the grave, the Rev. George Muirson, who died rector of this Parish in 170S, and his successor, the Rev. Christopher Bridge, who departed this life, A. D., 1719. Belonging to this Church is a silver paten and chalice, pre- sented by her Majesty, Queen Anne, A. D. 1706. The former is perfectly plain — the latter is bell mouthed, will hold about one quart of wine, and stands nine inches and a quarter high. They bear the following inscription, viz : — " Ann^e Regin.e."' These articles have been used in the administration of the Holy Communion, nearly a century and a half. It appears from the following, that the royal donation consisted of other articles : — " At a monthly meeting of the Society, in 1706, the Lord Bish- op of London, reported that her Majesty, of her princely grace and favour, had been pleased, (through his Lordship's hands) to allow five large Bibles, Common Prayer Books, and Books of Homilies, as also pulpit cloths, communion table cloths, silver chalices and patens, for each of the five churches in the gov- ernment of New- York, viz : — Hempstead and Jamaica, in Long Island, Westchester, Rye, and Staten Island. So far may the prophecy and the fulfilling of it be applied to the Church of Christ arising in America : — 'Kings shall be thy nursing fath- ers, and Queens thy nursing mothers.'"* 1 Three pieces of communion silver, viz : — a flagon, chalice and alms plate, are inscribed as follows : — " Presented to Christ Church at Rye, by Mrs. Mary Jay, 1818." b * An account of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, &c, printed by order of the Society — John Chamberlayne, Sec, London, 170G. b At a meeting of the vestry, held 29th Oct. 1818, it was resolved, " That the wardens and vestry of the Church, in their behalf, and in behalf of the congre- 348 HISTORY OF THE PARISH There is likewise a chalice bearing the following inscription : — " Presented to the Parish of Christ Church, Rye, by their affectionate friend, P. S. J. Chauncey, 1848." Upon two copper alms bowls are inscribed : — " Presented to Christ Church, at Rye, by James Meadows, 1769." Besides a fine toned bell, manufactured by E. Meneely, of West Troy, in 1842, the Church contains a neat organ. The old bell presented by the Rev. James Wetmore, and knolled for the first time on Christmas Day, 1732, fell with the tower when the Church was burnt during the Revolutionary War. The decayed state of the present edifice erected, as we have seen sixty-five years ago ; and the increasing population of the Parish, render the erection of a new and more commodious church absolutely necessary. For the accomplishment of this desirable end, the vestry have already taken active measures ; a subscription list has been freely circulated, and upwards of ten thousand dollars subscribed towards the good work. The present glebe a was purchased by the vestry in 1794, upon which a neat parsonage has been erected. To Christ Church, Rye, was formerly attached St. Peters Chapel,;at Port- chester. PRINCIPAL BENEFACTORS. Q,ueen Anne, Edward Viscount Cornbury, Hon. Caleb Heath- cote, Rev. George Muirson, Hon. Samuel Purdy, Isaac Denham, Esq., St. George Talbot, Esq., Peter Jay, Esq., Ann Jay, Mary gation, gratefully acknowledge the same, and return her their unfeigned thanks, with their best wishes and ardent prayers that she may long live in the enjoy- ment of health, and after this life ended, may participate in the pleasures of a blessed immortality." * Jno. Denham, of Rye, in County of Fairfield, sold " a certain half lotment of land, lying within the field of Rye, near the upper end of the field, being in esti- mation four acres, &c. ; bounded as followeth: — northerly with the parsonage land and easterly with the highway, and southerly with the land of John Frost and easterly with the highway." — Town Rec, Lib. B, 74. At a town meeting held at Rye, Feb. 26th, 1G93-4, " The town doth order that what hath been done for the repairing of the parsonage house the townsmen shall have power to make a rent and appoint every man his pay." — Town Rec, Lib. D. Christ Church. Rye— Erected A. D. 1855. 1 11 1 I '0 eo 3a 40 Ulllllllll I ' I Ground plan of Christ Church. [To face page 343] AND CHUECH OP RYE. 349 Jay, Mrs. Philemon Halstead 3 - the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, and the Corporation of Trinity Chinch., New-York.^ The first delegates from this Parish to the Diocesan Conven- tion in 1785, were William Miller and Alexander Hunt, Esqrs. TOMBSTONES. The following inscription is taken from a tombstone found in the wail on the west side of the church : — Sacred to the Memory of Mrs. Martha Marven, late consort of Mr. Lewis Marven, of Rye, who exchanged this life for a better, Feb'y 5th, 1767, in the 39 th year of her age. " Let us since life can little more supply — Than just to look about us and to die, Hope humbly, and with trembling pinions sore, Wait the great teacher, death, and God adore." Many other persons were interred near the church, as 1 have been credibly informed. The following memorials are from the village burying ground : — Mary, daughter to Samuel and Mary Kniffen, deceased, January ye 12th, 1707. In memory of Mr. Joseph Lyon, who deceased February the 21st, A. D., 1761, in the 84th year of his age. In the Blind Brook cemetery, opposite the church, is a gravestone inscribed to the memory of a grand- son of the Rev. James "Wetmore, with a figure curiously carved in the similtude of a cherub, surrounded with a rich foliated ■ This Lady had tho goodness to present two elegant communion cloths to the Church, in 1833. k Trinity Church, in 1800, presented the sum of $750 for a parsonage, at Rye. In 1813, $500 f or Christ Church, Rye. The old Prayer Book, which is still used in the service of tho Church, was presented by Mrs. Peter A. Jay, Aug., 1831. It is entitled " The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacra- menti and other rites and Ceremonies of the Church, New- York. By Direc- tion of the Gen. Con. Printed by Hugh Gaine, at the Bible, Hanover Square, M.DCCXCV." , 350 HISTORY OF THE PAEISH border, — sacred to the dear Memory of JAMES, beloved son of Timothy and Jane Wetmore, who changed this Life for a better, Nov. the 25th, 1753, Aged 13 months and 4 ds. RECTORES DE RYE. TEMP. INST. RECTORES. VACAT. PATRONS. April, 1704, Rev. T. Pritchard, 01. A. M. pr mort. War. and Yes 31 July, 1705, Rev. Geo. Muirson, CI., A. M., per mort. « 17 Oct.. 1710, Rev. Christopher Bridge, CI., A. M., per mort. " 7 June, 1722, Rev. Robert Jenney, CI., A. M., per resig. " June, 1726, Rev. James Wetmore, CI., A. M., per mort. " 17 Nov., 1762, Rev. Ebenezer Punderson, CI. A. M., pe mort. " 9 Sept., 1765, Rev. Ephraim Avery, CI., A. M., per m'ort. " 1777, Rev. Isaac Hunt, CI., A. M., per resig. " 5 Sept., 1787, Rev. Richard C. Moore, Presb. A. M. per resig « 15 Dec, 1790, Rev. David Foote, Presb., A. M., per mort. " 5 Dec, 1793, Rev. John J. Sands, Presb., A. M., per resig. " 26 Oct., 1796, Rev. George Ogilvie, Presb., A. M., per mort. " 7 Aug., 1797, Rev. Samuel Haskell, Presb., B. A., per resig. " 18 Oct., 1801, Rev. Evan Rogers, Presb., per mort. " 27 Feb., 1809, Rev. Samuel Haskell, Presb, B. A., per resig. " 8 Dec, 1S23, Rev. William. Thompson, A. IVL, per mort. " 1S30, Rev. John Forbes, Presb., per resig. " 1832, Rev. W. M. Carmichael, A. M. Presb., pr resig. " 8 Sept., 1834, Rev. Peter S. Chauncey, A. M. Presb. pr resig. " 13 May, 1S49, Rev. Ed. C. Bull, A. M., Presb., present rector. " NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS. A. D. 1705, Baptisms 200, Communicants 30 1710, ditto 8, ditto 43 1722, ditto 60, ditto 26 1727, ditto 50, ditto 31 1739, ditto 118, ditto 50 1763, ditto 111, ditto 50 1766, ditto ? ditto 40 AND CHURCH OF EYE. 351 A. D. 1773, Baptisms 101, Communicants 9 1S04, dittto 5, ditto 30 1S10, ditto 14, ditto 55 1847, ditto 22, ditto 112 1S53, ditto 4, ditto 63 In 1712 the number of persons belonging to the church in this Parish were 313. In 1S53, number of families were 64. In 1703, the population of the Parish was - - S00 1712, « " 774 1840, " «... i ; 803 1850, " " 2,590 THE SOCIETY'S SCHOOLMASTERS AT RYE. Time of App't Schoolmasters. Salary. 1707, Joseph Cleator, £15 per aim 1711, Thomas Huddlestone, ditto. 1723, John Carhart, ditto. 1728, Flint D wight, ditto. 1733, Samuel Purdy, ditto. 1745, William Sturgeon, B. A, ditto. 1754, Timothy Wetmore, ditto. 1769, John Rand, ditto. 1770, John Avery. £10 per ann 1771, James Wetmore, ditto. NOTITIA SCHOLASTICA. 1711, Number of Scholars, . 30. 1718, <: u 55. 1738, a u - 21. 1776, << '• - 60. Pew Holders in 1792. — The following names appear on the minutes, of individuals who purchased pews in 1792, viz. : — The widow of Josiah Brown, Peter Jay, Joshua Purdy, Isaac Brown, Andrew Lyon, Thomas Brown, Robert Kennedy, Jesse Hunt, Esq., Joshua Purdy, Jr., Thomas Lyon, Ezekiel Hal- 352 HISTORY OP THE PARISH stead, the widow of William Griffen, Samuel Marvin, Benjamin Griffen, Deborah Horton, John Griffen, Roger Purdy, Jr., Gilbert Brown, John P. De Lancey, Bartholomew Hadden, Isaac Purdy, John Haight, Jr., Ezrahiah Wetmore, Samuel Purdy, John Gui- on, Sylvanus Purdy, John Haight, Daniel Haight, Tamer Bar- ker — nine seats reserved by the Vestry. NAMES OF PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN ELECTED WARDENS OF GRAGE CHURCH (NOW CHRIST CHURCH,) RYE:— 1695—6. George Lane, John Brondig. No records from 1696 to 1703. 1703—10. Caleb Heathcote, Joseph Theall. 1710. Joseph Theall, Jonathan Hart. Cornelius Seely, 1711. Joseph Budd, Isaac Denham. 1712. John Brundige, Jonathan Miller. 1713. John Brundige, David Ogden. 1714. David Ogden, Moses Knapp. 1715. Moses Knapp, Jacob Haviland. AND CHURCH OF RYE. 353 17L6. Jacob Haviland, Henry Disbrow. 1717. Henry Disbrow, George Lane. 1718. Ebenezer Theal, George Lane. 1719-20. John Haight, Isaac Denham. 1721. Samuel Purdy, Henry Fowler, 1722. George Lane, Benjamin Brown, 1723. Henry Fowler, John Horton. 1724. Jonathan Haight, Jacob Haviland. 1725. Samuel Purdy, Benjamin Brown, 1726. Daniel Purdy, John Budd. 1727. William Fowler, Abraham Miller, 172S. David Ogden Daniel Purdy. 1729-30. Daniel Purdy, John Glover. 1731. James Woods, John Budd. 1732. Daniel Purdy, sen., Joseph Kniffin, 1733. Daniel Purdy, sen., William Willett. 1734. Daniel Purdy, Francis Doughty, 23 354 HISTORY OF TIIE PARISH 1735. Daniel Purely, Benjamin Brown. 1736-7. Samuel Purely, Francis Doughty, 1738-9. Hachaliah Brown, Andrew Merritt, 1740. Daniel Purely, John Thomas. 1741. John Thomas, Daniel Purdy. 1742-3. Dauiel Purely, John Thomas. 1744. Samuel Purdy, Samuel TredwelL 1745. Samuel Tredwell, Samuel Purdy. 1746-7. Elisha Budd, Charles Theall. 1748. Charles Theall, Elisha Budd. 1749. James Horton, Jeremiah Fowler. 1750-1. Jeremiah Fowler, Joseph Sherwood. 1752. Joshua Purdy, Roger Parks, jun. 1753-5S. William Willett, Jonathan Brown. 1759. Jonathan Brown, William Willett. 1760-1. William Willett, Jonathan Brown. 1762. Elisha Budd, Ebenezer Kniffin. AND CHURCII OF RYE. 355 1763. Ebenezer Kniffin, Andrew Merritt. 1764. John Thomas, Ebenezer Kniffin. 1765-6. Gilbert Bloomer, Joshua Purdy. 1767. Hachaliah Brown, Timothy Wetmore. 1768. Timothy Wetmore, Hachaliah Purdy. 1769. Joshua Purdy, James Horton, jun. 1770-75. Joshua Purdy, Benjamin Griffon. 1776. Joshua Purdy, James Horton, jun. 17S8-95. Peter Jay, Isaac Purdy. 1796. Isaac Purdy, John Barker. 1797. Peter Jay, Isaac Purdy. 1798. Isaac Purdy, Joshua Purdy. 1799. Joshua Purdy, Isaac Purdy. 1500. John Haight, Isaac Purdy. 1801. Andrew Lyon, John Haight. 1802. John Haight, Andrew Lyon. 1803-4. John Haight, John Guion. 1805. John Guion, John Haight. 356 HISTORY OF THE PARISH 1806-7. John Haight, John Guion. 1S08-23. John Guion, Jonathan Purdy. David Brown, 1824-5. Jonathan Purdy, David Brown. 1825-33. David Brown, Hachaliah Brown. 1834. David Brown, Samuel Purdy. 1835-40. Hachaliah Brown, Josiah Buckley. 1841-2. Peter Jay, Hachaliah Brown. 1843-4. Hachaliah Brown, William Bush. 1815-51. William Bush, Josiah Buckley. 1852-3. John G. Jay, John A. Dix. HISTORY PARISH AND CHURCH EASTCHESTER. Eastchester, which formerly constituted one of the four precincts of the extensive parish of Westchester, was at first called " Hutchinson's" (from the celebrated Anne Hutchinson, who, to avoid the bitter persecutions of the Puritans, fled into this neighborhood for protection, in 1642, and commenced a plan- tation,) and subsequently " The Ten Farms," an appellation de- rived from its ancient division among ten proprietors. The present name was conferred as early as 1666. The lands of Eastchester were originally included in the In- dian grant of 1610, whereby the Indians conveyed to the Dutch West India Company, all the territory situated between the town of Nor walk and the North River. Upon the 14th of November, 1654, Thomas Pell, of Fairfield, Conn., obtained a second grant from the Indian Sachem Wam- page and others, which also embraced the present parish. " On the 24th of June, 1664, Thomas Pell granted to James Eustis and Philip Pinckney, for themselves and their associates, to the number of ten families, to settle down at Hutchinson's, 358 HISTORY OP THE PARISH that is, where the house stood at the meadows and uplands, to! Hutchinson's River, they paying according to ye proportion oi the charges, which was disburst for the purchase, &c." The above grantees were Puritans, from Fairfield in Connec ticut, who claimed Westchester as laying within their jurisdic tion. The first settlers of Eastchester, like the people in general o: that day, paid early attention to religion, to the support of th( gospel, and the institutions of the religious society to which they belonged. It appears that a Congregational or Indepen dent Society was organized here in 1665, for in that year it wai ordered : — " That all and every one of us, or that shall be o us, do pay unto the minister according to his mead ;" also " That we give new encouragement to Mr. Brewster each othei week, to give us a word of exhortation." 51 In 1670 it was fur ther enacted : — " That whereas, we being a Society of Chris tians, living together, have agreed that all those of our associa tion shall join together in meeting on Lord's days, to tell abou the worship of God." It was also resolved, "That whereas Mo ses Hoit, being deserter, and being behind, and not seeming t( be willing to contribute unto our minister, whereupon the in- habitants of Eastchester, have agreed that the said Moses Hoi shall be presented unto the next Court of Sessions, &c." b Upon the 29th of July, 1674, "Richard Shute was chosen foi to go to our honoured Governour as a representative from the village of Eastchester, upon the occasion that we may have the Rev. Ezekiel Fogge to be established and confirmed by oui honourable Governour, and also the humble request to have the liberty or grant to build a Chapel of Ease, and not to be paying toward Westchester church's building." » Town Records. b Town Records. — " On the 13th January, 1672, it was resolved to pay £10 per annum to Mr. , as his salary, by [rate, by the inhabitants and sojour- ners." Persons were allowed to protest against the collecting of church rates.- See protest of John Jackson, Moses Hoit and others, Feb. 11. 1G74. • Town Records. AND CHURCH OF EASTCHESTER. 359 The following day, at a public meeting of the inhabitants of Eastchester, it was resolved by vote, "To go jointly unto West- chester, and so speak with the Rev. Mr. Fogge, by reason we heard that Mr. Fogge did express himself to be desirous, and also willing to live and settle among us in Eastchester; in con- sideration whereof, we are willing to manifest our acceptance to embrace his good company, and shall provide for his present comfort, and likewise for his future livelihood. '" a Upon the 5th of September, 1677, it was agreed, " That if it be the will of God to bring a minister to settle among us, we pay him £40 a year for his subsistence, and also provide him a house and land for his use, during the time he stays here as our minister." At this meeting it was resolved, "To send. Philip Pinckney and Samuel Drake, sen., as representatives to West- chester, to the town meeting, to treat with that town for the providing a minister.'' b The following year it was determined, "That we will meet together on Sabbath days, for time to come, to celebrate the worship and service of God, in the best manner that we can at- tain unto." It was also decided by vote, " That we will pay to- wards the carrying on the said Sabbath days' services, by a free will offering for the ensuing year, the following sums : — s. d. s. d. William Haiden, 14 Will. Gregier, 05 Richard Shute, 12 Henry Fowler, 04 Nat. Tompkins, 10 Henry Creway, 02 John Pinckney, 10 Samuel Drake, 15 Richard Hoadly, 10 John Drake, 10 0"<= John Tompkins, OS Upon the 17th of December, the inhabitants of Eastchester " Agreed to pay £40 a year unto Mr. Morgan Jones, minister of Newtown, L. 1 ; that is to say, to be paid unto the said min- ■ Town Records. fc Ibid. • Ibid 360 HISTORY OF THE PARISH ister, for his encouragement to administer the word of God nnto us, as our minister; and that we, the said inhabitants, do en- gage to pay the abovesaid sum of £40 in good provincial pay, at the price according to the same of this government, provi- ded that the said Mr. Jones do come and live among us, and perform the office of a minister, and to pay it by vote."* Feb. 11th, 16S0, we find the Rev. Morgan Jones officiating in the village of Westchester. b During the year, 1684, Eastchester appears to have been uni- ted with Westchester in the support of a pastor, for in the Spring of the same year, it was resolved, "That the justices and vestry- men of West and Eastchester, and Yonkers, do accept of Mr. Warham Mather, as our minister for one whole year." c At this period, Mr. Samuel Goding received instructions to read in the Bible, and other good sermon books, and so to car- ry on the Sabbath exercises in Eastchester, according to the Hon. Col. Fletcher's order. d On the 30th of Nov., 1692, the inhabitants of Eastchester agreed to pay the following sums towards the support of Mr. Goding : — "Henry Fowler, one bushel of good winter wheat, s. d. John Tompkins, 3 Jno. Pinckney, 5 pecks John Clark, 2 of Indian corn, s. 3 d. 2 4 3 2 4 Joseph Drake, 4 William Gray, 2 Thomas Pinckney, 3 John Shute, 3 Isaac Taylor, 2 Benjamin Taylor, 2 John Drake, 4 Thomas Shute, 4 6" Upcn the 9th of May, 1693, it was resolved that a meeting * Town Records. b Westchester Town Records. — " On the 17th day of Dec, 1680, the inhabitants of Eastchester agreed by vote, to pay .£40 a year unto Mr. Jones, minister of Newtown, L. I. Westchester Town Records. 4 Eastchester Town Records. " In lfi92 Richard Shute, and Samuel Goding, ■were chosen to carry on the Sabbath day sendees, &c." AND CHURCH OF EASTCHESTER. 36 1 house should be built according to the dimensions agreed upon. At a meeting of the inhabitants, held on the 16th of May, " It was agreed that the whole charge of building the said house, shall be paid according unto the estates of every particu- lar person's list taken." "The same day Capt. William Hayden, John Drake, John Pinckney, Richard Shute, and Henry Fowler, sen., were chosen overseers to superintend the building of the meeting house, &c." a By an Act of Assembly, passed 21st Sept., 1693, Eastchester became one of the four precincts of the parish of Westchester. On the 1st of January, 1693-4, " William Haiden, John Drake, and Richard Shute, were chosen to receive forty pounds, as according to the free-will offering, and to act and do and layout the said several sums for the town ;" also, " It was agreed, that these men have full power to receive the said sums and lay them out towards building the said meeting house and to render account thereof to the town." b At a town meeting held the 23rd day of January, 1694-5, the inhabitants " Agreed by vote to lay out half an acre of land to be set out for a parsonage lot, to be reserved for the use of the town, to be reserved for that use for ever, which abovesaid land is lying in, and being upon the green in Eastchester." On the 31st of July, 1696. it was determined " To lighten the meeting house by a lantern to every seat of the same." - At a town meeting held 22nd July, 1697, " It was agreed by vote to meet at the meeting house on the 10th day of Au- gust next ensuing, at sun hdlf an hour high in the morning, in order to the cutting brush about the commons in Eastchester woods, and to appear at the beat of the drum." On the 2nd of January, 1698-9, the inhabitants agreed by * Town Rec. "At a town meeting on the 15th of December, 1693, Moses Hoit, jun., and others, were chosen to take a list of estimation according to the town's agreement, for making a rate for the payment of the carpenter's work in building the meetinghouse." "Ibid. * Itrftl. * See Hist, of the County of "Westchester, vol 1. page 143. 362 HISTORY OF THE PARISH vote. " That the address which is drawn up to be presented unto His Excellency, concerning indoekiu (inducting) a minister, the said inhabitants have and do agree that the officers of said town shall asign (sign) the said address in the behalf of them- selves and the rest of the inhabitants or any of our adjacent neighbours." The Governour, however, refused to induct a dissenting minis- ter, on the ground that such a one was not qualified to accept, and that the law intended no other than an orthodox minister, for if otherwise, nothing but confusion would ensue about the dispo- sal even amongst the Dissenters themselves. The inhabitants of Eastchester finding the Governour bent up- on the settlement of a national ministry, next attempted to annul the act of 1693, by making themselves a distinct parish from Westchester. This appears by the following extract from the town records : — "April 1 1th, 1699, it was agreed upon, by a full and free vote, to petition unto His Excellency and Honourable Council and General Assembly, in behalf of ourselves and the rest of our neighbours in the Yonkers and Mile Square, to de- sire that we may be taken from Westchester and have liberty to call a minister of our own." On the 26th of December, 1699, it was resolved, at a public meeting held in Eastchester, " To haste and erect the meeting house, and that it shall be finished at or before the 31st of May, in the year of our Lord, 1700, and in case the said work be not finished, that then John Drake and Jeremiah Fowler shall set men at work and finish the said work on the town account."* At a meeting of the inhabitants, 20th of February, 1700, we find them setting aside a small quantity of land as a provision for a minister, according to their constant method, and which was used in all other townships within the Colony, as fol- lows: — "The said inhabitants have laid out one piece of land ■ Town Records. " By an act of Assembly passed this year, the trustees of each town were to make a yearly rate for building a church where wanting, &c." 3 Will. 111. A. D. 1699. Laws of N. Y. vol. 1. Chap. 83, p. 37. AND CHURCH OF EASTCHESTER. 3(33 containing IS rod in length, and easterly 5 rod, and at the western end it is 5 rod in breadth ; the said land is set, lying and being in Eastchester, 1 rod off from John Lancaster's mea- dow, and at the west end half a rod by the home meadow of the said John Lancaster's, which land is for the use of the town for a parsonage lot, which said lot was laid out by the consent of Mr. Thos. Pinckney, justice of the peace, and Richard Shute, as witnesseth that the said land is given to be so ner (near) his meadow. The mark of John^ Lancaster. " a Upon this occasion it was agreed " That the minister's salary be paid by rate for time to come." The same year, " Ten acres of land were voted to Nicholas Concklin, in consideration that he shall part with his house, home lot and orchard, for the use of a minister, in case the said minister do accept of this abovesaid house and home lot." Mr. Henry Fowler at the same time was directed to "Write a letter to Mr. Morgan to come over and see whether he doth well ap- prove of what the inhabitants have done for his maintenance." 15 It was also "Agreed to pay Mr. Morgan £30 current, for salary," which sum was ordered to be raised upon all rateable estates. At a public town meeting, held about this time, " Mr. Joseph Morgan did declare, that he did not like that home lot of Nicholas Conckiin's, and also that the said piece of land is not a whole home lot." Upon the 12th of June, 1700, twenty acres of land were voted to Mr. Morgan. " At a public town meeting, called by order of the inhabitants, Oct. 4th, 1700, the said inhabitants directed Mr. Henry Fowler and Richard Shute, (with the rest of the intended church,) to » Town Records. k Town Rec. • Town Rec, vol. i. p. 4. 364 HISTORY OF THE PARISH write unto the Reverend ministers in New England concerning the ordination, they having the assistance of the Rev. Mr. Morgan ; also, that Mr. John Pinckney, Henry Fowler and Richard Shute, shall write unto His Excellency for his approba- tion, that he will be pleased to induct (the word induct is mark- ed out in the original MS. and the letters app written over it) our minister, the Rev. Joseph Morgan." At the same time " Joseph Drake and Thomas Pinckney were authorized to agree with a carpenter to build a pulpit on the town's account." Having now obtained the services of a minister, and finding the Church pouring in upon them, the inhabitants once more determined to petition the Assembly for an act to seperate them from Westchester. Whereupon, at a town meeting, 14th of October, 1700, " Mr. Henry Fowler, sen., was authorized by the inhabitants to proceed to New- York to petition the General Assembly, for the calling and settling a minister with ourselves, and that we may be freed from Westchester in the ministry." , 12th of King William III, A. D., 1700, occurs an act of the General Assembly, entitled as follows : — AN ACT FOR DECLARING THE TOWN OF EASTCHESTER IN THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, A DISTINCT PARISH FROM THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER IN THE COUNTY AFORESAID. Passed the 29th of October, 1700. " Whereas, by an Act of the General Assembly of this Province, entitled : — An Act for settling a ministry and raising a maintenance for them in the City of New-York, County of Richmond, Westchester and Queens County, it is amongst other things declared and enacted, that the towns of Westchester, Eastchester, Lower Yonkers and the Manor of Pelham, in the county of Westchester, should be a parish together, for the better maintaining of a good and sufficient Protestant minister ; and, whereas, since the making of said act, it has been found incon- venient, and to the great discouragement of religion and the public worship of God, for the inhabitants of Eastchester to travel to Westchester aforesaid, to be present at the preaching of the word of God ; wherefore, the said Inhabitants and Freeholders of the town of Eastchester aforesaid, have, by their humble Petition to the House of Representatives, now convened in General Assembly, most hum- bly prayed, that it might be declared and enacted. I. And be it Declared and Enacted, by His Excellency, the Governour and Council and Representatives, now convened in General Assembly, and by the authority of the same, that the said town of Eastchester, in the County of West- AND CHUECH OF EASTCHESTER. 365 Chester be for henceforth, and forever hereafter, separated from the parish of Westchester, Eastchester, Lower Yonkers and the Manor of Pelham, to all in- tents, constructions and purposes whatsoever ; the said act, entitled An Act for settling the ministry and raising a maintenance for them, in the City of New- York, County of Richmond, Westchester and Queens County, or any other act to the contrary hereof in anyways notwithstanding. II. And be it Further Enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that the said Town of Eastchester, in the County of Westchester, be, and is hereby declared to be and remain forever a distinct parish from the parish of Westchester, Eastchester Lower Yonkers and the Manor of Pelham, by the name and style of the parish of Eastchester, in the County of Westchester : Provided, that the Freeholders and Inhabitants thereof do maintain a good orthodox Protestant minister in the said town of Eastchester; any law, usage or custom to the contrary hereof, in any- ways notwithstanding." 4 March the 6th, 1701, the inhabitants "exchanged 4 rods cf land with Joseph Morgan, pastor of the Church of Eastchester." Upon the 3rd of April, 1702, John Drake and Thomas Pinckney were authorized, "To agree with a carpenter to make a pulpit, and set up the gallery and repair the window shut- ters, &c." At the same time, John Tompkins, jun., was also chosen " To beat the drum constantly, every Lord's day if occasion require, and at other times when it is needful, and to keep the drum in repair ; and the said inhabitants do promise to pay him therefor 9 pence a piece, every one." Upon the 19th of November, 1702, the Rev. John Bartow was inducted by Governour Cornbury. into the parish Church of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers and the Manor of Pelham, notwithstanding all the means used to prevent and disturb his settlement by the Independents ; and as no u good orthodox Pro- testant minister'''' had been maintained in this parish, in accord- ance with the late act, Mr. Bartow was considered as legally in- ducted, and settled over all the rights and appurtenances of West- chester parish, of which the church at Eastchester formed a part. This fact the Independents or Presbyterians themselves acknowledged by paying their quota of £50 per annum, towards Mr. Bartow's support, according to the first settlement in 1693. * Laws of New- York, vol. 1, Chap. 90, page 40. 366 HISTORY OF THE PARISH i On the 18th of May, 1703, the inhabitants of Eastchester ap- pointed Mr. Thos. Pinckney and Mr. Edmund Ward, " To draw an obligation with Mr. Joseph Morgan, minister, for one year 9 for his encouragement, and to see who will subscribe thereunto for the payment of the town." The following extract, from a letter of Mr. Bartow to the Sec- retary, in 1707, shows, however, that the inhabitantsfinally em- braced the Church of England and accepted of him as their minister: — " My Lord Cornbury requested me to go and preach at East- chester; accordingly I went, (though some there had give out threatening words, should I dare to come,) but tho' I was there very early, and the people had notice of my coming, their Pres- byterian minister, Mr. Morgan, had begun service in the meeting house, to which I went straightway and continued the whole time of service without interruption, and in the afternoon I was permitted to perform the Church of England service; Mr. Mor- gan being present, and neither he nor the people seemed to be dissatisfied, and after some time of preaching there afterwards, they desired me to come oftener ; and I concluded to minister there once a month, which now I have done for about three years." In regard to this conformity of the people of Eastchester to the Church of England, Mr. Hawkins says: — "That the popu- lation of Eastchester was 400, who being Presbyterians, obtain- ed an act, by which they were formed into a separate parish, and obtained a minister of their own persuasion ; but on Mr. Bartow's coming among them, they were so well satisfied with the liturgy and doctrine of the Church, that they forsook their minister and conformed to the Church of England." In an address to the Venerable and Honourable Society for Propagating the Gospel, the following account is given of the building of the church at Eastchester : — " May it please the Venerable and Honourable Society for Propagating the Gospel, — We, whose names are subscribed, do hereby certify, that the AND CHURCH OF EASTCHESTER. 307 Church of Eastchester was built in the year of our Lord 1692 by subscription of the inhabitants of said town, and that Mr. Matthews, a Presbyterian minister, for about three years and after him Mr. Morgan, a Presbyterian minister, did preach till such time as Mr. Bartow began to preach unto us in the year 1703, since which time it has been in his possession, and he comes and preaches at Eastchester once in four weeks during the Winter, and once in eight weeks during the space of six months in the Summer. And we further certify that the town of Eastchester was made a distinct parish from Westchester in the year 1700." About this time the inhabitants addressed the following peti- tion to Governour Cornbury, asking for an abatement in their annual quota and thanking him for directing Mr. Bartow to preach among them : — PETITION FROM EASTCHESTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY, &c. " The Humble Petition of John Drake, Joseph Drake and William Chadder- ton in the behalf of themselves and the Inhabitants of Eastchester, Skeweth : That Col. Heathcote, did, at the request of your Excellency's Petitioners, move your Excellency to give directions that what the Vestry had layd on the parish of Westchester for incidental charges over the minister's rate and consta- ble's allowance for allowing the same, might be abated from the quoata layd on our place, we being burthened with much more than our just proportion of that tax ; that Col. Heathcote did thereupon inform your Excellency's Petitioners, that your Excellency had been pleased to direct that some of the Justices which lived without the precincts, should make inquiry into that matter and make report thereof to your Excellency, but the Justices not being able before this time to get in the list of estates was the cause of the delay of that return, so hope your Excellency will pardon our not leavying what was layd upon us, by the late Ves- try, and will, in your great goodness and justice, protect us from paying more than our fair and equal proportion, which we shall always most readily do, so long as your Excellency shall think fitt to continue us joyned to that Parish. We are exceeding thankful that your Excellency hath been pleased to direct Mr. Bartow to preach sometimes amongst us, for we assure your Excellency that 'tii our earnest desires to come under the Regulation of the Church of England, as by law established, and so is our minister, Mr. Morgan, for which reason we are desirous to continue him amongst us, and maintaine him by subscription untill such limes as your Excellency shall think fitt to have the parishes in the County otherwise divided, which are at present so very inconvenient, that not half of the 368 HISTORY OF THE PARISH people can have the benefit of the ministry. Your Excellency will find, by the re- turn of the Justices, that our divident of the late rate ought not to have been more than £l 5s. Gd., and the Vestry have layd £\b 10s. upon us, and there being £l 10s. laved on the parish, besides the Minister's rate and the Constables's al- lowance for leavying the same, under the name if incidental charges, and that some, by the inequality of the division falling wholly upon us; we therefore, most humbly implore your Excellency to direct that we may pay no more at this time than £8, and for the fuure only our equal divident, and as in duty bound, your Excellency's Petitioners shall Ever Pray, &c. John Drake, Joseph Drake, William Chatterton." ■ The foregoing petition shows conclusively, that although Eastrhester had been declared a separate parish from Westches- ter, as early as 1700, yet the Colonial Governors still considered it as joined to that parish according to the prior act of 1693. This the inhabitants also acknowledged by the annual election of three Vestrymen for the precinct and paying the yearly rates laid on the parish. The choice of a minister, however, and providing for his support, had been lodged by the act of 1693, in the Vestry, and the choice of a Vestry in the people. Into the church and freehold of the parsonage lot (as it was then styled) of Eastchester, Mr. Bartow had been legally presented by the Vestry and inducted by the Governour's mandate, as we have al- ready seen. At a meeting held by the Justices and Vestry of Westchester, the 12th of December, 1705, "John Smith, of Eastchester, consta- ble, in the year 1704, proved the payment of £9 17s. 6d., which is the full proportion of said Town for that year." The Vestry agreed that, " Mr. Bartow, if he pleased, shall preach at East- chester every fourth Sabbath day, which was condescended toby Mr. Bartow." Upon the 25th of February, 1711-12, "at a town meeting held by the freeholders of Eastchester, the said freeholders did agree by vote, that Judge Drake, Isaac Taylor, and Moses Fow- ler, should be empowered to constitute and hire a man or men, * Doc. Hist, of N. Y. vol. III. 92-8. AND CHURCH OF EASTCHESTER. 369 as they shall think proper, to repair and finish the meeting house and making a pulpit in the same ; and also to have power to make a rate on all and every of the freeholders and. inhabitants of the said town, that shall amount to as much money as shall defray the said charges." On the 20th of March following, tli is resolution was repealed and the same men em- powered to " Repair the meeting house, in making a pulpit and pew in it, and also seal and make seats in the same so far as the boards that are already bought will go." The next year the Rev. John Bartow contributed £9 6s. 6d. towards rectifying the pews and seats in East and Westchester Churches. In 1718, Mr. Bartow informs the Society that some efforts were being made to introduce a Presbyterian minister at East- chester. This mustJaave been the celebrated William Tennent, who officiated here for a short time only, from whence he re- moved to Bedford. MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Westchester, in the Province of Neio- York, Nov. ISth, 1718. Worthy Sir, " I am sorry that I have occasion to acquaint the Society that there are endeavours now on foot to bring in a Presbyterian minister at Eastchester. Some of their main agents have been with me and signified their design, from which I laboured to dis- suade them, but in vain, for they told me if I would undertake to come and preach every Lord's day in their town, they would be contented, otherwise, they would have a minister of their own. This has bred a division amongst the people, and some are for it and some against it, which schism, I think, would effectually be ended if they had a minister of the Church of England to reside amongst them."' Mr. Bartow, writing to the Secretary, in 1725, says : — "The a New York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 555. (Hawks.) 24 370 HISTORY OF THE PARISH pulpit and wainscoat of the church at Eastchester, are since decently painted, and a new gallery built, and the Presbyterian minister when, he comes not permitted to officiate therein." Upon the death of Mr. Bartow, the Rev. Thomas Standard, was inducted " To the rectory of Westchester, the glebe thereof, and to all the rights and appurtenances of the same/'' In the year 1728, Mr. Standard officiated every other Sunday at Eastchester and publicly catechised the children. a " During Mr. Standard's ministry here, some trouble-making spirits arose, who sought to upset the action of those Presby- terians, who joined the Church in Mr. Birtow's time, and get possession of the old building. But religious contracts were found to be as binding as civil bargains. Mr. Standard says, "The Church at Eastchester was supposed to be included among the rights and appurtenances of Westchester parish : that Mr. Bartow was legally presented and inducted into the church, and died possessed of it ; that he too was legally presented and inducted, and therefore laid claim to it as his own proper right exclusive of them, and so kept them out of it.'" b In 1744, Mr. Standard, who had now taken up his residence in Eastchester, writes to the Secretary as follows : — MR. STANDARD TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] Eastchester, May Uth, 1744. Rev. Sir, " My Brother Vaughan informs me, that Archbishop Tennison hath left upon his will, £50 per annum, to be paid to the oldest missionary, being an Englishman, which missionary he saith I am, and that it will be necessary for me to go home in order to obtain it, which if I do, and apply to my Lord Chancellor, he doubts not of success ; and he further adds, that Mr. Talbot re- ceived the same during his time. If you, good sir, know-any a Printed Abstracts of Ven. Soc. fc See Rev. Henry E. Duncan's Jubilee Sermon for 1851. AND CHURCH OF EASTCHESTER. 371 tiling of that affair, be pleased to communicate it to me and to intercede for leave for me to come home. I am yours and the Venerable Society's very humble servant, Thomas Standard. " a The following year he informs the Society, that the parishes of East and Westchester are in a peaceable and growing state. As church business was at this time transacted with town matters, we find the inhabitants electing a sexton for Eastehes- ter. On April the 1st, 1755, it was resolved, "That Richard Stevens be appointed grave-digger for the town, for the year ensuing, and to dig a grown persons grave for six shillings and three shillings for children." On the 7th of April, 1756, the town appointed the same individual grave-digger and sexton fur the town. In 1758, Mr. Standard presented the bell to the church, which still summons the parishioners every Lord's day to the house of prayer, and by it. " He being dead, yrt speak.eth." At the commencement of this year, the aged missionary was called to mourn over the grave of an affectionate wife, who came to her death in a terrible manner, as appears by, the fol- lowing extract taken from the New- York Post Boy, of February Gth, 1758: — " We have the following most schocking and mel- ancholy account from Eastchester, viz: — that on Friday morn- ing, the 27th of January, Mrs. Man/ Standard, aged about seventy years, wife to the Rev. Doctor Thomas /Standard, of that place, was found dead on the chimney hearth of one of the apartments in the house, having her head, the chief part of both her breasts, with her left arm and shoulder entirely burnt to cinders. It appears that the unfortunate old gentleman and his more unfortunate old lady, had, upon some necessary occasion the evening before, agreed to lay separate; and the Doctor taking ■ New York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 152. (Hawk's). " hi 17A5 Mr. Delpech was schoolmaster at Eastehesicr." 372 HISTORY OF THE PARISH his leave, went to bed, leaving his wife sitting before the fire, where, it is imagined, the poor old gentlewoman must either have been seized with a fit, or in rising from her chair, had fallen into the fire, and being undoubtedly rendered unable to move herself, she became the most moving spectacle imaginable to the most affectionate and tender husband, who first discover- ed her in the morning." The Rev. Thomas Standard died at Eastchester, in January, 1760, at the advanced age of nearly eighty, and was buried by the side of his wife, beneath the chancel of the old church, on the Green. In 1818, their bodies were removed by order of the Vestry and interred under the communion table of the present edifice. a The Rev. John Milner succeeded Mr. Standard, under the auspices of the Venerable Propagation Society, and was induc- ted rector of the parish Church of Westchester, including the several districts of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers and the Manor of Pelham, on the l2thof June, 1761. The following extract from the town records relates to the parsonage lot, described in 1695, as "Lying upon the Green in Eastchester :" — " At a public town meeting called by the justices of the rown to enquire into several encroachments on lands in said town, held in Eastchester, on Monday, the 30th day of August, 1762. it was agreed, that these men (Jonathan Fowler, Chailes Vincent, John Fowler and Joseph Drake) should regu- late the parsonage, and to take a bond of Isaac Lawrence of in- demnity, to deliver up the same to the town again at his de- cease." 15 It was during Mr. Milner's ministry that the foundation of the present church was laid. In a letter to the Secretary of the » Their remains were found in a good state of preservation, but crumbled to pieces on exposure to the atmosphere. Tradition says, that Mr. Standard gave certain lands to the Church on condition that the remains of himself and wife should be removed whenever a new edifice should be built, h Town Records of Eastchester. AND CHURCH OF EASTCHESTER. 373 Venerable Society, dated Westchester, 1761, he says: — "The people of Eastchester have laid the foundation of a now church of stone, seventy one feet by eighty-eight, in the room of a small decayed wooden building erected in the infancy of the settle- ment." In the year 1766, Mark Christian was appointed sexton for the town, an office which he subsequently held under the trustees of the church. Upon the 1st of April, of that year, he was directed, "To take care of the Green, to see that hogs don't dig and to dig graves, and to find a good biet." a On the resignation of the Rev. Mr. Milner, the Rev. Dr. Sea- bury, afterwards Bishop of Connecticut, and the first Ameri- can Bishop, was inducted rector of the parish Church of West- chester and its precincts, 3rd of Dec, 176). June 25th, 1767, he writes to the Secretary in these words: — " At Eastchester, which is four miles distant, the congregation is generally larger than at Westchester. The old church in which they meet, as yet, is very cold. They have erected and just completed the roof of a large well built stone church, on which they have ex- pended, they say, £700 currency ; but their ability seems ex- hausted, and I fear I shall never see it finished. I applied last winter to his Excellency, Sir Henry Moore, for a brief in their favour, but the petition was rejected." In 1777, he wrote to the Society : — ;{ With regard to my own mission, I can only say, that it is utterly ruined." Services had been suspended for some time in Eastchester, and the congrega- tion dispersed. At this period the church was used as an hos- pital, and subsequently served the purpose of a court house. The following item occurs in the records of the Court of Com- mon Pleas: — " At a Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Jail Delivery, held at the Church at Eastchester, in and for the County of Westchester, on Tuesday, the 12th day of June, in • At a town meeting held 7th of April, 1707, "It was agreed, that Dr. Wright shouU not be molested in his burring yard on said Green in said To\vn. : ' — Town Records. £74 HISTORY OF THE PARISH the year of our Lord, 1787, present, the Honourable Richard Morris. Esq., Chief-Justice of the Supreme Court of Judicature; for the State of New-York, Stephen Ward, Jonathan J. Tomp- kins, Ehenezer S. Burling, and Benjamin Stevenson, Justices of Oyer and Terminer and General Jail Delivery for the County of Westchester, &c." St. Paul's Church, Eastchester, was first incorporated on the 12th of March, 1787, in pursuance of an Act of the Legislature, entitled : — AX ACT TO ENABLE ALL THE RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS IN THE STATE, TO APPOINT /TRUSTEES WHO SHALL BE A BODY CORPORATE FOR THE PURPOSE OF TAKING CARE OF THE TEMPORALITIES OF THEIR RESPECTIVE CONGREGATIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES THEREIN MENTIONED. Passed 6lh April, 1781. '■ The preamble of this act recites the 38th article of the Constitution. Article 1. — Directs that not less than three or exceeding nine in number of Trustees, are to be elected, to transact all affairs relative to the temporalities of their respective churches. Article 4. — Whether the same consist of lands, tenements. &c, and whether'the same shall have been given, granted or devised to and for their use, and they and their successors shall lawfully have, hold, use, exercise and enjoy all and sin- gular the churches, meeting houses, parsonages, burying places and lands there- unto belonging, with the hereditaments and appurtenances heretofore by the said church occupied or enjoyed, by whatsoever name or names, person or persons, as if the same were puichased and had, or to them giyen or granted, or by them or any of them used and enjoyed for the uses aforesaid, to them and their successors, to the sole and only proper use and benefit of them the said Trustees and their Surce.-sors for ever, &c. Article. 6. — And the Trustees are also to regulate and order the renting the pews in the said churches, and the perquisites of the said church arising from the brea- king of the ground in the cemetery, or church yard, and in the churches for burying the dead, &c, a Under this Act, the following persons were elected Trustees : * " The trustees were directed to make an annual report between the 1st of Janua- ry, and the 1st of April, to the Chancellor, or one of the Justices of the Supreme Court, or any of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, &c." Laws of N. Y., 1778 to 1787, Greenleaf's edition, Vol. i. chap, xviii, 71. ASTD CHURCH OF EASTCHESTER. 375 " Thomas Bartow, John Wright, Isaac Ward, Elisha Shute, Lew.s Guion, arid Philip Pel!, jun. After this incorporation, all management of the Church and Church property at town meetings is dropped. The Church now manages her own affairs, her power and right to do so, be- ing fully recognized by the town, for upon the 3d of April, 1787, prior to the incorporation, it was resolved at town meet- ing, " To erect a school house, and to set it on the Green near where the stocks formerly stood," but this resolution was never carried into effect, because the Church had been incorporatedj and consequently claimed the Green exclusively as her own. In 1790, therefore, it was ordered by thetown, "To build the school house on town g ound. by Charles Guion's, where it formerly stood." Again, at a town meeting in 1 792, it was declared " That the burial ground shall, and of right, ought to belong to the Church." After the election of the Trustees, too, the sexton was always appointed by the Church. On the 10th of December, 1787, an agreement was entered into between a majority of the Trustees of the Episcopal Church in Eastchester, of the one part, and William Heskins, carpen- ter, of the other part, wherein the latter agreed " To erect and build a pulpit, reading desk, and clerk's seat in the said church, according to the dimensions in the plan by him exhibited to the said Trustees, and the form of the pulpit in the church at Yonkers, &c." The Trustees not only anxious to finish the church, but to obtain the services of a suitable minister, addressed the follow- ing letter to the Rev. Mr. Moore, afterwards Bishop of the Dio- cese : — TO THE REV. BENJAMIN MOORE. Eastchester, 15th Dec, 1787. Rev. Sir,, " We have this day disposed of the pew ground in our church in a manner that promises success to our religious endeavours. We have also a prospect of completing our church in a respectable 376 HISTORY OF THE PARISH manner, and New Rochelle will join us in engaging a gentleman of the profession of the gospel to officiate in the two places. From a reliance on your pious wishes to promote the Christian Religion, we beg leave that whenever a gentleman of character, and qualified, in your opinion, for our purpose, may come to your knowledge, and whose condition may be adapted to our situation, that you'll please to signify the same to us. We are, Rev. Sir, with much respect, your humble servants, The Trustees." In 1789, the Trustees appointed Marcus Christian for one year, bell ringer of the church, for which service he was al- lowed $4 per annum. a The following year, the inhabitants of Eastchester appear to have associated themselves in the ministry, with the parish of Yonkers, for, " at a meeting of the Trustees, March 20th, 1790, Mr. Pell, one of the Trustees, produced a letter directed to the Right Rev. Samuel Provoost, D. D., Bishop of the State of New-York, requesting the favor of his visiting the church in Eastchester next month, in order to ordain the Rev. Mr. Cooper, a priest for this and Yonkers church." On this occasion, William Crawford was requested to render an account of the rent due the church from him, for the glebe. In 1792, we find the town defining the boundaries necessary for the church, for a yard and burial ground ; accommodating the remainder, of what was called the Church Green, (the site of » At a meeting of the Vestry on the 7th of May, 1791, " Marcus Christian, the sexton to the church in Eastchester, was sent for and examined respecting the bell's being rung on Saturday, the 30th of April, on the family of James Bogart's mo- ving out of this place, which charge he denied, and, in his examination, said he was lame in bed, and was not at the church that day. He was further examined on his former conduct, on his selling licure in the belfrie of the church, on a training day, which he acknowledged. Whereupon they did agree he was not worthy to keep the keys of the church, or to be employed as sexton ; upon which he delivered the key and was dismissed the service."t In 1791 James Pell was elected sexton and bell ringer. He was succeeded by Benjamin Bartow in 1794. AND CHURCH OF EASTCHESTER. 377 the old church, and burial place of one of its ministers) to jnib- lic occasions, and appointing trustees to carry the same into exe- cution, notwithstanding the church had been in possession ex- clusively for nearly one hundred years. " At a town meeting held in Eastchester, 3d of April, 1792, it was agreed as follows: — and it is also agreed by vote at this town meeting, that there shall be three trustees chosen, who shall have power, and are hereby authorized to affix and ascertain, in conjunction with the trustees of. the Episcopal Church of th e town of Enstchester, the quantity and boundaries of the laud necessary for said church and burying ground, and such boundaries when so fixed and determined on shall be declared in a certificate by the said trustees of the town, which is now to be chosen, under their hands and seals, and delivered to the Trustees of said Church, which certificate shall forever hereafter operate as a bar to any claim of this town to the lands within the said described boundaries. Power was also given to the trustees to lease out any of the public lands and tenements to the best advantage. The meeting proceeded to nominate and choose three men a s trustees of said town, viz : Nehemiah Marshall, Benjamin Morgan, and James Morgan. The following certificate appears in the town books immedi- ately after the above resolution : — " Whereas, we, the subscribers, by a vote and order of the town meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Eastchester, in the County of Westchester, held in said town on the 3d day cf April, 1792, were authorized and empowered to affix and ascertain, in conjunction with the Trustees of the Episcopal Church in Eastchester aforesaid, the boundaries and quantity of land necessary and conve- nient for said church, and for a burial place adjacent to the same. And whereas, we, the said subscribers, having on the day of the date hereof, met with a majority of the trustees of said church, and having proceeded to view the premises, and in order to furnish the said church with sufficiency of ground for a yard and burial ground, and also to accommodate the remainder of what is called the Green, to public occasions, Do, in pursuance of the trust re- posed in us by the vote or or«Ler abovementioned, hereby ccrtifiy, that the said trustees of the church aforesaid shall, and of right ought to possess the ground comprehended within the limits following, for the use and purposes aforesaid, that is to say :— Beginning at the distance of 34£ feet directly north-east, from the north-east corner of said Church, from thence extending in a straight line wes- terly, observing the distance of 29 feet from the front of said church, until it comes to the edge of the barrk between the upland and salt marsh, thence southerly by the s^id bank and marsh, until it comes to the fence by the salt meadows, at a monument stone, from, thence easterly along said fence, until a line be drawn par- allel from the first mentioned boundaries, at the distance of 20 feet from the east side of said church, will touch the said fence, and along that line to the first men- tioned bounds. Nevertheless, always reserving to the proprietors of salt meadow> 378 HISTORY OF THE PARISH adjoin in,;' said land, and those who have meadows southerly of said land, their usual right of way in goins to and coming from said meadows with their hay, through the land above described. Witness our hands and seals, the 28th day of April, 1792. Bes. Morgan, [l. s.] James Morga.v, [r,. a.] NeHEMIaH iMARSHALL. [l. S.J Witnesses, William Crawford, Dorcas Crawford."* Now, although the origin of the first church edifice in the town of Eastchester is clearly traceable to the action of the town, yet it is very evident that it was first commenced in 1692-3, by a tax levied on Churc mien and Dissenters, promiscuously, ac- cording to their real estate, and not finished until the act of 1699 was passed, which provided, that "The trustees of each town were to make a yearly rate for building a church where wanting." According to the principles of common law, at this period, meeting houses erected by public tax belonged to the church established by law. Hence, we find Mr. Bartow and his successors after their establishment and induction, by the then Governours, claiming the chapel or meeting house at East- chesleras their own, and not only so, but keeping the Dissenters out of it. The parsonage or glebe with all its rights and appur- tenances was likewise voted for public purposes, and belonged to the rector ex-officio, for, say the rules of common law, con- cerning glebes, "Every church of common right is entitled to hous3 and glebe" and " After induction the freehold of the glebe is in the parson." Whilst the wardens and vestrymen, who were the choice of the people, elected the rector and provided for his support, the rate-payers appear to have regulated the burial ground, voted repairs to the church when necessary, and ap- pointed the sexton, as was done in many other parishes. This was the state of things prior to the Revolution. After peace was established and New- York was finally organized as a State, an * Town Records. " In 1803, the town granted one hundred dollars to be laid out in fencing the burial ground of the church of Eastchester, and supervisors and overseers were directed to see it expended." " At the same time a vote was taken to alter the right of way through the burial ground to the verge thereof, and that of the salt meadows belonging to the town." AND CHURCH OF EASTCHESTER. 379 act was passed in 1734 for the incorporation of religions socie- ties, and under this act. we have seen, the church at Eastch es- ter was incorporated. Now this act conferred on trustees the right, " Lawfully, to have, hold, use, exercise and enjoy all and singular the churches, meeting houses, parsonages, burying places and hinds, thereunto belonging, with the hereditaments an 1 appurtenances heretofore by the said church occupied or enjoyed, &c." Whatever rights, therefore, the church possessed prior to the Revolution, were still continued to her by the act of 178-1. Subsequently, however, to the joint action of the trustees " The Church appointed three persons to unclose the land set off to the church by the town," as appears from the following res- olutions : — " At a meeting of the trustees held at the honso of Win. Crawford, on the 12th of March, 1793, it was resolved as follows: Resolved, that Messrs. Stephen Ward, Lan- caster Underbill, and Abraham Valentine, be, and they are hereby authorised and empowered to inclose the land belonging to the church in Eastchester, as laid out and asce-taiued by trustees chosen on the part of the town of Eastchester, and the trustees of the church, by a board fence on the whole front or north side thereof, composed of one board at the bottom and slitted above, and that the same be of the height of four feet and a half ; and the other parts of said land to be inclosed by a post and rail fence, or such board fence as aforesaid, and that the said persons com- plete the same as conveniently may b;, &c." " Resolved further, that the above mentioned persons take and receive the profits thereof by ploughing, for two seasons, any of the said land, except that within the compass of the burial place, and after that to take the grass growing out of the said land by pasturing and mowing the same, and render an account yearly to the said trustees of such profits, until a full compensation be made by the use thereof for their trouble and expense in fencing the said laud.' 1 The presumption is, that the trustees of the church supposing their title to the ground in question, invalidated either by the reorganization of the Church in 17S7, or of the town in 1788, or perhaps of both, acted as the recipient of the same from the town, an 1 wisely asserted no claim. It is certain that her action in 1793 did not weaken the title she possessed in any land * Church Records, commencing A. D. 17c!7. 3S0 HISTORY OF THE PARISH rightfully belonging to her ; whilst the effect of the certificate, as declared in the resolution of the town before quoted, was to be forever a bar to any claim on the part of the town to the lands set off. a This church was again incorporated on the 4th of October, 1795. by the style and title of ' : St. Paul's Church in the Town of Eastchester," in pursuance of an Act passed for the relief of the Protestant Episcopal Church, on the 17th of March, previous. Upon this occasion, William Popham and Lancaster Underbill were elected church wardens; Philip Pell, Lewis Guion, Isaac Ward. John Reed, Isaac Guion, Abraham Valentine, William Pinckney and William Crawford, vestry- men. In 179S, the connection between this parish and Yonkers was dissolved, and an association formed with Westchester in order to procure a minister. Upon the 9th of March, 1799, Mr. Isaac Wilkins, then in deacon's orders, was called to officiate as min- ister of the united parishes of West and Eastchester. In 1801 the Vestry addressed the following letter to the Rec- tor, Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Church, New- York : — TO THE RT. REV. RECTOR AND THE WARDENS AND VESTRY- MEN OF THE CORPORATION OF TRINITY CHURCH IN THE CITY OS NEW YORK. " The wardens aiid vestrymen of St. Paul's church at Eastchester, in the County of Westchester, from a firm belief of the disposition of the corporation of the Trin- ity Church to aid and assist their sister Churches in every undertaking or design for encouraging and advancing the interest and increase of their respective congrega- tions ; and also from the consideration of their having heretofore extended their lib- erality to other Churches whose circumstances were not more needy, are induced to make the following Representation of the situation of the said Church, viz : that it * See Report to the trustees of the town of Eastchester as to the title to the bu- rying ground attached to St. Paul's Church at Eastchester, by Renssalaer Ten Broeck, N. Y. 1853. b County Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. A. 10, 11, 12. c Air. Cooper's farewell sermon was delivered in St. Paul's Church, June 16th, 1708, from 2 Cor. xiii, 11. In the course of it he alludes to nine years of service at Eastches- ter. , m ANDCHUECIIOFEASTCHESTER. 38* Was built some few years before the Revolution, but left unfinished. That by the depre- dations commonly attendant thereon, it was greatly injured, the wooden part of it be- iiiLT taken away, whereby the walls were exposed and so much impaired, that short- ly after the return of peace, the little remaining part of the former congregation exerted their best, the war having enfeebled their abilities, to put the church in some sort of order for public worship, and engaged a minister, and in conjunction With "Westchester do still ietain one who promises by his talents as a teacher, with an exemplary conduct, to promote the cause of religion and enlarge the congregation, &c." In April. 1S17, the REV. RAVAUD KEARNY, A. M., succeeded Mr. Wilkins as minister of this parish. He was the son of Philip Kearny, whose grandfather, Michael Kearny, emigrated from Ireland to this country in 1706. He was born at Newark, N. J. 22nd of August, 1791, entered Columbia Col- lege in 1808 and graduated Bachelor and Master of Arts in 1812. In 1816 he was ordained deacon, and the year following Priest, by the Right Rev. John H. Hobart, and soon afterwards com- menced his labors here. In 1821, he relinquished the rector- ship of this parish, and confined himself to the Church at New Rochelle, to which benefice he was called in 1819. Sometime in 1822, he resigned the charge of the latter, and accepted a call to St. Mary's Parish, Maryland, from whence he removed to St. John's Church, Canandaigua, West New-York, and in 1828 took charge of St. Paul's Church, Red Hook, Duchess County, of which lie remained rector until the day of his death. He diedSih of May, 1844. His remains were brought to New- York and interred in the family vault at St. Mark's Church in the Bowery. Upon the resignation of Mr. Kearny, the REV. LEWIS P. BAYARD, from the Diocese of New Jersey, was elected rector of the parish. He continued faithfully to discharge the duties of his office both here and in New Rochelle, until the 14th of October, 1826, when he was succeeded by the REV. LAWSON CARTER, for whose successors, see list of rectors. 382 HISTORY OP THE PARISH The first delegates from this parish to the Diocesan Conven- tion. -in 1787, were Philip Pell ; Sen., and Thomas Bartow. THE CHURCH. We have previously shown that the present church edifice was erected in 1765, by the inhabitants of this town. Situated, in a pleasant valley, bordering the Aqueanouncke, it presents from the neighboring hills a very picturesque appearance. The building is remarkable for the solid character of its masonry the angles of the edifice being ornamented with rustic quoins, the windows and doors also having rustics. A vestry and school room have just been built, opening into the east end of the church. On the west end, is a neat, square tower of three stages, wilh narrow lights, terminating in an octangular lantern, containing a bell which bears the following inscription : — " I'he Gift of the Rev. Thomas Standard, 175S. Lester fy Pack, fecit?*- Immediately above the tower door are inscribed the initials of the principal benefactors, viz.: — P. R. P.— P. P. — D. V. — also a tablet of red sand stone, bearing the date of erection, 1765. The whole edifice has recently undergone considerable repairs; a new chancel arrangement made, the walls painted in frescoe, and the church newly seated. It deserves to be mentioned that the pulpit and reading desk, were originally placed between the two south windows. Beneath the chancel floor repose the re- mains of the Rev. Thomas Standard, former rector of the par- ish, and Mary, his wife. \.w the gallery is a fine toned organ, presented by George Rapalye, E^q., in 1833, at a cost of $800. The chandalier and sheds were also his gift. The communion silver consists of aflaggon, four chalices and paten. The former bears the following inscription : — " To St. Paul's Church, Eastchester, N. Y. In memory of Mrs. Mary Grigg, h obt. Jan. 2d, 1844, jE 71 years. The chalices are inscribed as follows : — 1st. ' ; The gift of 1 During the Revolutionary War the bell and prayer book, formely used by the Mi-sionari°s of the Ven. Prop. Soc, were buried for safe keeping, on thefarna known as the old Ross place, and now owned by E. C. Halsey, Esq. fc This lady was the daughter of Joshua Pell, Esq., grandson of Thomas Pell, ,-econd Lord of the Manor of Pelham. St. Paul's Church Eastchester— Erected A. D. 1765. St. John's Church, Yonkers— Erected A. D. 1753. !To face page 383.] l r AND CHURCH OF EASTCHESTER. 383 ederick Van Cortlandt,St. PauVs Church, Eastchcster, A. D. 1829." 2d and 3d, marked "A. &"• 4th, " St, Paul's Church, Eastchcster, N. Y., from Mrs. John Quittcy Adams, 1S29." This chalice is not only rendered valuable by the distinguished lady who gave it. but by the melancholy story associated therewith. 13 In the old church book, occurs the following memorandum: — " To cash paid the Rev. Mr. Cooper, to buy a communion cup, £1 15 7, March 18th, 1793." Near the church is the rectory, built by subscription in the year 1849 ; it is of native stone with, pointed gables, and forms quite a pretty object when viewed from the church Green. Upon the latter, between the ancient locust trees and burial ground, formerly stood the old church, built by the Independents about 1693. This edifice, construct- ed of wood, was destroyed by fire at an early period of the Revolutionary War. The church yard which lies on the south and west side of the church, is one of the most extensive in the county. TOMBSTONES. M. V. D. I. P. U. NOVE I D I D FEB THE MBER THE FOVRT N. 20 14. ETH. DAY. 1724. 1714 1704 M. O. D. Ye 27. 1726— A. A. AV. Ye 1730— JOSEPH. DRAKE. DESESED. MARCH. THE. 16. DAY. 1731. IN. THE. 70* YEAR. OF. HIS. AGE.— HERE. LS. THE. BODY. OF. THOMAS. PINCKNEY. DIED. Ye. l. 1732. EG. 71— HERE. LAYS. THE. BODY. OF. CAP. WILL. P1NKNEY. DECES- ED. 11. DAY. OF. MARCH. 1755. AG'D. ABOUT. 75. YEARS —I. O. D. FEB. 1746—0. H. HORRED. DECES. ID. Ye YEAR. 1755—1. * O. DE. JULY. Ye 25. 175 —HERE LY- * Ann, daughter of James Smith, Esq., whose brother, Col. William Smith, married a daughter of President Adams, and resided on the Ross place in this town. h The son of this lady being washed overboard from a vessel in the Sound, was found by one of the church wardens, and brought to this church for interment. 384 HISTORY OF THE PARISH ETH THE BODY OF WILLIAM CRAWFORD : WHO DE- PARTED : THIS : LIFE THE 1 1. DAY : OF NOVEMBER : IN: THE: 51: YEAR: OF: HIS: AGE: 1747 — E. W. O. NOVEllBER-M. A * C. JAN 25. 1764— F. O. DEC. 12— MAJOR SAMUEL PELL, OB. 29. DECR. 178(5, IN THE 32nd YEAR OF HIS AGE. THUS AFTER RETURNING VICTORIOUS, FROM THE FIELD OF MARS, HE CHEER- FULLY OBEYS THE SUMMONS OF ETERNITY FROM WHENCE THERE IS NO RETURN. IN MEMORY OF STEPHEN WARD, Esq. WHO DIED 8 Tn DECR, 1797, AGED 67 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AND 17 DAYS. SONS OF AME- RICA ! Mourn for your country, she has lost a friend, Who did her rights and liberties defend ; ■ May rising patriots keep those rights secure, And hand them down to latest ages pure. Moure too, ye ftiends and relatives who knew His worth, his kindness, and his love to you ; But duty bids us all resign, and say, Thy will be done, who gave and took away. On a small marble obelisk is the following : — Sacred to the memory of the REV. AUGUSTINE P. PREVOST, only son of the late Mrs. L. C. Palmer, who departed this life on the 15th of November, 1843, in the 37th year of his age, and the 8th of his ministry, 7 years of which he was Rector of St. John's Church, Canandaigua. N. Y. Rest from thy labours, blessed spirit rest ; Tho' early called, God's ways are always best, Nor need this feeble, partial pen declare What was thy need, or what thy labours were. The poor, the desolate, the bad reclaimed, Are mouths for thee, who never wert ashamed To own thy Master's cause before the great, Nor heeded frowns while laying bare their state ; A weeping flock, like children mourn the loss Of their lov'd Pastor. Stedfast on the Cross He kept their gaze — " Watch/' was his latest cry, AND CHURCH OF EASTCHESTER. 385 ■• Neither is he that pktnteth anything, neither lie that watereth, but God that giveth the increase." — 1st. Cor. 3d Chap., 1th Verse. RECTORES DE EASTCHESTER. TEMP. INST. RECTORK.S. VACAT. PATRONS. 19 Nov. 1702, Rev. John Bartow, CI. A. M. pr. mort. War. and Ves. 8 July 1727, " Thos. Standard, CI. A.M. " « 12 June 1761, " John Milner, CI. A. M. pr. resig., " 3 Dec. 1766, « Sam. Seabury, CI. A. M. " « 9 Mar. 1 799, " Isaac Wilkins, Presb. D. D. pr. mort, " Apr. 1S17, " Ravaud Kearny, Presb. pr. resig. " 14 Oct. 1826, " Lawson Carter, Presb. " " 1836, " John Grigg, Presb. " " 25 July 1837, " Robert Bolton, Presb. " « 1846, " Edwin Harwood, Presb. '[< " 22 Aug. 1847, " Henry E. Duncan, Presb. " " 1 Feb. 1S52, c: William S. Coffey, Presb., present incumbent. NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS. A. D. 1728, Ba ptisms, — . C Jommunicants, 30, 1817, " 45, K 48, 1847, 15, (( 35, 1853, " 16. ('. 46, In 1710, the population of Eastchester, was 314, 1S40, u a 1,502, 1850. u a 1,680. PEW HOLDERS IN 1787-8. Charles Guion, James Morgan, Sen,, Lewis Guion, Samuel Webb, Stephen Ward, Philip Pell, Minister's seat, William Piukney, Thomas Bartow, Anthony Bartow, Gilbert Valentine, John G. Wright, Lewis Guion, Charles Morgan, Augustus and Frederick Van Cortlandt, Israel Underbill, William Barton, Lancaster Underbill, Alexander Fowler, David Huestice, Mo- ses Fowler, William Stanton, Moses Hunt, Philip Rhinelander, Benjamin Morgan, Elisha Shute, Daniel Townsend, Isaac 25 386 HISTORY OF THE PARISH Ward, Daniel Williams, Israel Honeywell, William Fowler, Rem Rapelye, William Crawford, Caleb Morgan, Benjamin Drake, Theodosius Bartow. WARDENS OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCH. 1795 to 1S03. William Popham, Lancaster Underhill. 1804. Lancaster Underhill, Rem Rapelye. 1805-7. Lancaster Underhill, Jeronemus Alstyne. 1808-9. Lancaster Underhill, Lewis Guion. 1810-16. Lancaster Underhill, Isaac Ward, Sen. 1817-24. Lancaster Underhill, William Popham. 1825-47. John Townsend, Philemon Fowler. 1848-52. Philemon Fowler, Robert Bartow. IS53. Nathaniel Valentine, Samuel T. Carey. jnV t? St. Paul's Rectory, Eastchester. HISTORY PARISH AND CHURCH NEW ROCHELLE. The parish of New Rochelle, which formerly constituted a portion of the Manor of Pelham, was originally included in the two grants made by the Indians in the years 1640 and 1649, to the Dutch West India Company, but no settlement was actual- ly commenced upon it until long after Thomas Pell's purchase from Wampage and other Indian sachems, which occurred in 1654. Upon the 6th day of October, 1666, Richard Nicolls, Gov- ernor of the Province, did give, grant, ratify and confirm unto Thomas Pell, gentleman, all that tract of land lying to the eastward of Westchester bounds, (subsequently known as the Manor of Pelham.) &c, " which said tract of land had been purchased of the Indian proprietors, and ample satisfaction giv- en for the same." In 1669, the patentee devised the whole Manor of Pelham to his nephew, John Pell, who obtained a further confirmation for the same from Thomas Dongan, Governor of the Province, on the 29th of October, 1687. Upon the 20th of September, 1689, we find John Pell, Lord 3S8 HISTORY OP THE PARISH of the Manor of Pelham, and Rachel his wife, conveying to Jacob Leisler, of the City of New- York, merchant, — "All that tract of land lying and being within the Manor of Pelham, containing 6000 acres of land, &c," (the present township of New Rochelle.) " The grantee, and his heirs and assigns yield- ing and paying unto the said John Pell, his heirs and assigns, Lords of the Manor of Pelham, as an acknowledgment, one fat calf on every four and twentieth day of June, yearly, and every year forever, if demanded." 21 Throughout the year, 1690, we find Jacob Leisler, the above grantee, releasing to the exiled Huguenots, the lands which he had purchased in their behalf. The Huguenots, or French Protestants of France, who gave the town the name it now bears, came directly from England, and were a part of the 50,000 persecuted, who fled into that country four years before the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. This is confirmed by the^ charter of Trinity Church, in New Rochelle, wherein they specify that " they fled from France in 1681.'* The persecution which the Huguenots underwent has scarce its parallel in the history of religion ; though they obtained a peace from Henry III, in 1576,. it was only of short continu- ance, and their sufferings, mitigated by the famous Edict of Nantes, granted to them in 1598 by Henry IV., were again re- newed after the revocation of this Edict, by Louis XIV., in 1605. The retrospect of Saurin, a son of one of the Protestant refugees, and a celebrated preacher at the Hague, is at once elo- quent and historical. " A thousand dreadful blows," said the preacher, " were struck at our afflicted churches, before that which destroyed them ; for our enemies, if I may use such an expression, not content with seeing our ruin, endeavoured to » '« Whenever the fat calf was demanded by the Lords of the Manor (on the Festi- val of St. John the Baptist.) each Huguenot paid his proportion towards its pur- chase." — See Hist, of Westchester, vol. i. p. 376. b See Charter of Trinitv Church. AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 3S9 taste it. One while, edicts were published against those, who foreseeing the calamities that threatened our churches, and not having power to prevent them, desired only the sad consola- tion of not being spectators of their ruin. Another while, Au- gust, 1669, against those, who, through their weakness, had de- nied their religion, and who, not being able to bear the remorse of their consciences, desired to return to their first profession. One while, May, 1679, our pastors were forbidden to exercise their discipline on those of their flocks, who had abjured the truth. Another while, June, 1680, children of seven years of age, were allowed to embrace doctrines, which the Church of Rome allows, are not level to the capacities of adults. June, 1681, a college was suppressed, and then a church shut up, January, 1683. Sometimes we were forbidden to convert infi- dels ; and sometimes to confirm those in the truth whom we had instructed from their infancy ; and our pastors were forbid- den to exercise their pastoral office any longer in one place than three years. Sometimes the printing of our books was prohibi- ted, July, 1685, and sometimes those which we had printed, were taken away. One while, we were not suffered to preach in a church, September, 1685, and another while, we were pun- ished for preaching on its ruins ; and at length, we were forbid- den to worship God in public at all. Now, October, 1685, we were banished ; then 1689, we were forbidden to quit the king- dom on pain of death. Here, we saw the glorious rewards of some who betrayed their religion ; and there, we beheld others? who had the courage to confess it, a haling to a dungeon, a scaf- fold, or a galley. Here, we saw our persecutors drawing on a sledge the dead bodies of those who had expired on the rack. There we beheld a false friar tormenting a dying man, who was terrified on the one hand, with the fear of hell, if he should apostatize, and on the other, with the fear of leaving his child- ren without bread, if he should continue in the faith ; yonder, they were tearing children from their parents, while the tender parents were shedding more tears for the loss of their souls than for th;tt of their bodies or lives." 390 HISTORY OF THE PARISH The exclamation of the same preacher, in another sermon on some public occasion, bewailing the miseries of his exiled coun- trymen, reminds us of the " Lamentations," of the prophet over Jerusalem and his captive brethren at Babylon. The apostro- phe to Louis XIV. is admirable. " Are our benedictions ex- hausted? Alas ! on this joyful day can we forget our griefs? Ye happy inhabitants of these provinces, so often troubled with a recital of our afflictions, we rejoice in your prosperity ; will you refuse to compassionate our misfortunes ? And you fire- brands jilucked out of the burning, sad and venerable ruins of our unhappy churches : my dear brethren, whom the misfor- tunes of the times have cast on this shore, can we forget the miserable remnants of ourselves? O, ye groaning captives, ye weeping priests, ye sighing virgins, ye festivals profaned, ye ways of Zion mourning, ye untrodden paths, ye sad complaints, move, O! move all this assembly. O ! Jerusalem, if I forget thee, let my right hand forget her cunning. Not remember thee ! Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy ! O, Jerusalem, peace be with- in thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my breth- ren and companions'' sake I will noxo say, peace be within thee ! May God be moved, if not with the ardor of our prayers, yet with the excess of our afflictions ; if not with our misfortunes, yet with the desolation of his sanctuaries ; if not with the bo- dies we carry all about the world, yet with the souls that are torn from us !" " And thou, dreadful prince, whom I once honoured as my king, and whom I yet respect as a scourge in the hand of Al- mighty God, thou also shalt have a part in my good wishes. These provinces, which thou threatenest, but which the arm of the Lord protects ; this country, which thou fillest with refu- gees, but fugitives animated with love ; these walls, which con- tain a thousand martyrs of thy making, but whom religion ren- ders victorious, all these yet resound benedictions in thy favour. God grant, the fatal bandage that hides the truth from thine eyes may fall off! May God forget the rivers of blood, with AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 391 which thou hast deluged the earth, and which thy reign hath caused to be shed ! May God blot out of his book the injuries which thou hast done us, and, while he rewards the sufferers, may he pardon those who exposed us to suffer ! O, may God who hath made thee to us, and to the whole Church, a minister of his judgments, make thee a dispenser of his favours, and ad- ministrator of his mercy." a M. Claude, a distinguished defender of the Reformed Church, referring to the " dragoons," who were sent to the Protestants to extort from them an abjuration, says : — '• They cast some into large fires, and took them out when they were half roasted. They hanged others with large ropes under the arm-pits, and plunged them several times into wells, till they promised to re- nounce their religion. They tied them like criminals on the rack, and poured wine with a funnel into their mouths, until being intoxicated, they declared that they consented to be Catholics. Some they slashed and cut with penknives ; others they took by the nose with red hot tongs, and led them up and down the rooms till they promised to turn catholics." b u Wearied with incessant persecution, and despairing of re- pose around their native hearths, the Huguenots began to leave France for more secure regions. The Protestants of other states and kingdoms opened their arms to receive them ; no less than five hundred thousand thus escaped, and found homes in Germany, Holland, and England." "King Charles II. granted letters of denization in council, under the great seal, and assured the ex- iles, that, at the next meeting of the Parliament, he would in- troduce a bill, by which they should be naturalized, relieved them at the moment from importation duties and passport fees, and encouraged voluntary contributions for their support." This order was issued on the 28th of July, 1681, the same year ■ "Memoir of the French Protestants, who settled at Oxford, Mass., A. D., 1686, &c, by A. Holmes, D. D , Corresponding Secretary of Mass. Hist. Soc, in 1830.'' — See Collection of Mass., Hist. Soc, vol. ii. 3d series. b Mr. Disosway's Sketch of the Huguenots. • Smedley's History of the Reformed Religion, vol. iii. p. 217. 392 HISTORY OF THE PARISH in which the Huguenots of New Rochelle, fled from France ; conclusive evidence that they constituted a portion of those ex- iles who accepted the royal offers and afterward, under the pat- ronage of the government, purchased and settled here in 1689. The state of the Huguenots at the time of the revocation was evidently insupportable, as they drew nigh that crisis there were harbingers of "the windy storm and tempest." A decla- ration against them in 1681, was the forerunner of the revoca- tion of the Edict of Nantes. a The Huguenots were aided in their escape from France, by the English vessels that lay for some time off the Island of Rh6, opposite La Rochelle, in which they were conveyed to England. b Tradition says, that they were subsequently transported to this place in one of the King's ships, and landed on Davenport's neck, at a place afterwards called Bauffet's, or Bonnefoy's Point. Soon after their arrival, we find them thus addressing Governor Fletcher : — PETITION FROM NEW ROCHELLE. " To His Excellency Coll. Benjamin Fletcher, Gover- nor in Chief, and Captain General of ye Province of New-York, and dependencies, &c. The humble petition of ye inhabitants of New Rochelle, Humbly Sheweth, That your petitioners having been forced by the late perse- cutions in France to forsake their country and estates, and flye to ye protestant Princes. Their Majestyes by their proclama- tion of ye 25th of Aprill, 1689, did grant them an azile in all their dominions, with their Royall protection ; wherefore they were invited to come and buy lands in this province, to the end that they might by their labour help the necessityes of their familyes, and did spend therein all their smale store, with the help of their friends, whereof they did borrow great sums of money. They are above twenty » Hist, of Louis XIV. 6, 13. 1 Smedley's Hist, of the Reformed Religion, vol. iii. p. 217. AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 393 (Mis', torn) poor and needy, not able ties and clothing, much they did hitherto beare above their thereby reduced to a lamentable condition, as having been compelled to sell for that purposs the things which were most necessary for their use. Wherefore your pe- titioners humbly pray. That your Excellency may be pleased to take their case in serious consideration, and out of Charity and pity, to grant them for some years what help and priviledges your Excel- lency shall think convenient. And your petitioners in duty bound shall ever pray, &c. Thauuet, ELEI CoTHOUNEAU." a The settlement of the present village was commenced by these sufferers, for conscience' sake, soon after the purchase of the town in 1689, who gave it the name it now bears, in re- membrance of their " Own Rochelle, the fair Rochelle, Proud city of the waters." Coeval with the foundation of the village was the organization of a church, in forming which, the Huguenots appear to have adhered to the principles, and as far as they were able at that 1 Doc. Hist, of New-York, vol. iii. p. 926. 394 HISTORY OF THE PARISH time, to have maintained the Articles, Liturgy, Discipline and Canons, according to the usage of the Reformed Church in France. " It was for their religion that they suffered in their native country ; and to enjoy its privileges, unmolested, they fled into the wilderness." As soon as the Church was organized, the most active meas- ures were taken for the erection of an edifice. Provision had been partly made for this purpose, in the grant to Jacob Leisler on the 20th of September, 16S9. It was there declared that John Pell, Lord of the Manor, with the consent of Rachel, his wife, did (besides the six thousand acres) give and grant '"- To the said Jacob Leisler, the further quantity of one hundred acres of land for the use of the French Church, erected or to be erected by the inhabitants of the said tract of land." The first church edifice of which anything is known, was built by the Huguenots, about 1692-3. It was constructed of wood and stood on the property of William Wood, in the rear of the Mansion House, and close to the old Boston post road. a Near the same time, Louis Bongrand " Did give unto theinhab- taints of New Rochelle a piece of land forty paces square, for a churchyard to bury their dead." b A house and about three acres of land were subsequently given by the town to the church forever.* 5 At this early period the inhabitants appear to have enjoyed the ministrations of the * Several aged inhabitants of this town, still living, remember the old church which was destroyed soon after the Revolutionary War. b " Louis Bongrand purchased of Jacob Leisler and Elsie his wife, 31 May, 1690, and sold to Francis Tierens and Valentine Cruger, on the 22d June, 1693 In the conveyance of the latter to Joost Bane, 9th May, 1698, the above gift is specified." — New Rochelle Town Rec. p. 70. " In a deed from Lewis Guion to Zaca- rie Engevin, &c, on the 26th Dec, 1701, the former was to ' have a particular lane or road' to serve the latter ' from Boston road going to the church yard, all along the swamp, &c, making a door (gate) which shall be shut by those who will make use of it, &c.' " — New Rochelle Town Rec. page 20. c See Mr. Bartows letter to Sec. Nov. 15, 1722. See also Mr. Stouppe's letter to the same, Dec. 11, 1727. AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 395 REV. DAVID BONREPOS, D. D., a French Protestant minister, who accompanied the first settlers in their flight from France. His name, as pastor of the French Colony at New Rochelle, appears in the follow- ing letter to Governor Leisler : — Sir, " I have too much respect for your orders, not to execute them punctually ; so, that pursuant to what you did me the honour lately to give me ; I spoke to the principals of this new Colony about the nomination of some persons for the vacant offices of Justice of the Peace, but as the. condition you require — that is a knowledge of the English tongue — has precluded them from making the election of two or three, according to your order, they cannot pitch upon any except Mr. Strang, saving your ap- probation, which if you will have the goodness to accord them, you will oblige them infinitely. Mr. Pinton has also delivered me this day, an order to be communicated to the sd inhabitants relative to the election and nomination of assessors, collectors and commissaries, for levy- ing, imposing and receiving taxes for his Majesty's service. The time is very short, since it is the twenty-seventh instant they must be at Westchester, but they look for some forbear- ance and delay from your goodness, in case, notwithstanding their diligence, they may not be able punctually to answer. It is not through any unwillingness to exert themselves to meet it. but you know their strength as well as I. Notwithstanding, despite their poverty and misery, they will never lack in sub- mission to the orders on behalf of his Majesty, both for the pub- lic good and interest. This they protested to me, and I pray you to be persuaded thereof. I am with respect, and I pray God for your prosperity, Sir, Your very humble and very obedient servant, Pastor of this French Colony. 396 HISTORY OF THE PARISH Address a Monsieur, de Leislar, Lieut. Gouvemeur pour le Roy d Angleterre, du fort lVillia??i a la Xole York."* Nothing is known with regard to the Rev. David de Bonre- pos' ministry or character. He must have resigned his charge here in 1694, for the Rev. John Miller, describing the Province of New-York in 1695, says : — " There is a meeting house at Richmond. (Staten Island) of which Dr. Bonrepos is the minis- ter. There are forty English, forty-four Dutch and thirty-six French families." Upon the 9th day of March, 1696, " David de Bonrepos. of New York city. Doctor of Divinity, and Blanche his wife, did grant to Elias de Bonrepos, of New Rochelle, hus- bandman, all that certain parcel of land situate and lying at New Rochelle in the Manor of Pelham, &c, containing fifty acres of ground. &e." b The following entry occurs in the Town Records : — l! The year of grace, 1693, we. the elders of the Church of New Ro- chelle, in the Province of New- York, according to the inten- tion and will and desire of the inhabitants of this said Church, have accorded to Ambroise Sicard, Jun. and Daniel Sicard, to convert into a rent at six per cent., the forty shillings which they owe for ten acres of land sold them by the said inhabi- tants, &c, and begin to pay the rent from the first to the last of May of the year 1694. Signed. Thauvet Ecotonneau, Tmacher Theroude. Guillaume le Conte, Daniel Strang." c By an Act of General Assembly passed on the 24th of March, » Doc. Hist, of X. Y. vol. ii. 304, 5. I Town Rec. Lib. A. 112. !: Upon the 6th of Feb., 1695-6, letters of denization were granted to David Bonrepos and others. Elias Bonrepos was licensed to keep school within ye Town of Rochelle upon the 23d of June, 1705."— Albany Deed Book. vol. s. 05. : - Letters of administration were granted to Martha Bonrepos, wife of David Bonrepos, 25th of Oct., 1711/'— Surrogate's office, N. Y.. Lib. viii. 61. e Town Rec, Lib. A. 23. AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 397 1693, (which was subsequently confirmed) the Manor of Pel- ham became one of the four districts or precincts of Westches- ter Parish. In 1702, New Rochelle contributed towards the rector's maintenance and poor of the parish, £7 3s. In 1?: her quota had increased to £12, 14, 1^. The next minister of the French Reformed Church at New Rochelle was the REV. DANIEL BONDET, A. M., a native of France. He was born in the year 1652, studied the- ology at Geneva and afterwards entered the ministry. On the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, he fled from France to Eng- land, 3 - here he received Holy Orders from the Right Rev. Henry Compton, Lord Bishop of London, and soon after accompanied the French emigrants who arrived at Boston. Mass. in the sum- mer of 16S6. b For eight years he was employed by the Cor- poration for Propagating the Christian Faith among the In- dians at a place called New Oxford, near Boston, and was also a minister of the French congregation there, as appears from a letter written by him to some person in authority (prob- ably Governor Dudley) complaining of the sale of rum to the 1 ■ Upon the revocation, the rest of the ministers were allowed fifteen days for their departure : but it can hardly be believed to what cruelties and vexatious they were exposed." . . . . ; ' And yet, (adds the English historian) through rich mercy, very few revolted ; the far greatest part of them escaped, either into England, Holland, Germany or Switzerland ; yea. and some are now in New England/' — Synodi- con Iutrod. b " In Sept., 1686. £26 were contributed for the relief of the French Protestants who came to New England." — See Mass Hist. Coll. 3d series, vol. IV. 62. " In 1693, Cotton Mather speaks of Mr. Bondet, as a faithful minister ; to the French congregation at New Oxford, iu the Xipmug country.'" — Magnalia. B. VI. c. vi. § 2. vol. ii. p. 382. 8vo. ed. Hart. 2 vols. 1S20. c On the restoration of Charles II., the charter for the Promoting and Propaga tion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in N. E. (founded in 1649) was renewed through the influence of Mr. Ashurst and Richard Baxter, with the Lord Chancellor Hyde, and the powers under it were enlarged : for now the corporation was styled " The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in New England and the parts adja- cent in America." 398 HISTORY OF THE PARISH Indians, " without order and measure," and of its baneful ef- fects — the date is lost, with a line or two at the beginning, but is endorsed Mr. Daniel Bondefs representation referring to New Oxford, July 6th, 1691. a Mr. Bondet must have continued his labors at New Oxford and its vicinity until near 1695, for in another communication, we find that " In 1695 Mr. Bondet, a French Protestant minis- ter, preached to the Nipmug Indians." After this, we hear no mote of him at New Oxford. b He probably removed to this place sometime during the Summer or Fall of 1695, for the inhabi- tants of New Rochelle addressing the Propagation Society in 1709, declare that " By the assistance of Colonel Heathcote they had been provided fourteen years ago with a worthy min. ister, Mr. Daniel Bondet, ordained by the Bishop of London." To this event, Col. Heathcote himself alludes in a letter to the Society dated 10th of April, 1704 : — " I did propose to the Ves- try of Westchester a medium in that matter, which was, that there being at Boston a French Protestant minister, one Mr. Bondet, a very good man, who was in orders by my Lord of London, and could preach both in English and French, and the people of New Rochelle being destitute of a minister, we would call Mr. Bondet to the living, (of Westchester) and the parish being large enough to maintain two, we would likewise continue Mr. Mather and support him by subscriptions. The Vestry seemed to be extremely well pleased with this proposal and desired me to send for Mr. Bondet, which I immediately did, hoping by that means to bring them over to the Church, but Mather apprehending what I aimed at, persuaded the Ves- ■ " Soon after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, Jos. Dudley and other propri- etors, brought over thirty French Protestant families into this country and settled them upon the eastermost part or end of the said tract of laud, now known by the name of Oxford." — Oxford Town Records. b His name does not occur in a list of the principal inhabitants in 1696, the yea r the settlement was broken up by an incursion of the Indiaus. '- See Charter c r Trinity Church. AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 399 try to alter their resolutions and when he came they refused to call hini." a So that projection failing, (of inducting Mr. Bondet to the Parish of Westchester) Colonel Heathcote obtained his services for the French Church at New Rochelle. At this early period both Mr. Vesey of New- York and Mr. Bondet, preached in several parts of the Country and administered the rite of Holy Baptism. Mr. Bondet's destitute condition soon after his settle- ment, is proved by the following document : — PETITION OF REVEREND MR. BONDET, OF NEW ROCHELLE. [TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.] ; : To His Excellency Milord Cornbury, Governor and Commander in Chief. My Lord, I most humbly pray your Excellency to be pleased to take cognizance of the petitioners condition. I am a French refugee minister, incorporated into the body of the ministry of the Anglican Church ; I removed about fifteen years ago into New England with a company of poor refugees to whom lands were granted for their settlement, and to provide for my subsistence, I was allowed one hundred and five pieces per annum, from the funds of the corporation for the pro- pagation of the Gospel among the savages. I performed that duty during nine years with a success approved and attested, by those who presided over the affairs of that Province. The murders which the Indians committed in those countries caused the dispersion of our company, some of whom fell by the hands of the barbarians. 1 remained after that, two years in that province expecting a favorable season for the reestablish- ment of affairs, but after waiting two years, seeing no appear- ance, and being invited to remove to this Province of New- * See Westchester Parish, p. 25. 400 HISTORY OF THE PARISH York, by Colonel Heathcole, who always evinces an affection for the public good, and distinguishes himself by a special appli- cation for the advancement of religion and good order, by the establishment of churches and schools, the fittest means to strengthen and encourage the people, I complied with his re- quest and that of the Company of New Rochelle, in this Pro- vince, where I passed five years on a small allowance promised me by New Rochelle, of one hundred pieces and lodging, with that of one hundred and five pieces which the corporation con- tinued to me until the arrival of milord Belamont who, after indicating his willingness to take charge of me and our Canton, ordered me thirty pieces in the Council of York, and did me the favor to promise me that at his journey to Boston he would procure me the continuation of that stipend that I had in times past. But having learned at Boston, through Mr. Nanfan, his lieutenant, that 1 annexed my signature to an ecclesiastical certificate which the churches and pastors of this Province had given to Sieur Delius, Minister of Albany, who had not the o-ood fortune to please his late Lordship, his defunct Excellency cut off his thirty pieces which he had ordered me in his Council at York, deprived me of the Boston pension of twenty-five pieces, writing to London to have that deduction approved, and left me, during three years last past in an extreme destitution of the means of subsistence. I believed, my Lord, that in so important a service as that in which I am employed, I ought not to discourage myself, and that the Providence of God which does not abandon those who have recourse to his aid by well doing, would provide in its time for my relief. Your Excellency's equity ; the affection you have evinced to us for the encouragement of those who employ themselves con- stantly and faithfully in God's service induce me to hope that I shall have a share in the dispensation of your justice to relieve me from my suffering, so that I may be aided and encouraged to continue my service, in which, by duty and gratitude, I shall continue with my flock to pray God for the preservation of your AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 101 person, of your illustrious family and the prosperity of your government. Remaining your Excellency's most humble and most respectful servant." ^OAllii^SKkA- • £ Order and Report on the above. At a Council held at ffort Wm. Henry, this 29th day of June, 1702. Sa: Sh : Broughton. ] ^ . , TT _, T , ~ i r. i Caleb Heathcote. Esq.. John Garrard Beekman. rEsar<; ^ • , ^ V T D . _ _ f risers. Bndees, Doctor of Laws. Rip \ an Dam, & ' Upon the motion of Coil : Heathcote that the Minister of New Rochelle had formerly a salary allowed him out of the Revenue which the late Earl of Bellamont deprived him of, it is hereby ordered that the petition of the said Minister formerly Dd to his Excellency, be referred to the s d Coll : Heathcote, who is to examine into the allegations and report the same. By order of His Excellency and Council, B. Cosens, Cl'k Council.'' 1 •• May it please yr Excell : In obedience to yr Excell commands : I have examined into the allegations of the within Petition and do find that the Petitioner was employed about fifteen years ago by the corpora- tion for propagating the Xtian ffaith amongst the Indians at a place called New Oxford, near Boston, with the allowance of a salary of £25 a year, where he consumed the little he brought with him from ffrance in settling himself for that service, and being afterwards by reason of the War compelled to fly from thence, his improvements where wholly lost. During the time of his stay there, which was about eight years, it appears by a certifi- cate under the hands of the late Lieut. Governour Stoughton, of Boston, Wait Wintrope, Increase Mather and Charles Morton, that he with great faithfullnesse, care and industry, discharged » Doc. Hist, of N. Y., vol. iii. 929. 26 402 HISTORY OP THE PARISH his duty, both in reference to Xtians and Indians, and was of an unblemished life and conversation. After his being called to New Roche! le the Corporation afore-mentioned, in considera- tion of his past services and sufferings, were pleased still to con- tinue him his salary, which he enjoyed u ntil the arrival of the late Earl of Bellamont, who having settled £30 a year upon him out of the Revenue, used afterwards his interest with the said Corporation to take off' the salary, they had all along allowed him, which no sooner was effected but he immediately suspended him also from the £30 a year he had settled upon him, by which means the Petitioner is left with a very deplora- ble condition, not being able with the salary that is allowed him at New Rochelle, which is only £20 a year to support him- self and family. All which is humbly submitted by Yr Excell's obedient humble servant, Caleb Heathcote.'^ It is a singular fact that the first settled Episcopal minister in this country should have been a French Protestant refugee, and that New Rochelle, the favorite asylum of the Huguenots, should claim the honor of having called him. Upon the 20th of November, A. D. 1700, " Sir John Pell *> and Rachel his wife, granted to Daniel Sampson and Isaac Cantin, one hundred acres, provided that the purchasers and their as- signeees, shall do suit and service, now or at any time hereafter, from time to time in the Manor Court, and pay their proportion to the minister of the 'place.''' 1 c " In consideration of £100 — 150 acres, beginning at the end of 25rods westward from the marked tree, said to be marked for the division lines of the French, in New Rochelle purchase, being between the land of the said Pell and the foresaid purchase." "July the 22nd, 1700. In a General Assembly of the inhab- itants of this place, according to Justice Mott's warrant, it has » Doc. Hist, of New- York, vol. iii. pp. 929, 930, 931, 932. b So styled in the Town Records. • Town Records, p. 10. AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 403 been agreed by the plurality of votes, that above the hundred acres of land given by Sir John Pell for the church of this place, the said one hundred acres shall be taken on the undivided land, according to the choice of the elders of the church, as they will find the more profitable for the church and people."* At a meeting of the Justices and Vestry, held in the town of Westchester, on the 5th day of May, 1704, appeared Mr. Peter Hulse, (constable for the town of New Rochelle in 1702,) who produced two receipts for £5, the minister's rate for that year." b The clergy of New- York, addressing the Society on the 17th of October, 1704, say: — " Mr. Daniel Bondet has gone further and done more in that good work (converting the heathen.) than any Protestant minister that we know, we eoirimend him to your pious consideration as a person industrious in ye service of the Church and his own nation, ye French, at New Rochelle." The following is Dr. Bondet's first letter to the Secretary of the Venerable Society. MR. BONDETT TO THE SECRETARY. " New Rochelle., July 24th, 1707. Sir, Col. Heathcote has done me the favor to communicate to me the extract of a letter, where you make mention to him of me, and the part the Honorable Society is pleased to take in what concerns my life and service. If it had pleased God that the ships had come hither, which he expected, I doubt not but ac- cording to your opinion, I had had proofs of their good will and approbation, as also directions from my Lord Bishop of London > concerning those things whereof i did myself the honour to in- form his Lordship, with the testimony of several eminent and creditable persons. T'would be needless, Sir, to repeat things whereof my Lord of London and the Honorable Societ y are ful- ly informed. I'll only say for my comfort and the honour of my service, that amongst the many misfortunes that have hap- * Town Records, Lib. A, p. 5. '' Westchester Vestry Book. 404 HISTORY OF THE PARISH petied to me, never any one opened his lips to reproach me of my life and doctrine, and God has supported me in all those ca- ses in which men have'abandoned me. I immediately looked upon that which his Excellency, my Lord Cornbury, ordered me out ^ of Her Majesty's revenue as a sure fund, but the payment thereof is so remote from one another that I am ready to perish in the mean time, insomuch, that 'tis very surprising to all them that hear it. My Lord is so kind as to give me some warrants, but to this hour I have some by me of four years standing, whereof Mr. Neau is soliciting one with Mr. Bearsly, the Receiver, without being able to get anything. The favor I ask of you, Sir, and the Honourable Society, is, that you would be so good as to get me such an order from the said Society as you shall judge most proper for the payment of my arrears, and if it be Her Majesty's good pleasure to confirm to me what two Govemours, by the advice of the Councilhave ordered as a nec- essary provision for my subsistance, viz., £30 out of Her Majes- ty's revenue, and that pension be paid to me quarterly according to the time of its establishment. If I obtain this favour of the Honourable Society, I shall be obliged to you for having con- tributed thereunto by your representation according to your justice and charity. I pray God to give us the opportunity of giving satisfaction to that venerable body (whereof you are a member) by the joyfull tidings of the great progress which the Gospell makes in these parts, through their great care and piety. 1 have seen with pleasure the beginning of Mr. Neau's exercises, as al- so, from time to time, the progress and good order of his prose- lytes. It were to be wished that the civil powers would take the same care of the slaves in the country. I have often proposed this to our company, among whom there are several slaves ; the poor creatures might easily receive the same edification by the care of the minister in their several places ; if that was recom- mended in such a manner that the servants, the masters and pastors, might understand that this order which our superiors require is both reasonable and just. I should be always ready. if it pie ed the Lord with his help, to discharge my duty and AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 405 follow the directions which shall be given me by my superiors, for whom I will continue to pray heartily that God would direct them how to labour successfully in all things for the advance- ment of his glory in the midst of his people, and that he would please to continue unto you life and grace to further his work in your generation. I am, Sir, &c, &c, Daniel Bondet." 1 The following extract, from a letter of Col. Heath cote to the Secretary, shows that the Society must have immediately granted the favour which Mr. Bondet so earnestly solicited. The writer also recommends the payment of an annual salary to Mr. Bondet, and that he be directed to use the English Liturgy at all times : — COLONEL HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] " Mamior of Scarsdale, Dec. \8th, 1707. Worthy Sir, 1 desire my hearty thanks may be given them for their favours in remembering Mr. Bondet, and it was truly a seasona- ble relief to him, he having for many years been only fed with fair promises from the Government, being, I think, at this time about four years in arrear. As to what you mention of my Lord of London recommending him to our Governour, J can't tell what service it may do him to his Lordship's successor ; but it will be of little use or service to him now. As for his being able to preach in English, I do assure you he can and doth it every third Sunday, using the liturgy of our Church in the town where he lives, which is part of and belongs to Mr. Bartow's ! parish and where he hath to this day never preached one ser- mon, although they contribute one-fifth part or thereabouts to- wards his maintenance. Now, if the Society think fit to settle a constant allowance on Mr. Bondet, he must then be directed ■ New- York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. pp. 163--4--5, (Hawks.) 406 HISTORY OF THE PARISH by my Lord of London, at all times, whether he preacheth in English or French, to use our liturgy, which he above all things desires, and it will then be advisable that common prayer books in French be sent over for his congregation. And as to the improvement ot his time, that he may not receive the Society's money without doing them service for it ; when notice is given that they have been pleased to establish him, Mr. Muir- son. Bartow, Colonel Morris and myself, will have a meeting, and taking to our assistance the soberest inhabitants of the country, we will consider of the properest ways not only for im- proving Mr. Bondet, but likewise at the same time think of the most effectual means for taking 'care, besides the two parishes, of such parts of the country as are included in neither ; and had I not formerly been opposed, this had not been to be done now ; and in case any of the missionaries shall refuse a reasonable complyance the Society shall most faithfully have an account thereof, that if by them they can't be persuaded to their duty, their allowances may be withdrawn, for I can't tell what others may think of it, but for my own part, to connive at the misap- plication of the money given to that pious use, I think to be equal to one's being concerned in plundering of churches."* At first, Mr. Bondet used the French Prayers, according to the Protestant churches of France ; and subsequently on every third Sunday, as appears by the above letter, the Liturgy of the Church of England ; but in 1709 his congregation, with the exception of two individuals, followed the example of th^ir French Reformed brethern in England, by conforming to the English Church. This memorable event is thus recorded in the charter : " That on the 12th day of June, in the year of our Lord, one thousand, seven hundred and nine, all the inhabi- tants of the Township of New Rochelle, who were members of the said French Church, excepting two, unanimously agreed and consented to conform themselves, in the religious worship of their said Church, to the Liturgy and rites of the Church of New- York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. pp. 167, 168, 169, (Hawks.) AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 407 England as established by law, and by a solmn act ov agree- ment did submit to, and put themselves under the protection of the same." Six days prior to their conformity, the members of the church addressed the following letter to Colonel Heathcote. This was probably the document alluded to in his letter of the 12th, which Mr. Bondet read at the meeting : — "Neio-York. June 6th. 1709. Honor'd Sir, Since it is by your charitable assistance and concurrence that the company of New Rochelle find themselves provided with the ministry, that your prudence and wise management hath hitherto composed and aswaged our difficulties about these matters of Church settlement ; we have thought that it was our duty and that it should be your pleasure of charity, to assist us with your presence and directions, that we may come to some terms of Resolution for to have our Church in full confor- mity with the national Church of England, and for to have the protection and assistance of the rules and encouragers of the same, that the service of God may be established in our place according to that holy rule, and the weakness of our place con- sidered, that she may be enabled to support the charges of the ministry, as your Honor knows enough of our circumstances, be upon that trust of your candour, sincerity and charity, for refuge Protestants, well meaning in the duties of our holy re- ligion. We remain, Honored Sir, Your most humble and dutiful servants, Elias Badeau, Adrew Reneau, J. Levillaine. [Signed by twenty-six others." 1 ] The services on this occasion were held in the old wooden * New- York, MSS. from archives atFulham, vol. i. pp, 189-90. (Hawk's.) #1 16 HISTORY OF THE PARISH church, erected in 1692-3. upon Monday. June the 13th. A. D. 1709. ■ Mr. Bartow, the rector of the Parish, who was present and read prayers, gives the following account to the Secretary of the Venerable Propagation Society : — [extract.] •• From Westchester in New- York, in America. June Wth, 1709. Sir. This night being Friday. Mr. Sharp is come to my house on his way to Rye where he intends to preach next Sunday, and I have appointed to meet him at New Rochelle next Monday, to try if we can persuade Mr. Bonders congregation to conform to the Church of England, which if they will do. Col. Nicholson has engaged to procure their minister (Mr. Bondet) an allowance from the Society, whom they are not able to maintain in regard the £30 per annum, formerly paid out of the Queen's revenue is discontinued. •• Tuesday. June \±th. 1 was at New Rochelle yesterday, where I read the service of our Church and Mr. Sharpe preached a sermon, and Colonel Heathcote being there likewise, after sermon, we proposed their conformity to the Liturgy of the Church of England, to which they all who were there present (the chief and principal inhabi- tants) assented, as you will see by their several names subscribed to the writing sent by Col. Heathcote, to which I refer you. John Bartow." 13 Colonel Heathcote, who was also present on the occasion, thus writes: — COL. HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY. ■•Manor of Scarsdale. June \3th. 17C9. Worthy Sir, After I had finished my other letters, Mr. Bondet gave me an 1 And not on Sunday the 12th. as the charter declares. The lessons for the day were the 19th Chap, of Job and 13th of St. Mark. 1 >~ MBS. from a'chiv-- at Falhara, vol. i. pp. l94-5 ; (Hawks.) AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 409 account by letter, that his people were in a very good temper to receive and conform to the Liturgy of our Church, in their con- gregation, whereupon I went to New Rochelle, being accom- panied by Mr. Sharp. Chaplain to the fforces, he being at my house, having yesterday preached and administered the sacra* ment at Rye. Mr. Bartow did us also the favour to meet us at Mr. Bondet's, and his congregation being desired to be at church, after the service had been performed by Mr. Birtow. and a very good sermon preached to them by Mr. Sharp, the heads of their congregation desired Mr. Bondet to read and pre- sent me with a paper, returning me thanks for my endeavours in settling them in their religious affairs, which I send you here- with. Whereupon, those gentlemen of the clergy and I did advise them to address the Society, acquainting them with their resolution of conforming to the rules and discipline of the Church, to pray their assistance in supporting their minister and to send them a number of common prayer books in the ffrench language, which is here enclosed, and also an instru- ment in ffrench, being a declaration of their inclinations to con- form to the rules of the Church. We all of us promised them not 0^' - to recommend them in the best manner we could, but also to prevail with Col. Nicholson and Col. Morris to do the like. I believe I need not use many arguments to persuade the Society to do what they can conveniently for them ; for Mr. Bondet, besides his serving the people of New Rochelle, will be of great use in assisting the ministers of the other Parishes, and not only that, but if these people are favourably received and en- couraged, it will be a great means to influence the ffrench con- _ nation in New- York likewise to conform audi am not with- out hopes of effecting my desired end of having this country divi- ded into three Parishes, by which means we should effectually shut out all sectaries from ever crowding in upon us. I can hardly express how great comfort and satisfaction it is to me to, see this work brought near so happy an issue and for which I have been laboring in vain many years, and the only thing that obstructed it was, that the Government would not give us leave, and which 410 HISTORY OF THE PARISH k was almost the only cause that none of your churches have throve better in this Province. The ffleet are just upon sailing and I am in a very great hurry in concluding my letters, but I must beg leave to refer you to ray next and remain, worthy sir, Your affectionate humble servant, Caleb Heathcote." 4 The subjoined address is from the Inhabitants of New Ro- chelle to the Society. It must have been written in 1709 and not the previous year as the MS. has it : — TO THE RIGHT REVEREND AND RIGHT HON- OURABLE AND VENERABLE SOCIETY FOR PRO- PAGATION OF THE GOSPEL IN FOREIGN PARTS. -The humble petition of several inhabitants of the town of New Rochelle, in the Province of New- York, in behalf of themselves and other inhabi- tants of the said Place. The extraordinary care that your Honorable Society hath shewn in these parts of America, for the settlement of the Church in places which want directions and encouragement, to come to the happy terms of union and conformity to the national Church of England, makes us confidently to hope that your charity wirt be pleased to take into your pious consideration the condition of a poor company of refugees, inhabitants of the town of Ne'w- Rochelle, whose case hath been represented already several times by the Hon. Col. Heathcote, by whose assistance and con- currence we were provided fourteen years ago with a worthy minister, Mr. Daniel Bondet, ordained by the Lord Bishop of London ; who, by his constancy and tender condescension hath shewed us how confidently and with good conscience we may comply with the Church of England and further our edification in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, for whose sake we have left our native country and have been with great pity and charity relieved in England. We have now happily brought that work to a fair and re- New- York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. pp. 187-8-9. (Hawks.) AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 4H solved conclusion. The Hon. Col. Francis Nicholson, Colonel Heathcote unci Colonel Morris, have promised to use their inter- est with the Venerable Society to have some regard to the just representation of our circumstances which are unable to sup- port the charges of a ministry, having been able to pay to Mr. Daniel Bondet but £20, this country money, per annum sometimes more, often less. Notwithstanding which, he hath courageously continued to edify us by his doctrine and irre- proveable conversation. The £30 per annum proposed to be paid him out of the revenue of this Province, hath for several years been unpaid, as will appear by the joynt representation of the said Col. Heath- cote and the Reverend Clergy, with an account of the unpaid warrants. The revenue is now expired by its own limitation, and we have no other hope of support for the maintenance of our minister than in your piety and charity, which we beg leave to implore in these our indigent circumstances, and that you will be pleased to send over a considerable number of common prayer books, in the French language. We are already above one hundred communicants, and if we can enjoy the benefits of em English schoolmaster sent amongst us, we hope we and our posterity daily to improve, under the happy constitution of the English Church and Government. We conclude with our hearty prayers to God for the peace of the nation, the enlargement and prosperity of the Church, and a blessing on your pious endeavours for promoting the Gos- pel of Jesus Christ, and are with profound respect, Rt. Reverend Rt. Honourable and Venerable, Your most obedient humble servants, Isaac Guions, Louis Guions Jejeune, Anthony Lispenar, Pierre Valleau. [With twenty-two others."*] ■ New- York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. pp. 107-8. (Hawk's.) 412 HISTORY OF THE PARISH In this act of conformity, to the Church of England, the Huguenots followed the sentiments of their own Church, which from the beginning of the Reformation to this time, had allowed it to be lawful to do so, and condemned those who made any separation, but from the Church of Rome. Beza, one of the most powerful advocates for the Huguenots, wrote to some of them who were discontented in England, con- juring them by all that was good and sacred, not to forsake the communion of the Church of England, for such indifferent rites and ceremonies as were there imposed upon them.* Whilst Calvin, the founder of the French Churches, passed an' ane- thenia upon those who forsake the communion of orthodox bishops where they are to be had. Witness that solemn declara- tion of his, in his Book, De Necessitate Reforrnandae Ecclesice. "Talem si nobis exhibeant hierarehiam, in qua sic emineant episcopi, ut Christo subesse non recusent — ut ab illo tanquam unico Capite pendeant, et ad ipsum referentur — turn nullo non anathemate dignos fateor, si qui erunt qui non earn reverenter, summaque obediential observent." " Give us such an hierarchy," says he, " in which bishops preside, who are subject to Christ, and Him alone as their Head ; and then I will own no curse too bad for him that shall not pay the utmost respect and obedi- ence to such an hierarchy as that." " The truth is, Calvin and Beza, and the French Church set up such a government and discipline at the Reformation, as the state of their affairs would bear ; but they never absolutely condemned Episcopacy, or thought their own model ought to be the rule to other Churches. Beza expressly disclaims that as a false and slanderous imputation in any that should say, "They prescribed their own example to be followed by any other Church, like those ignorant men, who think nothing right done but what they do themselves. " b The Rev. Joseph Bingham, in that admirable discourse of 1 Beza, Ep. xii, p. 105. b Bingham's Antiquities of the Christian Church, vol. viii. pp. 209-10. AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 413 his, entitled " The French Church's Apology for the Church of England."' concludes with "A serious address to Dissenters and to the Refugees of the French Church, to join in constant and full Communion with the Church of England." " I have no- thing more to do (he observes) but to close this discourse with a serious exhortation to such persons as are concerned in it. who are chiefly such dissenters as make use of the arguments I have examined in this book, to justify their separation from the Church of England." Upon this conformity of the French Ctiurch at New Rochelle, we find the Venerable Society making an annual allowance to the Rev. Daniel Bondet. and directing him to use the Liturgy of the Church of England. At the same time, Governor In- goldesby issued the subjoined order to the Consistory, putting Mr. Bondet in possession of the Church and its appendages. COMMISSION OF REV. DANIEL BONDET, TO BE MINISTER OF kNEW ROCHELLE. ' ; Richard Ingoldesby, Esq., Lieut. Gov. and Commander in Chief of their Majes- ies Province of New- York, New Jersey, &c. To Capt. Oliver Besly and his kethern. Gen. of ye Consistory of New Rochelle in ye County of Westchester, reeting : — Gentlemen. The bearer hereof, Mr. Daniell Bondett, an orthodox minister of the Church of England, haveing laid before me the orders of ye Right Hono'ble and Right Rev- erend ffather in God, Henry, by Divine mission, Lord Bishop of Loudon and Dioce. san of this Province, to officiate in your Church and Parrish according to ye Rules- & Constitution of the Church of England, as by Law Established, bearing date June 16th. 1709, as also a Letter from ye Venerable Society for propagation of ye Gospel in fforreign parts, bearing date June 6th, with an Extract of their Journal June 3d, 1709, Constituting and appointing him one of their Missionaries, and a yearly sallary for his service in your Church. You are therefore hereby directed to receive him as such. Given under my Hand &, Seal this ninth day of November, in the eighth year of ye Reign of our Sovereign Lady Queen Anne of Great Britain, &c. Anno Dni. 1709. RICHARD INGOLDESBY."* In Mr. Bondet's report to the Venerable Society for the year 1710, occurs the following extract : — ■ Doc. Hist, of N. Y. vol. iii. p. 941. 414 HISTORY OF THE PARISH MR. BOXDET TO TftE SECRETARY. " Neio-York, Uth July, 1710. Sir,- Our Church is kept up in good order by the grace of God. notwithstanding the troubles and unexpected oppositions it has met with. I hope through the good reception that his Excellen- cy has given us at our first visit, that his equity and prudence will remove those difficulties which still remain to be surmoun- ted to the end, that there may be a good understanding amongst us. I acquainted you in my last, that we had celebrated the Holy Communion three times at the three quarters that are passed. Since our conformity, there have been two other quar- ters past since, and for fear that my last should not have come to hand, I will repeat to you the number of communicants in each : — 10th of July, 1709, 35 17th of October, 29 1st of January, 1709-10, 38 9th of April, being Easter Day, 43 11th of June, 32 Yours &c, Daniel Bondet. 51 At this period it seems the congregation had so for increased as to stand in need of further accommodation, and to require the erection of a newchurch. On the 20th of March. 1709, nearly three months before the conformity, Governor Ingoldesby issued an or- der or license, empowering the inhabitants to erect the same. b The undertaking, however, met with such violent opposition from the enemies of the Church, that nothing seems to have been done, either towards locating or building the proposed ed- ifice during the remainder of Ingoldesby's administration. This honor was reserved for his successor, Colonel Robert Hunter, who vigorously espoused the cause of the Church, and upon the 2d day of August, 1710, issued the following : — » New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol i. 217-10. (Hawks.) b See County Records, Lib. D. p. 72. AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 415 LICENSE TO ERECT A CHURCH IN NEW ROCHELLE. " By His Excellency Robert Hunter, Esq. . Capt. Generall and Comman- der in Chief of her Majesty's Provinces of New- York, New Jerseyand all the Territories Depending thereon in America, and Vice Admiral of the same, claims, and pretensions that hereafter may be made, and your petitioners as in •duly bound, shall Ever pray, &c. Daniel Bondet, F. Alleau, Besley, P. Valleau, Elie DeBonrepos." Neto Rochelle, the 11th of November. REPORT THEREON May it please Your Excellency, " In obedience to your Excellence's order in Councill, ©f ye nineteenth day of November last, made on ye petition of Daniel Bondet, and others, for a Patent for a Church, lately Erected in the Street of New Rochelle, and for the Ground whereon it stands, wee have fully Examined into ye matter of the said petition, and are humbly of Opinion that her Majesty may Grant such Patent for the said Church and Ground, according to ye prayer of the said petition. All which is nevertheless submitted to your Excellency, by Your Excellencie's Most Obedient, humble Servants, A. D. Peyster, S. Staats, Rip Van Dam, Caleb Heathcote, T. Byerley* Read 31st July, 1711-12." For his commendable zeal in Church affairs, Colonel Hunter was reviled and misrepresented by those from whom a different course might have been reasonably expected. The two follow- ing extracts speak for themselves : — b » Documentary Hist, of N. Y., vol. iii. p. 948. b " Governor Hunter was as devoted a member of the Church of England as any of the early Governors."— Macdonald's Hist, of the Presbyterian Church in Jamai- ca, Long Island, p. 51. 420 HISTORY OF THE PARISH COLONEL HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] " New- York, January 30th, 1711. The more I consider of Colonel Hunter's being represented as an enemy to the Church, the more I am amazed at it • because no Governor in this Province, that I ever knew, besides Col. Fletch- er, did ever as heartily espouse her interest, if we are to judge of men by their actions. I think Mr. Bondet and I was about 7 years in endeavouring to settle the Church at New Rochelle, but never could thoroughly effect it until he was our Governor, who, without giving us the least stop or delay, did every thing we desired of him." a COL. LEWIS MORRIS TO THE SECRETARY. " New- York, 20th February, 1711. Because the Governor (Col. Hunter) would not go all the length they desired, he was industriously represented to the peo- ple as no churchman, I can't see what end this could serve, be- sides gratifying too much ill nature, except it were the discour- aging the Church and encouraging the Dissenters, (if either of them should believe the person at the head of affairs here was a dissenter,) or really making the Governor what they pretended he was. But it was not in the power of some men that wear the Church's livery, by an imprudent conduct to make the Gov- ernor an enemy to the Church, b for no sooner was application made to him in behalf of the church of New Rochelle, the building of which had been a long time opposed, but he gave an order to Col. Heathcote and myself to appoint a place ■ New-York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 356. (Hawks.) h In an address of the New- York Clergy to Governor Hunter, May 14, 1712, " they thank him for his favor to Daniel Bondet, and his congregation of French Refugees, and generous bounty towards erecting of a new church, and granting a Patent for the same to the Church of England, and that the utmost gratitude is due for the same." This was signed by D. Bondet and 8 others.— Doc. Hist, of N. Y., vol. iii. p. 129. AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 421 for it in the High Street, which we did; saw the founda- tion laid, and it is now finished, or very nigh it, being a good stone building, and his purse, as well as power, has contributed to make it what it is." * In the year 3711-12, the Venerable Propagation Society pre" sented to Mr. Daniel Bondet, " for the use of the inhabi- tants of New Rochelle, (who, under the influential ministry of the Rev. Mr. Bondet, have built them a new church of stone, for the worship of God, and are, many of them, reconciled to the ways of the Church of England) one hundred French pray- er books of the small sort, and twenty of a larger impression." In consideration of the great learning and piety of Monsieur Bondet, at New Rochelle, and his long mid faithful discharge of his office, they have augmented his salary from £30 to £50 per annum. b Mr. Neau, writing to the Secretary from New- York, on the 5th of July, 1710, bears the following testimony in regard to Mr. Bondet's character, "most Honored Sir: — Mr. Bondet is a good old man, near sixty years Gf age, sober, just and religious." Another supply of one hundred prayer books in French, oc- curs in 1713, to the Rev. Monsieur Bondet, minister of the Re- formed Congregation at New Rochelle. Upon this, he remarks, " The books came very seasonably, and is much to the comfort of that people, as to engage their thanks to the Society, for their charity in the care of them, when their enemies reported they were derelicted." The same year, the Society forwarded to the Rev. Daniel Bondet, u minister of the French Calvinistic congregation at New Rochelle, £10, in consideration of his diligence and care in performing English service every third Sunday, for the edi- ■ New-York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 327. (Hawks.) b The Society's Abstracts say : — " That Mr. Bondet's congregation at New Rochelle has a competent number of communicants, and meets for divine ser- vice, not only on Sabbath days, but all others appointed by the Church." c New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol i. pp. 2l6, 217. (Hawks.) 422 HISTOKY OF THE PARISH fication of the French youth who have learnt so much of that language as to join with him therein." Upon the 7th of February, 1714, Queen Anne, in answer to the petition, was pleased to grant and confirm the new church or chapel, and the ground whereon it stood, to the minister and members in the following manner : — ROYAL PATENT FOR THE CHURCH AND GROUND AT NEW ROCHELLE. " Anne, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, dueea, Defender of the Faith, &c, &c, to all whom these presents may come or in any wise concerne, sendeth greeting : Whereas, the inhabitants of New Rochelle, in the County of Westchester, <&c, with the leave and lycense of our trusty and well beloved Robert Hunter, Esq., Captain General and Governor in chief of our province of New- York, and territories depending thereon in America, and Vice Admiral of the same, have, by the voluntary contributions of well disposed Christians, erected and built in the High street of the said town of New Ro- chelle — to wit., on the north side thereof, a church or chapel for the worship and service of Almighty God, according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England as by law established ; and whereas Daniel Bondet, now minister at New Rochelle aforesaid, Isaias Valleau, Oliver Besley, Peter Valleau, Elie De- bonrepos, in behaif of themselves and other the inhabitants of New Rochelle aforesaid, of the Communion of the Church of England, by their petition pre- sented to our trusty and well beloved Robert Hunter, Esq., Captain General and Governor in chief as aforesaid in Council, have prayed our grant and confirma- tion of the said church or chapel and ground whereon the same is erected and built, to and for the use of the service aforesaid, the which petition we being willing to grant — Knowye, that of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, we have given, granted, released, ratified, and confirmed, and by these presents, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, do give, grant, release and con- firm unto the said Daniel Bondet, Isaias Valleau, Oliver Besley, Peter Valleau and Elias Debonrepos, and to their heirs and assignee?, all that church or chap- el aforesaid, and all and singular the ground whereon the same now stands, be- ing 40 feet in length and 30 feet in breadth ; the which said church or chapel and ground is situate, standing and being in the north side of the High street of the said town of New Rochelle, in the County of Westchester aforesaid, between the dwelling houses of Johannes Le Conte and Zachary Anjouvaine, together with all and singular the wsys, easements, emoluments, profits, benefits, privileges, libertyes, advantages, hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever to the same belonging, or in any wise of right appertaining, to the estate, right, title, in- terest, benefits, advantages, claims and demands in any way of, in, or to the said church or chapel, ground and premises, with appurtenances or any part or par- cel thereof, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders thereof, AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 423 to have and to hold the said church or chapel ground and premises with the ap- purtenances hereby granted, released and confirmed, or meant, mentioned, or in- tended to be hereby granted, released, and confirmed, unto the said Daniel Bon- det, Isaias Valleau, Oliver Besiey, Peter Valleau and Elie Debonrepos, their heirs and assignees for ever, to the only proper use and behoof of them, the said Daniel Bondet, Isaias Valleau, Oliver Besiey, Peter Valleau and Elie Debonrepos, their heirs and assignees, for ever in trust, nevertheless and to the intent, the aforesaid church or chapel with the appurtenances, may and shall forever hereafter, con- tinue, remain, and bo unto all and singular the inhabitants, residents of the said town of New Rochelle for the time being, in communion of the Church of Eng- land, a free church or chapel for the performing of the worship and services of Almighty God, according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England, as by law established, to aud for no other service, use, intent or purpose whatso- ever, to be holden of us, our heirs and successors, in free and common soccage, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, within our kingdom, of Great Britain, yielding and paying therefor yearly and every year from hence- forth, unto us, our heirs and successors, at or upon the feast of the Nativity of our Lord, commonly called Christmas, the yearly rent of one pepper corue only, (if the same shall be lawfully demandel,) in lieu and stead of all other rents, dues, duties, services, and demands whatsoever ; provided nevertheless, that nothiug herein contained shall be construed, deemed, or taken in any manner to exempt the said inhabitants of New Rochelle aforesaid, or any of them, of and from the payment of any rate, sum or sums of money now due or hereafter to be due from them or any of them to the parish church of Westchester, in the county afore- said, or for or in respect thereof, or ol and from the performances or execution of any parochial office or duty in the same parish, or to prejudice, or in giving any the rights, privileges, emoluments and authorities of the present rector of the said parish of Westchester, aforesaid or the rector of the same parish church for the time being, but that the same shall and may continue, remaine and be as fully and amply to all intents and purposes whatsoever, as the same now are, and as if this present grant had never been made, anything herein before contayned to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding. In testimony whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent, aud the seale of our said province of New York to our said letters patent to be affixed to the same, to be recorded in ye secretary's office of our said province. Witness our trusty and well beloved Robert Huuter, Esq., captain-general and governor-in-chief, in and over our prov- ince of New York aforesaid, and territories depending thereon in America, and vice-admiral of the same, and in council at our fort at New York aforesaid, the seventh day of February, in the tenth year of our reign, and ^in the year of our Lord God, 1714."* Abiut this period, "the town gave a house and three acres of • Alb. Rec. Lib. viii. pp. 1, 9, 3. 424 HISTORY OF THE PARISH land, adjoining the church, for the use of the clergyman forev- er."* During the year 1714. Mr. Bondet, at the request of the So- ciety, took charge of the Mohegan or River Indians. The next communication from Mr. Bondet to the Venerable Society is as follows : — MR. BONDET TO THE SECRETARY. " Neiv-York, 3d April, 1714. Honored Sir, By my last of the 25th of Nov., 1713, if happily come to your hand, you are informed of the reception of yours of the 28lh July, 1712, and of my gratitude to the Honourable Society for their bounty, having brought my salary to the rate of £50. That seasonable relief of their equitable regard hath rescued me from several inconveniencies, who had rendered the mainte- nance of my family difficult and uneasy. I was in a perfect resolution to continue my service, trusting in the Lord, that when my circumstances should come plainly and truly to be known by the Honourable Society, their piety should resolve something for my relief, of which you have been pleased to inform me, as also of one hundred French common prayer books, who came not with your letter, but are come since in very good order. That new token of the pious care of the Honourable Society for our company, hath renewed our thanks and blessings upon their charity and rebuked the temeranious suspicions suggested by our contradiction that our labor and confidence should come to nothing, being abandoned and left to our weakness, but thanks be to God, who hath rebuked the scorns and relieved our simple and sincere endeavours, by the continuation of the Honourable Society's benevolence and charity, as also by the wise and se- rious concurrence of his Excellency, our Governor, Col. Hun- * Missions of the Church of England, by Ernest Hawkins, B. D., 282. AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 425 ter, who in that affair, as in all others, hath showed the regard of a grave and pious ruler, who, with a philosophic patience hears and considers every thing, and with sound judgment, de- clares his mind among the contending parties, and with a con- stant equity, countenances by his authority the right and law- ful claim of his protection. These favourable junctures of Providence have produced effects answerable, constancy and thankfulness of our people, and a daily increase of consenters to the Church. By my antecedent accounts, the Honourable Society hath been informed of the numberof our communicants, which hath been from the beginning of our conformity, four times in the year, between thirty and forty communicants of our town, sometimes above forty, but this last Easter there was fifty communicants ; three families reunited to the flock, which were the most sober and sensible persons of our disturbed inhabi- tants ; those who remain yet backward, showing rather the humour of seditious, obstinate disturbers, than the spirit of sound, religious christians, but [ live peaceably and civily with them, knowing that the most forward, may, by the grace of God, turn docile; as I have with patience and moderation waited for others, so shall I continue to do for the few remain- ing back, ready to help them for their own good and the full and perfect gathering of the flock. It remains that I inform the Honourable Society, that as I continue to do the service in English, every third Sunday, as I did from my first entrance in this place, that I have done it till now with a bible of small volume and character, that the Honourable Society be pleased to allow us the benefit of an English bible, with a small quan- tity of English common prayers, because our young people, or some of them, have sufficiently learned to read English for to join in the public service when read in English. Concerning the books I have received from the Society, they are disposed of according to their intention, with an exact memorial of the per- sons who have received them, and that which remain of those or of my own shall be left and conveyed, I hope, to my suc- cessor ; entreating the Honourable Society that he may be a 426 HISTORY OF THE PARISH missionary fit for to perform the divine service in French and En- glish as I have done, for the edification of our people, and per- petuating the memory of this conformity to the national Church of England, in which we shall continue to pray for the life and prosperity of her Majesty and dominions, for the preservation and welfare of the Church, and as bound by our just acknow- ledgment for the most Honourable and Venerable Society, that they may continue in present and future generations, examples, encouragers, and promoters of true godliness. This premised, I recommend myself to your benevolence, and remain, Honourable Sir, &c., Daniel Bondet."* In another letter he thus writes to the same: — MR. BONDET TO THE SECRETARY. " New Rochelle. Oct. 17th, 1716. Honored Sir, Concerning the present state of our church I have nothing thank God to acquaint you with, which discourage my service nor the favour of the Honorable Society. We stand orderly and peaceably under the protection and favour of our worthy Gover- nor. The number of our first disturbers is decreased, who have increased our congregation. The door of my heart is always open to reconciliation, as the gates of the church for their re- ception. The 2nd of April, Easter Day, we had fifty-two com- municants ; the 7th of July, fifty ; the 7th of October we had forty seven. The Hon. Col. Nicholson being in these parts in the beginning of the Church settlement in this province was pleased at his parting to leave in the hands of the Rev. Mr. Ve- sey, rector of the church of New York, a bill of £20 to be dis- tributed among the ministers of the Province, who being then in convention at New- York, Mr. Vesey declared it to the Assem- ■ New- York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. pp. 475, 476. (Hawks.) AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 427 bly, which was of seven of us, and as they were about calcula- ting how much it was for every one, one of the brethren being generously moved towards mc, who had then nothing for my support but the poor contribution of New Rochelle, he said, the Brother Bondet is the poorer of us, let him have the whole, to which all consented, but this disorder of the affairs of the prayer assigned, hath caused the bill to be unpaid, till of late, that Mr. Vesey informed me that he had finally received the money, re- membering also how it was agreed in the before mentioned con- vention. I said to him, that Providence having since relieved and comforted me by the favour of the Honorable Society, that I was remitting my pretension to the gift to procure glass to our church which Mr. Ves In New Rochelle the seceders erected a meeting house, styled themselves " The French Protestant Congregation," and re- mained violently opposed to their lawful pastors, and not only so, but in opposition to their own founders, prescribed the Church of England in her doctrine, discipline, ordinances, usages, rites and ceremonies, as popish, rotten and unscriptural. How dif- ferent this from the views of their great reformer Beza, who addressing Queen Elizabeth, says : — " But you, O Queen, and k Smith's Hist, of N. Y., pp. I6fi, 167. " About the middle of the last century,' ' the Historian of N. Y. says " the French Chorch of N. Y. by the contentions, in 1724, and the disuse of the French Language is now reduced to an inconsiderable handful. AND CHURCH OP NEW ROCHELLE. 431 your people, by your means, enjoy what perhaps no other king- dom does, the complete profession of the pure and sincere doc- trine of the Gospel. To which, if you add (what all good men hope for, and the most faithful bishops of your kingdom have long desired,) the full restoration of ecclesiastical discipline also; in truth 1 do not see what England can desire more of you, or your majesty can confer more upon it." a Here are none of those home-bred charges of superstition, idolatry, anti-christianism, or popery, brought against the liturgy ; but it is owned to be the pure worship of God purged from the filth and dregs of anti-chris- tianism. 1 ' As the poet Cowper well observes : — *' All zeal for reform, which gives offence To peace and charity, is mere pretence." But there is one thing which it will not be amiss to mention here, which is, that these seceders not only proscribed the established Liturgy of the Church of England, but altogether discarded the public Liturgy or Form of Prayers and Adminis- tration of Sacraments, which all ministers of the French Church were obliged to use in their daily service. Calvin gave this advice to the heads of the English Reformation in King Edward's days, and we do not doubt but he took care to put it in practice in his own country : — " As to what concerns a form of prayer and Ecclesiastical rites,'' says he, "I highly approve of it, that there be a certain form, from which the ministers be not allowed to vary : that first, some provision may be made to help the simplicity and unskillfulness of some. Secondly, that the consent and harmony of the Churches, one with another, may appear, and lastly, that the capricious giddiness and levity of such as effect innovations, may be prevented. To which end I have shown that a catechism will be very useful. Therefore, ■ Bingham's Antiquities of the Christian Church, vol. viii. 97-8. k Mr. Skinner, the grand-father of the late Primus of Scotland, somewhere observes, that Subter-stition is quite asibad as Supcr-stition. 432 HISTORY OF THE PARISH there ought to be a stated catechism, a stated form of prayer and administration of the sacraments." 11 "If we had no clearer light or evidence concerning the prac- tice of the French Church in this matter," says Bingham, "this were a strong presumption what it must be, considering how great an hand Calvin had in its reformation." But we have most certain and undeniable evidence in the case. Their Book of Discipline in one canon determines the controversy beyond all dispute, chap. 5, art. 32. where it says, " If any pastor break the Church's union, or stir up contention about any point of doctrine, or discipline, or about the form of cate- chising, or administration of the sacraments, or of our common prayers and celebration of marriage, and conform not to the de- termination of the Classis, he shall then be suspended from his office, and be further prosecuted by the Provincial or National Synod." Here we see conformity to the Liturgy and all its parts, as well as to the Confession of Faith and Discipline, is made necessary to the Church's union. b So that Moulinars and his party of seceders at New Rochelle were truly Indepen- dents, condemned by the discipline of the French Church. The Rev. Daniel Bondet died sometime in September, 1722, aged sixty-nine years, having been nearly twenty-six years minister of this church. He was eminently useful in keeping the congregation together, under its adverse circumstances, and as he lived greatly beloved, so he died greatly lamented. His mortal remains were interred beneath the chancel floor of the old church. His will bears date the 24th of March, 1721-2, and was proved on the 21st of September following. THE WILL OP DANIEL BONDET, CLERK. " In the Name of God, Amen, The four and twentieth day of March, one thousand seven hundred and twenty-two, I, Daniel Bondet, minister of the Gos- pel, of New Rochelle, being sick in body bat of good and perfect memory, thanks • Calvin Ep. ad. Protector. Angl. p. 4169. Bingham's Antiq. of Ch. Ch. vol. viii. B. viii. p. 87. b Bingham's Antiq. of Ch. Ch. vol. viii. B. iii. p. 88. AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 433 be to .Almighty God, and calling to remembrance the uncertain state of this transitory life, and that all flesh must yield unto death, when it shall please God to call ; do make, constitute, ordain and decl?re, this my ast Will and Testamen in manner and form following : — Revoking and Annulling by these presents, all and every Testament and Testaments, Will and Wills heretofore by me made and declared, either by word or writing, and this is to be taken only for my las Will and Testament, and none other. And first, being penitent and sorry, from the bottom of my heart for all my sins past, most humbly desiring forgiveness for the same, I give and commit my soul unto Almighty God, my Saviour and Redeem- er in whom, and by the merits of Jesus Christ, I trust and believe assuredly to be saved and to have full remission and forgiveness of all my sins, and that my soul with my body at the general Day of Resurrection shall rise again with joy, and through the merits of Christ, seek and pass in, possess and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven prepared for his Elect and Chosen : and my body to be buried in such place where it shall please my Executors hereafter named to appoint. And now for the settling of my Temporal Estate, and such Goods, Chattels and Debts, as it hast pleased God for alone my Deserts to bestow upon me. I do order, give and dispose of the same in manner following : that is to say, First, I will that all those Debts and duties that I owe in Right or Conscience to any manner of per- son or persons whatsoever, shall be and truly contented and paid or ordained to be paid, within convenient time after my decease, by my Executors hereafter named. Item. — I Give, bequeath and constitute for my only heirs, Lieutenant Oliver Besley, Jun., of New Rochelle ; desireing him after my Decease to come and take possession of all my goods, chattels and debts, with obligations which is belonging to me, with a Negro Woman called Toinetta, Ready Money, Plates, Jewells, Rings, Household Stuff, Apparels, Utensils, Brass, Pewter, Bedding and all other of my substance whatsoever, moveable and immoveable. Item. — I do Give to Bety Cantin, one obligation from Peter, which is now in the hand and possession of her Father, Jean Cantin, and that she shall have from this present t ime and hereafter, lawful for her to receive the said Due, Debt or Interest to her proper use or benefit, without molestation hereafter, from any body whatsoever. Item.— I do give to Judith Robinseau, a little Negro Girl, named Charlotte, for her proper use and benefit, without molestation hereafter from any body whatso- ever. Item. — I do give to the use of the Church of New Rochelle all my Books. Inwilnessl have put my hand and seal, this twenty fourth day of March, 1721-2. Daniel Bondet, (p.s.) Sealed and signed in presence of us, Isaac Mercier, Aman Guyons, Ceasar F. Suiz<_\"» During the interval between the death of Mr. Daniel Bondet and the appointment of his successor, services were performed ■ Rec. of Wilto, Surrogate's Office, N. Y., vol. ix. p. 332, 333. 2S 434 HISTORY OF THE PARISH by the Rev. John Bartow, rector of the parish, as appears from the following communication to the Honorable. Society : — MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY. '■'•Neio York, Nov. loth, 1722. Worthy Sir, By the death of the late Rev. Mr. Bondet, last September, the care of New Rochelle is wholly devolved on me, till the Rev- erend and Honorable Society be pleased to send another mis- sionary for that place, which I hope will be speedily, being un- fit to travel so far at fixed times by reason of age and uncer- tain indispositions, but by God's leave, shall attend the care of that people as much as I can without doing wrong to the rest of my parish. I preach now at four towns, Eastchester, West- chester, Yonkers and New Rochelle ; the last, eight miles, Yon- kers six miles, Eastchester four from home, and do other occa- sional offices. I have preached twice at New Rochelle since Mr. Bondet died, and intend, God willing, to administer the sacrament of the Lord's Supper there the first Sunday in the next month. According to the proportion of their annual pay- ment to the Church, I must preach there about eight Sundays in the year, and if the Society do think me worthy, should be* glad if they would allow me something for travelling charges until they send another missionary. Mr. Bondet bequeathed in his last will all his books to the use of the Church. Mr. John Pell, Lord of the Manor of Pelham, of which New Rochelle is a part, has given one hundred acres of land within the said manor, which land Mr. Bondet enjoyed to the use of the Church for ever. A house and about three acrc3 of land adjoin- ing New Rochelle church was given by the town to the church for ever, all which I do presume have and do belong to me, durante vitse, but should gladly acquit all to such missionary of the Church as the Society shall think, fit to send, together with the perquisites as Mr. Bondet enjoyed them. I humbly pray that the Society would send them a missionary that can preach to them in their mother tongue, and that he be desired to preach once a month in English, at Eastchester, for I can't attend the AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 435 people so often as they require, which was the occasion about three years since of the hiring a Presbyterian minister, who is now removed to Bedford within the parish of Rye, of which the Rev. Mr. Jenny has undertaken the care of, with the Society's approbation. I now by the bearer received my money of Mr. Perry, about which I have been so impertinent to you, through a mistake, and humbly beg the Society's pardon and venerate their justice, and shall not cease to pray for the blessing of God on their pious endeavors, who am, Sir, Your humble and obedient servant, John Bartow."* In 1723, Mr. Bartow received from the Society £10 for his extra services at New Rochelle. Mr. Bonded wtts succeeded in 1724 by the REV. PIERRE STOUPPE, A. M. This individual was also a native of France, and nearly re- lated to, if not a son of the Rev. Mr. Stouppe, minister of the French Church in London, who was sent by Oliver Cromwell in 1*554 to Geneva, to negociate in affairs relating to the French Protestants. b He was born in 1690, studied divinity at Geneva, and afterwards accepted a call as minister to the French Church of Charleston, in South Carolina. ' Here he continued until the Summer of 1723, when he resigned his charge, conformed to the Church of England, and crossed the Atlantic to be ordained. At Christmas, 1723, he was admitted to holy orders, by the Rt. Rev. Edmund Gibson, D. D., the then Lord Bishop of Lon- don, and licensed to officiate as a missionary in the Govern- ment of New-York. At the same time he was appointed the Venerable Society's missionary to Mew Rochelle, with a salary of £n0 npr annum, T»i July 1724 he received his commis- sion from Governor Burnet. He proved very acceptable to his flock because he could preach in French, which language only most of them understood. In 1721, the Society's Abstracts • New- York, M3S. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 582-3. (Hawks.) * Dr Vaughan's Protectorate of Cromwell, vol. i. p. 12. 436 HISTORY OF THE PARISH say: — -That Mr. Stouppe's congregation is much increased since his arrival, and that the number of his communicants is thirty- eight. ' T. TETER STOUPPE'S ANSWERS TO THE QUERIES OF T3 BISHOP OF LONDON. [QUERIES TO BE ANSWERED BY EVERY MINISTER.] New Rochcllc, 1734, the 12M October. Q. How long is it since you went over to the plantations as a missionary " A. Your Lordship knows that I went over as a missionary but since the last Spring. &. Have you had any other church before you came to that which you now if you had what church was it, and how long have you been re- d 1 A. I had the French church of Charleston, in South Carolina, and left it about en months ago. Q.. Have you been duly licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a mis- .- in the Government where you now are *! A. I have been licensed by your Lordship himself. GL How long have you been inducted into your living "? A. I have been inducted since the month of July last. Q.. Are you ordinarily a resident in the parish to which you have been in- ducted "i A. astantly there. Q. Of what extent is your parish and how many families are there in it? A. The extent of it is two miles in length and three miles in breadth, and U reckoned to contain seventy families, among whom are some Presbyterians. Q. Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your parish, and what means are used for their conversion ? A. There is in all but a few negro slaves, some of which come on Sundays out of their free will to church without their master's order, but no other means are used for their conversion. Q. How oft is divine service performed in your church ; and what proportion of the parishioners attend it ? A. Divine service is performed twice every Sunday, in the morning and evening, and upon Christmas day. Easter day and Communion days ; there is a preparation sermon upon some day cf the week, which as well as other public service is always attended by the most part of the parishioners conformed to the Church. Q. How oft is the sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered ; and what is the usual number of communicants ? A. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper is administered four times a year, and the number of communicants is sometimes more, sometimes less, but commonly be- tween forty and fifty. Q. At what time do you catechise the youth of your pa: AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCIIELLE. 437 A. The youth is catechised all the Summer long, six or seven months in the year. Q. Arc all things duly disposed and provided in the church for the decent and orderly performance of divine service ? A. Every thing is provided in the church for the decent and orderly performance of tho service according to the church's ability. Q. Of what value is your living in sterling money and how does it arise? A. I cannot tell your Lordship of what value my living will be in sterling money, depending only upon voluntary contributions, and having not yet received oue farthing to that purpose ; the people is but very poor, and besides, New Rochelle is included in Westchester parish. They are obliged to pay towards Mr. Bartow's salary, appointed to him by act of Assembly, which rendered them incapable of doing anything for me, except otherwise should be provided. Q. Have you a house and gleb* ; Is your glebe in lease or let by the year, or is it occupied by yourself? A. There is a house and one hundred acres of laud belonging to it, but at some distauce, which land is let by the year for four pence sterling an acre. Q. Is care taken to preserve your house in good repair aud at whose expense is it dono ? A. There is but indifferent care taken to preserve the parish house in good repair, and as for the expenses, they are taken upon the members of the Church each one. Q,. Have you more cures than one, if you have, what are they, and in what manner served? A I have no other cures than tho aforesaid. Q.. Have you in your parish any public school for the instruction of youth ? A. There is no public school within the precinct of New Rochelie — the parents take care to instruct their own children. Q,. Have you a parochial library; if you have, are the books preserved, and kept in good condition ; have you any particular rules aud orders for the preserving of them ; are these rules and orders duly observed ? A. My predecessor, Mr Boudet, has left four hundred volumes for the use of the church for ever ; they ar3 kept in pretty good condition, but I know no particu- lar rules of preserving them. My Lord, &c, j&Py*^ At the date of Mr. Stoup's arrival, the elders or ancients (as they are sometimes styled,) at this church, were Isaac Q,uan- ■ New- York, MS3. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 673. (Hawks.) J 438 HISTORY OF THE PARISH teiii and Isaac Guion. The following extract is taken from Mr. Stouppe's first letter to theS ociety: — MR. STOUPPE TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] " New Rochelle, Province of New - York, May mh, 1725. Sir. But there are yet thirty families unconformed within New Rochelle bounds, and were it not for fear of the eager censures of Mr. Moulinars, one of the French ministers of New- York, who comes quarterly amongst them, and some of the most creditable members of his congregation, who jointly with him do support their separation from the Church, all those yet dis- senting families, without exception, would have been come over to it already. The proceeding is so unjust that I cannot for- bear to complain of, and set down to the consideration of the Honorable Society, "some of the arguments they make use of to keep the Dissenting inhabitants of New Rochelle in their divi- sion, from the Church and even to pervert, if possible, its truest defenders. They not only at all occasions inspire them with a disadvantageous opinion of the Church of England, but they raile in a plain manner at its Liturgy and Ceremonies. The said Mr. Moulinars has declared (as can be proved) that he finds our Church and that of Rome as like one another as two fishes can be, besides, the said minister and his party have threatened the yet dissenting French inhabitants of New Ro- chelle of breaking with them all commerce, and of suspending all acts of charity and support towards them, if ever they should dare to join themselves at any time to the Church, nay, for in- stance, the said Moulinars and his party convinced long ago of Mr. Roux, the other minister of the French in New- York, and his inclination and good affection to the Church, and of his always openly blaiming and disapproving Mr. Moulinars, his colleagues irregular practices against the Church in general, and especial- ly his keeping up and fomenting our unhappy divisions in New AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 439 Rochelle. The said Moulinars and his party in revenge, have pretended to depose Mr. Roux, and suspend him accordingly of ah his accustomed ministerial functions amongst them, as you may see it more largely in this collection of papers on that subject which I beg of you to put into the Honorable Society's hand:-;, and which will justify in general the matters I here acquaint them with. They will find that one of the chiefest reasons of this violence against Mr. Roux, has no other ground than his constant affection to the Church, and the public appro- bation he has at all times and occasions given to its ceremo- nies and doctrine, and this affair is so far gone that the Hon- orable Council of this province could not forbear to take notice and to interpose their mediation and authority, which having been unsuccessful on the French dissenters part, Mr. Roux in- tends by the advice of his friends to carry his complaints into Chancery, where it is not doubted but he will find protection and justice. I thought it necessary to make you this relation that the Honourable Society might be more sensible of the great prejudice Mr. Moulinars and his adherents do in general to the Church of England, and in particular to that of New Rochelle> and that there is no unlawful practice which they scruple to make use of for the detriment of it. After Mr. Bondett's, my pre- decessors death, they engaged the dissenters to build a meeting house about two hundred yards distant from the church in which I officiate twice every Sunday, they incited them also to reclaim the one hundred acres of land which Mr. Bondet enjoyed, and which were given by the Lord Pell to the use of the Church, in order to deprive me of it ; and not withstanding all the friendly presentations made from time to time to the said Mr. Moulinars by some gent of this country, and also by the late Lord Bishop of London, of which Master Aufere, one of the Society members, may give a more full and exact account, all this, I say, did not prevail with him, nor induce him to keep his own congregation and not to intrude himself into those of others, and consequent- ly not to trouble their union and peace. He also of late eagerly consumed some of the dissenters of New Rochelle, who to save expenses and inconveniences they would lay under in bringing 440 HISTORY OF THE PARISH their children to York to be christened by him, or who by- reason of having no aversion from the Church do not think fit to defer their baptism till he come amongst them, according to his desire have required me to baptize them. I heartily wish the Honourable Society would pity our assaulted Church and take some effectual means for the removing of the cause and in- strument of the unhapy divisions we are in ; our endeavours here without their assistance having proved of but little and of none effect. For there is no irregular practice which in their opinion is not supported, and which they do not find justified and au- thorized by the benefit of toleration and liberty of conscience granted to them, in such manner they abuse that great and in- estimable priviledge. You will, Rev. Sir, very much oblige me in giving me notice as soon as possible, of the Honourable Soci- ety's intention and resolution about that affair. I am, Reverend Sir, &c, Peter Stouppe." Writing" to the Propagation Society in 1726, he thus de- scribes the state of his church: — "That he has baptized six grown negroes and seven negro children, fitted eight young peo- ple for the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, to which they have been accordingly admitted, and that the number of his commu- nicants at Easter last, was thirty- three.'' a MR. STOUPPE TO THE SECRETARY. " New Rochelle, Dec. 1 Ith, 1727. Reverend Sir : According to the Honorable Society's order, signified unto me by your last of the 16th June, 1717, here you have the best ac- counts I could get upon the several heads and matters intimated unto me in the aforesaid years. 1st. As to the church. It was built in the year 1708, upon the ■ New- York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. pp. 665-6-7-8. (Hawks.) AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 441 public or king's road, of strong materials, joint together with mortar, the inside plastered and white washed, of 40 feet length and 30 breadth. Partly by its own members, the inhabitants of New Rochelle, who gave it a number of days work towards it, partly by the contributions of the following charitable persons, members of the Church of Englaud or well wishers to it, set- tled in divers parts of this province as you will see by the list here set down and recorded in our church book. Fifty paces from the said church, there is a glebe of three and a half acres of land, upon part of which stands the parish house or the minister's dwelling place, built of wooden materials, the inside plastered, consisting of two rooms on a floor, a garret and a small kitchen house, the other part of said glebe serves for a dwelling place. The salary subscribed for the minister by the members of New Rochelle church amounts at present to £10 19s. money of this province, of which, through negligence or pretended pov- erty of the subscribers there is little more than half part of it actually paid, so that the provisions of firewood which they make to their minister for the time being, is by much the better part of his salary, though little in itself. There is no other endowment belonging to the Church that I know of. This is all what I can say upon that head. 2nd. 1 come now to the second. The number of people that first settled New Rochelle was about a dozen of families, the most part of them were in Europe, trading merchants; being French refugees, they were all at first addicted to the Confes- sion of Faith of the formerly Reformed Protestant Church of France. These few families. I say, have conjointly bought of the Lord Pell, 6000 acres of land and divided it into lots and parcels, from 20 to 30, 40, 50, 60, 100, 200 and 300 acres a piece ; have sold afterwards the said lots and parcels to any who had a mind to buy them, English, French or Dutch, but so it happened that more of the French than of the two other nations proved desirous to settle among them. To this, if you add the increase and settlement of their children since that time, each of which 442 HISTORY OF THE PARISH have their particular houses, or dwelling places, being set- tled upon so many respective lots and parcels of ground, the present number of inhabitants, comprehending young and old of both sexes, amounts to very near 400 persons. There is a doz- en of houses near the church, standing pretty close to one an- other, which makes that place a sort of a town ; the remainder of the houses and settlements are dispersed up and down as far as the above said 6000 acres of land could bear. Nay, besides those, there were several other French families members of New Rochelle settled without its bounds. They are little or not at aU improved in their fortunes, and a few tailors and shoe makers excepted, they all live upon the produce of their own land. There is no church near or about New Rochelle, save one which from the one side of its bounds is three miles distant, and from the other side seven miles distant, and divine service is no oftener performed in it than once in a month, or twelve times in a year. Travelling is in all seasons difficult in this country, it being very rough and uneven, full of rocks and stones, hills, valleys, creeks, loose and bad bridges. The Fall is attended with great showers and the Winter with ice, snow and excee- ding sharp winds. 3rd. As to the 3rd head. There is two quaker families, three Dutch ones, four Lutherans and several of the French. The first never assist our assemblies, the Dutch and Lutheran on the contrary, constantly assist when divine service is performed in English, so that they may understand it, and their children like- wise have all been baptized by ministers of the Church. Only the French Dissenters have deserted it upon Mr. Moulinars, for- merly one of the French ministers of New-York, coming and settling, now a year ago, among us, and t'is also by his means and inducement that while he yet was minister of New- York, that they have built a wooden meeting house within the time they was unprovided for, that is, from my predecessor's death to my arrival here. The said Moulinars and followers to the num- ber of about one hundred persons, and the said meeting house, built by his persuasion, are the sole dissenting teacher, people AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 443 and meeting house, within New Rochelle bounds. The said Moulinars is supported partly by the contributions of his hearers, partly by the assistance of some of the French Dissen- ters of New- York, who in my predecessor's time, as well as nowj have done much harm to our poor church and always obstruc- ted their reconciliation thereto. 4th. There is no school nor schoolmaster as yet in New Ro- chelle ; the parents take care to instruct their own children and that they do generally pretty well, besides what instructions are given to them in the church during Summer by the minister. 5th. As to the fifth article. I don't question but the Honorable Society knows that the Lord Pell when he sold the 6,000 acres of New Rochelle ground to the aforesaid families of Refugees who first settled it, gave in the same time 100 acres of land for the encouragement and benefit of any minister that would serve them, which land being laid out by the buyers in one of the worst places, upon a very rocky ground, and distant a mile and one half from the parish house, has been let by my prede- cessor and by me, for four pence sterling an acre, yearly rent, bating 20 acres, holden by a distracted woman not supported by the parish before last year, &c. There is no other library but that which Mr. Bondet has left to the Church consisting of about 400 volumes. 6th. The number of slaves within New Rochelle is 78, part of them constantly attend Divine service and have had some instructions in the Christian Faith by the care and assistance of their respective masters and mistresses, so that my prede- cessors did not scruple to baptize some and even to admit to the Communion of the Lord's Supper, and I myself have for the same consi leration baptized fifteen of them within these three years, some children, and some grown persons, indifferently well instructed in the fundamentals of our Holy Religion. I assure you, Sir, that they shall always have a convenient share in my assistance and care, and as far as will be necessary to make them good and religious persons without the least pre- judice to the rest of my flock. These Sir, are the sentiments 444 HISTORY OF THE PARISH which I entertain and of which I shall endeavor to give to the Honorable Society the most convincing proofs. 1 am, Reverend Sir, your most Obedient Servant, Peter Stouppe." 3 - In 1729, he writes : — " That he continues his diligence in all parts of duty ; that besides the white, he hath baptized ten ne- gro children and one grown person, and hath thirty-four com- municants." The next year he informs the Society: — "That the French and English prayer books sent there by the Society- have been of great use and even thankfully received by the peo- ple. His congregation improves, the number of communicants increases, and in the space of six months he baptized fifteen white children and three negroes." b Upon the 7th of April, 1733 ? he acquaints them : — " That his congregation increases, that he had thirty-three communicants last Easter, and hath within six months baptized eleven white and five negro children. c " The next communication from Mr. Stouppeis the following: — MR. STOUPPE TO THE SECRETARY. " New Rochelle, iug. 10//*, 1733. Rev. Sir, — In my last, April 10th, 1733, by Capt. Saml. Bourdet, bound for Bristol, there being then no ship besides in this town bound for England ; I informed you how I had heard of the Rev. Mr. Vesey, our Commissary, that the last 4 doz. of Com- mon Prayer Books sent by the Honorable Society to be given to the people, who desire them, were in his hands. Now Sir, I must inform you that I have received the same some time ago, and distributed some to the people as they made application for them. I say as they made application for them, for these people being none of my parishioners, but Dr. Standard's, I cannot sufficient- ly discern those that deserve to have them from those that do not, as my intentions are sincere, I am apt to think every man's so. Sure it is, the Honorable Society receive a great deal of » New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham. vol. i. 678-9-80-1-2. (Hawks.) 11 Printed abstracts of Ven. Society. • Ibid. AND CHURCH OF NEW EOCHELLE. 445 praises and blessings of them on that account, which I doubt not will have one day a good effect, and beget in time, not only love end respect, but a thorough conformity and willing ad- herence to the Church. As for my particular church. Sir, I have had 35 communi- cants last July communion, and since my last, of the 7th of April, I have baptized five white children. I have always a constant good number of hearers, and when divine service is performed in English the congregation is so numerous of late that people scarce can sit, some resorting from Eastchester, some from Mamaroneck, especially in the summer season, besides the English and Dutch of this town, who have all hitherto applied to me for supplying their spiritual necessities, particularly for administering baptism to their children. Now, Reverend Sir, one thing I beg leave to offer to the Hon- orable Society's consideration is, that Christmas next there will be ten years since I have been admitted into Holy Orders by the present Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of London, and there- upon appointed the Honorable Society's missionary for this place. That during the said space of ten years, besides their an- nual salary to me, I have received but very small contributions from my hearers, not for want of good will or good understand- ing between them and me, (God forbid) there is no congregation in the province better united than we are, but because being crowded upon one another they have but little land, and being generally encumbered with the maintenance of large families of their own, they are unable to do it, and can but just pay their contributions to Westchester parish, whereof they make a part and have not as yet been discharged from. Upon this account, Sir, my circumstances are but straight in comparison to those of other missionaries, who by law are allow, ed yearly some £60, this country money, besides their salary from the Honorable Society, and as I conceive my sincere inten- tions and endeavours for the good of the Church as well as the ac- tual and constant performance ofduty to come short to that of none of my brethren, I make bold to inlreat that Honorable Society in consideration thereof, and in consideration that clothing and 446 HISTORY OF THE PARISH moveables are very dear in this country, that they would be pleased in their goodness to allow and bestow upon me any small gratification, not that it may quicken my zeal for the Church and diligence in discharging my duty, for either of them can hardly receive any addition, but that it may comfort and ease me and my family under my present low circumstances. However, if the Honorable Society's fund will not permit them to grant this my humble request, I shall look upon a refusal on that account with all the resignation imaginable." I am Reverend Sir, Your most obedient, humble Servant, Peter Stouppe." 3 - June 1st, 1735, he acquaints the Society : — "That the mem- bers of the Church increase at New Rochelle, that there is always a very handsome auditory when Divine service is per- formed, especially in the Summer season of the year, when the English, Dutch and Germans, settled within a mile or two, do join with them, and that -he hath baptized since Christmas last, nine white and five negro children." Upon the 4th of Novem- ber, 1737, he transmitted the following account: — "That the state of his Church continues good, the members thereof being very assiduous and punctual in attending Divine service all the parts of the year, and being thankful for that blessing. He hath 32 communicants, and hath baptized within the year 12 white and 6 black children." b In his, letter of November 16th, he writes .-—"That the peo- ple do regularly attend Divine Service at all seasons, that the last time he had thirty-six at the Holy Communion. That in ths last year he hath baptized 11 white children and 4 blacks." The subjoined extract from a letter of Leonard Lispenard, and ■ New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 265-6. (Hawks.) k Printed abstracts of Ven. Society. AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 447 other inhabitants of New Rochelle to the Reverend Mr. Orem, da- t< .1 \ew Rochelle, December 1st, 1742, shows that some of the former were disaffected to Mr. Stonppe. But whether its au- thors were members of the Church or not, is very uncertain : — " I went to Mr. Lispenard's who lives in ye place to <. uquire con- cerning the inhabitants of it, who reckoned up with 80 families in the boundaries of the place, 31 of which were such asunder- stood no French, 24 were Calvanists, and only 4 persons, which are from old France, that come to ye Church of England, and they are very ancient people ; wherefore I and a great many others are of opinion, that although the place is so situated that there seems to be an absolute necessity for a minister, yet Ave humbly conceive, he needs-not be a Frenchman, nor be ordered to read and preach in French, considering how things are cir- cumstanced at present. I and several others therefore entreat you to condescend so far as to represent our case truly, as I have done to you, either to Mr. Bearcroft, or any other gentleman whom you think has interest enough to procure us a minister in Mr. Stouppe's stead, who the English complain has disappointed them very much since I have been to England, and for 9 weeks together, never repeated the service of the Church in English, but was either sick or gone to New-York, or made some excuse always on the Sunday when he should have preached in En- glish." a In the year 1743, we find the members of the Church address- ing the Venerable Society on behalf of their minister as fol- lows : — "New Rochelle June 1st 1713. Dn. Bearcroft : Rev. Sir, — Our minister, ye bearer hereof, having communi- cated to us his letter to you of ye ninth of Oct., 1742, wherein he expressed a desire of revisiting his native country, and asked ye Honorable Society's leave for that purpose ; we took that • New York, MSS. from archives a,t Fulham, vol. ii. p. 138. (Hawks.) 448 HISTORY OF THE PARISH declaration as if he had resolved to leave us altogether and to serve our church no longer ; and therefore, made bold to address ourselves unto ye Honorable Society for providing us with another, that we might not remain destitute. But learning now from his own mouth that he designs to go no further than London, and is willing to return, with ye Hon'ble Society's permission, for the service of our church. We there- fore, upon this consideration, take ye liberty to declare and ac- quaint you that our said minister, since his first coming, has constantly resided among us, preaching (as directed by ye Hon'ble Society,) two Sundays in French and one in English, much to our satisfaction and edification, his doctrine being very sound, and his pronunciation full, clear, and intelligible — upon which account we could have wished that he had finished his days among us without interruption, and we expected nothing else ; but as it happens, a strong desire to hear from his relatives has prevailed with him to take a journey for Europe. Howev- er, seeing now he explains his mind, and promises to return among us, we beg of the Hon'ble Society that they would ac- cordingly be pleased to send him again to us, by the first and next opportunity. But if, contrary to our expectations, it should fall out otherwise, we repeat our former petition, and beg leave to entreat ye Hon'ble Society not to leave us destitute, but to continue to us their charity in providing us with another in his room, as in their great wisdom they shall think fit. Such is the prayer of us underwritten members of New Rochelle church, who are with great respect, Reverend Sir, Your most obedient humble servants, and in ye name of all, Jean Soulice, Peter Bonnet, Giel LeCounte, Peter Sicard." (Signed by 56 others.) In 1 743. Aman Guion gave one acre and three quarters of land, AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 449 " which is now in possession of the Rev# Peter Stouppe," for the use of the minister and communicants of the French Church. DEED FOR CHURCH LOT IN NEW ROCHELLE. " To all Christian People to whom this Deed of Sale shall come : Aman Guion of New Rochelle, in the county of Westchester and Provinco of New York, Black- smith, sendeth Greeting : Know ye that the said Aman Guion, for and in considera- tion of the sum of five pounds ten shillings, current money of the Province of New- York, to him iu hand paid by Isaac Guion and John Soulis, of New Rochelle afore- said, churchwardens or elders of the French Church, in New Rochelle aforesaid, according to rules and form of the Church of England, as by law established, now at or before ye ensealing and Delivery hereof, the receipt whereof I do hereby acknow- ledge and myself therewith fully satisfied, contented and paid, and thereof and of and successors, for the use of the minister and communicants of the French Church, in New Rochelle afforesaid, as is therein settled according to the Rules and form of the Church of England, as by law established. That is to say, a certain small parcel of land containing one acre and three quarters, more or less, which is now in the pos- session of the Reverend Peter Stouppe, now minister of the aforesaid church, in New Rochelle, and bounded as follows : Northerly by the Burying Place, Easterly by the land of Aman Guion, or a Lane or Road. Southerly, by the land that former- ly belonged to De Bonrepos, and Westerly by the land of William LeConte, as it is now in fence, together with all and singular the fences, fencing and other appurtenances belonging to said land. To have and to hold said granted and bargained, or intended to be hereby granted and bargained Land and Premises, to them the said Isaac Guion and John Soulis, and their successors forever, for the use of the French Minister, and communicants of the French Church in New Rochelle aforesaid, as it is therein settled according to the rules and form of the Church of England as by law established to them and their successors own and only proper use, benefit and behoof. And it shall and may be lawful for them the said Isaac Guion and John Soulis and their successors from time to time, and at all times for use hereafter, lawfully, peaceably and quietly to have, hold, use, occupy, possess and enjoy the before granted and bargained Land and premises, free and clear for the use afforesaid, ffreely and clearly acquited, exonerated, re- leased and Discharged from all manner, former and other gifts, grants, bargains, sales, leases, mortgages, entails, jointures, wills, Dowrys, Judgments, Execu- tions, Extents, and every other irouble and incumbrance whatsoever, to these be- fore granted and bargained Lands and premises, to them the said Isaac Guion and John Soulis, and their successors for Ever, for the use above said. He, the said Aman Guion, his heirs, executors and Administrators, shall and will forever hereafter warrant and Defend by these presents, and that against all the just and lawful Claims of all and every other person or persons whatsoever claiming or that shall and may hereafter claim any just right, title, interest, property or de- mand, of, in or to said granted and bargained land and premises, or of, in, or to any part or parcel thereof. In witness whereof, he the said Aman Guion 29 450 HISTORY OF THE PARISH has hereunto set his hanjl and seal, the twenty-sixth day of March, in the six- teenth year of the reign of King George the Second, Anno Domini, one thous- and seven hundred and forty-three. Aman Guion." a From this time until 1750, nothing particular occurs with regard to the parish in the reports of the Society. MR. STOUPPE TO THE SECRETARY. " New Rochelle, June 8th, 1750. Rev. Sir, In my former of ye 25th Oct., 1749, I informed you of the religious zeal which the members of New Rochelle Church do show on all occasions, whenever divine service is performed among them. How they do prefer ye hearing of a sermon to all idle and vain amusements, and had no more severed from ye Church by taking up with fanatical notions, contrary to sound doctrine, however current and common such notions had be- come some time ago; and I do with pleasure acquaint you now, that they are still the same people, very devout, constant and steady members of ye Church, and will continue such to the end of their days. The number of actual communicants continues likewise to be 68, for as often as we lose some old ones by death, there are young persons who desire to be received and admitted in their stead, and since my last, have baptized 15 infants, viz : 11 white, and 4 black. There being due to me a whole year's salary, unpaid last Lady day, 1749-50, 1 have drawn for the same on the Honor- able Society's treasurer ; and hope my letting it run into a year's salary will occasion no trouble to ye treasurer, for other- » Town Book, Lib. A. 178. " Upon the petition of fifty-six freeholders and inhabi- tants of New Rochelle on the 2nd of April, 1771, the Commissioners of the Town closed a certain road, formerly laid out, running between the land of Joseph Drake and the Church Glebe, beginning at the school house, and so to run up to the post road, the highway, or containing by estimation two acres and three quarters of land, which money was to be applied and paid by the Town Clerk to the collector, for and towards the parish rates for the year ensuing." Town Rec. pages 178, 268. AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 451 wise I shall draw for it every Six months. This, Sir, is what offers at present from, Rev. Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, Peter Stouppe."* The following is from the Society's abstracts for A. D. 1756 : — " The Rev. Mr. Stouppe, the Society's missionary both to the English and French, at New Rochelle, informs the Soci- ety, by his letter of June 16th, 1756, that the Church continues there in a good state, and he officiates to numerous congrega- tions, both of English and French, and that the number of the communicants is increased to eighty, and he had baptized, in the preceding twelve months, thirty-four white, and six black children." b Mr. Stouppe informs the Society, by his letter of June 5th, 1758, " that since the war broke out, there have been great al- terations in his congregations, which have lost many of the members by removals, and by enlistings in the King's service and by death ; nevertheless, the number of his communicants is seventy-four, and he had baptized within the present half year, fifteen white, and five black children." The ministry of this zealous and successful missionary was brought to a close, by his death, in July, 1760. The Rev. Henry Barclay, D. D., rector of Trinity Church, New- York, in a letter dated Sept. 3d, 1760, encloses the following address to the Society from the Church of New Rochelle, wherein they acquaint that body with the death of the Rev. Pierre Stouppe, who for thirty-seven years had been their missionary : — VESTRY OF NEW ROCHELLE TO THE SECRETARY. " New Rochelle, July ye 30th, 1760. Rev. Sir. We, the members of the Church of New Rochelle, in the ■ New- York, MSS. from archives at Fulhain, vol. ii. pp. 153, 154. (Hawks,) h Printed abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. from 20th Feb., 1756, to 18th Feb., 1757. • Printed abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. from 21th Feb., 1758, to 23d Feb. 1759. 452 HISTORY OF THE PARISH Province of New-York, in communion with the Church of England, beg leave to acquaint the Venerable Society, that it hath pleased Almighty God to call home to himself their late worthy missionary, and our faithful pastor, the Rev. Mr. Stouppe, by whose death we are bereaved of the inestimable blessing of the regular dispensation of the divine ordinances. This loss will be irreparable, unless we may be allowed to hope for the continuance of ye bounty, which has hitherto been dispersed for the support of the gospel amongst us, wherein if it shall please the Honourable Society to indulge us, we beg leave humbly to request that a successor may be sent to Mr. Stouppe, who is competently versed in the French language, that he may sometimes officiate therein for the benefit of some of our ancient people, but if this be not practicable, we shall be content to have the service wholly in the English tongue, which is by much the best understood by the greater part of the con- gregation. We have a parsonage house and glebe of 90 acres of land, which if properly improved may become valuable, and we shall always, we trust, exert ourselves to the utmost of our abilities, to make a missionary living as comfortable as possible. Rev. Sir, be pleased to represent this to the Venerable Board, with our most dutiful respects and grateful acknowledgments of their former bounty, which will greatly oblige, Rev. Sir, &c, James De Blez, Barnard Rynlander, Churchwardens." a and others. " Mr. Stouppe, (says Mr. Hawkins) was a simple minded, con- scientious man, who continued for seven and thirty years faith- fully to discharge the duties of his mission. During this long incumbency, the number of his communicants had been raised from thirty-three to eighty."' * New-York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. p. 273. (Hawks.) b Missions of the Church of England by Ernest Hawkins, B. D. AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 453 His remains were also interred beneath the chancel of the old French church at New Rochelle, where he had served so faithfully, here to await the morn of the resurrection, and to receive, we trust, the eulogy of the gospel, " well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." In a postscript to a letter from Mr. Barclay to the Secretary, dated New- York, Dec. 10th, 1760, he says :— " Mrs. Magdalene Stouppe, the widow of the late missionary, desired me to re- commend her to the Venerable Board, hoping to receive their usual bounty." The Rev. Andrew Fowler, in his MS. Biographies of the Clergy, says of Mr. Stouppe : — " that he was a worthy clergy- man, and greatly beloved by his congregation. When I read prayers and sermons in that place, (New Rochelle) in 1784 and 1785 and 17S6, as a layman, I heard him often spoken of in the highest terms of respect by some very aged people, upon whose veracity I could depend." a Mr. Stouppe was succeeded by the REY. MICHAEL HOUDIN, A. M. He was born in France circ. 1705, and bred a Franciscan fri- ar. On Easter day, 1730, he was ordained priest by the arch- bishop of Treves, and afterwards preferred to the office of su- perior of a convent of Recollects or Franciscan friars, at Montre- al in Canada. b Disgusted with the monastic life, he left Can- ■ Rev. A. Fowler's MS. Biog. of the Clergy, vol. ii. p. 130. b The following notice, probably of this individual, occurs in the New- York Council Minutes: — " On the 29th of June, 1744, Governour Clinton acquainted the Council that one Monsieur Michael Houden, and a woman, said to be his wife, were lately come to town from Canada, from which place they had lately fled, and that on their arrival, he had confined them to their lodgings, and had placed two sentinels over them, and had ordered the said Michael Houden to be brought before him in Council this day in order to be examined. The said Michael Houden being without, was called in and examined by his Excellency in Council, and afterwards remanded to his lodgings. At a Council held on the 5th of July following, the Gov- ernour communicated to the Board, a letter he had lately received from Lieutenant Lindesay, giving his Excellency advice of Monsieur Michael Huyden passing by 454 HISTORY OF THE PARISH ada in the beginning of the French war and retired to the city of New- York, where on Easter day, 1747, he made a pub- lic renunciation of the errors of popery, and joined himself to the Church of England. He afterwards lived with very good character, and attained great proficiency in the English lan- guage. In June, 1750, he was invited by the inhabitants of Trenton, and other places in New Jersey, to go and officiate among them, whereupon he addressed a letter to the Venerable Society, from which we extract the following : — MR. HOUDIN TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.] " Trenton, New Jersey, Nov. 1st, 1750. Rev. Sir, Having my residence at New- York, I heard of repeated complaints made by gentlemen and principal inhabitants of this place, Allen's Town, and Borden's Town, it being for many years past, destitute of a Church of England minister, and without any sort of application of mine, about five months ago some of them were pleased to press me by letter, to come amongst them. I being then conscious to myself, that I had no license from the Lord Bishop, or sanction from the Society, I deliberated some time till I had consulted several gentlemen of Oswego, and that he learnt from him that the French intended to attack Oswego with 800 men, as soon as the provision ships from France should arrive, the French having a great desire of being masters of that place. On the 11th of August, 1744, his Excellency acquainted the same Body : — that he had received several letters from Monsieur Houden, complaining as his circumstances are very low, and he was by his Excellency's order oblidged to live at Jamacia, where he can do nothiDg to ge't his living, that his wife and himself must soon come to want, unless his Excellency will be pleased to take him into consideration, and therefore praying he may have leave to come with his wife, and live in town, and thereupon his Excellency required the opinion of the Board. « As to Michael Houden, the Council are of opinion to advise his Excellency, to give him leave to come to town, on his taking the oath of allegiance." ' — Council Minutes, xix. 292, and xix. 273, 276. In the Lisle Ckronol- ogique of the Clergy of Canada, we find the name of Potentien Houdin, a Recol- lect, who is recorded as having left that country in 1748. AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 455 the clergy in New- York, the Governour, and others, who unani- mously advised me to go over to them, and hear their propo- sals. When I waited on them I really found they were desti- tute indeed, there not being a minister of the Church of Eng- land nearer than Burlington." 1 To this may be added the following, from the Society's ab- stracts for 1753 : — " The Rev. Mr. Houdin, having for some years officiated at Trenton and the neighbouring places in the Province of New Jersey, among the members of the Church of England, upon such slender support as they, in their poor cir- cumstances would afford him, with the addition of one gratuity of £30 from the Society ; they have lately thought fit, upon the especial recommendation of the Rev. Mr. Barclay, rector of Trinity Church in the city of New- York, and of other worthy persons, bearing witness to Mr. Houdin's merit and diligence in the pastoral office, to appoint him their itinerant missionary to officiate in Trenton, and in the parts adjacent. Mr. Houdin is a converted priest from Popery, formerly superiour of a con- vent in Canada, and from his letters of orders, it appears he was ordained priest by the archbishop of Treves on Easter day, 1730, and on Easter day, 1747, he made a publick renun- ciation of the errors of the Church of Rome,- received the holy communion according to the liturgy of the Church of England, in the city of New- York, and he afterwards took the oaths of allegiance, and subscribed the 39 articles of our Church : and after having made himself a tolerable master of the English language, he began to officiate in it and hath behaved, accord- ing to full testimonials, as it becometh a good christian and a good clergyman, and by his letters of thanks to the Society, dated Trenton, Nov. 4th, 1753, it appears that he is usefully, and to very good purposes employed, he having baptized from the 13th of December preceding, forty-five children and five adults, after proper instruction; and at Annwell, a town within his mission, above two hundred Presbyterians and some fami- ■ New- York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. (Hawks.) 456 HISTORY OF THE PARISH lies of Anabaptists, during the last summer, joined with the members of the Church of England in the publick worship of God, and many of them observing the peace and charity among our congregations, and the troubles and dissentions among others, contributed towards the finishing of the Church, which, at the date of Mr. Houdin's letter, he blesses God, was then quite done." a In the year 1759 Mr. Houdin accompanied the celebrated General Wolfe in his expedition against Quebec as a guide, which appears from the subjoined extract : — b " The Rev. Mr. Houdin, the Society's itinerant missionary in New Jersey, intreats the Society in his letter, dated Quebeck, October 23d, 1750, that his absence from his mission may not bring him under their displeasure, as he was in some measure forced to it in obedience to the commands of Lord Loudon, and other succeeding commanders, who depended much on his be- ing well acquainted with that country. And after the reduction of Quebeck, he asked leave to return to his mission, but General Murray ordered him to stay, telling him that there was no other person could be depended on for intelligence of the French pro- ceedings, and promised to acquaint the Society therewith." Mr. Houdin adds, " that he himself, as well as the publick, hath receiv- ed a great loss by the death of the brave General Wolfe, c who promised to remember his labour and services, which are not so well known to General Murray, but he hopes the Society will take these things into consideration, and continue their kind- ness to him, and he will return to his mission in the spring."* 1 Dr. Barclay, writing to the Secretary of the Venerable So- * Printed abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. for 1753. b The Rev. Michael Houdin preached to the provincial troops destined for the ex- pedition against Canada, in St. Peter's Church, Westchester, from St. Matthew, x chap., and part of 28th verse, " Fear not them which kill the body, &c." • General James Wolfe fell on the heights of Abraham, in the moment of victory, Sept. 13th, 1759.— Editor. d Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc, 15th_Feb., 1759, to 15th Feb., 1760. AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 457 ciety, on the 3d of June, 1761, says : — « Messrs Ogilvie and Houdin are still detained by General Amherst in Canada. I shall take care to forward your letters to them." a It appears from the following notice in the New- York Post- Boy for June the 4th, 1761, that whilst Mr. Houdin was sta- tioned at Quebec, under the command of General Murray, an attempt was made by the Vicar-General of Canada, to seduce him from his allegiance, by an offer of great preferment in the Romish Church : — " We hear from Montreal that the Vicar Gen- eral of all Canada, residing at Montreal, has wrote a pressing invitation to the Rev. Mr. Udang, the chaplain of a regiment at Quebec, to return to the Romish religion, with a promise of great preferment in the Church, which Mr. Udang put into the hands of General Murray, who sent it enclosed to General Gage, who upon the receipt of it, sent a guard to take the Vicar-General into custody ; what will be the issue is not known." Mr. Houdin must have returned to New- York in 1761, for about August of that year he was appointed by the Venerable Society to be their missionary at New Rochelle. With regard to this appointment, the Society's abstracts say : — "That the French refugees are, according to Dr. Barclay, a very orderly, sober, and religious people, to whom, at their earnest request, he had preached twice lately, and had administered the holy com- munion, and was much pleased with their devout behaviour. All this being maturely considered, the Society have thought proper to remove the Rev. Mr. Houdin, itinerant missionary, whose chief residence was at Trenton in New Jersey, to the mission at New Rochelle, he being a Frenchman by birth, and capable of doing his duty to them both in the French and English language, but he is to officiate for the most part in English, that being well understood by much the greater part of the congregation." b The Rev. John Milner, rector of the parish, who arrived from England, May 13th, 1761, in a letter to the Secretary ■ New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 287. (Hawks.) b Printed abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. for 1761. 458 HISTORY OP THE PARISH the 3d of October of that year, says : — " he was obliged to at- tend three churches, and till Mr. Houdin came to New Rochelle officiated there once a month." It appears from the following document, that in appointing Mr. Houdin, the Society had carefully stipulated with the peo- ple at New Rochelle, that they should not only give him a comfortable support, but immediately put the old parsonage house in order : — PETITION FOR LEAVE TO COLLECT FUNDS POR BUILDING A NEW MINISTER'S HOUSE AT NEW ROCHELLE, " To the Honourable Cadwallader Colden, Esq., Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of the Province of New- York, and Territories thereon depending in America, &c. A Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of New Rochelle, belonging to the Church of England. Sir, The Society for Propogation of the Gospel in foreign Parts have Been so Charita- ble as to appoint Mr. Houdin, a French Refuge, a Gentleman of a good character, Successor to their late worthy Missionary at New Rochelle, the Reverend Mr. Stouppe. In consideration of which particular regard they require and Insist that the people at New Rochelle should do their utmost to make Mr. Houdin a comfortable support, and that they should Immediately put the Parsonage House in good repair. We are ready and willing to exert ourselves to the utmost according to our Abilities, But to those that are acquainted with the Circumstances of the people professing the Church at New Rochelle, it will appear to require the utmost exertion of our abilities to afford that necessary support to Mr. Houdin, that the Society expect and require, and if we should be Obliged to raise four hundred pounds, to build a new Parsonage House, the old being so decayed, that It is thought by no means worth Repairing, especially at this Burthensome Time. We have the greatest reason to fear that it will be so ex- tremely heavey, that many will be Discouraged, and in that case that Mr. Houdin must leave us, tho' he is the only Minister in the place, and Indeed there are but few Besides professors of the Church of England in the Place, and we have reason to hope that they may be induced to conform, should a worthy Minister continue among us. Upon those considerations, we beg your Honour will be pleased to grant a Brief, through this Province, to collect the aforesaid sum of four Hundred Pound, for building a new Parsonage House, to repair the Church In this place, and your Petiti- tioner as in duty bound, shall ever Pray, &c, Barnard Rynlander, Peter Bartine, Isaac Guion, Jacobus Bleecker, James DeBlez, Jean Soulice. David Lespenard, 9 August 19th, 1761, read in Council and granted." a a Doc. Hist, of N. Y, vol. iii. pp. 954-5. AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 459 During the incumbency • of Mr. Houdin, Trinity Church re- ceived its first Charter from King George the third, under which the present corporation still enjoys its trust and exercises its powers. The following extracts are taken from the petition to the Governor. — PETITION OF THE FRENCH CHURCH AT NEW ROCHELLE. " To the Honourable Cadwallader Colden, Esq., Lieutenant Governor and Commander in chief of the Province of New-York, and the Territories de- pending thereon in America, &c. In Council. The Petition of the Subscribers, Inhabitants of the Township of New Rochel in the Manor of Pelham, in the County of Westchester, Humbly Sheweth, That the petitioners are members of the French Church at New Rochel aforesaid, and principally, descendants from French Protestants, who fled from the religious persecution in France in the year one thousand six hundred and eighty-one, &c. And the Petitioners further shew unto your Honour, that their said Church is at present greatly decayed and out of repair ; and their Minister or Pastor but indif- 'erently'provided for, &c. Your Petitioner's therefore most humbly pray, that your Majesty's Royal Charter confirming to them the said Church, and the Lands and other Rights thereunto ap- pertaining, and also creating and constituting them, and the rest of the members of the said Church, a body politic and Corporate, &c. And the Petitioners as in duty bound, shall ever pray, &c, New Rochel, 1st of Feb. 1762. Michael Houdin, Minister. (signed by 91 others.) 12th, of May, 1762, read in Council and granted." a The Royal Charter granted in 17G2 was exemplified by His Excellency George Clinton, in 1793, after the following man- ner : — CHARTER OF TRINITY CHURCH. " The people of the slate of New York, by the grace of God, free and independent : To all whom these presents shall come, greeting. Know ye, that we having in- spected the records remaining in our secretary's office do find there recorded, cer- tain letters patent in the words and figures following, to wit : George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith and so forth. To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting, whereas, a Doc. Hist, of N. Y. vol. iii. p. 955. 460 HISTORY OP THE PARISH our loving subjects Michael Houdin, Jacob Bleecker, Jas. de Blez, David Lisper- nard, Isaac Guion, Elias Guion, Isaac Guion Junior, Peter Beriain, John Soulice, Paul Secord, Lidia Secord, Jean Abby, Jos. Antuny, Content Antuny, Peter Bonnett, Mary Bonnett, Peter Parquot, Daniel Sulis, Benj. Seacord, Abraham Seacord, Eliz- abeth Parquot, Jane Seacord, Mary Seacord,- Peter Guion, Abigail Bleecker, Judith Leconet, Allida Guion, Catherine Bertain, Mary Bertine, Peter Bertain, jun. Josiah Le Conte, David Guion, Elizabeth Lispenard, Judith Bertain, Moses de St. Croix, Marie de Saint Croix, Deborah Foulon, Mary Guion, Marie Neufville, Mary Stouppe, Marthe de Blez, Rachel Guion ; Jan Nicholle, Arquez, Ante Nicolle, Thomas Guion, John Bryan, Oliver Besley, Isaac Besley, Cornelia Besley, Fred- erick King, Benjamin Guion, Esaie Guion, Elizabeth Guion, Elizabeth Guion, Susanna Landrin, Dina Guion, Anne Danielson, John Houdin, Catherine Hou- din, Kitty Houdin, Elizabeth Houdin, Rutger Bleecker, Sarah Bleecker, Mary Rodman, Hester Leconte, Agnis Donaldson, Daniel Secord, Francis Le Conte, Judith Le Conte, Abraham Guion, Mary Angevine, Esther Angevine, Joshua So- ils, Thomas Steel, Jane Contine, Susanna Contine, Jane Mauraux, Jonathan Seicord, Esther Le Conte, Sarah Secord, James Pine, Susannah Soulis, Jane Guion, Ester Soulis, Magdalene Soulis, John Bonnet, Mary Bonnet, Daniel Bon- net, Mary Bonnet, James Besley, Edward Smith and James McCurers, inhabi- tants of the township of New Rochelle in Westchester county, by the humble pe- tition presented to our trusty and well beloved Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, our Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-chief of our province of New York; and the territories depending thereon in America, in council on the twelfth day of May last past, did set forth that they the petitioners are members of the French church at New Rochelle aforesaid, and principally descendants from French Prot- estants, who fled from the religious prosecution in France, -in the year one thou- sand six hundred and eighty-one, and shortly thereafter settled a tract of six thou- sand acres of land, now known by the name of the township of New Rochelle, which was granted to Jacob Leisler, from whom the petitioners' said ancestors purchased by John Pell, then proprietor of the manor of Pelham, in the year one thousand six hundred and eighty-nine. That the said John Pell at the same time, did also give and grant to the said Jacob Leisler, the further quantity of one hun- dred acres of land for the use of the French church erected or to be erected by the inhabitants of the said tract of land or township, or by their assigns ; that the petitioners' ancestors had long since built a decent church within the said township, and dedicated the same to the service of Almighty God, and that they and the petitioners had enjoyed the same with the said tract of one hundred acres land, as a glebe therto to that day. That on the twelfth day of June, in the year of the Lord one thousand seven hundred and nine, all the then inhabitants of the said township who were mem- bers of the said French Church, excepting two, unanimously agreed' and consented to conform themselves, in the religious worship of their said Church to the liturgy and rites of the Church of England as establish- law, and by a solemn act or agreement did submit to,' and put themselves under the protection of the same ; that fourteen years before, and ever since such conlormity, their respective ministers and pastors have been in- vested with holy orders by episcopal ordination, and had received their principal AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 461 support from the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts ; and that divine service, since the said conformity, had constantly been performed in their said church, agreeable to the rites and liturgy of the Church of England as by law established— two Sundays out of three in the French tongue, and every third Sun- day in English— for the instruction of such of the inhabitants as frequented the said church and were ignorant of the French language ; and the petitioners did further set forth, that their said church was then greatly decayed and out of re- pair and their minister or pastor but indifferently provided for ; and that, although they were sincerely disposed to make a suitable provision for both, yet they could not accomplish this good design, unless, by being incorporated, they should become e nabled to receive, apply, and improve the donations and contributions that might be collected among themselves, and given for these purposes by other pious and charitable people. The petitioners, therefore, most humbly prayed our royal char- ter, confirming to them the said church and the lands and other righta thereunto appertaining, and also creating and constituting them and the rest of the members of the said church a body politic and corporate for the managing and conducting the affairs and interests of the said church, with such powers, privileges and im- munities as should appear fit and reasonable : which petition having been then and there read and c onsidered of, our said Council did afterwards, on the same day, humbly advise our said lieutenant governor andcommander-in-cheif to grant the prayer thereof. Wherefore we being graciously disposed to encourage and promote the pious intentions of our said subjects, and to grant this their reasona- ble request, Know Ye, that we of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, have made, ordained, constituted, granted and declared, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, do make, ordain, constitute, grant and declare, that the said petitioners and the rest of the members in communion with the said French church at New Rochelle aforesaid, being the most ancient French church now there, and known by the name of Trinity Church, be, and their suc- cessors, the minister and members in communion with the said French church at New Rochelle aforesaid for that time, shall be, from time to time, and at, all times forever hereafter, a body politic and corporate in deed, fact and name, by the name and style of the Minister and Members of Trinity Church at New Ro- chelle, in the county of Westchester, and them and their successors, the minister and members in communion with the said church at New Rochelle aforesaid, for the time being by the name of the Minister and Members of Trinity Church at New Rochelle, in the county of Westchester, one body politic and corporate in deed, fact and name, really and fully, we do for us, our heirs and successors, erect, make, constitute, declare and create by these presents, and that, by the same name, they and their successors, the minister and members in communion with the said church at New Rochelle aforesaid, for the time being shall and may have perpetual succession, and shall and may be responsible and capable in the law to sue and be sued, to implead and be impleaded, to answer and be answered unto and to defend and be defended, in all courts and elsewhere, in all and singu- lar suits, causes, quarrels, matters, actions, demands and things of what nature and kind soever; and also, that they and their successors by the same name be and shall be forever hereafter capable and able, in the law, to take, except of, and 462 HISTORY OF THE PARISH acquire and purchase, receive, have, hold and enjoy in fee, forever or for life or lives, or for years, or in any other manner, any messuages, buildings, houses, lands, tenements, hereditaments and real estate, and the same to lease or demise for one or more years, or for life or lives, or to grant, alien, bargain, sell and dis- pose of in fee simple, and also to accept of, take, purchase and possess any goods, chattels or personal estate, and the same to have, let, sell or dispose of at their will and pleasure, and all this as fully as any other corporation or body politic within that part of our kidgdom of Great Britain called England, or in our prov- ince of New York, may lawfully do, provided that such messuages and real estate as they for their successors shall have or may be entitled unto, shall not at any one time exceed the yearly rent of five hundred pounds over and above the said church and the ground on which the same stands ; and, further, we do will and ordain, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, declare and ap- point, that for the better ordaining and managing the business and affairs of the said corporation, there shall be one minister of the Church of England as by law established, duly qualified for the care of souls, two churchwardens aDd six ves- trymen, from time to time constituted, elected, and chosen for the said church in manner and form as is hereafter in these presents expressed ; which minister and churchwardens, or any two of them, together with the vestrymen, or the major part of them, for the time being shall have, and are hereby invested with full power and authority to dispose, order and govern the business and affairs of, and concerning the said church, and all such lands, tenements, hereditaments, real and personal estate as shall or may be purchased or acquired for the use there- of as aforesaid ; and further, we do will and grant, that ^the said minister and members of Trinity Church at New Rochelle, in the county of Westchester, and their successors, shall and may forever hereafter have a common seal to serve and use, for all matters, causes and affairs whatsoever of them and their successors, and full power and authority to break, alter, change and new make the same, or any other common seal, from time to time, at their will and pleasure, as they shall think fit ; and for the better execution of our royal will and pleasure herein, we do assign, constitute and appoint the said Jacob Bleecker and James de Blez, to be the present church wardens, and the said David Lispenard, Isaac Guion, Elias Guion, Isaac Guion, junior, Peter Bertain and John Soulice, to be the pres- ent vestrymen of the said church, — to hold and enjoy their several offices until the first Tuesday in Easter week next ensuing and no longer. And further our will and pleasure is and we do for us, our heirs and successors, establish, appoint and direct, that on the said first Tuesday in Easter week next ensuing, and once in every year forever thereafter on Tuesday in Easter week in every year, at the said church, the members in communion with the same church for the time be- ing or the major part of them, then and there assembled, shall elect, choose, and appoint two of their members to be churchwardens and six other of their mem- bers to be vestrymen of their said church for the ensuing year, which churchwar. dens and vestrymen, so to be chosen and appointed, shall immediately en. ter upon their respective offices, and hold and exercise the same for and during the term of one whole year from the time of such election re- spectively, and until other fit persons shall be elected in their respective pla- AND CHUECH OP NEW EOCHELLE. 463 ces. And we do ordain and declare that as well the churchwardens and vestry- men by these presents nominated and constituted, as such as shall from time to time hereafter be elected and appointed, shall have, and they are hereby invested with full power and authority to execute and perform their several and respective offices, in as full and ample manner as any churchwardens or vestrymen in that part of our kingdom of Great Britain called England, or in our province of New York, have or lawfully may or can do, and if it shall happen that any or either of the churchwardens or vestrymen by these presents named and appointed or hereafter to be elected and chosen, shall die or remove, or refuse or neglect to officiate in the said respective offices before their or either of their appointed time of service therein be expired, then and in every such case it shall and may be lawful to and for the said minister and members in communion with said church at New Rochelle aforesaid, for the time being, or the major part of such of them as shall assemble together for that purpose at the said church, at some day within a month next after such death, removal, refusal or neglect, to be appointed by the minister and churchwardens for the time being, or any two of them, to proceed in manner aforesaid, and make a new election and appointment of one or more of their members for the time being, to supply the room or place of such person or persons so dying, removing, refusing or neglecting to act in his and their respective office and offices as aforesaid, and so as often as shall be needful and requisite. And for the due and orderly conducting and carryin 0- on the respective election of churchwardens and vestrymen by these presents estab- lished and ordained, our will and pleasure is, and We do declare and direct that the minister of the said church for the lime being, shall give public notice there- of from time to time, as they may become necessary, and are hereby appointed by publishing the same at the said church immediately after divine service on the Sunday next preceeding the day appointed for such elections. And furthermore We do will, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, ordain, appoint and direct that the minister and churchwardens of the said church for the time being, or any two of them, shall and may from time to time, upon all occasions assemble and call together the said minister, churchwardens and vestrymen for the time being, or the greater number of them, the said vestrymen ; which said minister and churchwardens, or any two of them, together with the said vestry- men, or the major part of them, shall be and by these presents are authorized and empowered to consult, advise and consider, and by a majority of voices to do, di- rect, manage, transact and carry on the interests, business and affairs of the said church, and to hold vestries for that purpose. And We do further give and grant unto the said minister and members of Trinity Church at New Rochelle in the county of Westchester aforesaid, and to their successors forever, that the min- ister and churchwardens of the said church for the time being, or any two of them, together with the vestrymen of the said church for the time being, or the major part of them in vestry assembled, shall have full power and authority from time to time, and at all times hereafter, to make, ordain and constitute such rules, orders and ordinances for the good discipline and government of the members of said church and corporation and interests thereof, as they, or the major part of them, shall think fit and necessary, so as such rules, orders and ordinances be not 464 HISTORY OP THE PARISH repugnant to the laws of that part of our kingdom of Great Britain called England, or our province of New York, or the present or future canons of the Church of England, as by law established, but as near as may be agreeable thereto, which rules, orders and ordinances shall be from time to time fairly entered in a book or books to be kept for that purpose. And further our will and pleasure is that it shall and may be lawful for the minister and churchwardens of the said church or any two of them, and the said vestrymen, or the major part of them, at a vestry to nominate and appoint a clerk and a sexton or bell-ringer for the said church) and also a clerk and messenger to serve the said vestry at their meetings, and such other under officers as they shall stand in need of, to remain in their re- spective offices, so long as the said minister, churchwardens and vestrymen for the time being, or the major part of them, shall think fit and appoint. And further We do for us, our heirs and successors, declare and grant that the patronage, advowson, donation or presentation of and to the said church shall appertain and belong to, and is hereby vested in the churchwardens and vestrymen of the said church for the time being, and their successors for ever or the major part of them, whereof one churchwarden shall always be one ; provided always, that whenever the said church becomes vacant, such donation and presentation shall be made within six months thereafter. And that on every lapse or default herein, the right of such donation and representation shall be in us our heirs and successors ; and further know ye, that we of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere mo- tion, have given, granted, ratified and confirmed, and by these presents do for us, our heirs and successors, give, grant, ratify and confirm unto the said minister and members of Trinity Church at New Rochelle, in the county of Westchester afore- said, and their successors for ever, all that the said church and ground on which the same stands, and the cemetery belonging to the same, and also all that the before mentioned tract of one hundred acres of land situated and being within the township of New Rochelle aforesaid, so by the beforementioned John Pell, formerly given and granted to the aforesaid Jacob Leisler, for the use of the French Church erected, or then to be erected by the inhabitants of the township of New Rochelle, or by their assigns as hereinbefore is recited and set forth, together with the hereditaments and appurtenances to the same belonging or appertaining, to have and to hold all and singular the premises aforesaid, with the appurtenances unto them, the said Minister and members of Trinity Church at New Rochelle, in the county of Weschester aforesaid, and their successors, to their only proper use and behoof forever, to be hold- en of us, our heirs aud successors, in free and common soceage, as of our manor of East Greenwich in the county of Kent, within that part of our Kingdom of Great Britain, called England, yielding, rendering, and paying therefor unto us, our heirs and successors, yearly and every year forever, on the feast day of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary, at our City of New York, unto our or their Reciever- General there, for the time being, the annual rent of one peppercorn, if demanded, in lieu aud stead of all other rents, dues, duties, services, claims, and demands what, soever, for the premises. And lastly, we do, for us, our heirs and successors, ordain and grant unto the said minister and members of Trinity Church at New Rochelle iu the county of Westchester aforesaid, and their successors, by these presents that this our grant shall be firm, good, effectual and available in all things in the law, to AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 465 all intents, constructions and purposes whatsoever, according to our true intent and meaning herein before declared, and shall be construed, reputed and adjudged in all cases and causes most favorably on the behalf and for the best benefit aud advantage of the said minister and members of Trinity Church at New Rochelle in the county of Westchester aforesaid, and their successors, although express mention of the yearly value, or certainty of the premises or any of them, in these presents is cr are not made any matter, cause or thing to the contrary thereof in anywise notwith- standing. In testimony whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent, and the great seal of our said Province of New York to be affixed, and Jhe same to be entered on record, in our Secretary's Office of our said Province, in one of the books of patents there remaining. Witness our said trusty and well beloved Cad- wallader Colden, Esquire, our Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-chief of our Province of New York, and the territories depending thereon in America, at our Fort George in our City of New York, the second day of June, in the year of our Lord, one Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty- two, and of our reign the second. — All of which we have exemplified by these presents. In testimony whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent aud the great seal of our said State to be hereunto affixed. Witness our trusty and well beloved George Clinton, Esquire Governor of our said State, General and Commander-in-chief of all the militia and admiral of the navy of the same, at our City of New York, the fourteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand, seven hundred and ninety -three, and in the seventeenth year of our independence."' The subjoined letter of Mr. Houdin to the Secretary, shows the unlawful method taken by the Calvanists to obtain posses- sion of the Church glebe : — MR. HOUDIN TO THE SECRETARY. " New Rochelle, Oct. 10th, 1763. Rev'd Sir, I received your kind letter some time last summer, in which you acquaint me the Venerable Society is desirous to be acquainted with our troubles. To give you a true account I must come up to the first establishment of New Rochelle. One Jacob Leisler made a purchase of John Pell for the French Refugees of a tract of land (called since, New Rochelle) of 6000 acres of land, and in the said deed it is said that John Pell and Rachel his wife, do also give one hundred acres of land more for a French Church erected or to be erected, by the inhabitants of the said tract of land or their assigns. Tho French • Hist, of Westchester County, vol. ii. p, 413. 30 466 HISTORY OF THE PARISH Refugees took possession of these 100 acres of land from the beginning and did possess the same until the year 1709, the time when upon the representation of their minister, the whole Congregation, excepting two or three families, conformed to the Church of England, and kept from that time possession of the church and land until my coming here, when they made appear a deed, given by the son of Jacob Leisler, in which the two op- ponents to the conformity of the Church are made trustees of the land, and Mr. Pell's deed altered in such a manner, for a French church who shall perform Divine service according to the French Calvanists of the old French, and that deed bearing date four months after the conformity of our Church; and up- on such title, the Calvanists at my arrival here debauched our tenants, who took leases under them, and by that keep us out of our possession. Upon which the churchwardens applied to a lawyer for advice, and upon mature consideration it was found that John Pell who had given the land for a French church, erected or to be erected by the inhabitants of the said tract of land or their assigns, had never divested himself of the legal right of the said 100 acres of land. These considered, our churchwardens applied to the Executors of the heir at law of said Pell, who have released all the right of Pell to the church for £100, the executors having power to sell by the will of the present heir's father. With this title, joined to fifty-three years possession, our churchwardens did serve three ejectments up- on the three tenants, and the Calvanists entered defendants, and on the 15th day of September last we had a trial at the Su- preme Court, when the Jury brought their verdict in favor of our Church, upon which the attorneys of the Calvanists party offered a bill of exception : so that we must wait the issue of said bill at the Supreme Court at New- York, to be held the 18th day of this inst. We have to deal with very stubborn and litigious people, which make me afraid they will not be contented before they have brought us before all the different tribunals, and by that means deprive me of all the benefits of the land, which causes me a great prejudice. The congregation is very unan- imous and in good harmony, ready to defend their right to the AND CHURCH OP NEW ROCHELLE. 467 last, seeing the Calvanists will not agree upon any terms of peace proposed to them by our Church, but we are in hope the strong bleeding of their purse will bring them to an agreement after New- York Court. Reverend Sir, yours, &c, Cwi'cAcLc/ St/Wc^' / S-J a The release, alluded to in the above letter, was given on the 2nd of February, 1763, and is as follows : — RELEASE OF CHURCH GLEBE, FROM EXECUTORS OF JOSEPH PELL TO DAVID GUION. " This Indenture, made the second day of February, in the third year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, King George the Third, Annoqs Dom. one thousand seven hundred and sixty- three, between Phebe Pell, widow, and Samuel Sneden and Jacobus Bleecker Esqs., all of the County of Westchester, Executors, with power to sell of the last will and testament of Joseph Pell Esqr., late of the manor of Pel- ham, in the County of Westchester aforesaid, deceased, of the one part, and Da- vid Guion of New Rochelle in the said County of Westchester, ou the other part. WnEREAS, John Pell, formerly proprietor of the said Manor of Pelham was seized in fee of six thousand one hundred acres of land, part of the said Manor of Pelham, and being so seized did sell the said six thousand acres of land to one Jacob Leisler, and did set apart the said remaining one hundred acres of land for the use of the French Church, erected or to be erected by the inhabitants of the said six thousand acres called New Rochelle. But the said John Pell never did dispose or divest him- self of the legal estate and right in and to the said one hundred acres of land. And Whereas, the said John Pell afterwards died intestate and left Thomas Pell his el- dest son and heir at law, by means whereof the inheritance and legal right to the said one hundred acres of land became vested in him, the said Thomas : And Whereas, the said Thomas Pell on the Third day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and thirty nine, did in due form of law make his last will and testament, and therein, and thereby, after several specific legacies, and after declareing that his other sons had received their shares and proportions out of his estate, did give and bequeath unto his son Joseph Pell, in fee simple, all and singular his land, meadows, houses, tenements, buildings and so forth, which then belonged unto him, by means whereof the legal right and estate in and to the said one hundred acres of land became vested in him the said Joseph Pell Juu. Aptd Whereas, the said Joseph Pell on the thirty first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty-two, did make his last will and testament New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. pp. 325, 326. (Hawks.) 3 46S HISTORY OF THE PARISH and thereof did ordain.and constitute his wife, the aforesaid Phebe Pell, and his friend John Bartow, (who hath since legally renounced the same) and the said Samuel Sneden aud Jacobus Bleecker, parties to these presents to be Executors, and did thereby give and grant unto them his full power, strength and authority in and over all his goods, chattels, lands and tenements, to take and use all lawful ways for the recovery and defence of the same against any encroachments, depredations, claims or demands of any person or persons whatsoever, and did likewise impower them if there should be any need thereof, to sell any part of his lands as to them should seem meet to enable them to carry on any suite for the defence of the rest. And Whereas, after the decease of the said Joseph Pell, a certain fraudulent deed was so exhibited and set up, by which one Caleb Pell, a brother of the said Joseph, did claim the chief part of the real estate of him the said Joseph Pell as the gift of him the said Thomas Pell, the father to him the said Caleb Pell. And Whereas, they, the said executors of tho said Joseph Pell, parties hereto of the first part in conse- quence of the said claim were obliged to lay out and expend divers large aud con- siderable sums of money to defend and secure the estate of the said Joseph Pell against the same, and there still remains due upon that account one hundred pounds, which they have been obliged to borrow and take up at interest, and they^ the said parties of the first part, in order to discharge and satisfy the same, do find it neces- sary to dispose of part of the real estate of their said testator and have according- ly agreed to grant and release all the right aud title of their said testator in aud to the said one hundred acres of land before mentioned and hereafter described for the consideration thereafter mentioned to him the said David Guion. Now Therefore This Indenture wituesseth, that they the said par- ties of the first part, in pursuance aud by virtue of the power and authority in them reposed and to them given by their testator for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred pounds current money of the province of New-York, to them in hand paid by the said David Guion, at or before the ensealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof they do hereby acknowledge and themselves therewith to be fully satisfied, contented and paid and thereof do acquit, release and discharge the said David Guion, his executors, administrators and assigns, by* these presents, Have Granted, Bargained, Sold, Aliened,Released and Confirm- ed, and by these presents Do Grant, Bargain, Sell, Alien, Release and Confirm unto the said David Guion in his actual profession, now being by virtue of a bargain, sale and lease for one year to him thereof made by the said parties of the first part, by Indenture bearing date the day next before the day of the date hereof and also by force of the statute made for transferring of uses into possession and to his heirs aud assigns for ever, All That certain tract or parcel of land, situate, lying and be- ing in the said township of New Rochelle, commonly called and known by the name of the Glebe, beginning at the Creek or salt water, thence runuing north-westerly by the road that runs between the land of Benjamin Brown and the tract hereby granted to the fresh meadow. Westerly by the road that runs along the said mead- ow, south-easterly by the land now in the possession of John Arnaud, which wa- bought out of the commons. Easterly by the Creek or Salt Water, to the place where it first began, containing one hundred acres, be the same more or less. AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLK 469 Together with all and singular the Profits, Priviliges, Advantages, Immoluments, Rights, Members, Immunities, Liberties, Buildings, Improvements, Hered- itaments and Appurtenances whatsoever, to the same belonging or in anywise appertaining. And all the Estate, Right Title, Profit, Possession, Reversion, laim and Demand Whatsoever, which he, the said Joseph Pell, at the time of his death had, or which they the said parties of the first part, by Virtue of his last will and testament have, of, in or to the same. To Have and to Hold the said premises hereby granted or mentioned, or intended to be hereby granted unto the said David Guion, his heirs and assigns, to the only proper use and behoof of him the said David Guion, his heirs and assigns forever, in as full and ample manner to all intents and purposes, as he the said Joseph Pell, in his life time held and enjoy- ed the same and not otherwise. In Witness Whereof, the parties to these presents have hereunto, interchangeably set their hands and seals, the day and year first above written. Sealed and delivered in the presence of us, Mary Pell, David Lispenard, Phebe Pell, Samuel Sneden, Jacobus Bleecker."* On the fourth day of February, 1763, David Guion released the same to the minister and members of Trinity Church, New Rochelle, for the sum of £100. " Isaac Guion, Peter Flandreau, Samuel Gelliott b and Mag- dalen Stoup, (sole executrix and heir of the last will and testa- ment of ye Reverent Peter Stoup of New Rochelle, in the Coun- ty of Westchester and province of New- York, late deceased.) also gave releases to the Church in 1767." c • Book of Records, County Clerk's Office, Lib. H. pp. 342, 345. b Upon the 3 1st of Oct. 1767, Peter Flandreau and Samuel Gelliott, released to the ministers and members of Trinity Church at New Rochelle, " all that certain 100 acres of land, &c, which was given and granted by John Pell and Rachel his wife, by deed poll dated 20th of September, 1689, for the French Church, also granted by the said deed poll (excepting and reserving hereout a certain messuage and dwelling house wherein James Flandreau now lives, and also about two acres of ground ly- ing on the east side of the main road in New Rochello town aforesaid, which the said Peter Flandreau holds by virtue of a title derived under Mrs. Morin, and also excepting hereout one acre of ground more, lying on the west side of the said two acres and adjoining thereto and being bounded on a creek and also by a public high- way leading from the said creek and which divides the aforesaid 100 acres of land from the lands of Benjamin Browne,) and of, in and to all, &c." County Rec- ords, Lib. H. p. 350. • Co. Rec. Lib. G. pp. 554, 556. See also Lib. H. 349. 470 HISTORY OP THE PARISH The old Church glebe was sold during the years 1800 and 1804, and the purchase money subsequently loaned on the pres- ent parsonage lands, &c, which fell to the church by a foreclo- sure of the mortgage in Chancery, A. D., 1821. The Rev. Michael Houdin continued his labors here until Oc- tober, 1766, when he departed this life. He was esteemed a worthy missionary, of considerable learning and irreproachable morals. His remains were interred by the side of his prede- cessors, Bondet and Stouppe, beneath the chancel of the old French church, but since the removal of this edifice, the ashes of these worthy and laborious missionaries repose in the high- way, without a stone to mark the spot or commemorate their worth. Mr. Houdin's funeral sermon was preached by his old friend and compani on in arms, the Rev. Harry Munro, A. M., of Yon- kers, from Hosea, iv chap, and part of 12th verse, " Prepare to meet thy God." The following extract is from a letter of the Rev. Mr. Auch- muty to the Secretary of the Venerable Society, written a few days after Houdin's death : — "I beg the Society will not think of appointing another miss- ionary to New Rochelle at present, the people really do not deserve one ; not one farthing did they contribute towards the support of the two last, besides they are too small a number to be indulged with a minister to themselves, and are distant from Eastchester church only four miles, from Westchester five, from Rye church five, and from Philipsburgh church nine miles."* From the death of Mr. Houdin until the period of the Revo- lutionary War, services were performed here by the Rev. Sam- uel Seabury, rector of the parish. The following extract, rela- ting to New Rochelle, occurs in Mr. Seabury's first report to the Secretary on the 25th of June, 1767 : — "By the death of Mr. Houdin, New Rochelle has fallen un- der my care for the present ; I have preached there several • New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. (Hawks.) AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 47l times, and once administered the communion to fifteen commu- nicants. The congregation consists of near two hundred peo- ple, decent and well behaved, part English and part French. The French all understand English tolerably well ; and except half a dozen old people in whose hands is the chief management of affairs, full as well as they do French. The greatest part of them would prefer an English to a French minister ; and none are warm for a French one, but the half dozen above mentioned. They had a glebe of near one hundred acres of land left them formerly, thirty acres of which they have recovered ; the rest is kept from them under pretence that it was given to a Presbyterian or Calvanistic French Church. They have also a parsonage house, but whether these endowments are so made, that an English minister could not enjoy them, I cannot yet learn. New Rochelle is seven miles from this place, three from Eastchester, eight from Rye and perhaps about that distance from Philipsburgh. I have been thus particular, that the Soci- ety may be able to judge whether it is expedient for them to send another missionary to New Rochelle or not. Dr. Auchmuty has informed me that he has wrote to the Society upon this subject, and I find it is his opinion that a missionary is less necessary there than in many other places where they have none. If the Society should decline sending a missionary there I could attend them in summer, every other Sunday, in the morning, and be at Eastchester in the afternoon, and in winter every fourth Sun- day, and indeed these churches are so near that most of the peo- ple might attend at either. I would not, however, be under- stood as dissuading the Society from sending another mission- ary to New Rochelle, but only as informing them in what manner they might be provided for in case they decline it, and should the Society put them immediately under my care I should very readily submit to their consideration what allowance should be made me on that account." a • New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. p. 429. (Hawks.) 472 HISTORY OP THE PARISH The next year he again writes as follows : — MR. SEABURY TO THE SECRETARY. (Extract.) " Westchester, Oct. 1st, 1768. Rev. Sir, I am sorry the people of New Rochelle have deservedly fal- len under the censure of the Society. They seem to keep things too much in the dark with regard to their glebe ; but as soon as I can get such an account of that matter as shall enable me to write intelligibly to the Society about it, I will lay it be- fore them. In the mean time as there is a number of strolling teachers, especially of the sect of Anabaptists, who ramble through the country, preaching at private houses for the sake of making proselytes and collecting money, I have thought it best to visit them occasionally, as well to prevent any ill effects that might arise, as for the sake of a number of well disposed peo- ple who live there. I shall, however, carefully attend to the caution you give not to neglect my particular cure of East and Westchester."* During the American Revolution the church must have been closed, for the congregation was much scattered. Shortly after the treaty of peace the parish was organized under Mr. Andrew Fowler, (afterwards the Rev. Mr. Fow- ler,) who read prayers and sermons from 1781 until 1786, and at the same time had the charge of a school in this place. Mr. Fowler was succeeded by Mr. Bartow, as a lay reader, who continued his services in this capacity until he received holy or- ders. THE REV. THEODOSIUS BARTOW, The first rector of this parish, was the son of Theodosius Bartow, second son of the Rev. John Bartow, first rector of the parish • New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. p. 452. (Hawks.) AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 473 of Westchester, and by his mother Bathsheba Pell, a lineal de- scendant of John Pell, second proprietor of the Manor of Pelham. He was born at Westchester, in this County, A. D., 1747, where he received his early education. In 1786, as we have seen, he succeeded Mr. Fowler as a lay-reader. In 1788, at a Conven- tion of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New- York, held in the city of New- York, on Wednesday, November 5th, 1788, it was resolved, — "That the thanks of the Con- vention be returned to Mr. Bartow, for his services as a reader in the Episcopal Church at New Rochelle, that the Convention consider him as eminently useful to the Church in that situation and wish him to continue therein ; and as they have the highest sense of his zeal for religion, and just respect for his moral character, they would recommend his application to such studies as may qualify him for holy orders, in confor- mity to the Constitution of the Church, and that a copy of these resolutions be delivered to Mr. Bartow by the Secretary, in testi- mony of the approbation of this Convention." The next year, at the solicitation of the congregation, he applied for holy or- ders, and was ordained Deacon, on Wednesday, 27th of Janua- ry, 1790, and Priest on the 19th* of October following, by Bish- op Provoost. A definite invitation appears to have been given to Mr. Bartow soon after his ordination, by which he became the first rector of this parish, the Church having been without a minister fourteen years. Occasional services, however, may have been held during that time. The salary at this period amounted to £30 per annum, and appears to have been princi- pally paid for many years, by Lewis Pintard Esq. In 1787 Jame de Blez, first junior warden of the parish, bequeathed the sum of £100 to Trinity Church, which money appears to have been laid out in repairing the old edifice by Mr. Bar- tow. The following item is preserved among the Guion papers ? entitled : — " Memorandum of the collection in the church by Pe- ter Shute :"— The first collection was May 17th, 1792. May 17th, collected, 8 1-2 » 24th, " 12 6 474 HISTORY OF THE PARISH At a meeting of the Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen, of Trin- ity Church at New Rochelle, on the 24th of October, 1803, it was resolved : — " that in consideration of the decayed state of the pres- ent church, that it was expedient to erect a new building for the celebration of Divine worship, and it is hereby earnest- ly recommended to the members of the congregation of the said church, and to all pious and benevolent persons to render every aid which their circumstances will admit, in affecting the above design, and may the blessing of God rest on every contrib- utor to the aforesaid useful object." In 1804 Mr. Bartow makes report to the Convention of eighteen communicants, &c. Mr. Bartow continued rector of this parish until June, 1819, when he ceased the labors of the sanctuary and resigned his office. At a meeting of the vestry held Monday, June 7th, of that year, on motion it was resolved : — " that the thanks of this Board be given to Mr. Bartow, to wit : — " The vestry of Trinity Church, New Rochelle, return the Rev. Theodosius Bartow their thanks for his long and faithful services in said Church, and re- quest that he will accept their wishes that the residue of his days may be serene, joyful and happy." His long service of nearly thirty years, is still cherished with grateful remembrance. On Friday, November the 12th, 1S19, this venerable missionary of the cross was called from his earthly labors and sufferings on earth, we trust, to the enjoyment of that rest which remain- eth for the people of God. His mortal remains repose in the grave yard on the west side of Trinity Church, not far from the site of the old French Church, in which, during thirty years of his ministry, he faithfully dispensed the word of life. The following notice of his death appeared in the Christian Journal of Dec, 1819: — "Died at New Rochelle, Westcheste r County, New York, on Friday, November 12th, the Rev. Theo- dosius Bartow, in the 72d year of his age, for nearly thirty years rector of Trinity Church in that place." Mr. Bartow married Jemima Abramse, by whom he left several children. The late Rev. John V. Bartofr, rector of Trinity Church, Baltimore, was his sixth son. The Rev. Theodore Bartow and the Rev. Henry AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 475 B. Bartow, sons of Jacob Bartow Esq., both of the Protestant Episcopal Church, are his grandsons. Upon the resignation of Mr. Bartow the REV. REVAUD KEARNY, A. M., Was elected minister of the parish in 1819. The same year he makes report to the Convention of twenty seven communicants, and " that through the Divine blessing the prospects of the parish were very encouraging." At a vestry meeting held on the 21st of June, 1820, it was determined, that, " whereas, in the present state and age of the church, it is thought unadvisable to lay out money in repairing the same, resolved, that a subscription be opened immediately, for the raising a sufficient sum to ena- ble the Wardens and Vestry to erect a new building." Through the exertions of Mr. Kearny a large amount was raised at that time, but the church edifice was not begun until 1823. In 1821 a committee appointed by the Vestry to foreclose the land lately given by the late Rev. Theodosius Bartow, reported ; — " That the same is accordingly foreclosed by which the land becomes the property of the Church." At the same time it was resolved : — " that the land lately put into possession of the Church be ad" vertised for sale." a In 1821 Mr. Kearny relinquished the rector- ship of Eastchester and confinad himself to this parish. The year following, however, he resigned his charge and was succeeded by the REV. LEWIS PINTARD BAYARD, A. M. This individual was born on the 23d day of July, 1791, at the residence of his great uncle, Elias Boudinot, L.L. D. at Frank- fort, near Philadelphia, Pa. His father was the Hon. Samuel • The purchasers of the old glebe (Elijah Ward and others,) having paid off their bonds to the Church, and the monies being deposited in the rector's hands ; tho latter to secure the same to the Church, mortgaged a tract of land of about GO acres, situa- ted in tho town of New Rochelle, which was foreclosed as above. Much of this land is still owned by the Church. 476 HISTORY OP THE PARISH Bayard of Philadelphia. His mother was the only daughter of Lewis Pintard, L.L. D. of New York, whose long and devoted services to the Church have endeared him to the hearts of all who seek her welfare and pray for her peace. At the early age of three yerrs, Lewis P. Bayard went to England with his fath- er, who was sent by the United States government to that coun- try, we believe on a private embassy. During his father's resi- dence in London, young Bayard received the rudiments of an English education, and some knowledge of the French language. For some years after his return from England, he resided in the family of his grandfather, at New Rochelle. Here the founda- tion of his classical education was laid by several successive teachers, among whom was a Mr. Corbet, a graduate of Trini- ty College, Dublin. His father afterwards removed to New York, and placed him under the tuition of the late Rev. Edmund Bar- ry, D. D. rector of St. Matthew's Church, Jersey City, N. J., from whose excellent instructions he appears to have derived the most decided and permanent benefit. Having been thoroughly pre- pared for College under Dr. Barry, he became a member of Nas- sau Hall, Princeton, N. J., in the fall of 1804, where he re- mained four years, and graduated with the usual honors in the summer of 1808. For some time he hesitated which of the pro- fessions to choose ; " but after long and mature consideration," he says, " I felt inwardly called and moved to take upon myself the office of a minister of Christ," and he accordingly commenced in 1809, a course of theological study under the direction of Bishop Hobart. Although nurtured in the bosom of the Presby- terian denomination, he became convinced, after a faithful in- vestigation of the subject of Episcopacy, aided by Divine light and guidance in prayer, and diligent and humble examination of the Scriptures, that it was his duty to connect himself with the Episcopal Church as one " divine in its institution, apostolic in its ministry, pure and evangelical in its doctrines, authorita- tive in its sacraments, and scriptural and primitive in its dis- cipline and worship." During the prosecution of his theological studies Mr. Bayard resided at Princeton, N. J., and was admitted a candidate for AND CHURCH OP NEW ROCHELLE. 477 orders on the 2d of May, 1811, in the diocese of New Jersey. For six months previous to his admission to Deacon's orders, he officiated, under a canonical license, as lay reader in St. Michael's Church, Trenton, and in several vacant churches in the diocese as his services were needed. Mr. Bayard was admitted to Deacon's orders, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Hobart, in Grace Church, New York, on the second day of August, 1812. In May, 1813, he was called to the rector- ship of Trinity Church, Newark, N. J., which charge he resign- ed in 1820. After this he officiated for some time in the neigh- boring parish of Eastchester. In connection with his pasto- ral charge, he thought it to be his duty to engage in the avoca- tion of an instructor of youth, peculiar facilities being offered him at New Rochelle, the place of his residence, for engaging in that work. In 1821, he became Rector of this parish and the next year makes report to the Convention of thirty communi- cants. a During the incumbency of Mr. Bayard, the present church edifice was erected and consecrated. In the year 1827, ad- verse circumstances, wholly beyond his control, among which he particularly mentions the sale of his grandfather's man- sion, rendered it again necessary for Mr. Bayard to change the scene of his ministry. Attached as he was to New Rochelle, by so many sacred and delightful associations, he yet obeyed, unmurmuringly the call of providence, and in April of that year moved his large family to Geneva. From thence he was called in September by the vestry of the newly formed congregation at Geneseo, Livingston County, to become their Rector. In 1830 he removed to New York, and organized St. Clement's Church in that city, soon after this, the honorary de- gree of Doctor in Divinity was conferred upon him by the faculty of Geneva College, in Western New York. In 1840 he obtained leave of absence from his Congregation to make a tour through Europe to Syria and the Holy Land, for the benefit of his ■ Memorial of the Rev. Lewis P. Bayard, D. D., by the late Rev. T. W. Brown, A. M. 478 HISTORY OP THE PARISH health. A little more, however, than four months from the day of his embarkation, this eminent soldier of the cross rested from his labors, having died at sea, on his return from the Holy Land, Sept. 2, 1840. The REV. LAWSON CARTER A. M., Was elected in 1827 and resigned in 1839. In the year 1831, he reported to the Convention : — "forty communicants, and that during the past year a very respectable and commodious parson- age has been erected. It is but justice to add," he says, " in accom- plishing this object, one family, with a liberality deserving the highest praise, contributed to the amount of three hundred and forty dollars, another, to the amount of three hundred and eighty, and that about fifteen hundred were raised through the agency of the Female Missionary Association of the Parish." For Mr. Carter's successors, see catalogue of ministers. THE CHURCH. The Church edifice comprises simply a nave and vestry room in the rear, with a square tower and spire at the south end, and is situated on the glebe given by the town in 1714, at no great distance from the site of the old French church erected in 1710. It is constructed of wood in the gothic style, without much pretension to taste. The corner stone was laid by the Right Rev. John Henry Hobart, D. D., on Friday, the fourth of July, 1 823, and on the 28th of August, 1824, it was consecrated and set apart to the worship and service of Almighty God, un- der the title of Trinity Church, by the Rt. Rev. John Croes, D. D., Bishopo f the Diocese of New Jersey, in the absence of the lamented Hobart, then on a visit to England. In 1846 it was considerably enlarged and improved. The tower contains the original bell, presented by Sir Henry Ashurst, a * " Sir Henry Ashurst was the eldest son of Henry Ashurst Esqr. of London, emi- nent for great benevolence, humanity and piety, and a chief person in founding the AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 479 of London, to the French Church, Du St. Esprit of New York, which bears the following inscription : — " SAMUEL NEWTON MADE ME, 1706." In 1823 it was ordered by the Vestry of that Church, that this bell, then in the care of St. Stephen's Church, New York, be presented for the use of the French Church, New Roch- elle. The communion plate consists of a large silver chalice and paten, the gift of " good Queen Anne," also two smaller chali- ces, presented by a member of the Davenport family. The old communion table, presented to the church by Aman Guion, in 1710, is still preserved in the vestry room. The organ cost $850, and has an octave of pedals with a trumpet stop. Trinity Church, New Rochelle. corporation for propagating the gospel in foreign parts, temp, of Charles II. to which he acted as treasurer. Sir Henry was created a Baronet by King James II. 2lst of July, 1688. He sat in Parliament in the Reign of Charles II. and William III. for the boroughs of Truro, in Cornwall and Wilton, Wilts. He was the intimate friend of the Hon. Robert Boyle, to whom he was executor and trustee for founding the lecture which bore that gentleman's name. He died at Waterstock, 13th of April, 1710, and lies buried there." See Burke's Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies. 4S0 HISTORY OF THE PARISH TOMBSTONES. In the rear of the church is situated the old burying ground, where lie, awaiting the resurrection of the just, many of the per- secuted and exiled Huguenots. The inscriptions on the earliest tombstones are wholly illegible. Among others that have been preserved however, are the following ;-VOISE-LE, CORP. DE. ISAAC COUTANT, AGDE 50. ANNS. HERE LIES THE BODY OF JAMES FLANDREAU AGED, 69 YEARS DIED, FEB. 19. 1726 1741 M. D. A. G. 49. VOISE. LE. CORP. DE SUSANA. LANDRIN. AG. DE. 18. M. LE. 6 D. S. L. 1750. HERE LIES THE BODY OF JOHN CLARK WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON YE 6 DAY OF M,R., AD. 1754. AGED 56. • HERE LIES THE BODY OF ANDRE RANOUD, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON FRIDAY YE 2 DAY OF DEC, A. D. 1758, AGED 25 Yr. To this Church is attached a valuable glebe and parsonage, the latter we have seen was erected in 1831. The old parish house which was rebuilt in 1761, stood directly in the rear of the present church. In 1851 the real estate of the Church was valued as follows : — The Rectory or Parsonage containing about six acres of land worth about $10,000,00 Thirteen lots of land valued at from $400 to $900 each 7,250,00 Two to three acres of land valued at 1,500,00 Making the whole value of real estate, exclusive of cemetry and church edifice. $18,750,00 PRINCIPAL BENEFACTORS. Q,ueen Anne, John Pell, Jacob Leisler, Col. Benjamin Fletch- er, Col Robert Hunter, Col. Caleb Heathcote., Rev. John Sharpe, Elias Neau, Rev. Daniel Bonder, Lewis Bongrand, Aman Gui- on, James de Blez, Lewis Pintard, Peter Jay Munro, Hon. John Hunter, Lloyd S. Daubeny, Philip Rhinelander Underhill, Town of New Rochelle, the Venerable Society for the Propaga- tion of the Gospel, and the Corporation of Trinity Church New- York. AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE 481 The first delegate from this parish to the Diocesan Con- vention, held in New York, Wednesday, June 22nd, 17S5. was Mr. Andrew Fowler. MINISTERS AND RECTORS OF NEW ROCHELLE. ' INST. OR CALL. MINISTERS. VACATED BY. 20 Sep. A. D. 1689, Rev. David De Bonrepos,D. D. CI. resig. 20 June, A. D. 1695, Rev. Daniel Bondet, A. M. 01. death. 20 July, A. D. 1724, Rev. Pierre Stouppe, A. M. 01. " 20 Aug. A. D. 1761, Rev. Michael Houdin, A. Mt CI. <•' 20 Oct. A. D. 1790, Rev. Theodosius Bartow, Presb. resig. 12 May, A. D. 1819, Rev. Ravaud Kearny, A. M. Presb. resig. 23 Jan. A. D. 1821, Rev. Lewis P. Bayard, A. M. Presb. " 21 May. A. D. 1827, Rev. Lawson Carter, A. M. Presb. resig. 13 May, A. D. 1839, Rev. Thomas Winthrop Coit, D. D. Presb. « 10 Dec. 1849, Rev. Richard Umstead Morgan, D. D. Presb. pres- ent incumbent. NOTITIA PAROCH1ALIS. 1709 Communicants, 43 Baptisms. Unknown. 1714 " 50 " » 1716 " 52 " 1724 " 45 " " 1733 « 35 " 5 1750 " 68 " 15 1756 ' : 80 « 40 1804 " 18 " 5 1819 " 27 » 13 IS47 " 46 " 10 1853 " 56 « 20 The baptismal register of this Church commences, in 1724. Ce Dimanche 14 Mars, 1724, a ete baptise sortie service du ma- tin Peter fils de Thomas Wallis, and Madelaine sa ferame le Pe- ter a ete presente, au saint bapteme, par Denys Woertman and 31 4S2 HISTOEY OP THE PARISH Elizabeth sa femme Parrain et Marraine le dit Peter est ne le six du dit mois." Thomas Wallis, Peter Stouppe, Denis Woertman, Isaac Gtuanteiu, ancien. ber Isaac Guion, ancien. Elizabeth ^Woertman, marque. In 1710 the population of New Rochelle and its districts was as *follows : — Male Christians, 67 — female do., 139 ; — Male Slaves, 23— female do., 34— total 261. In 1712 the population was 304 " 1840 " " " 1,816 " 1S50 " " " 2,458. WARDENS OF TRINITY CHURCH UNDER THE CHARTER. 1762. Jacob|Bleecker, 1763--5. Jacob Bleecker, 1793-4. Abraham Guion, 1795-6. David Guion, 1797. David Guion, 1798-1800. David Guion, 1801. David Guion, 1802-1810. Lewis Pintard, 1811-1813. David Coutant 1814. David Coutant, 1815-1817. David Coutant. James De Blez. David Guion. David Guion. Peter Shute. William Baily. Frederick Guion. Lewis Pintard. David Coutant. Anthony Bartow. John W. Kearny. Anthony Bartow. AND CHUKCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 4S3 1S18. Anthony Bartow, David Coutant. 1819. David Coutant, Anthony Norroway. 1820. Anthony Norroway, David Coutant. Ib21. Anthony Norroway, Herman Le Roy. 1822-1824. Anthony Norroway, New'y Davenport, Jun. 1825. Anthony Norroway, Gideon Coggeshall. 1826. Gideon Coggeshall, Lloyd S. Daubeny. 1827. Gideon Coggeshall, Frederick A. Guion. 1828-9. Peter Jay Munro, Newberry Davenport. 1830-1. Newberry Davenport, Lloyd S. Daubeny. 1832. Loyd S. Daubeny, Newberry Davenport. 1833-4. Newberry Davenport. Lloyd S. Daubeny. 1835-1839-41. Lloyd S. Daubeny, Newberry Davenport. 1842-3. Peter R. Brinckerhoff, Philip A. Davenport. 1844-5. Peter R. Brinckerhoff, Henry Munro. 1846. Peter R. Brinckerhoff, Robert Bartow. 1847-8. Peter R. Brinckerhoff, John Soulice. 1849 to 1851 . John Soulice, Benjamin H. Carpenter. 484 HISTORY OP THE PARISH 1852. John Soulice, Robert Bartow, 1853. Richard Lathers. Richard Lathers. Queen Anne's Chalice and Paten. HISTORY OF THE PARISH AND CHURCH YONKERS. The Old or Lower Yonkers, as it was commonly called, con stituted one of the four precincts of Westchester parish until 1787, when it was independently organized. The principal grantee under the Indians in this parish, after the sale to the Dutch West India Company in 1640, was De Heer Adrian Van der Donck, who obtained from the Director General, the tract of land called " Nepperhaem." The title given to this Colony was '-'Colen Donck" (Donck's Colony) and the proprie- tor thereof was invested in all the rights and priviliges con- tained in the Charter o f 1629. Van der Donck also received a deed of confirmation from the native Indian sachem Tackarew and others. He subsequently made other purchases, erected mills, and laid out a plantation near the present village of Yonkers. '•'• The Dutch, (says Broad- head) were in the habit of calling Van der Donck's estate ' de Jonk heers Landt,' which the English afterward corrupted into Yonkers." a ■ Broadhead's Hist, of the State of N. Y. First period, 1609-1664.J 486 HISTORY OF THE PARISH In 1677 Elias Doughty, son of the Rev. Francis Doughty and brother in law of Van der Donck, " was invested in the sole proprietorship of the land heretofore belonging to the Younckers Van der Donck." In 1693 Frederick Philipse Esqr., being possessed of the fee simple of the Yonkers and adjoining lands, the whole territory was by Royal Charter, erected into the Lordship and Manor of Philipsburgh ; to beholden of the King, in free and common soc- cage, its Lord yielding and paying therefor, yearly and every year, on the Feast day of the Annunciation of the Blessed Vir- gin Mary, at the fort in New York, the annual rent of £4, 12s. Frederick Philipse, was the only son of Frederick Philipse, or, (as the name was spelt at that early period) Frederick Felyp- sen a native of Bolswaert, in East Friesland, and grandson of the Honorable Viscount Felyps of Bohemia, who sprang from the ancient Viscounts of that name and country. The early members of this family took an active part in favor of the Re- formers John Huss and Jerome of Prague, for which they suffered severely both in person and property, being finally com- pelled to fly, for better security, to East Friesland. Besides their high rank as nobles, they appear also to have held the office of Grand Veneurs, or keepers of the deer forests in Bohemia. In the year 1658, Frederick Philipse emigrated from East Fries- land to the New Netherlands. By his wife, Margaret Dacres, he left one son, Frederick, born at Bolswaert, East Friesland, A. D. 1656. The latter was first Lord of the Manor of Philips- burgh in 1693, founder of the Dutch Church, Sleepy Hollow, and for many years a leading member of the Governor's Coun- cil. He married Catharine, daughter of the Hon. Oloff Ste- vensen Van Cortlandt. By his will, dated 9th of December 1702, he requires " his body to be interred at his burial place at the Upper Mills." Philip, his eldest son, married Maria, daugh- ter of Governor Sparks of Barbadoes, and dying in 1700, left Frederick Philipse Esq., second Lord of the Manor of Philips- burgh, heir to his uncle Adolphus, and founder of the Church in this parish. Under the royal charter of Philipsburgh, the Philipses enjoyed " the advowson and right of patronage of all AND CHURCH OF YONKERS. 487 and every the church or churches, erected or to be erected or established or hereafter to be erected or established within the said manor of Philipsburgh/' As early as 1684 Yonkers appears to have been associated with East and Westchester in the support of a minister, for on the 2nd of April of that year, it was resolved at a town meeting held in Westchester : — " That the Justices and Vestrymen of Westchester, Eastchester and Yonkers, do accept of Mr. Warham Mather as our minister for one whole year, &c." a On the 24th of March, 1693, an act of the General Assembly was passed for settling a ministry, and raising a maintenance for them in the county of Westchester, &c., by which Yonkers became one of the four precincts of Westchester parish. The first vestryman elected by the freeholders of this precinct was Charles Vincent, and the quota contributed towards the support of the rector and poor of the parish in 1702, amounted to £7, 6; In 1702 the Rev. John Bartow, one of the first missionaries sent out by the Ven. Propagation Society, was inducted by the mandate of his Excellency, Governor Cornbury, rector of the parish church of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and the Manor of Pelham. The following year Mr. Bartow commenced his services within this precinct. In a summary account of the state of the Church in the Province of New York, as it was laid before the Clergy, convened at New York, October 5th, 1704, we have the subjoined account of this precinct : — " At Yonkers there is a small congregation of Dutch, who have only a reader, and therefore some of them who understand English, repair to the church of Westchester." lj September 5th, 1708, Mr. Bartow writes to the Venerable So- ciety : — -That he occasionally preaches at Yonkers, where the population was then 250 souls." a Westchustor Town Records. k In 1704 there were 20 families in the Lower Yonkers, and 40 in the Manor of Philipsburgh. 488 HISTORY OF THE PARISH In 1713 the Society founded a charity school for the education of the children in this precinct. Their abstracts say : — " To a schoolmaster at Yonkers, in the province of New York, where there is a large congregation of Dutch and Eng- lish for instructing the younger sort of both nations in the Cat- echism and Liturgy, of £5 per annum, upon producing a certif- icate of his teaching thirty children, in that summer ; to whom also the people of Eastchester are willing to allow £20 per annum, if some well instructed master would teach them al- ternately." a Mr. Bartow writing to the Secretary on the 12th of September. 1717, says : — " Yonkers has no church, but we as- semble for divine worship, sometimes in an house of Joseph Bebts, deceased, and sometimes in a barn when empty, but the people begin to be in a disposition to build a church." "A. D. 1719, Mr. Jones was allowed fifty shillings for teaching children to read at Mile Square." In the year 1724 Mr. Bartow informs the Bishop of London j "That he officiates on Sundays, in the four towns under his care, according to their several quotas in the payment of the £50 per annum, and that he preaches three times a year at Yon- kers, &c." Upon the death of Mr. Bartow in 1725, the Rev. Thomas Standard was inducted rector of the parish of Westchester, including the precinct of Yonkers. During his incumbency, the present parish church was erected. Its first founder and patron, as we have already seen, was the Hon. Frederick Philipse, son of Philip Philipse. This distinguished personage was born upon the Springhead estate, island of Barbadoes, A. D. 169S. From 1721 to 1725, he filled the office of Speaker to the House of As- sembly, in the province of New York, and in 1733 was Baron of the Exchequer. In his will, which'is dated the 6th day of June, A. D. 1751, he directs as follows : — " That out of the Tents that are or shall be due to me from the Manor of Philipsburgh, the sum ■ Printed abstracts of Ven. Soc. for 1713.J AND CHURCH OF YONKERS. 489 of £400 be, by my executors, laid out and expended towards erecting, building and finishing a church of England as by law established, on the farm near and to the northward of the house now in the possession of William Jones, senior, by Saw Mill river, unless I shall erect, build and finish the same in my life- time, and I do devise all the said farm now in the tenure of the said William Jones, with all the buildings thereon and appur- tenances thereunto belonging, unto my children and their heirs in trust to and for the use of such ministers of the Church of England, as by law established, as shall from time to time be admitted, instituted and inducted in the said Church, and so for ever to remain as and for a glebe to the said Church. " a The site of the church was afterwards changed, however, by his son Frederick, to its present location in the village. Col. Philipse contributed the money necessary for the building and all the labor, except such as he taxed his tenants with who lived in the to\vn. b This tax, which was very trifling, was levied in proportion to the abilities of his tenants. The building of the church must have commenced in 1752, for among the Philipse MSS. is an account of the expenses on the church at Philipsborough to the estate of Frederick Philipse, debtor, " com- mencingNovember, 1752. closing December, 1753, whole amount £623, 6s. 9d. This sum shows that his executrix had exceeded the original bequest in the will, £223. The curious reader will not be displeased with one or two more of these accounts, showing the expenses attendant on building a church at that early period : — '• Benjamin Fowler's account in full for ye church, May 11th. 1753, dito 6 1-2 days works at gifting timber for the dors and the winder frames for the church, at 5 shillings per day, £1, 12, 6 : — September the 20th, to working and going to * Surrogates oilice, N. Y., vol. xviii. 3. This will was proved on the 14th of Octo- ber, 1751. In a map of the manor of Philipsburgh, surveyed agreeable to the orders and instructions of Isaac Stoutenburgh and Philip Van Cortlandt, Commissioners of Forfeiture- 1785, the glebe or parsonage is laid down at 107 acres. — Editor. b The bricks used in the construction of this edifice were manufactured in the vi- cinity of Pidgeon Hill, about one mile south of the village of Youkers. — Editor. 490 HISTORY OF THE PARISH ask the people to come to work at the church, 8 days, &c, &c. John Underhill's receipt for supplying the workmen at the church with beef, commencing August 31st, Madame Philipse debtor, 69 pounds of beef at 2s 3d per pound £15. L0, 3. Received of Beverly Robinson, the above amount in full. John Underhill." The Honorable Frederick Philipse married in 172G. Joanna daughter of the Hon. Anthony Brockholes, of an old Lancash- ire family, by this lady he had issue two sons, Frederick and Philip, also three daughters, Susannah, Mary and Margaret. The eldest son, Frederick Philipse, being heir of his father be- came devisee of the manor of Philipsburgh. Philip, the second son inherited the upper Highland patent of Philips- town, married Mary Marston, and died at New York. May 9th, 1768. a His son Frederick, who died in 1829, was the grandfather of the present Frederick Philipse Esqr., proprietor of Philips- town, Putnam Co. The Hon. Frederick Philipse. founder of this Church, died at New York. 26th of July, 1751, and was buried in the family vault, in the Dutch Church at Sleepy Hollow, on the 28th of the same month. The following notice of his death ap- peared in the JNew York Gazette, for July 29th. 1751 : — "New York, July 29th, — Last Friday Evening departed this Life, in the 56th year of his age, the Honourable Frederick Philipse Esqr., one of his Majesty's Justices of the Supreme Court of this Province, and a Representative in our General Assembly for the County of Westchester. He was a Gentleman conspic- uous for an abundant Fortune ; but it was not his wealth that constituted his Merit ; His Indulgence and Tenderness to his Tenants ; his more than parental affection for hi* Children, and his incessant liberality to the Indigent, surpassed the splen- dor of his Estate, and procured him a more unfeigned regard than can be purchased with opulence, or gained by Interest. There » The following obituary notice appeared in the New York Merciry for May 16th. 1768: — 'Monday last, departed this life at his house in King Street, in thi» city, Philip Philipse, Esq., in the 41th year of his age." AND CHURCH OF YONKERS. 491 were perhaps few Men, that ever equalled him in those obliging and benevolent Manners, which, at the same time that they at- tracted the Love of his Inferiors, created him all the Respect and Veneration due to his rank and station. That he was a Lover of his Country, is gloriously attested by his being repeatedly elected into the Assembly for the last 27 years of his Life. He had a disposition extremely social, and was what few ever at- tain to be, a good Companion. But what I have said of his Character is far from being a finished Portrait ; it is only a sketch of some few of his Excellent dualities, many features, I am sure, have escaped me; but I dare say, that those I have attempted, are not set off with false colours, but drawn faithful- ly from the Life." His eldest son and heir, Colonel Frederick Phihpse, was of King's College, and became a most accomplished gentleman, and a person of considerable literary attainments. He was also an ar- dent Churchman, and a liberal benefactor. In fact, to his un- tiring efforts, under God, does this parish owe much of her present prosperity. He was elected a member of the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in 1764, and his name appears among the list of vestrymen of Trinity Church, New York, from 1779 to 1782. He was also a member of the House of Assembly, held the commission of Colonel in the Provin- cial Militia, upon the confiscation of his property, and retired to Chester in England. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Charles Williams Esqr., and had with other issue, Frederick, who married Harriet Griffiths of Rhent, North Wales, father of Colo- nel Frederick C Philipse, who married Mary Ann R. daughter of Sir Hugh Palliser, bart. of the Vatch, Bucks, and has two sons, Frederick of Rhent, and Edwin William Philipse. Colonel Frederick Philipse died at Chester, 30th of April, 1785, and was buried in the Cathedral church of that city, where there is a monument erected to his memory, on which is the following in- scription : 492 HISTORY OF THE PARISH : " Sacred to the Memory of FREDERICK PHILIPSE : Esquire, late of the Province of New York : A gentleman, in whom the various social, domestic, and religious virtues were eminently united. The uniform Rectitude^of his condu d the es- teem of others ; whilst the Benevolence of his heart and gentleness of his man- ners secured their love. Firmly attached to his Sovereign and the British Con- stitution, he opposed, at the hazard of his life, the late Rebellion in North America, and for this faithful discharge of his duty to his Ifing and Country, he was proscribed, and his estate, one of the largest in New York, was confiscated by the usurped Legislature of that Province. When the British Troops were withdrawn from New York, in 1783, he quitted'^a Province to which he had always been an or- nament and Benefactor, and came to England, leaving all his property behind him : which reverse of fortune he bore with that calmness, fortitude and dignity, which had distingished him through every former stage of life. He was born at New York, the 12th Day of September, in the year 1720, and died iu this Place the 30th day of April, in the year 1785, aged 65 years."* For some time after building the church, the precinct had no settled clergyman — but was supplied four times a year by the rectors »f the parish and by occasional visits of the neighboring clergy. The state of the precinct about six months prior to Mr. Stan- dard's death, is thus described by Dr. Johnson, in a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, from which we extract the follow- ing :— DR JOHNSON TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTER- BURY. " King's College. New- York, July 2oth, 1759. The next thing is to give your Grace an account of those places where Missions are wanted, and here I beg leave first to mention a great part of this Province, I mean all that Tract on the East side of Hudson's River, from Westchester upwards, quite as far as we have any settlements, abounding in people, but almost * The above inscription was kindly furnished the author by the Rev. W. P. Hutt.on, of Stanley Place, Chester, England. ; AND CHURCH OF YONKERS. 493 destitute of Ministers of any Denomination, except two Dutch and two Germans, and many people have almost lost all sense of Christianity. Indeed in the large County of Westchester there is only good Mr. Wetmore and two Dissenting Teachers that are capable of Duty. Northward of that is Col. Philips' mannour in which are people enough for a large Congregation, without any minister at all — The Colonel has himself built a neat, small church, and set off land for a glebe which will be considerable in time, and he and his tenants are very desirous of a minister, but will need the Society's assistance." a In October 1761, the Rev. John Milner, who succeeded Mr. Standard as rector of the parish, informs the Propagation Soci- ety, "that one of his churches is a new edifice, raised by the generosity of Col. Frederick Philips, who has given to its service a fine farm, as a glebe, consisting of two hundred acres, upon which he purposes to build a good house for a minister." b Mr. Dibblee writing to the same from Stamford, Conn. Sep- tember 29th, 1761, says : — "Rev. Sir, — August 19th. At the earnest request of some poor people in Philipse's Patent, t preached a lecture to a large auditory and found a great want of a regular Clergyman to officiate in those parts, to prevent those confusions in religion, which hath too much obtained, and there seems a general good disposition to the Church, if they could be favored with a settled teacher." 6 The Society's abstracts for 1764 say : — " The Society have re- ceived a letter from Col. Frederick Philips, of Philipsburgh in this Province, dated New York, October 23rd, 1764, representing that at the expence of himself and family, there is erected in the Manor of Philipsburgh a handsome"stone church, complete- ly finished, and every thing necessary for the decent perform- ance of divine service prepared, that about three quarters of a mile from the church, lie has laid out and appropriated two * Conn. MSS. from archives at Fulham. (Hawks.) '' Printed abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. for 1761. e Conn. MSS. from archives at Fulham, p. 132. (Hawks.) 494 HISTORY OF THE PARISH hundred and fifty acres of excellent arable and wood land, for a glebe for a Minister for ever ; and that he fully intends, as soon as they are so happy as to have a worthy clergyman of the Church of England, settled among them, to build him a genteel and handsome house upon the said glebe. The materials for which are now providing, and which will cost in building at least £400 currency. He therefore earnestly requests the Soci- ety to send them a Missionary that he and his poor tenants, near one hundred and fifty families, may be no longer destitute of the worship of the Church of England, which as British subjects and christians they petition and hope for. The Board taking this letter into consideration, have appointed the Rev. Mr. Mun- ro, a gentleman recommended to them from all the clergy of New Jersey, and the Rev. Messr's Charlton, Auchmuty, Seabury, Milner and Neill, met in Convention at Perth Amboy, Septem- ber 20th, 1764, and by other very ample Testimonials, to be the Society's Missionary at Philipsburgh, with a salary-of £30 per annum." The REV. HARRY MUNRO, A. M., was the eldest son of Dr. Robert Munro of Dingwall, in Rosse, by his wife Anne, the daughter of Dr. John Munro, fourth laird of Teanourd. a His father was the second son of Alexander Munro, laird of Killichoan in Rosshire and great grandson of Sir Robert Munro, 24th baron of Foulis, and third baronet. He was born in 1730,— entered St. Andrew's University when about sixteen years of age, went through the regular course and took the usual degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts. Soon after graduating he commenced the study of Theology at Edinburgh, where in 1753 and 1754 he attended the Divinity School of the University, then under the charge of Professors Gowdie and Hamilton. In 1757 he was ordained a minister of » The Arms of the Munro's of Foulis, Baronets, are— or. an eagle's head, erased i j U Crest, an eagle, close, ppr. ; over the crest the following motto, " Dread God." AND CHURCH OF YONKERS. 495 the Scottish Kirk, and on the 12th of January, in the same year, was commissioned chaplain to the 1 st Highland battalion of Foot, then commanded by the Hon. Col. Archibald Montgomery* afterwards Earl of Eglintoun. The same year Mr. Munro was ordered with his regiment to America, and accompanied it to its destination, Charleston, South Carolina. The next year he served with it in Gen. Forbes expedition against Fort DuQ,ues- ne. In 1759 ^hey were with Gen. Amherst during his campaign in northern New York, and present at the taking of Ticondero- ga and Crown Point. In 1760 the Regiment joined Gen. Am- herst at Oswego and took part in his expedition against Montre- al : after the taking of which city Mr. Munro preached the u Thanksgiving Sermon," to the victorious army. During the au- tumn of that year the regiment was ordered to Halifax, via New York, the ships sailed from New York, Nov, 20 inst., met with bad weather, were all dispersed, and that which carried Mr* Munro' s regiment, was driven nearly to Ireland. The course was now changed to the Bahamas, where she finally arrived. There they remained till the Greyhound man of war conveyed them to Charleston, where they arrived in March, 1761. From hence they were immediately ordered to join Col. Grant's expe- dition against the Cherokees, and had marched some distance, when counter orders reached them to return and proceed to New York, and join Lord Rollo's forces which were sent against and which captured the Island of Dominica. In January, 1762, they were with Gen. Moncton at the taking of Martinico. Mr. Mun- ro accompanied his regiment upon all these expeditions, and performed the duties of his office, but his health became affec- ted, and while in Martinico, he was twice attacked with yellow fever, from the effects of which he never entirely recovered; so that when the regiment was ordered to Havana, he was un- able to join it, and obtained leave to return to New York. He resided there and in Philadelphia and New Jersey, till the au- tumn of 1764. During this period his theological opinions became changed and under Dr. Auchmuty's influence he determined to receive orders in the Church of England. The Doctor thus recom- 496 HISTORY OF THE PARISH mends him in a letter to the Secretary of the Ven. Society,, within a few days prior to his embarkation for England. MR. AUCHMUTY TO THE SECRETARY. (extract.) No date, probably October, 1764. Rev. Sir, K One principal motive of my writing now, is to recommend to you the bearer of this, the Mr. Harry Munro, a gentleman who has served as chaplain to one of his Majesty's Highland Regi- ments here, during the late war, in which station he has pre- served an unblemished character. After a serious and studious nquiry into the constitution and government of the Church of England, he (to the great mortification and disappointment of the Dissenters, who were fond of him) declared that he could not in conscience continue any longer amongst them, and was fully resolved to receive Episcopal ordination as soon as he could. Upon this his declaration and application to me, after having fully satisfied myself in regard to his character, which is fair and unsullied, and his abilities and prudent conduct, I recom- mended him to one Col. Philipse, a gentleman of family and fortune, who lives about twenty miles from this City, as a proper person for his purpose. Col. Philipse having built a church some time ago upon his manor and being very desirous of establish- ing a minister of the Church of England among his people, ap- plied to the General Assembly of the Province, for leave to bring in a bill to erect part of his said manor into a parish, and to tax his tenants for the support of a minister. The determination of the Assembly with a copy of the proposed bill the Colonel does himself the honor to send you by Mr. Munro. The Colo- nel upon conversing with Mr. Munro, and inquiring into his char- acter, was sensible that he could be of infinite service as a min- ister among his tenants, and the adjacent farmers — He has therefore, as he has failed in his application to the Assembly (ow- ing to the inveteracy of some of the Dutch, and all the Dissen- AND CHURCH OP YONKERS. 497 ting members) taken some pains and procured a subscription paper, in which the subscribers have obliged themselves and their heirs, to pay annually, so much money towards the support of a minister. Now Sir, considering what the Colonel has done, as will appear by his letter, and what he must still do towards Mr. Munro's suppoi t, should he be so happy as to have him re- turn to him, considering the cruel and unjust treatment he has met from our Assembly, the poverty of his tenant-, the great want of a worthy clergyman in his extensive manor, where the far greatest part of the people, who are numerous, will immedi- ately join the Church — the ignorance the poor people labor under for want of an able instructor, and lastly the great expence he has been at, and must be daily at — considering I say these things, the Colonel flatters himself that the Venerable Soci- ety will assist him a little, and open a new Mission in that part of the world, which is greatly wanted ; there being no Mission- ary, except Mr. Milner at Westchester, who has employment enough there, and at Eastchester, for miles along the banks of Hudson's River. Should the Society think that the Assembly's refusing to pass an act in favor of the Church, tho' requested and petitioned by the people, that were to be taxed by said act, is a very great hardship, and prejudice to the Church in these parts, and conceive it proper to endeavor to obtain an act of Parliament similar to the act (a copy of which the Colonel encloses) he is willing to go to the expence, provided it does not exceed one hundred guineas. If a request for such an act should be thought advisable, would it not greatly promote the interest and increase of the established Church in these parts, if every County at least, through the Government, as it is a King's govern- ment, and not a Charter one, should by the same act be erected into parishes. I need but mention to you that the Dissenters even to this day, deny that the Church of Eng- land is established in these his Majesty's Colonies, and will deny it, and avail themselves of what they say is the fact, till an act of Parliament puts it beyond all doubt. I would beg leave further to observe to you, that if Col. Philipse should fail in procuring the aid and assistance of the Venerable Society in 32 9b HISTORY OF THE PARISH some shape or other, that it will be a great discouragement to other well wishers to, and promoters of the Church of England in these parts. I decline saying any thing further on the subject, as Mr. Munro is perfectly well acquainted with what the Colo- nel has clone, and the steps that have been taken in this affair. Rev. Sir, Yours, &c, Samuel Auchmuty." 1 On the 27th of January, 1765, Mr. Munro was ordained dea- con in Park street Chapel, Grosvenor Square. London, by Dr. Philip Young, Bishop of Norwich, acting for Dr. Richard Ter- rick, Bishop of London, and on the 10th of February fol- lowing, 'was ordained priest by Dr. Edward — Bishop of Dro- more, who also acted at Dr. Terrick's request. The next day he received his license to act as a missionary in the province of New York, from the Bishop of London. In the spring of 1765, Mr. Munro returned to New York, and took charge, as we have seen, of Yonkers as a missionary of the Venerable Propagation Society, on Whitsunday in that year. In a letter dated June Sth, 1765, he acquaints the Society : — " that on his arrival at his mission, he found every thing promi- sing and agreeable, a neat church (always kept in good repair by Col. Frederick Philipse and family) and a decent Congrega- tion, materials already for a parsonage, the glebe well fenced, plenty of wood, and a sufficient quantity of arable land." About nine months after the date of the above letter, he ad- dresses their Secretary as follows : — MR. MUNRO TO THE SECRETARY [extract.] " Philipsburgh, Feb. 1st, 1766. Rev Sir, I now beg leave to send you my Notitia Parochialis, commen- » New- York, MSS. from archives at Fulham. vol. ii. 339 to 341, (Hawks.) AND CHURCH OP YONKERS. 499 cmg from the time of my arrival in this place. It was not in my power to send it sooner, for this Mission being yet in its infancy and the people for the most part Dissenters of various denomina- tions and living at a great distance from each other, it took me some considerable time and pains to unite them, and get acquainted with the state of religion among them, beside as the Sacrament of our Lord's Supper was never administered in this place, according to the form prescribed in our Liturgy, I found my Church destitute of a communion table, cups, chalice and in painting in frescoe work the walls and ceiling. A vestry- room, opening into the north side of the chancel, has also been erected, and a large and very superior organ, built by Messrs. Hall & Labaugh, of New- York, has been put up ; to accomodate this the gallery front has been extended about six feet, in an octa- gonal form, and finished with open panel work, correspond- ing with the desk and chancel rail. 3 - The following monumental tablets are placed in various parts of this church : — In memory of REV. LUKE BABCOCK, Born July 6th, 1738. Rector of this Church from 1770 to 1777, when he departed this life in the 39th year of his age. * To perpetuate the memory of the REV. ELIAS COOPER, twenty-seven years Rector of this Church, who departed this life, Jan. 16th, 1816, aged 58 years and 11 months. He laboured industriously to promote the happiness of mankind, by advancing the influence of the Christian religion. Pious without superstition, and zealous without bigotry ; a friend to the poor, and an ornament to the Church ; exemplary in the discharge of every relation and professional duty ; respected and honored through life by those who knew his virtues, and in his death universally lamented. This humble monument (not of his praise) is erected by his faithful flock, who knew him, loved him, and lamented their loss, and are desirous of recording in this inscription their esteem, affection and regret. • " St. John's in 1753 and in 1853." A sermon preached at the re-opening of St. John's Church, Yonkers, March 13th, 1853, by Abraham Beach Carter, A. M., Rector. 524 HISTOEY OF THE PARISH To the memory of the REV. ALEXANDER H. CROSBY, A. M ., ten years Rector of this Church, who died at the Island of St. Croix, Jan. 4th, 1839, aged 35 years. In the General Theological Seminary the piety, virtues and talents were matured which fitted him for the christian ministry ; sincerity of character, kindness of heart and purity of life, united with steady zeal, correct principles, patient labor and true devotedness to God, edified the Church, won for him the hearts of his flock, and were honored by his Divine master with abundant fruits. In all things he was an example and pattern for the people to follow ; and with this testimony, he has entered into his rest, a beloved brother, and faithful minister in the Lord. The flock for whose sakes he gladly spent himself, have erected this tablet, to attest their sense of his excellence, and their grief for his loss. In memory of the REV. HENRY LEMUEL STORRS, M. A. Born July 1st, 1811. Died May 16th, 1852. The faithful Pastor, and disinterested friend of this congregation for eleven years. They have erected this monument as a memorial of their enduring affection. " He asked life of thee and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever." Ps. xxi. 4. The bell was presented to the church by Joseph Howland, Esq., a and contains the following inscription : " B. HANKS, MANSFIELD, CONN., 1818." It is much to be regretted that the old communion service of this church was carried off, during the war of the Revolution, for safe keeping to the city of New York. Some years after the close of the war, the altar cloth was discovered in an old dusty box, where it had lain through the whole period of the Revolution, and is now preserved at St. John's chapel, Tuckahoe. The silver now used, at the administration of the holy sacra- ment, consists of one large silver flaggon, two silver chalices, and a silver basin or font, (the latter was presented by a member of the Van Cortlandt family, in 1830, on occasion of the baptism of Miss Harriet Van Cortlandt Crosby, daughter of the Rev. A. H. * Mrs. Samuel Howland at the same time presented a large folio Bible. AND CHURCH OF YONKERS. 525 Crosby), and two silver plates, one of which bears the following in- scription : " Presented to the Episcopal church, Town of Yonkers 1795." The altar cloth was given by Miss Arabella Ludlow. The vestry, aided by the generosity of several gentlemen be- longing to the parish, are about erecting a parochial school- house on the north side of the church. The church yard has been long since abandoned, as a place of sepulture, on account of its rocky situation ; a part however of Philipse's Point, in the rear of the present rectory, appears to have been used as a grave yard for strangers at a very early period. The one now occupied is located on the old parsonage property, bequeathed by Fredeiick Philipse, with the glebe in 1751. It is beautifully situated on a rising knoll, in the valley of the Saw Mill. The first interment here on record, occurs in 17S3. In 1845, owing to the large increase of families within this parish and the numerous calls upon its officiating clergy, it was deemed advisable after mature deliberations, to erect a parsonage with- in the village of Yonkers. For this purpose an order was obtained the same year from the court of Chancery, to dispose of the old parsonage and glebe. These were? finally sold for six thousand five hundred dollars. With part of these funds the present rectory was built ; the Corporation reserving to themselves the burying ground in the Saw Mill valley. St. John's RBCio«r. 526 HISTORY OF THE PARISH The old parsonage, formerly called Babcock's house, was frequently garrisoned during the Revolution, by the troops of both armies. It was here that Lord Howe fixed his head quar- ters, and here Col. Gist, of the American army was visiting in 1778, when the enemy determined upon a surprisal. PRINCIPAL BENEFACTORS OF ST. JOHN'S CHURCH. The Hon. Frederick Philipse and his lady Johanna Brock- holes, Col. Frederick Philipse, Ven. Prop. Society, Augustus Van Cortlandt, Brabazon Noble, Alpheus Pierson, Joseph How- land, Mrs. Frederick A. Van Cortlandt, James Valentine, Shad- rach Taylor, John Bowne, Isaac Lawrence, Lemuel Wells, Wil- liam Jones, and the Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church, New- York. The latter in 1800, contributed five hundred dollars for a parsonage, to which was added in 1801, the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars, in 1804, three hundred dollars, and for three years an annual salary of two hundred and fifty dollars to the Rev. Elias Cooper. LIST OF MINISTERS AND RECTORS. TEMP. INST. INCUMBENTS. VACAT. Feb. 11th, 1765. Rev. Harry Munro, Cler. A. M. per resig. 1771. " Luke Babcock, « " per death. Sept. 5th, 1777. " George Panton, " " per resig. July, 1789. " Elias Cooper, A. M. Presb. per death. Mar. 14th, 1816. " William Powell, A. M. Presb. per resig. Mar. 20th, 1820. « John Gregg, A. M. Presb. " Oct. 17th, 1823. " John West, A. M. Presb. « Dec. 15th, 1828. u Alex. H. Crosby, A. M. Presb. per death. May 4th, 1839. " Smith Pyne, A. M. Presb. per resig. Mar. 20th, 1841. " Henry L. Storrs, A. M. Presb. per death June 12th, 1852. " Abraham Beach Carter, A. M. Presb. [present incumbent. NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS. In 1704, there appears to have been 20 families attached to the precinct. AND CHURCH OF YONKERS. 527 In 1761 Baptisms ,47, Communicants, — 1775, u 15. « ■ __ 1804, u 14, 40, 1815, u 19, 59, 1817. (( 15, « 48, 1844, C( 31, 94, 1853, (t 40, 250. In 1806 the number of families belonging to the Church, were 84. Do. 1853, 150. No. of souls, 750. No. of Catechists, 16. No. of Catechumens, 100. In 1704, the population was 249, 170S, « " 250, 1712, " " 260, 1810, " " 1,365, 1840, « " 1,761, 1850, « « 4.160, Population of the village proper in 1850, 2,290 NAMES OF PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN ELECTED WARDENS OF ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, YONKERS. Trustees from 1787 to 1795. 1795. Augustus Van Cortlandt, William Constable. ] 1796 to 1803. Augustus Van Cortlandt, John Warner. 1804-7. Augustus Van Cortlandt, James Valentine. 1808. James Valentine, Brabazon Noble. 1809-11 James Valentine, Henry White. 1812. Henry White, James Valentine. 1813 to 1820. Henry White, James Archer, 528 HISTORY OF THE PARISH 1821. James Archer, Henry White, 1822. Henry White, Joseph Howland. 1823-5. Joseph Howland, Elijah Valentine. 1826. Joseph Howland, Lemuel Wells. 1827. Nathaniel Valentine, John Bowne, Sen. 1828 to 1831). Nathaniel Valentine, Jacob Odell. 1831-2. Nathaniel Valentine, Augustus Van Cortlandt. 1833-6. Augustus Van Cortlandt, Joseph Odell. 1837-8. Joseph Odell, Augustus Van Cortlandt. 1839. Joseph Odell, Abraham Valentine. 1810. Abraham Valentine, Joseph Odell. 1841-2. Abraham Valentine, William Jones. 1843 to 1852. Abraham Valentine, John Bowne. 1853. Abraham Valentine, Thomas O. Farrington. / HISTOBJi ^IB'RARY V. N.IOIK. OF THE V. PARISH AND CHURCH OF NEW CASTLE. New Castle was taken from the older parish of North Cas- tle, one of the six precincts of Rye, in 1791. By the Indians it was called Shappequa, a corruption of the Algonquin term Chapacour. which signifies " a vegetable root/ The name still survives in the Shappequa hills. The chief proprietor of these lands in 1660, was the Indian sachem Wampoqueum, who sold them to John Richbell of Mamaroneck. Their next possessor, after the death of Richbell in 16S4, was Col. Caleb Heathcote, who obtained of Mrs. Ann Richbell a patent right, and on the 12th of October, 1696, a grant from Gov. Fletcher, " for free liberty and license to purchase vacant land in the County of Westchester, between. Croton's river, and the south bounds of Mr. Harrison's purchase, &c." In 1701, Col. Heathcote and others received royal letters patent, from King William 3d, for their lands in North Castle. This parish was long known by the name of the West Patent. It is now about one hundred and forty years since the first families settled here. They appear to have met with great dis- 34 530 HISTORY OF THE PARISH •Eouragements, and to have endured severe trials, for they were in the midst of a wilderness, and constantly exposed to Indian depredations. By the Act of Assembly in 1693 North Castle was annexed :o the parish of Rye, which accounts for the parochial clergy officiating here prior to the Revolution. The Rev. Christo- pher Bridge, writing to the Yen. Prop. Society, in 1712. says : — '•There are two places in this parish, at a great distance from the church, which if the Honorable Society will be pleased to Tnake some small allowance to them, there might be found pro- per persons here to undertake that charge, to the great benefit af many poor children that want instruction." In 1722 Mr. Jen- ney, his successor, informs the same : — "That his parish is of 7ery large extent, and contains a great deal of land well settled, besides a large wilderness, in which are some few settlements. There are three townships in it, viz : Bedford, Rye and Mama- joneck : wherein there are some few settlements in the woods, 30 dispersed, that I have not }'et been able to learn the number of the inhabitants, &c." In his next communication he ob- serves : — " We have a new settlement among us in the woods, which began about the time of my predecessor's death, 1719. The inhabitants are very loose in their principles of religion, inclining rather to the Quakers, than to any other sect. I have been amongst them with good success, having baptized a whole family, parents and children. I have heard that some of them intended to make a confession of their faith, in order to bap. lism. r In 1724 he informs the Bishop of London, that he offi- iiated at North Castle eight times per annum. At this period North Castle contributed towards (he ministers rate and poor of •he parish £3 7s. During the year 1725, Mr. Dwight was appointed schoolmaster here, with a salary of £10 a year. Mr. Wetmore writing to the Society in 1728, says : — "There are now thirty heads of families and young men, upon whom the tax is levied in North Castle, a new settlement between Rye and Bedford, about six miles from Bedford. This place was ehiefly settled by people of no religion at all, very ignorant and A^D CHURCH OF NEWCASTLE. 531 barbarous, being descendants of the Long Island Quakers, and having more knowledge of Quakerism than of any other re- ligion, are more receptive of that, but there being a few people of the Church among them, Mr. Jenney first began to take pains with them, preached among them, and baptized several, tho' they are since all returned to Quakerism or nothing ; and it is certain they have left the Church, partly by the instigation of the Quakers, (who have been very busy among them, while they were long neglected,) from Mr. Jenney's being called to Hempstead, at my being fixed here, and partly upon disgust, being disappointed of some preferments they expected Mr. Jen- ney would procure for them, and being reproved for bringing a scandal upon religion, by their loose and irregular living ; how- ever, there are a few sober people that live there, and to accom- modate them and Bedford, or at least some from Bedford that are willing to come to church, I preach once in about five weeks at North Castle. There are about ten families of the Church, and the rest Quakers." Again he says, " there are more than forty families here, most of which are unbaptized. That a great many of the people come to church, and he hath baptized four adults and sundry children there." He suggests to the Society that, u a good schoolmaster might be of good service to religion, in some sort to supply the place of a resident minister, in cate- chising and instructing the youth, and keeping the people from running wild in their principles and practise, as they are in great danger of doing by being among so many Quakers." At a vestry meeting, held March 1st, 1730, for the parish of Rye, it was ordered: — "That whereas the vestrymen of the district of North Castle, have neglected to make up their parish rate last year, and this year, though often requested thereto, ordered therefore by ye vestry and Justices, that the North Cas- tle vestrymen for ye last year and this year, do appear at Rye, at Francis Doughty's, on the lGth of this month at noon, in order to make their rates without any further delay, or ordered to be presented immediately, and that the clerk do send forth- with a copy of this order to said North Castle vestrymen." 532 HISTORY OF THE PARISH In 1733, Mr. Wetmore again makes report to the Venerable Society- — " That Mr. D wight at North Castle continues very diligent and faithful in his school and very well esteemed by the people there, but the great misfortunes of that place make him weary of it." It appears, that at Mr. Wetmore's request* Mr. Dwight was appointed catechist for the parish of Rye, and was removed to White Plains. Again in 1744, Mr. Wetmore informs the Society " that he is fully occupied in the duties of his mission, and that at Bedford and North Castle, there were four hundred families belonging to his cure ; for which reason he begged for an assistant to officiate under him." Whereupon the REV. JOSEPH LAMSON, A. M., was appointed for that purpose. He was the son of William Lamson, a of Stratford Conn., where he was born about 1719. He was graduated at Yale College, in 1741, and in 1773 ad- mitted Master of Arts at King's College, New York. Although the son of Congregational parents, he declared for the Church soon after leaving College, and went to England for Holy Orders. His license from the Bishop of London to officiate in this Prov- ince, bears date 1745. Before leaving England he was ap- pointed by the Ven. Society assistant to Mr. Wetmore, in offici- ating to the inhabitants at Bedford, North Castle and Ridgefield, with a salary of £20 per annum ; besides a gratuity of the same sum, out of compassion to his sufferings and success. From England, after many trials, he returned in 1745 ; having been in his voyage thither taken prisoner by the French, and afterwards, on his passage from St. Louis in Fiance to London, detained at Salisbury four months by a fever, which took from 8 The surname of this family was originally written Lambton. Robert De Lamb- ton, feutal brd of Lambton Castle, in the County of Durham, died in 1350.— Sur- tee's Hist, of the County of Durham. The Lampsons or Lamsons were among the earlier settlers of New England. The will of William Lampson, of Stratford, Conn, bears date Sept., 1754, proved Feb. 11th, 1755. Wife, Elizabeth ; sous, Jos., Nath., and Jno. ; daughters, Eliz., Sarah and Mary.— Probate Rec. Fairfield Co. 1754-7. AND CHURCH OP NEW CASTLE. 533 him his companion and fellow sufferer Richard Miner, a Congre- gational minister, from the vicinity of his native place, who had gone with him to England for Episcopal ordination. Being at length restored to country and friends, " as one risen from the dead," he began to preach at Bedford, North Castle and Ridge- field, which though still considered, as in some sense, within the bounds of the parish or mission of Fairfield, had been for some time under the care of Mr. Wetmore, missionary at Rye. The Society's abstracts for 1746, say: — "The Society have had the satisfaction to be informed by the Rev. Mr. Lampson, (of whose sufferings in his voyage to England to receive Epis- copal ordination, the abstract of the proceedings of the Society in the year 1745 gave an account,) that he returned safe and in good health ; and the good people of Ridgefield, Bedford and North Castle, the places of his mission, received him gladly and even as one arisen from the dead, among whom report had for some time placed him, and in his letter of May 12th, 1746, he writes : — That he officiates by turns at these three places to full congregations, and had baptized eleven children and three adults well principled in Christianity ; and Mr. Wetmore, the Society's missionary in the populous parish of Rye, to whose assistance Mr. Lampson is appointed, returns his own hearty thanks, together with th'>se of his parishioners, in his letter of April 3d, 1746, professing his hope that Mr. Lampson will do much good amongst them by his preaching and exemplary life, for which they very much respect him, and that as there are great numbers of people in the wilderness country northward of Bedford and Westchester, who have very little knowledge or sense of religion, Mr. Lampson's labors will be employed to good pur- pose among them." REV. MR. LAMPSON TO THE SECRETARY. (extract.) " North Castle, in the parish of Rye, Feb. 10, 1746-7. Rev. Sir, 1 have endeavoured since my arrival to do what service I can 534 HISTORY OF THE PARISH among a great number of poor people, scattered about in the woods, who have little ability, and most of them little inclination to mind me. I compassionate their circumstances, and the more because so many of them have very little sense of the impor- tance of religion and virtue. The Rev. Mr. Wetmore has been treating with a worthy young gentleman, Mr. Thomas Bradbury Chandler, who is willing to perform the service of a lay cate- chist among these people, if the Honourabie Society, upon my removal, will be pleased to bestow upon him the £10 sterling salary that was formerly allowed to Mr. Flint Dwight, deceased. And I am of opinion, that such a provision is as much as these people can expect at present, and I believe it may in a good measure supply the place of a minister in orders, considering that Mr. Wetmore, with Mr. Chandler's assistance to read in the church at Rye, in his absence, may more frequently visit North Castle and Bedford, and administer the sacraments among them : and some of the people have expressed a satisfaction in the hopes of having so ingenious a man as Mr. Chandler to labor among them, in such a method after my leaving them. They find as little fault as I could expect, at the talk of my removal, knowing that my present income is too small for a support." a Soon after the date of this letter, Mr. Lamson took charge of the parish of Fairfield, Conn., where he continued until the time of his death, which took place in 1773. The register of the Town of Fairfield contains a record of his marriage in 1747, to Alethia, daughter of the Rev. James Wetmore of Rye, and of the birth of their six children, five daughters, and one son. And the graves of the eldest daughter, who died in 1753, and Mrs. Lamson, who died in 1766, are in the old burial place, near the Court House. But it appears from the proceedings of the Society, that Mr. Lamson left a widow. b Upon the 26th of March, 1748, Mr. Wetmore writes:— "I a Conn. MSS. from archives at Fulharn, pp. 282-3. (Hawks.) b Hist. Discourse for the Jubilee of the Ven. Soc. , by the Rev. N. E. Cornwall, M. A. The name of Joseph Lamson appears as witness to a will of David Rowland, of Fairfield, 26th of August, 1768. Editor. AND CHURCH OF NEW CASTLE. 535 have also undertaken to preach a monthly lecture at North Cas- tle, besides their usual turn upon Sundays, and this I shall con- tinue as long as I find a good disposition in this people to attend such lectures." Again, in September of that year, he says.:— " Since Mr. Lamson has removed from this parish, and Mr. Chan- dler declined accepting the catechetical mission at North Castle and Bedford, I do the duty of these places as formerly; and al- tho' I find large congregations, when 1 preach among them, yet I don't find that forwardness I could wish, to exert themselves in building churches and providing for the support of a minis- ter or catechist ; and it is a trouble to me that the same negli- gent temper prevails in other parts of my parish." In his report for 1753, he acquaints the Society, — " that kk congregations at Rye, White Plains, North Castle and Bedford are large and flourishing, and that the disposition of those that opposed the interest of the Church in those places, seems chang- ed for the better, and that there are some hopes of the people uniting with North Castle towards supporting a minister in the Holy Orders of our Church, to officiate alternately to them." From this period the increase was such, that it became neces- sary to erect a house of worship, where religious services could be more duly celebrated, and attendance on the preached word more conveniently practised. The principal person who com- menced this undertaking was St. George Talbot, Esq.. aided by the zealous efforts of the Rev. Mr. Dibble, who occasionally officiated in this parish after Mr. Wetmore's death in 176G. The following extract shows that Mr. Talbot, the noble bene- factor of the Church at that period, had given besides his dona- tions of £600 to each of the churches of Rye, Flushing and Stamford, £600 also to North Castle : — MR. DIBBLEE TO THE SECRETARY. (extract.) " Stamford in Conn., N. E., March2oth, 1761. Rev. Sir. In compliance with repeated requests 1 preached on Sunday. 536 HISTORY OF THE PARISH the 7th of December last, to the destitute people at Westchesten to a very considerable congregation. The evening following I paid my respects to the worthy and good Mr. St. George Talbot, who appears to be a gentleman of great piety, zeal and charity, and he desired me to mention to the Honourable Society, the very grateful sense he has of the late unexpected honor done him, in being admitted a member of the Venerable Society. His principal concern, in the decline of life, is to promote the interest of true religion, the Church of Christ militant, until it shall please God to translate him to the Church triumphant. And he desired me to intimate, that besides the benefactions to the church at Rye. of which Mr. Wetmore and me advised, he hath also given £600 sterling money for the encouragement of religion among the poor people of North Castle, ratified the 6th of June, 1759, delivered into the hands of Col. MacDonald, Jonathan Ogden, Caleb Fowler and Charles Haight, by the ap- probation of the late Mr. Wetmore, and security given. " a There can be no doubt that the subject of building a ehurch had been a long time in contemplation, before it was brought to a successful issue by the above donation. It was now resolved, however, by those interested in the un- dertaking, that one should be immediately erected, but it appears it was not determined where the building should stand because a site was selected at first for the church, about five miles from the place where it was finally located. The site referred to, is in the parish of North Castle, near Sand's mills, where the letter "C" inscribed on a rock is still legible, and marks that site as the church lot. But lor sufficient reasons, doubtless, and perhaps as more central, the beautiful location was preferred where St. Mark's now stands. Accordingly, the timber which had been prepared in North Castle was removed to the new site, given by Charles Haight in 1760, and in October, 1761, a plain building of ample size was erected, and opened for divine worship, which in honor of their pious and noble benefactor, was named Conn. MSS. from archives at Fulham. pp. 404-5. (Hawks.) AND CHURCH OF NEW CASTLE. 537 1*5t. George's Church. From the Rev. Mr. Dibble's reports to the Society the following extracts are obtained, which give all the information we can now learn respecting this happy circum- stance : — MR. DIBBLEE TO THE SECRETARY. (extract.) " Stamford, Conn. N. E., Sept. 29, 1761. Rev. Sir, I preached a lecture at North Castle the 12th of August last, to a great congregation ; they have erected a new church, and at their desire, and the request of Mr. St. George Talbot, the worthy benefactor of our Churches, whom I expect to meet with, I have consented to preach to them the second Sunday in Octo- ber next in their church." a MR. DIBBLEE TO THE SECRETARY. (extract.) ' ; Stamford, Conn., in New England, March 25th, 1762. Rev. Sir, I preached the second Sunday in October last, b in St. George's church, at North Castle, and at the opening of it, to a most nu- merous congregation, the church not being able to contain the people. They have erected a very decent church for public worship, forty foot by thirty, with galleries, covered and closed it with cedar, and only laid the ground floor. Mr. St. George Talbot was present, their pious and noble benefactor, who was highly pleased with the number, and devout behaviour of the people. I baptized that Lord's day thirteen infants, and one adult. Mr. Talbot desirous to know the real state of the people, desired me to accompany him to Bedford. Crumpond and Peakskill, 1 Conn. MSS. from archives at Fulham, p. 432. (Hawks.) » 11th of October, 1761. 538 HISTORY OF THE PARISH and to return by the way of Croton and White Plains ; which I cheerfully did, and preached a lecture in each of those places, the people giving a cheerful attendance, preaching every day that week, but Saturday, and baptized ten more children. Ex- cept Bedford, we found no settled teacher among them of any denomination ; in each place were sundry heads of families pro- fessors of our Church, and many others well disposed towards it, but the inhabitants in general, by what we could learn, were much divided in their religious sentiments, and paid but little regard to Sundays. The late worthy Mr. Wetmore, missionary at Rye, was not wanting in his endeavours to promote the inte- rest of true religion among them, but his advanced age, and their distance, prevented his being so very serviceable as otherwise he might have been ; and I am of Mr. St. George Talbot's opinion, that a person settled in Holy Orders among them is much wanted, and might do singular service in promoting the interest of true religion."* In reference to this event, Mr. Talbot thus writes : — ST. GEORGE TALBOT TO THE SECRETARY. (extract.) "New- York, September 10th, 1762. Rev. Sir, I received your favor of the 24th of February last, in July, — &c., &c. In October last I desired the Rev. Mr Dibblee of Stamford, who is indefatigable in his endeavours to serve the interests of true religion, and our Holy Church, whose services I find uni- versally acceptable, and his life agreeable to his public charac- ter, to meet me at St. George's church, at North Castle, second Sunday in October last, and was surprised both at the number, and devout behaviour of the people, for the church could not contain them. The particular service he performed, beyond * Conn. MSS. from archives at Fulham, p. 438. (Hawk*.) AND CHURCH OF NEW CASTLE. 539 doubt he will transmit to you, if he hath not done it. He ac- companied me from thence to Bedford, Crumpond, Peach Kills, Croton, and returned by the White Plains. The state of religion I truly found deplorable enough, for excepting Bedford, they were as sheep without a shepherd, a prey to various sectaries and enthusiastic lay teachers. There are many well-wishers and professors of the Church among them, which doth not hear the liturgy in several years. The late worthy Mr. Wetmore hath made the same tour with me, nay larger, even to Fish Kills. (There I offered them £1000 to purchase a glebe and a house, and he agreed for the same, if they would do their part, and subscribed £40 per annum to administer support, since they have had the concurrence of the Society in their favor, but zeal is too cold there.) I think it would be happy if an itinerant missionary could be fixed at North Castle, for whenever the va- cancy at Rye shall be supplied, as the Rev. Mr. Punderson, whom I met at convention at Derby in June last, said, that if he had a call to Rye, he would gladly accept it, (with the liberty of the Society,) as I know that he is called and hath accepted it. The Rev Mr. Lamson preached the convention sermon to the great satisfaction not only of the brethren, but myself, and I think they are all a set of worthy, pious clergymen, and are usefully employed in their several Missions. I have proposed to Mr. Dibblee to take another tour to the former places, and to visit some others, who hath requested the favor of me, for the which the Rev Messrs. Lamson and Leming hath also consent- ed to take a tour with me, for I cannot but be sorry to see such numbers of people live without God in the world, for where there is no regard to Sundays, or to the public worship of Almigh- ty God, there is scarce any sense of religion among a people, and their moral state is soon as deplorable as their religious. After which a more particular account of those, their number, particular profession, distances, each place from the other, and from any clergyman in Holy Orders of our Church, I shall lay before the Venerable Board, together with my humble opin- ion, what ought in charity to be done for the support of their spiritual wants, my mite yearly, whilst life, by the blessing of 540 HISTORY OF THE PARISH the Almighty, shall always be moving." a Again in a letter dated, Barn Island, July 10th, 1763. he writes : — " I am humbly of the opinion, that with the advantage of my benefactions, the Church of Rye may be able, with the salary the government hath settled to maintain their minister, if the present salary from the Society^of £50 be withdrawn, which was partly agreed to by the late worthy Mr. Wetmore, whom the parishioners never treated according to his merit. The people are wealthy, and have taken very irregular steps since the death of the worthy missionary. At North Castle, about eighteen miles from Rye, there is great want of a missionary ; the church there is within five miles of Bedford, and about seven or eight miles off Crum- pond, which hath applied to me, and if New Rochelle was joined to East and Westchester, I am humbly of opinion that church might well be supplied, as it is not four miles from church to church. The French Protestants understand English very well, and it's also my humble opinion that Col. Frederick Phil- ipse's estate is able to build several churches, and to settle two hundred acres of land to every one of them, and that he and his tenants are able to maintain ministers without any assistance from the Venerable Board ." b The subjoined extract is from Mr. Dibble's report for that year. ■" MR. DIBBLEE TO THE SECRETARY. " Stamford, Conn., New England, Oct. 28, 1765. Rev. Sir, Mr. Talbot returning with me I waited upon him the next week to North Castle, and on the 24th inst. preached a lecture at the church there to a good congregation, in consideration of the short notice, and baptized sundry children. Mr. Avery, happily settled at Rye, tells me he shall be ready to afford them his pious assistance, as often as is consistant with his more im- portant cure." c ■ New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. p. 308-9-10. (Hawks N 1 New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 310. (Hawks.) * Conn. MSS. from archives at Fulham, p. 506. (Hawks.) AND CHURCH OF NEW CASTLE. 541 Mr. Talbot whose name is so intimately connected with this parish, was the son of Thomas Talbot, Esq., a lineal de- scendant of the ancient and illustrious house of Talbot or Tale- bot, a as the name was originally written. He was born at Dover, in the County of Kent. England, 25th of July, 1662, O. S., was graduated at one of the Universities about 16S3, and came to America in the early part of the 18th century. He was a vestryman of Trinity church, New York, from 1720 to 1724, and was elected a member of the Venerable Propagation Society in 1759. Mr. Talbot appears to have been a pious, learned and zealous man, lived to the great age of one hundred and five, and spent much of his life in labouring to propagate and settle the Protestant Episcopal Church in this Province. The follow- ing testimonial in regard to him was sent to the Society, by his friend Mr. Dibble, in 1762 : — "He is indefatigable in his endea- vors to serve the interests ot true religion and our Holy Church, whose services I find universally acceptable, and his life agreeable to his public character." b But it seems he had some eccentricities, which gave rise to many false reports touching his reputation." The following notice of his death appeared in the New York Gazette, for May 14th, 1767 :— " Thursday last, died m an ad- vanced age, on Pipon's Island, St. George Talbot, a gentleman, noted for more -things than one in his life time, and we are assured his last will and testament will come under- as odd a description ; some extracts and strictures on which, 'tis said will hereafter be made public." The Society's abstracts for 1767 say: — "By letters from the Rev. Dr. Auchmuty, rector of Trinity Church, the Rev. Dr. Cooper, President of King's Col- lege, and from Mr. Livingston and the Rev. Mr. Leming, execu- tors, dated May 16, 20 and 27, 1767, the Society are informed a The family of Talbot deduces its descent from a period antecedent to the Con- quest ; but the first of note upon record is Richard De Talbot, one of the witnesses to that grant which Walter Gifford, Earl of Buckingham, made to the monks of Cerasic in Normandy, in the reigu of William the Conqueror. Arms : — gu. a lion rampant, or. within a bordure, indented of the second. Collins's Peerag. k Hawkin's His. Not. of the Church of England. Original MSS. in Lambeth Coll., vol. xix, p. 208. 542 HISTORY OF THE PARISH of the death of Mr. St. George Talbot, a gentleman often men- tioned in the abstracts, on account of his charitable donations to several Churches in America, who departed this life the 6th of May, 1767, and has left the Society, after a few legacies, sole heirs to his estate, real and personal." 51 The subjoined ex- tracts are from the last will and testament of St. George Talbot, Esq., executed on the 11th day of May, 1765 :— " I, St George Talbot, of the Town and Port of Dover in the Kingdom of Great Britain, now an inhabitant of the city of New York, in America, (was born ye 25th day of July, 1663, now ye 5th of August.) I being in perfect health and sound memory, blessed be Almighty God, I do make this my last will and testament a s followeth : First for my soul, I do recommend it to Him, whose due it is by three fold right, as my Creator who infused it into me, my Redeemer, who fully ransomed it with his dearest blood, my Sanctifier, who assisteth me in greatest assaults and temp- tations, &c. I do now every day expect with joy to appear before and behold the oreat Jehovah Elohim, praise the Lord, I always loved and praised him, praised be his holy name, the omniscient, omnipresent and almighty God, &c, &c. Item, I give and bequeath unto Mrs. Rachel Gould, my faithful housekeeper, as a reward for her fidelity, the following sums of money, to be paid her yearly as long as she shall survive me, from the several parishes where I have given several sums of money as the several deeds relating thereto will make appear : first Rye. North Castle, and Bedford, .£21 yearly, from Stamford £24 10 yearly, from Derby, £3 10 yearly, all New York currency ; from Fairfield £1 yearly. Other donations designed for her, I shall give her, or make provision for her and others, in a codicil annexed to this my will ; all on condition that she Rachel Gould, remain and con- tinue single, chaste and virtuous, as she hath done mere than twenty-seven years past, since I became first acquainted with her, &c. Item, I have given for ye promoting of true religion in the parish of Rye, in ye County of Westchester, and Colony of New York, £300 current money of New York, which I delivered in trust for the use of the Ven. Society to ye late Rev. James Wetmore deceased, on ye 24th of Febuary, 1759, for which' he and his son Timothy Wetmore, did give Bond dated ye 11th day of April, 1759, &c. Item, I have given for ye use of promoting true religion in North Castle and Bedford, in the County of Westchester in the Province of New York, £600, current money of New York, which I delivered in trust under the patronage and for the use of the Ven Society, and put into the hands of Col. » Printed abstracts from 20th of February, 1767 to 19th of February, 1768. One & f the missionaries writing May 27th, 1767, says :— " Mr. Talbot has left a nephew and one relativo more, and bequeathed the greatest part of his estate to the Society. His executors Mr. Jno. Livingston a worthy parishioner, Rev. Mr. Learning the Society's missionary of Norwalk, and Mrs. Gould his housekeeper." New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 420. (Hawks.) AND CHURCH OF NEW CASTLE. 543 ■ v - VoDouald, of Bedford, Caleb Fowler, William Ogden and Charles Haight •f North Castle, all in the said County and Province, on ye Gth day of June, 1759, when they gave their obligation Bond. My will is, that the one shall be kept out at interest for ever for ye benefit of the parishioners, church, minister, schoolmaster, good, poor and needy, for the time being, in the behalf of ye incorporated Honorable S ociely, for ye propagation of ye gospel, and to be continued to them so long as they the parishioners shall be counted worthy, and to stand in need of the same, and no longer, then it .shall be in the trust of my ever living heirs, the Venerable Society to move the samo, supply the money to any place or places, where they shall see it more needful, and that shall stand in want of such charitable assistance, &c."* 1 The above will was proved on the 20th of November, 1767. The Society's abstracts for 1770, say:—" From letters received by Dr. Auchmuty, rector of Trinity Church, and Mr. Living- ston, (executor of the late Mr. St. George Talbot,) dated Decem- ber 8th, 1769, it appears that the heirs at law leave no method untried to defeat the purposes of Mr. Talbot's will, and that by evasive practises in law, the cause is still undetermined." In 1771, Mr. John Livingston informs the Propagation Societyj " that with regard to Mr. Talbot's will, the attorneys have judged it expedient to come to an agreement with the heirs of Mr. Tal- bot, by which the executors should pay them £1300, in full for their claim and demand on the real and personal estate." It will be seen, however, that this parish did not receive her por- tion of the legacy until the year 1803. Upon the death of the Rev. Mr. Ebenezer Punderson, rector of the parish in 1764, the new church continued to be supplied by his successor, the Rev Ephraim Avery, until the war of the „ Surrogate's office, N. Y., vol. xxv. p. 68. The other Legatees named in his will, were the children of his brother Thomas Talbot, and of his two sisters Catherine and Arabella Talbot. 544 HISTORY OF THE PARISH Revolution. In 1 773 the latter informs the Society : — " That the church at North Castle, which hath been some time building is in a tolerably decent state." During the war, this part of the country was greatly annoyed by the enemy, who frequently made sudden inroads, plundering and capturing the defenceless inhabitants. Religious services were consequently suspended, and for a long time St George's church Avas occupied as a guard-house and hospital by the Con- tinental troops. The first incorporation of this Church, subsequent to the Revolution, took place on the 19th of April, 1789, under the style and title of " the Trustees of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the townships of Bedford and North Castle." a In consequence of an Act passed for the relief of the Protes- tant Episcopal Church on the 17th of March, 1795, this Church was again incorporated under the name and title of " the Pro- testant Episcopal Church in the united towns of Bedford and New Castle, to continue by the regular name of St. George's Church." Charles Haight of New Castle, and William Miller, Esq. of Bedford, churchwardens ; Samuel Raymond, Gabriel Smith, David Haight, James McDonald, Marmaduke Forster, Gilbert Martin, Nicholas Haight and Samuel Smith, vestry- men. 1 ' At this period the REV. THEODOSIUS BARTOW, , appears to have been officiating minister for the united parishes of Bedford and New Castle. From 1804 to 1819 services were performed here by the clergy of Bedford. At a meeting of the vestry, November 12th, 1796, it was ordered :--" that William Miller, Esq. be empowered to commence and carry on a suit against Philip I. Livingston, for money left by St. George Tal- bot to the Churches of Bedford and North Castle." At a meet- ing of the same held on the 3d of March, 1803, " Mr. Miller in- 8 Incorporation of Religious Societies, Lib. A, 12. k Incorporation of Religious Societies, Lib. A, 64. AND CHURCH OF NEW CASTLE. 545 formed the board, that the money bequeathed to the united Churches by the late St. George Talbot, had been recovered by a judgment, obtained in the Supreme Court, against Philip I. Liv- ingston, and the said money, after deducting charges, will pro- bably amount to about twenty-five hundred dollars." In 1804 Trinity Church, New York, liberally endowed the united parishes with the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars ; also in 1808, the further sum of one hundred and fifty dollars. St. George's church, which had stood for nearly sixty years, was dismantled in 1819, and (by Mr. Godfrey Haines acting un- der authority of the vestry) sold at public auction for the paltry sum of forty shillings. It deserves however to be recorded that Judge Miller, one of the wardens of the united parishes, stren- uously opposed its destruction. The principal part of the tim- ber is still preserved in a barn on the property of Mr. Hezekiah Raymond, a short distance only from the old burying ground. From that time, until within a short period, services have been entirely confined to Bedford. THE CHURCH. In 1852, through the zealous efforts of the Rev. Dr. Harris of White Plains, anew church was built within a few yards of the site of old St. George's. It is a very neat and church-like struc- ture, and is pleasantly situated on the west side of Kirby's pond, the waters of which empty into the Pepemighting or Kisco river. St. Mark's church was opened for divine service, Jan- uary 25th, 1852, on which occasion the Rev. Pr. Harris preached a sermon from Haggai ii. 9 : — " The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts." The following notice of the consecration appeared in the Protestant Churchman for April, 1852 : — c! This edifice was con- secrated to the service of Almighty God, on Wednesday last, by the Rt. Rev. Carlton Chase, D. D., Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire. The congregation was large, and the services impressive. There were presenf beside the Bishop and 35 546 HISTORY OF THE PARISH the rector of the church, nine of the clergy. a At the request of the Bishop, the Rev. Dr. Haight preached. The building was much admired, as a beautiful model for a country- church. It is fifty by thirty feet, with a tower projecting eight feet in front, and is constructed of the best materials in a sub- stantial manner. Its cost, exclusive of a window of stained glass in the church and the furniture, was .$2050. Nearly three quarters of this amount was raised by the rector, out of the place, his parish at White Plains contributing in a collection, upwards of $350, and other neighboring parishes aiding also; in addition to the liberal gifts of individual funds. The ' Pas- toral Aid Society ' by an appropriation of $300. secured the building from debt. Thus, through the blessing of God, this new church has been completed, and our services revived where long since they had ceased to be celebrated. The old church, which was opened in 1761 by the Rev. Mr. Dibble, a missionary of the 'Society for propagating the gospel,' and which was taken down in 1S19, stood in the same grave yard, and was named ' St. George's church.' With the removal of that edifice every vestige of the Church was effaced. It is our devout prayer, that such neglect may not again be witnessed, but that this second attempt to establish our worship may prove permanently successful." St. Mark's Church was incorporated on the 7th of October, 1S50, Gilbert Martin and Henry D. Tyler, wardens, Gilbert Brundage. Thomas Wright, Thomas Searies, John Cary, Andrew Dunn, Simeon Wo-olsey, George W. Brower, and Lewis Tripp, vestrymen. In April, 1852, the Rev. Robert W. Harris, D. D. resigned the charge of this parish, and St. Stephen's, North Castle. Both are now united under the pastoral care of the Rev. Isaac Dyckman Vermilye. r - The instrument of donation was read by the Rector, the Rev. Dr. Harris, and the sentence cf conseciation by the Rev. S. Weaver ; morning prayer was read by the Rev. W. F. Halsey and the Rev. Isaac D. Vermilye, Deacon. AND CHURCH OF NEW CASTLE. 547 TOMBSTONES. In memory of Isaac Lounsberry, who was born Oct. 11th, 1703. and died March 3rd, 1773. In memory of James Wright, who was born March 14, 1721, and departed this life, May the 17th, 1776, aged 55 years 1 month and 25 days. In memory of Charles Haight, who departed this life the 3d of October. 1799, aged S8 years and 1 month. In memory of Deborah Haight, wife of Charles Haight, who died November 23d, 1798, in the 7Sth year of her age, &c. A. D. 1746, 1762 1S53 NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS. Communicants, — 12 Baptisms, 14, II, " 2. The first delegate from this parish to the Diocesan Conven- tion in 17S7, was Stephen James de Lancey, Esq. In 1728, the Precinct of North Castle contained 30 heads of families and young men, upon whom the tax was levied. In 1782, North Castle contained 558 white inhabitants. In 1840, the population of New Castle alone was 1,529. In 1850, the population was 1, 716. St. Mark's Church. HISTORY or THE PARISH AND CHURCH OF NORTH SALEM. Prior to the Revolution the two districts of upper and lower Salem constituted the old township of Salem proper, within Cortlandt's manor, but in 178S they were separately organized. Stephanus Yan Cortlandt, Lord of the manor of Cortlandt, who purchased these lands of the Indians in 1699, by his will in 1700, devised the whole manor to his eleven children. In 1734 the devisees made a partition thereof among themselves. By this division upper Salem fell principally to the share of Eti- enne de Lancey, Esq., who married Anne Yan Cortlandt, the second daughter of the proprietor of the manor. The De Lancey's, from whom a large portion of Salem obtained the appellation of De Lancey's patent, are a branch of the ancient and honorable house of De Lanci of Picardy, France, spring- ing from Jean de Lanci, ecuyer, Yicompte of Laval and Nouvian, who was born in the latter part of the 15th century and died May, 1525. Etienne or Stephen de Lan- cey was born at Caen in Normandy, A. D., 1662, and was one of those Huguenots who fled from France on th~ AND CHURCH OF NORTH SALEM. 149 revocation of the edict of Nantes in 1685. By this step he forfeited his right to the ancestral title and estates, to which he was then heir. Obliged to depart suddenly, he took nothing with him but his mother's blessing, and some family jewels which she concealed about his person. He went to Rotterdam in Holland, from whence, after a short stay, he crossed over to London, where on March the 11th, 1686, he took out letters patent of denization under the great seal, and shortly after sailed for New York, where he arrived June 7th, 1686, and on the 12th of July following was admitted a freeman under the seal of the city. He at once began the business of a merchant. His integ- rity, education, and the proceeds of the sale of the jewels given him by his mother, being his only capital. He soon became an eminent and wealthy man, was appointed a member of the Court of Admiralty in 1690, was Alderman of the south ward, from 1691 to 1694, represented the city in the Assembly of the Province from 1702 to 1716, and again from 1725 to 1737. He was a liberal benefactor to Trinity Church and a vestryman of the same at his death in 1741, and for many years preceding that event. By his wife Anne Van Cortlandt, he left four sons, James, Peter, Stephen and Oliver, and two daughters, Susannah, (Lady Warren) and Anne, (Mrs. Watts,) to whom he devised all his property in equal shares. To his eldest son James fell all his lands in this parish. This individual, who was born in 1702, received his education at Corpus Christi College, in the University of Cambridge, England. He returned to his native land in 1725, and afterwards held the first honors which the country could bestow, first, as a member of the Gov- ernor's Council in 1728, Justice of the Supreme Court in 1731, Chief Justice in 1733, and Lieutenant Governor 1 of the Province ■ Being a Native American, he could not be appointed Governor directly, it being contrary to the then policy of the British Government to appoint natives of Colonies to supreme command. Desiring that Mr. De Lancey should rule the Province in 1757, the Ministry, on the resignation of Sir Charles Hardy, the Governor in that year, declined to appoint a new Governor, and thus made Mr. De Lancey Governor in fact, though not in name. 550 HISTORY OF THE PARISH in 1747. He married Anne, daughter of the Hon. Caleb Heath- cote, Lord of the manor of Scarsdale, and died 30th of July, 1760. The following notice of his death appeared in the Bos- ton Gazette for August 11th, 17G0:— "New York, August 4th. On Wednesday morning last, died at his seat, the Hon. James de Lancey, our Lieutenant Governor, in the 57th year of his age. This unexpected event, for he was in perfect health the evening before, threw the whole city into the deepest sorrow and amazement. A pain in the breast awaked him at three and continued with intermission till about .nine in the morning, when, before he apprehended the necessity of a physician, seized with a fit. he suddenly expired." His remains were deposited with great ceremony in the family vault in the middle aisle of old Trinity church, New York. In 1744 he conveyed all his property here to his second son, Stephen James de Lancey, who in 1750 began the settlement of. the tract, and was the founder and a liberal benefactor of this parish, and for some time a lay reader in the Protestant Episcopal Church. He died on the 1st of January, 1795, without issue, and was buried at Fish- kill. He was succeeded in his estat6 here by his brother John Peter de Lancey of Mamaroneck, (father of the Rt. Rev. William Heathcote de Lancey, D. D. D. C. L. Bishop of the Diocese of Western New York,) who in 1823 devised all his farms and lands at North Salem, to his daughters, Elizabeth Caroline, and Martha Arabella de Lancey, and Susan Augusta, wife of Feni- more Cooper. This parish, which appears to have been formerly united with Ridgefield and Ridgebury, was first organized under the minis- try of Mr. Dibble of Stamford, Conn, about the year 1750. At that period, we are informed, there was no minister of the Church in the county nearer than Rye, between thirty and forty miles distant from Salem. The * REV. EBENEZER DIBBLE, A. M. was the eldest son of Wakefield Dibble 1 of Danbury, Conn.. * The will of Wakefield Dibble, which was proved May 2d. 1734, bears date Jan. 3stj 1733-4. He directs his executors to pay all <: ye charges which do. or may AND CHURCH OF NORTH SALEM. 55 L whose ancestor Thomas Dibble, was a freeman of Dorchester. Mass., in 1639. "He was born at Danbnry in 1712, graduated at Yale in 1734, and was a convert from the Congregational persuasion of religion to the Episcopal Church. lie went to England for Holy Orders in 1747, returned to New York, the 23d of October, 1748, and was appointed missionary at Stam- ford, where he arrived on the 25th." a The following extract occurs in a letter of his to the Yen. Society. MR. DIBBLE E TO THE SECRETARY. (extract.) "Stamford in Conn., N. E., March 25th. 1761. Rev. Sir, I preached at Salem, in the Upper District, on Sunday, the 22d of February last, to a very large congregation, and the poor people scattered about in the wilderness, are, I am informed, concerting measures to build a small church, as a private house will seldom contain the people that went to church when I preach among them, which is as often as the duties of my extensive mission will permit." 13 • The next year Mr. St. George Talbot, a liberal benefactor of the Church in this county, thus addresses the same : — ST. GEORGE TALBOT TO THE SECRETARY. * (extract.) " Barn Island, July 10th, 1763. On my return from Connecticut, I desired Mr. Dibble to ac- company me to Salem, where he preached the first Sunday in arise upon yo education of his son Ebenezer, also .£30 towards famishing him with books, Sec." Probate Rec. Fairfield Co., 171G-35, p. 263. The Arms of Diable, Dible or Dibble, are : — Sa, on a chief argent, a lion passant, gu — Crest, on a chapeau, a lion statant guardant, ducally gorged, tail extended. "Conn. MSS. from archives at Fulham. (Hawks.) h Conn. MSS. from archives at Fulham, pp. 404-5. (Hawks.) 552 HISTORY 0¥ THE PARISH Trinity to a large congregation, notwithstanding it was a very rainy day, too many to be able to be accommodated in a private house, and gave the communion to about thirty persons who behaved very decently. There they have built and almost covered a church ; this is in the Province of New York, which people Mr. Dibble hath taken principally care of for several years. This church at Salem is about four miles from Ridgebury, to the west, and seven miles from Ridgefleld, where they have raised a church, &c, &c". a The church to which Mr. Talbot alludes in the foregoing let- ter, was built on land given for that purpose in 1763, and was first opened for divine worship in August of 1766, by the Rev. Mr. Dibble, as appears from the subjoined communication : — MR. DIBBLEE TO THE SECRETARY. (extract.) '•' Stamford, Conn., N. E., Oct. 7th, 1766. Rev. Sir, I preached on Sunday in August in the new church in the upper district of Salem, to a numerous devoutly behaved congre- gation, and gave the Holy Communion to about thirty communi- cants, and baptised fifteen children. In compassion to their cir- cumstances, and the people of Ridgebury and Ridgefield, who are contiguous upon the borders of Connectic ut, Mr. Learning and I have recommended to read divine service and sermons to them, Mr. Epenetus Townsend, a very exemplary, sober, wor- thy young gentleman, graduated at King's college, New York, who is very acceptable to the people, whom we wisli to have set- tled among them, provided, upon their qualifying themselves, they might be so happy as to obtain the Honourable Society's encouragement. Contiguous to Salem is Cortlandt's manor and Philipse's Patent, where numbers of poor people are settled, and stand in great need of proper instruction, many already profess- a New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. p. 317. (Hawks.) AND CHURCH OF NORTH SALEM. 553 ing, and others well disposed to our holy Church notwith- standing their distance, it being about twenty-five miles to the upper district of Salem. As no other missionary is contiguous, to be as extremely useful as may be, and in tenderness to their spiritual wants, I have afforded them what assistance I could, consistant with the duties of my particular cure, for fifteen or sixteen years past, to the prejudice of my family, and my in- come for twelve years, being too considerable to my neces- sities. ; '« a The following curious items, relative to the building of the church, are taken from an old account book in the possession of Mr. John Close : — " October the year 1764, 1, Ebe- nezer Brown of Salem, have received of Samuel Cole of Cort- landt manor, the ful and just sum of five pounds, received by me on the acompt of the meeten house. To cash by Nathan, 5 0. 17G5Abner Benedict, cradit to a log, for the fore that made 140 feet to 15S feet of oak bords, 2 16. For the meeten house, 7 12. To 370 feet of bords by Crane, 18 6." This edifice which was about forty feet long and thirty wide, (surrounded by a yard or burying ground nearly two rods in width) was situated in the south east corner of farm No. 12, and north lot No. 10 of Cortlandt's manor. Upon the 13th of June, 1769, Stephen de Lancey and wife conveyed to the Rev. Epenetus Townsend, " all that land being part of farm No. 12 in north lot No. 10, beginning at a white oak bush, and runs south west 26 degrees, 8 chains and 24 links, to a pile of stones, thence south west 17 degrees, 16 chains and 13 links, to a pile of stones, thence north east 88 degrees, 25 chains and 50 links, to a pile of stones, thence south east 74 degrees and a half, 6 chains and 45 links to a stake and stones by the church, then north east fifteen degrees, 5 chains and 35 links to the oblong line, then south east 10 degrees, 21 chains and 25 links to a stake on the same a Connecticut MSS. from archives at Fulham, p. 520. (Hawks.) One of the missionaries of tho Society writing in 17G0 says : — " Rye tried to prevail upon him (Mr. Dibble) but tho good man though in greater nood of better support, apprehen- sive of tho great detriment it would be to that Church (Stamford) has refused." 554 HISTORY OF THE PARISH line, the south west, to the place of beginning, containing 60 acres, exclusive of the ground upon which the church, church- yard and burying- ground stand, which is not included in this grant, &c." a On this land, adjoining the church, Mr. Townsend erected the same year a large dwelling house, which is still stand- ing and occupied by the venerable Epenetus Wallace, M. D. ; whose predecessors purchased from the heirs of the former. 11 About 1810 Dr. Wallace exchanged with the vestry the site of the present church for the old location, which has been recently sold to the Presbyterian Society. Stephen J. de Lancey, Esq. also bequeathed the Church three quarters of an acre of land, bordering on the Somerstown road for the same purpose, and a bell. The worthy and venerable Mr. Dibble, the founder of this parish, died at Stamford, Conn, in the year 1799. The follow- ing notice of his death appeared in the Churchman's Magazine for that year : — " The Rev. Ebenezer Dihblee, D. D. was a missionary from the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign parts, at Stamford in Conn., and was considered by them as one of their most active and zealous missionaries. He was a native of that State, and born at Danbury, and graduated at Yale in 1734. In the course of his ministry he used great diligence and fidelity, and not only served his congregation at Stamford to their satisfaction ; but he annually visited many vacant parishes on week days, and also on Sundays as often as he could be spared from his people. Dr. Dibblee was a con- vert from the Congregational persuasion of religion to the Epis- copal Church. After he left college, he was at first licensed as a candidate among the Dissenters, and allowed to preach in their congregations. He went to England for Holy Orders in 1747. This worthy and venerable clergyman died in the year 1799, 1 County Rec. Liber H. p. 384. s Jonathan Townsend, executor of the last will of Micajah Townsend, late of Queens County, deceased, sold lands in this town to Nath. Brown and others in 1786. See Co. Rec. Epenetus Wallace, M. D. was born in 1766 and baptized by Mr. Townsend. AND CHURCH OF NORTH SALEM. 555 old and full of days, highly respected and much lamented by his congregations. His funeral was attended by a large con- course of people, and he went to the grave like a shock of corn fully ripe for the garner." a A neat marble tablet has been since erected to his memory in St. John's church. Stamford. x\bout the year 1764, this parish united with the Churches of Ridgefield and Ridgebury. in Connecticut, and engaged Mr. Richard S. Clark to read divine service and sermons on Sundays. This gentleman, afterwards the REY. RICHARD SAMUEL CLARK, A. M., was the fifth son of Samuel Clark of "West Haven, Conn., where he was born A. D. 1737. He was graduated at Yale College in 1762. He received also the degree of Batchelor of Arts from King's College, New York, the same year, and that of A. M. in 1766. He afterwards officiated here as a lay reader, and in 1766 went to England for Holy Orders. His license from the Bishop of London to officiate in the Plantations, bears date February 25th, 1767. He returned the same year, and was appointed missionary at New Milford, Conn., and had the care of that parish till 17S6, when he went to New Brunswick, and was set- tled at Gagetown in that Province. A son of his is the pre- sent minister of that place. He died at St. Stephen's on the St. Croix, in 1S24. Some of his grandchildren are now living in New Haven, Conn. b Mr. Sabine, in his biographical sketches of American Loyalists, says of him: — '•'• that the tablet which covers his remains, records that he was minister of New Mil- ford, Connecticut, nineteen years, of C4agetown, New Bruns- wick, twenty-five years, and of St. Stephen's, New Brunswick, * Churchman's Magazine, new series, vol. iv. 269-270. 1 See Rer. A. B. Chapin's Hist, of Christ's Church, West Haven. The Clark's of Conn, are presumed to have descended from the Clark's of Bedfordshire, England, whose arms were : — Per chev az. and ar. in chief three leopard's heads or. in base an eagle displayed gu, — Crest, a goat salient ar. attired or. agaiust a pine tree proper. 556 HISTORY OF THE PARISH thirteen years ; in all, an Episcopal clergyman for fifty-seven years. He was the first rector of the church at St. Stephen's, and the oldest missionary in the present British Colonies. He was much beloved by the people of his charge, and his memory is still cherished. He died at St. Stephen's, October 6, 1824, aged eighty-seven. His wife Rebecca, died at the same place, May 7th, 1816, aged sixty-nine. His only surviving daughter, Mary Ann, who was born in Connecticut before his removal, and who was never married, died at Gagetown, New Brunswick, Feb. 1844, at the age of seventy-three, highly and deservedly lamented." Upon the resignation of Mr. Clark, the parish, by the advice of Mr. Dibble, employed Mr. Epenetus Townsend as a lay reader. On the 17th of October, 1767, the Rev. Samuel Auchmuty, D. D., rector of Trinity Church, New York, addressed a letter to the Venerable Propagation Society, enclosing the following petition from the Churchwardens and Vestrymen of Salem : — THE CHURCHWARDENS AND VESTRY OF SALEM, &c. TO THE SECRETARY. 11 Salem in Westchester County, Province of New York, ) August 31st, 1767. ) May it please the Venerable Society, We, the Churchwardens and Vestry of Salem, and parts con- tiguous in the Province of New York in America, beg leave in behalf of ourselves and poor brethren, professors of the Church of England, to lay before you our unhappy circumstances ; for want of proper religious instruction and constant administration °f God's word and sacraments, according to our religious pro- fession, there being no minister of our Holy Church in the Prov- ince nearer than Rye, between thirty and forty miles distant to Salem, and upon Cortlandt's manor and Philipse's patent. Many of us already have a high esteem for the doctrines, wor- ship and government of the Church of England ; some of us embrace every opportunity we have of communicating with AND CHURCH OF NORTH SALEM. 557 Ihe same, and a number of others are well disposed to the Church, many of whom are not under the care of a minister of any denomination. Through the goodness and compassion of the Rev. Mr. Dibblee, the nearest missionary, about twenty-five miles distant) who for many years hath annually visited, preached and administered divine ordinances to us and our children, as often as he judges consistant with the duties of his extensive cure, our numbers, and zeal to the Church establishment have increased. To prepare the way for the settled administration of religion, we have erected a decent church with galleries, on the borders of Cortlandt's manor, a convenient spot of ground for the church and burying yard, being given us for that purpose by the good Mr. Stephen de Lancey, present proprietor. We have covered, closed and glazed the house, and have met in it for some time. As the laws of this government have made no provision for the establishment and support of religion in general, and the Lord's day is too little regarded ; in tender regard to ourselves and families, and to prevent our children falling a prey to one or more of the numerous sects, which abound among us, such as Quakers, New Light Independents, Baptists, Antinomians, &c, whose principles, both civil and religious, we think destructive of all religion, peace and good-order ; we formerly united with our brethren of the Church at Ridgefield and Ridgebury, on the borders of Connecticut Colony, and engaged the Rev. Mr. Clark to read divine service and sermons to us on Sundays; Since Mr. Clark left us, by the advice of the Rev. Mr. Dibble and Mr. Learning, we have employed the worthy Mr*. Epenetus Townsend, who hath foi\some time alternately read to us, and the people of Ridgefield and Ridgebury, whose exemplary life, sober conversation and devout performance of religious offices, highly recommended him to our esteem ; and as we have advice j that he hath leave from the Society to go for Holy Orders, we humbly beg the Venerable Society in compassion to our un- happy state, would be pleased to appoint him their missionary to us at Salem, in the Province of New York, and to itinerate among such poor people as stand in need of his instruction, with such a salary as in their wisdom they think proper. We 558 HISTORY OF THE PARISH have already purchased six acres of good land contiguous to the church, and made it over for a glebe for the use of a minister of the Church of England, or missionary for the time being, for ever, and promise to build a decent, convenient house for his use when required^ and as the poor people of Ridgefield and Ridge- bury by the concurrence of the Churchwardens and Vestry in this memorial hope to be indulged in being included under his care, having formerly a conjunction with some of the neigh- bouring places in the province of New York experienced the goodness and compassion of the Venerable Society in appoint- ing the Rev. Mr. Lamson to officiate among them, being many in number, having built a church in each of those places, Ridg- field but eight, and Ridgebury but four miles from Salem, but at such a distance from Norwalk that they can expect but very little service from the Rev. Mr. Learning, whereupon we have unitedly sent our respective bDnds to the Rev. Dr. Auchmuty of New York, in trust, obliging ourselves to pay in each place equal to £10 sterling per annum, on the whole amounting to £30 per annum, to the missionary for the time being, and we no longer expect the Society's favor than we shall continue to deserve it." a Upon the receipt of this petition the Society granted their request, and appointed the REV. EPENETUS TOWNSEND, A. M. missionary; a gentleman educated in King's College, and whose exemplary life and sober conversation, they have already had experience of. He was the third son of Micajah Townsend and Elizabeth Piatt, and grairison of John Townsend b of.Oys-- a New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. p. 433-5. (Hawks.) b This ancient family deduces its descent from Ludovic, a noble Norman, who set- tling in England during the reign of Henry I, assumed the surname of Townsend, and by marrying with Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Sir Thomas de Haville obtained the manor of Raynham, in the county of Norfolk, which has ever since re mained in the possession of his descendants. Among the early English emigrants to Boston and its vicinity, were John, Henry and William Townsend, brothers. John Townsend of Oyster Bay, in 1677, had five sons. Micajah, his second son was born : n 1699, married 23d of April, 1732 and died Nov. 9, 1781. AND CHURCH OF NORTH SALEM. 559 ter Bay, L. I., who settled at that place in 1G77. He was born at Cedar Swamp, near Oyster Bay, in April, 1742, entered King's College (now Columbia) in 1755, was admitted Batchelor of Arts pro forma in 1758, and graduated Master of Arts in 1762. After officiating for a short time as a lay reader, he went to England in the fall of 1767, for Holy Orders. In a letter of Oct. 1st, 1767, Mr. Dibble of Stamford, Writes to the Secretary as follows : — " Mr. Townsend thankfully accepts the leave to go home for Holy Orders ; and if the Society is not pleased to appoint him their missionary at Salem and parts contiguous, where he is much wanted, he will submit to the supe- rior wisdom and direction of the Society." 3 Mr. Townsend's license from the Bishop of London to officiate as a missionary in this Province, bears date December 21st, 1767. The follow- ing notice of his return appeared in the New York Mercury for April 25th, 1768 :— " The Rev. Mr. Townsend arrived last Saturday, (22d) in the Hope from London." Upon the 29th of September, 176S, he informed the Venerable Society : — " That he arrived at his mission, on 'the 26th of May, 1768, and was kindly received. The Churchwardens also of Salem, in the name of the people belonging to the mission, have returned thanks to the Society for Mr. Townsend's appointment." "At Salem and Ridgefield, there are one hundred and fifty Church people. At Ridgefield, eighty." Mr. Townsend was formally in- ducted on Sunday, the 29th of May, 1768, by his predecessor, the Rev. Ebenezer Dibble, who preached a sermon on the oc- casion. 13 Eight months prior to this event Mr. Dibble writes, Oct. 1st, 1767; — "I preached on Sunday 23d of August last at Salem toanumerous and devout congregation, baptised sundry children, and gave the communion the first and second Sundays after Trinity last." c Mr. Townsend was married to Lucy Beach, • Conn. MSS. from archives at Fulham, p. 511. (Hawks.) b Fowler's MS. Biographies of the Clergy, vol. vi. 1061. e Conn. MSS. from archives at Fulham, p. 541, (Hawks.) 560 HISTORY OP THE PARISH ■ in St. James' church, Newtown, L. I. on the 10th of September, 1709. Upon the 29th of the same month, he thus addresses the Society : — MR. TOWNSEND TO THE SECRETARY. (extract.) " Salem, Province of New York, Sept. 29th, 1769. Rev. Sir, Having nothing of importance to acquaint the Society with in the spring, I deferred writing till now. I have constantly per- formed divine service equally in my three churches of Salem, Ridgeneld and Ridgebury, in each of which places, people are zealous in their attendance on public worship ; and I have the pleasure to observe that thro' the divine blessing on my labours, each of those congregations is something increased. Since my arriving to the mission I have baptised in the year past, two adults and thirty infants, and have received between three or four communicants, but expect several more very soon. The fatigue which necessarily arises from a steady performance of my duty in these three places, I have hitherto, and I trust in God I shall for the future be enabled to undergo with cheerfulness, though I expect it will in a little while be increased ; occasioned by the building of a new church in Salem, which, when it is finished, I propose, with the Society's leave, to officiate in sometimes. To acquaint the Society with the propriety of building a new church at Salem I would observe, that Salem is a township 12 miles in length and but two in breadth, joining on the one side to Conn, and on the other partly to Cortlandt's manor, which ex- tends twenty miles westward to Hudson river, and partly to another patent, which extends several miles westward toward Bedford, which is the utmost limit of Mr. Avery's mission. The church which is already built, is situated within about two miles of the north end of Salem, on the borders of Cortlandt' s manor, as the Society was informed in the petition of the Churchwardens and Vestry. It was built by the people of this AND CHURCH OP NORTH SALEM. 561 part of Salem and Cortlandt's manor in conjunction, and this con- gregation is something larger than either of those in Conn., there being generally in good weather, in the summer season, — upwards of 200 people assembled. The church which I ex- pect will soon be built in Salem will be about five or six miles to the southward, and about two or three miles to the westward from Ridgefield, Conn., where I have been infprmed there are near thirty families of Church people, besides a considerable number ill places very contiguous, for whom it is extremely difficult to attend public worship, either at Ridgefield, or at the church towards the north end of Salem, in the borders of Cortlandt's manor where I reside. When this church is built, (if the Society approves of my officiating in it sometimes, besides my atten- dance at the other three churches ; ) I would request the favor of the Society to give a quarto common prayer book and bible to that, as they have to the other churches of Salem and Ridge- bury. I know that my fatigue in attending so many churches must be great ; and that people cannot receive so much profit as might be wished from the labors of a minister, when they are divided between so many places. But as for the fatigue, I trust that God will enable me to bear it, and I hope yet in some fu- ture time, the Society will be able to provide better for the edification of the people, by dividing the mission, as it might conveniently be done, into two equal parts. I beg leave to re- quest some common prayer books, which are much wanted for the poor. I brought but two dozen, together with a great number of small tracts, but a much larger number of prayer books is required, as many people in my mission are poor and unable to purchase books or any thing that is not absolutely necessary to the maintenance of their families. I beg leave to acquaint the Society likewise, that besides the attending the duties of my own mission, I preached last spring, on the next Sunday after Easter, at Woodbury, a town in Conn., thirty miles distant from Salem, to a congregation of upwards of 150, who behaved with the greatest decency and devotion, most of them being profes- sors, and many of them worthy members of our Holy Church. This town, though included in Mr. Clark's mission, enjoys but a 36 562 HISTORY OF THE PARISH small proportion of his labors, not through any neglect of h:s ; but by means of the extensiveness of his charge, and yet it is a town containing six parishes of Congregationalists, and part of another, in all which there are some professors of the Church earnestly desirous if possible to enjoy the public worship of God according to their Holy profession. And in compliance with their earnest intreaties, till something more could be done for the sup- ply of their spiritual wants, several of the Connecticut clergy agreed to preach among them by turns. The summer past, the first Sunday after Trinity, I preached at Sharon, a town in Conn, adjoining this province, about fifty miles to the north- ward, where they have a neat little church and a pretty con- gregation. The next day I preached in the north precinct of the Oblong in this Province, about five or six miles from Sharon. There they have a new church just raised, which they intend to cover in the summer, and finish-as soon as might be. There is a large body of people whose religious circum- stances truly deserve compassion ; and here undoubtly would soon be a fine congregation if they could enjoy the benefit of having a sober minister of our Church settled among them, by the assistance of the Society, which they intend earnestly to request as soon as they can qualify themselves for it, by finishing their church and procuring a glebe. I beg liberty to request a favor from the Society which may perhaps be of considerable service to me ; the professors of the Church in Conn, are taxed for the sup- port of the minister of the Church in the same proportion as the Congregationalists for the support of their minister. This tax is levied and collected by the Congregationalists, together with their own, and by them paid to such ministers of the Church, as are appointed over them by the Society. Now, Ridgefield and Ridgebury being in Conn., the committee appointed for raising and paying the minister's rate at Ridgebury have been in some doubt whether I am entitled to the rates of the Church people there, because it is certain they were formerly under Mr. Learning's care, and had no written appointment or anything from under the Society's hand to convince them that the Society AND CHURCH OF NORTH SALEM. 563 had now included them within this mission. Should the Ven Society mention Ridgefield and Ridgebuiy in an abstract as parts of my mission, together with Salem ; or should they in a letter to the Churchwardens and Vestry of Ridgefield and Ridgebury, or in some other method, give assurance that Ridge- field and Ridgebury belong to my mission, it must be of advan- tage to me, as it would remove all doubt whether I was by the laws of that Colony entitled to the Church people's rates in those places.' ?a In the year 1771, the Rev. Epenetus Townsend again ad- dresses the Society as follows : — MR. TOWNSEND TO THE SECRETARY. (extract.) " Salem, Westchester Co., March 25th, 1771. Rev. Sir, This is a large County, full of people without any constant public worship in any method ; and as they have not enjoyed the benefit of any regular and constant administration of God's word and Sacraments, since the first settlement of the country, vice and immorality abound among them. The sabbath is by great numbers spent in riding, visiting, hunting, fishing and such like diversions, and by some it is profaned by practices still worse. There are some Church people, Presbyterians, Bap- tists and Quakers scattered among them, and great numbers who dont belong to any particular denomination of Christians, It has been proposed by some of them to build a church or Presbyterian meeting house, but nothing is yet concluded. I believe the Church people would exert themselves and imme- diately build a small church, were there any hopes the mission might be divided so as they might be included, and enjoy some stated portion of a minister's labors, and indeed considering ■ New York, MSS. from archives at Fulhaui, vol. ii. 490, 491, 492, 493. (Hawks.) 564 HISTORY OF THE PARISH their destitute circumstances and the prospect of advancing the interest of the Church and promoting piety among them, or at least of stopping the growth of immorality, considering also the increasing fatigue of this mission, in which are three churches at present, and a fourth building ; I would humbly request, with submission to the Society, that such a division might be made; and if Danbury also was included, which is in great need of a minister of the Church, it might conveniently be divided into two equal parts, each containing three churches, and after some time as the people grow more able, another mission might be added to great advantage, each of the three having the care of two churches."* The Society's abstracts for 1772 say : — " That Mr. Townsend, missionary at Salem, states his congregations to be increasing. Hath baptized sixty-two infants and two adults." b In 1775 they say " that Mr. Townsend is constant in the performance of his duty in his own parish and preaches frequently in the parts adjacent. From Lady day to Michael- mas he baptized twenty-one infants and one adult, and admitted two new communicants." 6 The abstracts for 1776 add: — "That one letter from Mr. Townsend of September 29th, 1775, gives the same account of his mission, in which he hath bap- tized thirty infants, buried seven, and married three couple in the preceding half year." d The last communication the Society received from Mr* Townsend was in June, 1777, soon after he had been compelled to leave the scene of his labors by the threatening state of affairs. MR. TOWNSEND TO THE SECRETARY. " Salem, province of New- York, June, A. D. 1777. Rev. Sir, From the first existence of the present rebellion, I could give • New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 549-50. (Hawks.) b Society's abstract from 21st of February, 1772 to 19th of February, 1773. • Ditto ditto from 17th Feb. 1775, to 16th Feb. 1776. • Ditto ditto from 16th Feb. 1776 to 21st Feb. 1777. AND CHURCH OF NORTH SALEM. 5G5 the Honorable Society no account of my conduct with respect to public affairs because my distance from New York and the excessive vigilance of the Rebel committees in getting and ex- amining all letters, rendered such a step extremely dangerous. But being now, by God's good providence, banished from among the Rebels for my loyalty to his Majesty, I think it my duty to give the Honorable Society a short account of my conduct from the beginning of those troubles, and of the treatment I have met with from the Rebels. In the latter part of the year 1773 and the beginning of 1774, I strongly suspected that the leaders of the opposition to govern- ment in America were aiming at Independence, and the Eastern Provinces at the subversion of the Church likewise, and that in pursuit of those ends, they would if possible, influence the people to a revolt; but when the first Congress approved the re- bellious resolves of the County of Suffolk in Massachusetts Bay I had no longer any doubt of their intentions. In this state of things therefore, I did every thing that lay in my power, by preaching, reading the Homilies against Rebellion, and by con- versation, to give my Parish and others, a just idea of the sacred obligations laid upon us by Christianity, to be good and peace- ful subjects, even if it had been our lot to have lived under wicked and oppressive rulers, and much more so, as Providence hath blessed us with one of the wisest and best of princes. This I chose to do before any blood was shed, wliUe people's tempers were yet cool, lest if the instruction had been deferred till some blow was struck, the acts of misrepresentation which had been used from the beginning might influence their passions and hurry them into criminal acts before reason could resume its place and tend to the obligations of religion. And blessed be God, I have this satisfaction, that the Church people in all raj parishes have almost unanimously (there being but three or four exceptions) maintained their loyalty from the first, for which many of them suffered greately. In May, 1776, I was called before the Rebel Committee of Cortlandt's manor, who invited me to join their association upon 566 HISTORY OP THE PARISH which I told them freely that I esteemed their resistance of h 1 * Majesty's authority to be repugnant to the precepts of the Gospel, and therefore could not give it my countenance. I was soon after required to furnish some blankets for the use of the Rebel Soldiers, which not consenting to, I was sent under guard to the Committee and at the same time, a guard was set at my house, who, after their savage manner, were very lavish of their insults to Mrs. T ownsend. The Committee afier having in vain endeavoured to persuade me to furnish the blankets, gave orders to search my house and get them, but the proper steps having been taken none were found. The next time the Committee met, they ordered me to pay upwards of thirty shillings to these guards, which I refused, and was again put under guard till I did pay it. I was soon after sent to the County Committee of Westchester, on a complaint from the Committee of Cortlandt's manor, that I entertained principles inconsistant with the'Ameri- can cause. The County Committee referred the matter to the Provincial Committee, but as my principles were only com- plained of, without any part of my conduct being impeached ; and the Declaration of Independence being then just at hand, which it was thought would bring the clergy in general under persecution. I was for that time dismissed. I continued the services of the Church within my mission for three Sundays after the Declaration of Independence by the Congress, and should have proceeded still and took the conse- quences, but I was informed that all the clergy, in this, and the neighboring Provinces, had discontinued the public service till it might be performed under the protection of his Majesty, excepting only Mr. Beach of Conn., who hath continued his Church till very lately. Under these circumstances I considered that my dissenting from the practise of my brethren would not only set me up as a single mark of vengeance, and as every appea- rance of disunion among the clergy might be disadvantageous to the Church hereafter ; viewing the matter in this light, I thought it best to comply with the general practise of the clergy. •On the 21st of October, 1 was made a prisoner and sent to the AND CHURCH OF NORTH SALEM. 567 Court of Fishkill as an enemy to the Independence of America, when (except that sometimes I was indulged to visit my family a few cays) I was kept on parole through the winter at my own expense, which was very great. The shocking insolence and in- humanity of the Rebels toward the friends of Government of which I was a daily spectator, rendered the place of my imprisonment very disagreeable, and the cruel treatment which my family re- ceived from them in my absence, was exceedingly distressing. They had taken me from a wife and four small children, the two youngest not sixteen months old, which was my whole family, and during my confinement they forbade people coming to my house, and they threatened all that should assist the family in any respect ; by this means they suffered much for want of a free intercource with their friends, those that would gladly have assisted them, not daring to do it unless when it might be done privately. In this situation I know not how they could have long subsisted had it not been for a man with a small family who had removed from the seat of war at the White Plains, and had as yet no settled habitation, by taking this family into my house about Christmas, Mrs. Townsend had a friend of Government, though under some disguise, who living under the same roof was able to do many things for he r benefit. To this, as well as many other instances during my imprisonment, the good providence of God always found some method unforseen by us, to support us under the greatest difficul- ties, and after he had thus continued us under the Rebel dis- cipline for near six months, he then granted us a happy delive- rance ; for on the 31st of March, in consequence of my refusing the oath of allegiance to the State of New York, I received an order to depart within eight days with my family, apparel and household furniture, to some place in possession of the King's troops, on penalty of my being confined in close jail and other- wise treated as an open enemy of the State. With this order I readily complied, and after procuring a flag from a Rebel general to transport my family and furniture to Long Island, I set out. The Convention taking a genteel house which my 568 HISTORY OF THE PARISH father had enabled me to build, 60 acres of land which he had bought for me, with 30 acres of wood land, a horse and small stock of cattle into their possession. At Norwalk, where I had procured a boat to cross the Sound, I was stopped four days, most of my furniture after being put on board was relanded, and all of it ransacked under pretence of searching for letters, prohibited articles, &c., whereby many things were much damaged, and others stolen. I was then obliged to pay the ex- penses of these abuses in detaining, searching, &c, which amounted to nine pound currency, and then was permitted to proceed. On the 11th of April we landed on Long Island, with hearts full of gratitude to God for having at length deliver- ed us from the malice and cruelty of the Rebels. I am, Rev. Sir, &c, EPENETUS T0WNSEND." a In 1779, Mr. Townsend was appointed chaplain to one of the loyal battalions then stationed at New York. Here he re- mained until it was ordered to Nova Scotia, when himself and family embarked on board a vessel bound for that Province. This ship foundered in Boston bay and every soul on board perished. Thus terminated the short and sad career of the first rector of this parish, whose "only crime was, that he was a clergyman of the Church of England, and of course attached to the government and the constitution of Church and State." The names of Townsend, Avery and Babcock, belong to the catalogue of worthies, who once faithful soldiers of Christ Church Militant, are now singing praises to Him who redeemed them with His blood, in the Church Triumphant above. The last account the Venerable Society received of their faith- ful missionary was the following : — • New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 621,622. 623, 624. (Hawks.) AND CHURCH OF NORTH SALEM. £69 MR. INGLIS TO THE SECRETARY. "New York; Nov. 26th, 1779. Rev. Sir. Mr. Townsend, the Society's missionary for Salem in this Pro- vince, after being driven within the King's lines by the Rebels was appointed chaplain to one of the new raised loyal battal- ions. His battalion was ordered for Halifax, and he embarked here, with his wife and five children to join it. A violent storm rose, soon after the fleet in which he sailed left Sandy Hook, the fleet was dispersed, several of the ships perished, and poor Townsend has not since been heard of. I greately fear the ves- sel in which he went has shared the same fate." a " Sleep on — sleep on — the glittering depths Of Ocean's coral caves : — Are thy bright urn — thy requiem The musi^ of its waves : — The purple gems for ever burn In fadeless beauty rouud thy urn ; Aud pure aud deep as infant love, The blue sea rolls its waves above." G. D. Prentice. The names of the children, with the dates of their birth, as recorded by Mr. Townsend himself, are as follows : — "Epene- tus, born 31st of October, 1770 ; Lucy, born 3d of November, 1772 ; Micajah and John, twins, born 28th of June, 1775." Mr. Townsend, when he removed to Salem left a younger brother, Jotham, who continued at Oyster bay, and died in 1815. He left a son, Col. Micajah Townsend, now living at Cedar Swamp, L. I. Micah, an&ther brother, is the father of the Rev. Micajah Townsend of Clarenceville, Canada East. Previous to his embarkation, Mr. Townsend had deposited in the hands of the Rev. Benj. Moore, (afterwards Bishop Moore) • New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 636. (Hawks.) 570 I HISTOEY OF THE PARISH the library, silver chalice and velvet cushion, belonging to St. James' church, desiring him to keep them until called for. The latter in 1785 informed Mr. John Wallace and Ebenezer Lobdell, churchwardens of this parish, " that the above men- tioned articles were left with him for safe keeping, and that St. James' church might have them by sending an order for that purpose." The Rev. David Perry was accordingly de- puted to receive them in the name of the vestry. The Rev. Micajah Townsend, in a letter addressed to the author, says : — " A few ancient theological books had strayed from the library of my uncle Epenetus to that of my father, and are now in my possession." Soon after the Revolutionary war, the REV. DAVID PERRY, A. M. M. D. officiated here and in the neighboring parishes. This indi- vidual, who was born in Conn, about 1750, graduated M. A. at Yale College in 1772, studied medicine, and settled at Ridge- field as a physician. He was ordained Deacon by Bishop Sea- bury, June 6th, 1790, Priest 16th of October, 1791, and took charge of the parishes of Salem, Reading, Ridgefield and Dan- bury. Neglecting to attend the Convocations of the clergy and the Conventions of the Diocese of Connecticut, (probably be- cause of his practise as a physician,) he fell under censure : finally resigned his letter of orders, and relinquished the cler- ical profession June 3d, 1795. He continued the practise of medicine and died in lS17." a The parish appears to have been favored with occasional servi- ces only, until 1804, when the Churches of Bedford, North Salem and Stephentown, united for the purpose of settling a minister, " who should perform Divine service in the different towns of Bedford, New Castle, North Salem and Stephentown so often as * Hist. Not. of Clergy ordained by Bps. Seabury and Jarvis, appended to the Con- vocation Journal of Convention No. 38. AND CHURCH OF NORTH SALEM!. 571 should be in proportion to the amount of their several subscrip- tions." Upon the 4th of September, 1S04. the REV. GEORGE STREBECK was called to and accepted the rectorship of the united parishes, which he resigned in March, 1S05. " in 1S07, the Rev, Dr. Moore and the Rev. Messrs. Wilkins and Rogers were directed by the Diocesan Convention to sup- ply North Salem, and the other congregations in Westchester County, on some days in the same week of their appointments at Bedford." For nearly four years the parish appears to have been vacant, but in the spring of 1810, the - REV. NATHAN FELCH was called as minister. The same year he makes report to the Convention. — " that the Episcopal congregation in North Sa- lem is exceedingly prosperous, many have been added to them in a few months past, and they are now erecting a church." Mr. Felch was succeeded in June, 1816, by the REV. GEORGE WELLER, A. M. In the fall of that year Mr. Weller reported to the Convention, :: that the church at North Salem is now well attended and the people much encouraged. Number of communicants 10." For Mr. Weller's successors see list of ministers and rectors. THE CHURCH. St. James' church occupies an elevated situation directly op- posite the junction of the cross roads at Salem Centre, and presents quite a picturesque object when viewed from the valley of the Mutighticoos. It is constructed of wood, and consists of a nave, vestry room, and a bell tower over the southern gable. In the year 1797, the old church edifice (which stood east of the present structure, upon the property of Epenctus Wallace, 572 HISTORY OF THE PARISH M. D.) was found to be in a ruinous condition ; whereupon it was dismantled, and sold at public auction, May 25th, 1797. Upon the decease of John Wallace and Ebenezer Lobdell, first wardens of the parish, their successors, Benjamin Close and Gershom Hanford, together with the vestry, resolved on the erection of the present building. The corner stone of which was laid on the 30th of August, 1810, by the Rev. Nathan Felch, who delivered a well adapted discourse upon the occasion. The principal benefactors were Epenetus Wallace, M. 1). and Joseph Purdy, Esq., with others. Trinity Church, New York, also liberally contributed the sum of one thousand dollars in 1813. The parochial church of St. James was consecrated to the service of Almighty God in 1816, by the Rt. Rev. John H. Hobart, D. D., and was first "incorporated on the 3d of June, 178G, under the name and title of the " Episcopal Reformed Protestant Church at Upper Salem ;" Ebenezer Lobdell, Daniel Smith and Joseph Purdy, trustees. A third incorporation occurs on the 30th. of June, 1797, James Bailey and Ben- jamin Close, churchwardens ; Epenetus Wallace, John Lob- dell, Gershom Hanford, Joshua Purdy, Gilbert Bailey, Daniel Sherwood, Jacob Lobdell and Joseph Knox, vestrymen. The first delegate from this parish to the Diocesan Convention was Joseph Purdy, Esq. Mr. Stebbins Baxter, a resident of this town, who died on the 28th of February, 1820, bequeathed his entire property to St. James' parish, amounting (according to an inventory of his es- tate) to $3000, which, after deducting general expenses, &c. left a balance of $2000. The parish however, owing to the failure of his executors, only obtained the sum of $1100. In 1837, the present vestry room was added to the church at a cost of $100. In 1842, the wardens and vestry erected the par- sonage house and barn, &c., the expenses being defrayed by public subscription, amounting to $1100. It deserves to be mentioned that the former parsonage was erected by the ves- try, about 1767, upon the Church glebe, which was pur- chased in 1766. From a petition to the Court of Chancery in AND CHURCH OF NORTH SALEM. 573 1842, it appears that all the real estate then held or owned by the Rector, Wardens and Vestry, except the church edifice and a small lot of land on which it stood, consisted of about six acres of land situated in the town of North Salem, and bounded as follows, viz : — " On the west by land of Charles Cable and land of Epenetus Howe, and on the north by the land of Benja- min B. Gray, on the east by land of the above named Epenetus Howe, and on the south by the highway leading from Ridge- field to Somers." a In 1767-8 the church was furnished by the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, with a parochial library, and a quarto Bible and Prayer Book. The two last are still preserved in the parish. The Bible is handsomely bound in parchment, and was printed by Mark Baskett, printer to the University of Oxford, A. D. 1765. The Book of Common Prayer was printed at Cambridge, by Joseph Bentham in 1764. About the same time, Susannah de Lancey presented a silver chalice, which was subsequently sold by order of the vestry. This lady was the youngest daughter of the Hon. James de Lancey, Lieutenant Governor of the Province in 1747, and Anne Heathcote. She died unmarried in 1815, and was buried at Mamaroneck. A new organ was presented by the ladies of the congregation in December, 1851. Upon an elevated piece of ground, on the west side of the church, is a large enclosure in which numerous interments have taken place. Here repose the mortal remains of the celebrated Sarah Bishop, the hermitess. • Extract from a petition to mortgage said property hi fee, to secure the sum of $350. 574 HISTORY OF THE PARISH NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS. A. D. 1766, Communicants 30 Baptisms 15 " 1772 « — 64 « 1775 K 32 " 22 « 1816 et 10 a " 1814 (t 18 9 " 1853 a 27 « 5 In 1712, the population of Cortlandt's patent was 121. " 1782, the white population of the east ward of Cortlandt was 1567. In 1782, the white population of Sj#em, was 912. 1840, the population of North Salem, " 1161. " 1S50, " " " " 1335. No. of families belonging to this parish in 1853, 14. No. of souls, 69. MINISTERS AND RECTORS. INST. OR CALL. INCUMBENTS. VACA'd BY A. D. 1750, Rev. Ebenezer Dibble, D. D., Clericus, resig. A. D. 1764, Rev. Richard S. Clark, A. M., Clericus, « 29th May, 1768, Rev. Epenetus Townsend, A. M., CI. death. 1790, Rev. David Perry, M. D., Presb. per resig. 4th Sept., 1804, Rev. George Strebeck, Presb. " 18 L0, Rev. Nathan Felch, Deacon. " 16th June, 1816, Rev. George Weller, A. M., Deacon, '•'■ 1820, Rev. Samuel Nichols, Presb. (: 1829, Rev. Hiram Jelliff, Presb. " 1835, Rev. Alexander Fraser, Presb. 23d July, 1836, Rev. Benjamin Evans, Presb. " 1841, Rev. David Short, Presb. " 1842, Rev. Albert P. Smith, Presb. " 1847, Rev. Nathan W. Munroe, Presb. " June, 1848, Rev. Orsamus H. Smith, Presb. " 24th May, 1851, Rev. John Wells Moore, A. M., Presb. present incumbent. AND CHURCH OF NORTH SALEM. 575 WARDENS OF ST. JAMES' CHURCH. 1765 to 1785. John Wallace, Ebenezer Lobdell. 1797 to 1801. James Bailey, Benjamin Close. 1802 to 1809. Benjamin Close, Joshua Purdy. 1810 to 1811. Benjamin Close. Richard Sherwood. 1812 to 1814. Gershom Haiuprd. Epenetus Wallace. 1815 to 1822. Epenetus Wallace, Joshua Purdy. 1823 to 1834. Joshua Purdy, Richard Sherwood. 1835 to 1840. Joshua Purdy, Samuel Field. 1841 to 1S53. Samuel Field, John Hanford. St. James 1 Clinrch, erected A. D. 1810. HISTORY OF THE PARISH AND CHURCH OP CORTLANDT. This parish formerly belonged to the great manor of Cortlandt ; which also comprehended the present parishes of North and South Salem, Somers and Yorktown. The name itself is de- rived from the ancient family of the Van Cortlandts, the Mesne Lords and first Grantees under the Indian Sachems of Sachus and Kitchawong. In 1697 Stephanus Van Cortlandt being possessed of these lands, the whole consisting of eighty three thousand acres, was by Royal Charter erected into the Lordship and Manor of Cortlandt, and was held by the feudal tenure of paying there- for yearly to the crown, upon the feast day of the annuncia- tion of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the rent of forty shillings. Under this charter the Van Cortlandts were possessed of the impropriation and the patronage of all and every the church and churches erected or to be erected in the manor. In the year 1700, Stephanus Van Cortlandt devised the whole manor of Cortlandt to his children, who in 1734 made a par- AND CHURCH OF CORTLANDT. 577 tion of it among themselves. Philip, his eldest surviving son, was the father of Pierre Van Cortlandt, first Lieutenant Gover- nor of this State, and grandfather of the late General Pierre Van Cortlandt, for many years senior warden of this parish, and one of its most liberal benefactors. The following notice of the death of the latter, appeared in the Westchester Herald for June, 1848: — "Died at his residence, near Peekskill, on Tuesday, the 13th instant, Gen. Pierre Van Cortlandt, in the 86th year of his age." Such is the announcement of the death of one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of our county. Gen. Van Cortlandt was born at Croton River, on the 29th of August, 1762. He was the son of the late Pierre Van Cortlandt, formerly Lieu- tenant Governor of this State, and Joanna Livingston. At an early age he entered Queen's College, New Jersey, and at the time of his death was the oldest living graduate. His Alma Mater had conferred upon him the degree of L.L. D. He was one of the Jefferson Electors, and was the last survi- ving one from this State. He represented this District for two years in the Congress of the United States, and was subsequently One of the Electoral College, that voted for Gen. Harrison. At the time of his decease, he was President of the Westchester County Bank. An elder sister, Mrs. Beekman, died March 14th, 1847 — and the only survivor of the family is the aged widow of the late Philip S. Van Rensselaer, Esq. of Albany. Gen. Van Cortlandt held a high place in the esteem of all who knew him. He was interred in the family burying ground, at Croton Manor, on Thursday, and a large concourse followed him to his tomb. His memory will long live in the hearts of all who knew him. The earliest records relating to the history of this parish, now- accessible, are principally to be found in the MSS. of the Ven. Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. From these docu- ments it appears, that as early as 1744, the Rev. James Wet- more of Rye performed divine service at Peekskill. Writing to the Society on the 3d of April, 1746, he says : — " That as there 37 578 HISTORY OF THE PARISH are great numbers of people in the wilderness northward of Bedford and "Westchester, who have very little knowlege or sense of religion, Mr. Lamson's labors will be employed to good purpose among them." In 1761 Mr. Dibble officiated here, where he informs us, " he found no settled teacher of any de- nomi nation, but met several heads of families, professors of the Church of England, and many others well disposed towards it." Mr. Talbot, who accompanied Mr. Dibble on this occasion, writing to the Society says : — " The state of religion I truly found deplorable enough, they were as sheep without a shep- herd, a prey to various sectaries, and enthusiastic lay teachers ; there are many well wishers and professors of the Church among them, who doth not hear the Liturgy in several years." It appears from the following Indenture that as early as 1750, the inhabitants of Peekskill had provided six acres of land to promote the erection of a church edifice. The conveyance beavs date 23d of March, 1750, and is as follows : — DEED FOR CHURCH LOT. (extract.) K Andrew Johnson of Perth Amboy, East Jersey, party of the first part, for the value of five pounds, conveys to Caleb Hall, Joseph Travis aud Palatiah Haws, par. ties of the second part, a parcel of land lying at a place called Peekskill, being a part of lot No. 8, beginning at the north east corner of the second parcel of laud lately purchased of Joseph Taylor, by the north side of Crumpond road, containing six acres, &c, to have and to hold in trust for a school and burying place, and also for' their executors and successors in trust, to the only proper use, benefit and behoof and exercise of the public worship of God ; and that it be for that purpose in the erecting and building of a meeting house or houses for the religious, (under the pro- tection of our most gracious Majesty.) either the Church of England, Presbyterian, Independents, Baptists or Congregational, &e. to erect and build a house for the re- Jigious exercise of the public worship of God, with a convenient yard thereto, for each or either of the above written denominations, to them the said Caleb Hall, &c. their heirs and successors, in trust for the neigbourhood and inhabitants round aboot from generation to generation for ever, and for no other use, purpose or intent ■whatsoever."* ' County R*c. Lib. H. 339, AND CHURCH OF CORTLANDT. 579 Yet no building appears to have been begun until 1766, when Beverly Robinson, Jeremiah Drake, Caleb Ward, Isaac Hatfield and Charles Moore were appointed trustees (by certain subscri- bers, both in Cortlandt's manor and the lower end of Philipse's upper patent, towards the erecting of a church,) for directing and carrying on a building, and for securing it to the inhabi- tants as a place of public worship, according to the establish- ment of the Church of England. This edifice, which was subsequently dedicated to the service of Almighty God, by the Rev. John Ogilvie, D. D. on the 9th of August, 1767, is the present parish church of St. Peter's, which stands upon the summit of a high knoll directly east of the late General Pierr ; Van Cortlandt's residence. Upon the 18th of August, 1770, the members of St. Peter's Church, in the manor of Cortlandt, and the lower part of Phil- ipse's patent, received (in answer to their petition presented on the 21st of March,) the following charter from Governor Colden, erecting them into one body corporate and politic, and confirm- ing them in possession of the above mentioned church, " the ground whereon the same was built, and the cemetery belong- ing to the same." ROYAL CHARTER OF ST. PETER'S CHURCH. '« George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c, to all to whom these presents shall come, greeting: Whereas, our loving subjects, Beverly Robinson, Charles Moore, Jeremiah Drake) Caleb Ward, John Johnson, Joshua Nelson, Thomas Davenport and Henry Purdy, on behalf of themselves and sundry inhabitants on the upper part of the manor of Cortlandt, and tha lower part of Philipse's patent, in communion of the Church of England as by law established, by their humble petition, presented on the 21st day of March now last past, to our trusty and well beloved Cadwallader Coldeii, Esq., our Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-chief of our Province of New York and the territories depending thereou in America, in Council, did set forth that the petitioners have at a great expense and trouble erected a convenient house for a place of divine worship near Peekskill, to be according to the Church of England as by law established, and being very desirous of promoting the same, and settling a minister among them, did humbly conceive that if our said Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-chief would be pleased to take the matter into consideration, and to grant them a charter with such priviliges, immunities and conditions as our said 580 HISTORY OF TEE PARISH Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-chief should see fit, and that the said Beverly Robinson and Charles Moore may be appointed churchwardens, and the said Jeremiah Drake, Caleb Ward, John Johnson, Joshua Nelson, Thomas Daven- port and Henry Purdy, vestrymen, in the charter, by the name of the churchwar- dens and vestrymen of St. Peter's Church, in the manor of Cortlandt, near Peek- skill- Now, we being willing to encourage the pious intentions of our said loving sub- jects, and to grant this their reasonable request, know ye, that of our especial grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, we have ordained, given, granted and declared, and by these presents for us. our heirs and successors, do ordain, give, grant and de- clare, that the said petitioners and such other person and persons, and their successors for ever, as now are or shall hereafter from time to time be, as well of the Church of England as by law established, as members of 'the congregation of the said church in the herein above recited petition, called St. Peter's Church, in the manor of Cort. landt, near Peekskill, and also contributors to the support and maintenance of a minister of the Church of England as by law established, to officiate in the said church for the time being, shall, with the rector of the said* Church of St. Peter's for the time being, forever herafter be one body corporate and politic, in deed, fact and name, by the name, style and title of the rector and members of St. Peter's Church in the manor of Cortlandt, near Peekskill. And them and their successors by the same name, we do by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, really and fully make, erect, create and constitute one body politic and corporate in deed, fact and name for ever, and will give, grant and ordain that they and their successors, the rector and members of St. Peter's Church, in the manor of Cortlandt, near Peekskill, by the same name shall and may have perpetual succession, and shall and may be capable in law to sue and be sued, impleade and be impleaded, answer and be answered unto, defend and be defended in all courts and elsewhere in all manner Of actions, suits, complaints, pleas, causes, matters and demands whatsoever, as fully and amply as any our liege subjects of our said province of New York may or can sue or be sued, impleade or be impleaded, defend or be defended, by any lawful ways or means whatsoever ; and that they and their successors by the same name shall be forever hereafter capable and able in the law to purchase, take, hold, receive and enjoy any messuages, tenements, houses and real estate whatsoever in fee simple, for term of life or lives, or in any other manner howsoever for the use of the said church ; and also any goods, chattels, or personal estate whatsoever, provided always that the clear yearly value of the said real estate (exclusive of the said church and *-he ground whereon the same is built, and the cemetery belonging to the same) doth not at any time exceed the sum of one thousand pounds current money of our said Proviuce ; and that they and their successors, by the same name, shall have full power ana authority to give, grant, sell, lease and dispose of the same real estate for life or lives, or years, or for ever, under certain yearly rents, and all goods, chattels and personal estate whatsoever at their will and pleasure. And that it shall and may be lawful for them and their successors to have and use a common seal. And our will and pleasure further is, ind we do hereby for us, our heirs and successors, ordain AND CHTJRCE OF CORTLANDT. 581 and appoint that there shall be forever hereafter belonging to the said church, one rector of the Church of England as by law established, duly qualified for the cure of souls, two churchwardens and six vestrymen, who shall conduct and manage the affairs and business of the said church and corporation in manner as hereafter is declared and appointed; and for the more immediate carrying into execution our royal will and pleasure herein, we do hereby assign, constitute and appoint Beverly Robinson and Charles Moore to be the present churchwardens, and Jeremiah Drake, Caleb Ward, John Johnson, Joshua Nelson, Thomas Davenport and Henry Purdy to be the present vestrymen of the said church, who shall hold, possess and enjoy their said respective offices until Tuesday in Easter week now next ensuing ; and for the keeping up the succession in the said offices, our royal will and pleasure is. and we do hereby establish, direct and require, that on the said Tuesday iu Easter week, now next ensuing, and yearly and every year thereafter for ever, on Tuesday, in Easter week, in every year, the rector and members of St. Peter's Church, in the manor of Cortlandt, near Peekskill, shall meet at the said church, and there by the majority of voices of such of them as shall so meet, elect and choose two of their members to be churchwardens, and six others of their members to be vestrymen of the said church for the ensuing year, which said churchwardens and vestry- men so elected and chosen shall immediately enter upon their respective offices and hold, exercise and enjoy the same respectively from the time of such elections, for and during the space of one year, and until other fit persons shall be elected and chosen in their respective places ; and in case the chuichwardens or vestry, men, or oither of them, by these presents named and appointed, or who shall be hereafter elected and chosen by virtue of these presents, shall die before the time of their respective appointed services shall be expired, or refuse or neglect to act in the office for which he or they is or are herein nominated and appointed, or where- nnto he or they shall or may be so elected and chosen, then our royal will and pleas- ure is, and we do hereby direct, ordain and require the rector and members of St. Peter's Church, in the manor of Cortlandt, near Peekskill, for the time being do meet at the said church, and choose other or others of their members, in the place and stead of him or them so dying, or neglecting or relusing to act within thirty days next after such contingency. And in this case lor the more due and orderly conducting the said elections, and to prevent any undue proceedings therein, we do hereby give full power and authority to ordain and require that the rector and the said chu r chwardens of the said church, for the time being, or any two of them, shall appoint the time for such election and elections, and tha the rector of the said church, or in his absence, one of the said churchwardens for the time being, shall give public notice thereof by publishing the same at the said church immediately after divine service, on the Sunday next preceeding the day appointed for such elections ; hereby giving and granting that such person or persons as shall be so chosen from time to time by the rector and members of St. Peter's Church, in the manor of Cortlandt, near Peekskill, or the majority of such of them as shall in such case meet in manner hereby directed, shall havei Hold, exercise and enjoy such, the office or offices to which he or they shall be elected and chosen, from the time of such elections until the Tuesday in Easter week thereon next ensuing, and until other or others be lawfully chosen in his or 582 HISTORY OF THE PARISH their place, and stead, as fully and amply as the person or persons in whose place he or they shall be chosen, might or could have done by virtue of these presents- And we do hereby will and direct that this method shall forever hereafter be used for the filling up all vacancies that shall happen in either the said offices between the anual elections above directed. And our royal will and pleasure further is, and we do hereby, for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant, that as well the churchwardens and vestrymen to these presents nominated and appointed as such, as shall from time to time be hereafter elected and chosen as is herein directed, shall have and they are hereby invested with full power and authority to execute their several and respective offices in as full and ample manner as any churchwardens or vestrymen in that part of our kingdom of Great Britain called England, or in this our province of New York can or law. fully may execute their said respective offices. And further, our royal wil] and pleasure is, and we do, by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, give, grant, ordain and appoint, that the rector and the said churchwardens of the said church for the time being, or any two of them, shall and may from time to time, as occasion shall require, summon and call together at such day and place as they shall think proper, the said rector, churchwardens and vestymen for the time being, 10 meet in vestry, giving them at least one days notice thereof; and we do hereby require them to meet accordingly. And we do hereby give, grant, and ordain that the said rector and one of the said churchwardens, for the time being at least, together with the majority of the said vestrymen of the said church for the time being, being met in vestry as above directed, shall forever hereafter have, and they are hereby invested with full power and authority by the majority of their voices, to do and execute in the name of the rec- tor and members of St. Peter's Church, in the manor of Cortlandt, near Peek- skill, all and singnlar the powers and authorities herein before given and granted to the said rector and members of St. Peter's Church, in the manor of Cortlandt near Peekskill, any wise touching or relating to such lands, messuages and tene- ments, real and personal estate whatsoever, as they the said rector and members of said church in the manor of Cortlandt, near Peekskill. shall or may acquire for the use of the said church, and also in like manner to order, direct, manage and transaet the general interest, business and affairs of our said corporation, and also shall have full power and authority in like manner to make and ordain such rules, orders and ordinances as they shall judge convenient for the good government and discipline of the members of the said church ; provided, such rules, orders and ordinances be not repugnant to the laws of that part of our kingdom of Great Britain called England, or of this our province of New-York, but as or may be agreeable thereto, and that the same be fairly entered in a book or books to be kept for that purpose, and also in like manner to appoint the form of the common seal herein before granted, and the same to alter, break and re- make at their discretion, and also in like manner to appoint such officer or offi- cers as they shall stand in need of, always provided that the rector of the said church for the time being, shall have the sole power of nominating and appoint- ing the clerk to assist him in performing divine service, as also the sexton ; any- thing herein before contained to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding, which AND CHURCH OF CORTLANDT. 583 elerk and sexton shall hold and enjoy their respective offices during the will and pleasure of the rector of the said church for the time being. And whereas there hath not yet been any minister presented or inducted to the said church, our royal will and pleasure therefore is, that until the said church shall be supplied with a minister of the Church of England, as by law established, as is herein after men- tioned, and also in case of every avoidance of the said church thereafter, either by the death of the rector thereof or otherwise, that the powers and authorities vested in the rector, churchwardens and vestrymen in vestry met as above men- tioned, shall, until the said church be legally supplied with another incumbent, vest in and be executed by the churchwardens of the said church for the time be- ing, together with the vestrymen of St. Peter's Church, in the manor of Cort- landt, near Peekskill ; provided always, the concurrance and consent of the major number of the whole vestrymen of the said church for the time being be had in every thing that shall in such cases be done by virtue hereof. And we do by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant that the patronage and advowson of the said church, and the right of presentation thereto, shall forever thereafter belong to and appertain, and is hereby vested in the churchwardens and vestrymen of the said church for the time being, or the majority of them forever, whereof one churchwarden shall always be one. And further we do by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant unto the reetor and members of St. Peter's Church, in the manor of Cortlandt, near Peekskill' and their successors forever, that this our present grant shall be deemed, adjudged and construed in all cases most favorably, and for the best benefit and advantage of the said rector and members of St. Peter's Church, in the manor of Cortlandt, near Peekskill, and (hat this our present grant being entered on record, as is herein- after particularly expressed, shall be good and effectual in the law to allintents, constructions and purposes whatsoever, against us, our heirs and successors, ac- cording to the true intent and meaning herein before declared, notwithstanding the not reciting, or mis-recital, not naming, or mis-naming of any the aforesaid franchises, privileges, immunities, offices, or other the premises or any of them ; and although no writ of ad quod damnum or other writs, inquisitors or penalities hath or have been, upon this account, had, made, issued, or prosecuted. To have and to hold, all and singular, the privileges, liberties, advantages and immunities hereby granted or meant, mentioned or intended so to be, unto them the said rec- tor and members of St. Peter's Church, in the manor of Cortlandt, near Peeks- kill, and to their successors forever. In testimony whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent, and the great seal of our said province to be here- unto affixed, and the same to be entered on record in our Secretary's office in our city of New York, in one of the books of patents there remaining Witness our said trusty and well beloved Cadwallader Colden, Esq,, our said Lieutenat Gover- nor, and Commander-in-chief of our said province of Njw York, and the terri- tories depending thereon in America, at our fort in our city of New York, by and with the advice and consent of our Council for our said province, the 18th day of August in the year of our Lord, 1770, and of our reign the 10th."- 1 • Book of Patents, Secretary of State's office, Albany. 5S4 HISTORY OF THE PARISH The following minutes relate to the first vestry meeting held under the charter : — " September 1st, 1770, at a meeting of the churchwardens and vestry of St. Peter's Church, in the ma- nor of Cortlandt, near Peekskill ; present, Mr. Robinson and Mr- Charles Moore, wardens ; Mr. J. Johnson, Mr. Caleb Ward, Mr. J. Nelson and Mr. Jeremiah Drake, vestrymen. The charter being read, they proceeded to choose Mr. John Johnson, clerk for the present year. Resolved, to sett a subscription on foot in favor of Mr. John Doty, and endeavour to settle him as our minister. Also, resolved, that although the subscription men- tions to be paid yearly, yet all those who shall subscribe to ye support of a minister, upon their moving out of a place, shall be discharged from their subscription, &c." a At a meeting held loth of October, 1770, it was "agreed to give Mr. John Doty a call as rector of this Church, when he is properly ordained. The vestry also preferred a petition to the Soci- ety for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, for recom- mending Mr. Doty, and praying their assistance for his main- tenance. They likewise addressed a letter to the Rev. Dr. Bar- ton, Secretary of that body, giving an account of the state of the Church, and on the same day entered into a bond to the Rev. Samuel Auchmuty, D. D. for the payment of £40 New York currency towards the minister's support." 1 * The following copies of the letter and petition are from the MSS. of the Ven. Society: — THE CHURCHWARDENS AND VESTRY OF ST. PETER'S CHURCH TO THE SECRETARY. " Peekskill, in the Province of New York, in America, ) Oct. loth, 1770. \ Rev. Sir, Permit us, as wardens and vestrymen for St. Peter's Church, to •Vestry book of St. Peter's Church, Peekskill, pp. 1-2. b ditto pp. 2-3. At this meeting the following seal was adopted by the Corporation viz : — " a dove with an olive branch ia her bill." AND CHURCH OP CORTLANDT. 585 address you, and acquaint you with the steps we have taken for settling a Church, according to the established Church of Eng- land, and to solicit your assistance and interest with the Vene- rable Society, that we may be so happy as to be prttronized by them, and obtain their charitable assistance towards maintain- ing a minister. It is about four years since a few of us first attempted to be- gin the building of a church in the manor of Cortlandt, near Peekskill, in the county of Westchester, and on the 9th day pf August, 1767, had got it so far finished, as to get the favor of the worthy and Rev. Dr. Ogilvie of New York, to open and consecrate it, which he did, calling it St. Peter's Church ; and have since (tho' not yet completely finished) made it a decent and comfortable building for performing divine worship in. The next step we took, to enable us further to prosecute our design, was to apply to his honor, Lieut. Governor Colden for a charter, which he was pleased to grant us. Being so far ad- vanced in our undertaking, Mr. John Doty, a gentleman edu- cated at King's College in New York, offered himself as a can- didate for our Church, and has performed divine service for us most part of last summer ; and has given such general satisfac- tion, that we have unanimously agreed to give him a call as soon as he is properly ordained, and authorized to perform the office of a minister. And as we are well acquainted with his moral life and conversation, we beg leave to recommend him to the Venerable Society as a person worthy of that sacred func- tion, and don't doubt but he will have ample testimonials from the worthy clergy of New York, of his education and abilities* We send by Mr. Doty, our petition to the Venerable Society, a copy of our charter and of our subscription paper for his main- tenance, which amounts to £6L 15s. New York currency annu ally ; but as many of the subscribers are very poor, and some of them we apprehend will be necessarily obliged to leave the neighbourhood, we fe:ir it will be difficult to collect some of the subscriptions, but that Mr. Doty may be certain of receiving something, we have given our bond to the Rev. Dr. Auchmuty 586 HISTORY OF THE PARISH as trustees for the Society, obliging us to pay annually to Mr. Doty the sum of £40 currency during his continuance amongst us, as our minister, and if the whole subscriptions are received it is all to be paid to him. The church is in a very thickly settled country, (tho' no kind of public worship is established in the neigbourhood) yet at present there are but very few that profess to be of the Church of England, which makes it fall very heavy upon those few, so heavy, that we could not have gone thro' with our undertaking but by entering into an agreement with the people on the lower end of Philipse's upper patent, in the County of Dutchess, that if they would join in the build- ing of St. Peter's church, and in the subscription for the sup- port of the minister, that when we obtained a missionary he should be settled for both places, so as to make but one congre- gation of the whole (we wish we could say parish for the number) to preach every other Sunday at the house of Jacob Mandeville, till such time as we could build a church in that neigbourhood, so that we humbly request, if we are so happy as to gain the Venerable Society's assistance and protection, that Mr. Doty may be settled by them as their missionary for both the above mentioned places. The churches will not be more than eight miles asunder. It would give us great pleasure if we could inform the Venerable Society of our having a glebe and parsonage house provided, but that we are sorry to say is not yet accomplished. The people that make up our congrega- tion are so very poor, that we have been discouraged from attempting to purchase a piece of land for that use. But we can nevertheless assure the Venerable Society, that from the gra- cious offer of Mr. Beverly Robinson, we have not the least doubt of having a very good glebe provided within the year. For a more particular account of the manner in which we expect to obtain the glebe, we must beg leave to refer you to Mr. Doty, who is well acquainted with every circumstance relating thereto. We are with the greatest esteem and respect, Rev. Sir, your most obedient humble servants, Beverly Robinson, ) churchwardens . Charles Moore. \ AND CHURCH OF CORTLANDT. 587 For themselves and the rest of the vestry of St. Peter's Church."* TO THE VENERABLE SOCIETY FOR THE PROPA- GATION OF THE GOSPEL IN FOREIGN PARTS. THE PETITION OF THE WARDENS AND VESTRY OF ST. PETER'S CHURCH, IN THE MANOR OF CORTLANDT, NEAR PEEKSKILL, IN THE COUNTY OF WESTCHES- TER AND PROVINCE OF NEW YORK IN AMERICA. Humbly Sheweth, "That your petitioners, in conjunction with the restof the peo- ple who form the congregations of the Churches aforesaid, hav- ing for some time labored under the lamentable circumstance of not enjoying an opportunity of publickly worshiping God in the decent and solemn order of the established Church of Eng- land, whose evangelical doctrine and discipline they profess and admire ; and being convinced of how great utility such a sacred establishment would be, the County being thickly in- habited and almost entirely destitute of every kind of public worship, towards promoting the salvation of many souls and the prosperity of the Church of Christ, have (tho' at present but few in number,) been at the expense of building a neat and convenient church, for which they have received a charter from his Honour Lieut. Governor Colden. That being well satisfied of the character and abilities of Mr. John Doty, a gentleman edu- cated at King's College, they have unanimously given him a call and agreed, when he shall be properly ordained by his Lord- ship the Bishop of London, or any other English Bishop ap- pointed for that purpose, to receive him as their minister for the said St. Peter's Church, and also for the neigborhood of Jacob Mandeville, in the lower end of Philipse's patent, in Dutchess County, where it is intended to build another church to be uni- ted as one congregation, and that they have cheerfully subscribed New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. pp. 524-6. (Hawks.) 588 HISTORY OF THE PARISH to the amount of £61 15s. New York currency, towards sup- porting him as such. But sensible that such a sum is not suffi- cient for that purpose, and being well assured of the benevo- lence and generosity of the Venerable Society, whose readiness upon all occasions, as far as possible to favor attempts of this nature has ever been deservedly admired, they take the liberty humbly to pray that they will appoint Mr. Doty their mission- ary to the aforesaid places, and to grant him such part of their bounty as they shall think proper. Your petitioners humbly beg leave to recommend to your favorable notice the infant state of St. Peter's Church, and to assure you that we shall ever esteem it a singular honor and happiness to be in any degree patronized by the Society. May heaven ever smile upon and bless your laudible endeavours to promote the glory of God ; and at the great day of accounts crown all your faithful labors here with everlasting happiness. Sealed by order of the Vestry, this 15th day of Oct. 1770. John Johnson, Clerk."* 1 The REV. JOHN DOTY, A. M. first rector of this parish, was the son of Joseph Doty of New York, where he was born circ. 1750. b In 1768 he was entered at King's College, where he was admitted B. A. pro forma in 1770. During the summer of that year he officiated in this parish as a lay reader, and in the fall went to England for holy orders. His license from the Bishop of London, to officiate in this Province, bears date Tuesday, the 1st of January, 1771. Soon after his return he accepted the call of »New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 526-7. (Hawks.) b Joseph Doty was a member of the ancient family of the Dough tys or Douteys of Esher, Surrey, and Boston. Lincolnshire, England. There was a Samuel Doty graduated at Yale College in 1733. The arms of this family are : — ar, two bars, between three mullets of six points sa. pierced or. AND CHURCH OF CORTLANDT. 589 the vestry, and was thereupon inducted, as appears from the following documents : — " On the Sth of June, 1771, it was unani- mously agreed by the wardens and vestry, that the Rev. John Doty be presented to the rectory of St. Peter's Church, in the manor of Cortlandt, near Peekskill, and ordered that the war- dens do deliver him the key of the said church and give him possession according to law." Agreeable to the above resolution the churchwardens did on the same day deliver the key to the said Rev. John Doty, and possession of the said church. GOVERNOR TRYON'S ADMISSION OF MR. DOTY TO THE REC- TORY OF ST. PETER'S CHURCH, PEEKSKILL. " I, William Tryon, Esq. Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over the Province of New York and the Territories thereon depending in America, Chancel lor and Vice Admiral of the same, do admit you, John Doty, Clerk, to be Rec- tor of ti-is parish, and parish church of St. Peter's, in the manor of Cortlandt, near Peeksku/, in the County of Westchester, in the said Province, with all their ri actual and corporeal posessiou of the said Rectory, parish and parish church of St- Peter's, and of all the rights anil appurtenances whatever to the same belongingj you induct or cause to be inducted ; and him so inducted, you do defend ; and of what you shall have done hi the premises thereof, you do duly certify unto me or other competent judges in that behalf, when thereunto you shall be duly required. Given under my hand and the Prerogative seal of the Province of New York, the 16th day of July, 1771. a William Tryon." During this year Governor Tryon also granted a special charter in virtue whereof the vestry held a certain glebe b of two hun- dred acres of land given by Colonel Beverly Robinson, senior warden of this parish, for the use of the Rector officiating one half of his time at St. Philipse's in the Highlands. This pro- perty was subsequently sold, as we shall have occasion to show, under an order of the Court of Chancery in 1838, and equally divided between the two churches. Out of these funds (aided by a liberal donation from Trinity Church, New York, amount- * Vestry book. b The old church glebe is now the property of Mr. David McCoy. AND CHURCH OF CORTLANDT. 591 ing to $1000,) the present chapel was erected in the village of Peekskill. For the following particulars, relative to the noble benefactor of this parish, the author is indebted to Mr. Sabine: — "Beverly Robinson, Esq. was a son of the Hon. John Robinson of Virginia, who was President of that Colony on the retirement of Governor Gooch, in 1734. He emigrated to New York, and married Susannah, daughter of Frederick Philipse, Esq., who owned an immense landed estate on the Hudson river. By this connection, Mr. Robinson became rich. When the Revolutionary controversy commenced, he was living upon that portion of the Philipse estate which had been given to his wife, and there he desired to remain in the quiet enjoyment of country life, and in the management of his large domain. That such was his inclination, is asserted by the late President Dwight, and is fully confirmed by circumstances and by his descendants. He was opposed to the Measures of the ministry, gave up the use of imported merchandise, and clothed himself and his family in fabrics of domestic manufacture. But he was also opposed to the separation of the Colonies from the mother country. Still, he wished to take no part in the conflict of arms. The impor- tunity of friends overruled his ov/n judgement, and he entered the military service of the crown. His standing entitled him to high rank. Of the loyal American regiment, raised principally in New York by himself, he was accordingly commissioned the colonel. He also commanded the curps called the ' Guides' and ( Pioneers.' Of the former or the loyal Americans, his son Beverly was Lieutenant Colonel, and Thomas Barclay, Major. Besides his active duty in the field, Colonel Robinson was em- ployed to conduct several matters of consequence, and he figures conspicuously in cases of defection from the Whig cause. Colonel Robinson at the peace, with a part of his family, went to England. The name appears as a member of the first Council of New Brunswick, but he never took his seat at that board. His wife is included in the confiscation act of New-York, and the whole estate derived from her father passed from the 592 HISTORY OF THE PARISH family. The value of her interest may be estimated from the fact, that the British Government granted her husband the sum of £17000 sterling, which, though equal to eighty thousand dol- lars, was considered only a partial compensation. After going to England, Colonel Robinson lived in retirement. He was un- happy, and did not conceal the sufferings which preyed on his spirits. He resided at Thornbury, near Bath, and there closed his days in 1792, at the age of 69. His sons were, Col. Beverly Robinson of the British army, (who died in 1816, at New York while on a visit to his two sons, Beverly and Morris, who still continue to reside in that city), Col. Morris Robinson of the British army, and Col. John Robinson, speaker of the House of Assembly in New Brunswick." Col. Beverly Robinson,. .We return to the history of the parish. Upon the 23d of March, 1772, it was resolved by the vestry : — " To go and build Mr. Doty a house — also to agree with Jerediah Frost to get the timber, draw the same, (viz : the boards and other materials which he may want for the said house) to do all the carpenter's and joiner's work, and paint and glaze the same for seventy-five pounds." AND CHURCH OF CORTLANDT. 593 Mr. Doty's incumbency here was short, not continuing over two years. From this place he removed to Schenectady, as appears by the following extract from the abstract of the Yen. Prop. Society for 1773: — "At the request of the churchwardens and vestry of Schenectady, the Rev. Mr. Doty, a gentleman educated at King's College, New York, and ordained sometime since for St. Peter's, at Peekskill, is appointed to succeed the Rev. Wra. Andrews, with the former salary." The Society, however, were greatly displeased at his removal, and through their Secre- tary informed him, "That the circumstances under which he left his congregation at Peekskill do not raise him in the opinion of the Society, to whom his conduct, in that particular, hath been reported to his disadvantage, and as an act of ingratitude."* He remained at Schenectady until 1777, when he removed to Canada, being obliged to sell his furniture to obtain the means of transportation. h " In 1775, (says Dr. O'Callaghan) divine ser- vice was suspended in his church, on account of the troubles, and he himself became the object of much harsh treatment. He was taken prisoner twice, and at length deemed it prudent, in the fall of 1777, to apply for liberty to remove to Canada, which he obtained. He thereupon proceeded to Montreal, where he was appointed chaplain to his Majesty's royal regiment of New York. Here he continued until October, 1781, when he re- paired to England. He returned to Canada 12th of June, 1784, having been appointed missionary at Sorel. Here, for the first four weeks, he performed divine service in the Roman Catholic church, and afterwards in the barracks, where he resided. A place of worship was, however, afterwards erected, and Mr. Doty continued missionary at this place until 1793." " It is with concern, (says the Society) that it has received information that they are deprived of the useful services of this worthy missionary, (Mr. John Doty) by his removal into his native * Copied from the original letter in the possession of the Rev. Wm. Payue, rector of St George's Church, Schenectady. 6 Fowler's MS. Biographies of the clergy, p. 411, 533. 38 594 HISTORY OF THE PARISH country, to take charge of St. Anne's church, at Brooklyn, on Long Island, in the Province of New York." (abstracts of 1794.) His connection with this church must however have been brief, for his name occurs again in 1796, on the Society's list as missionary at Sorel, whither he must have returned the previous year. He finally resigned his mission in 1803, when his con- nection with the Society for Propagating the Gospel ceased alto- gether." Upon the resignation of Mr. Doty, the vestry must have adopted measures for obtaining the services of another minister, for on the 18th of September, 1775, it was resolved by that body, " to set on foot a subscription towards the support of the Rev. Bennet Page, during his preaching at St. Peter's church, at Peekskill." This individual was probably the REV. BERNARD PAGE, A. M., who was licensed by the Bishop of London, August 24th, 1772, and appointed to Wyoming parish, Pennsylvania, from whence he removed to this Province. Mr. Page does not appear to have officiated here very long ; and no doubt left in consequence of the breaking out of the Revolutionary war. Several persons of this name were graduates of Harvard University, and staunch loyalists. Alter this, religious services were suspended in the parish, and no clergyman was called or settled for nearly seven- teen years. Seated near the Hudson river, the village of Peeks- kill suffered a great deal from the inroads of the enemy j who frequently came out from New York in considerable force. In September, 1777, the whole place was sacked and burnt, and the neigboring country pillaged by them. At the close of the war (the principal members of the Church having removed from the parish) the Presbyterians AND CHURCH OF CORTLANBT. 595 took advantage of the dissentions then existing, by attempting to seize the church and glebe, and, under the act of 1784, a choos- ing trustees, who it seems were all of one persuasion. But these nefarious schemes were happily frustrated, and the church finally incorporated under the old title. According to a notice of this event given by the Rev. Andrew Fowler, in the year 1793, we learn : — " That three or four years ago the Presbyterians made an attempt to take the church and glebe by force ; they called the church by a new name ' Union Chiirch- and in order to carry their schemes they chose one half of the trustees, as they said, out of the Church. The truth is they had once professed themselves Episcopalians ; but most of them have since proved themselves to be rank Dissenters, which the Presbyterians no doubt knew." These facts were recorded in consequence of Mr. Silas Constant (a Presbyterian minister) having applied to the vestry for liberty to preach in the church. The latter, however, referred the matter to Mr. Fowler, who very improperly granted the request. It appears that only a short time previous to this Mr. Fowler had obtained the use of Mr. Constant's pulpit at Yorktown. Fourteen years afterwards, however, when the latter again applied for the same object, the vestry took a much firmer stand, voting as follows : — " that leave can- not be granted to the Rev. Mr. Constant to preach in the church of St. Peter's consistent, with the canons of the Church." b According to notice given on Monday, 5th of April, 1790, be. ing Monday in Easter week, (the day appointed by charter for choosing officers for St. Peter's Church, in the manor of Cort- land and St. Philipcs chapel in the Highlands,) the following persons were elected for the ensuing year, viz : Win. Dunning and Caleb Ward, churchwardens ; Joshua Nelson, James Spock, Richard A. Arnold, Caleb Morgan, Silvanus Haight and Jarvis Dusenbury, vestrymen. Upon the 24lh of November, 1791, •Entitled aj act to enable all Religious Denominations in the State to appoint trus- tees. b Vestry minutes, April 25, 1807. 596 HISTORY OF THE PARISH the vestry " agreed to pay the sum of £20 for the support of David Lamson, to read service in St. Peter's church, at Peeks, kill and St. Philips' chapel, in the Highlands, until the first of April next; and it is further agreed that Joshua Nelson and Sil- vanus Haight, shall furnish him with necessarys agreeable to a person of his station, during said term." The parish remained destitute of stated services until 1792, when the vestry called the REV. ANDREW FOWLER. He was the son of John Fowler of Rye, in this county, where he was bom June, 1760. In 1784, he had charge of a school at New Rochelle, and the year following was chosen the first delegate from that parish to the Diocesan Convention. To his exertions, under God, the Church in this county is justly indebted for at the close of the Revolutionary war, he collected the dis. persed congregations at Rye, White Plains, New Rochelle and Yonkers, in the capacity of a lay reader. In 1788, he was re- commended to the Bishop for holy orders, and was ordained Deacon by Bishop Provoost, in the month of June, 1789, and Priest, on the 18th day of the same month, 1790. He commenced his labors as a preacher of the Gospel over the united parishes of Brookhaven, Huntington and Oyster bay, L. I. He remained there but two years, when he was called, as we have seen, to the rectorship of this parish. Upon the 7th of August, 1792, the vestry agreed with the Rev. Andrew Fowler to officiate as rector, and to pay him for his services the sum of £70." They also agreed " to put him in possession of the glebe farm, from the 1st day of May next." The same year Mr. Dunning, senior warden of the parish certified to the Diocesan Convention, " that possession had been procured of the parsonage house and glebe, belonging to the churches of St. Philip's, at the Highlands, and St. Peter's, near Peekskill. That they had given a call to the Rev Mr. Fowler, and had provided for his support ; and that the people seemed much pleased with having the Gospel once more preached, and AND CHURCH OF CORTLANDT. 597 divine service performed according to the usage of the Protes- tant Episcopal Church." At a vestry meeting held January 3d? 1793, it was resolved : — "That the Rev. Mr. Fowler shall be in- ducted according to the mode of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this State, now in use, into the rectory of St. Peter's Church* in the manor of Cortlandt, and St. Philips' chapel, in Philips- town, now in connection together, and that the induction into St. Peter's shall be made on Sunday, the 6th of next January ; and the induction of St. Philips' chapel, whenever convenience will permit." Upon the 4th of January, 1794, the thanks of the vestry were given to Pierre Yan Cortlandt for the great pains he had taken at the Legislature of this State, to obtain a title for the glebe belonging to the united churches. Mr. Fowler resigned the charge of this parish in 1794, and subsequently remove* to Charleston, South Carolina, where he died December 29th, 1850, at the advanced age of ninety. The following notice of his death appeared in the Calendar for March 1st, 1851 : — " The Charles- ton Gospel Messenger for February, contains an obituary notice from which we extract the following particulars : — 'It may be truly said of the departed he wr.s a great missionary. In five or more of our Dioceses he officiated for more or less time ; but the greater part of his ministerial life, that is about forty years, was passed in South Carolina. He was the first mis- sionary of our ' Advancement Society,' and first missonary of the ' Society for Missions of young men and others,' instituted in Charleston ; which was intended to act out of the Dio. cese, the elder Society being trusted within the Diocese, and which continued until the 'General Missionary Society' super- ceded the occasion of it. The Churches now flourishing in Columbia, Choran, St. Augustin, (Florida) and Wadesborough, at Charleston, were planted by him. The old parishes of St. Bartholomew's, Edisto Island, and Christ Church, each of them for several years found the benefit of his ministrations.' "Few more industrious men, physically, mentally and socially have ever lived. 'These hands' he could truly say, 'have minis- tered to my necessities, rand those who were with me.' Into 598 HISTORY OF THE PARISH the garden, the field, the orchard, the vineyard and the forest he went, not for recreation, or to gain wealth, but to supply the deficiency of an inadequate salary, for he coveted no man's silver or gold, or apparel. More contentment, with the, allotments of Divine Providence ; more cheerfulness in narrow circumstances ; more confidence in God, as respected himself and family ; more meekness in his intercourse with men ; more resignation in sickness, sightlessness, adversity, bereavement and the last conflict, I have not wit- nessed. I might specify incidents known to several present. To one only I will advert : — " He had a son intended for Holy Orders, much care was bestowed and expense (involving serious self-denial) incurred on his education. It was finished with cre- dit at one of our chief Colleges. The youth was now compe- tent to provide for himself, and was just about to become a can- didate for the ministry ; but he (at that time the only son) died. It was a Uial, met by his aged father in the temper of faithful Abraham, and with the resignation of holy Job. On the Feast of St. Thomas the Holy Communion was administred to our friend, and on the Sunday after Christmas he departed, as we trust, to be ever with the Lord, aged ninety years and seven months." The REV. SAMUEL HASKELL succeeded Mr. Fowler, and continued minister of the parish un- til 1798. For two or three years the parish was again vacant. During this period another attempt appears to have been made to obtain possession of the church by a Mr. Palmer and others, for at a vestry meeting held on the 6th of November, 1801, it was ordered: — "That the doors of the churches (St. Peter's and St. Philip's) be shut against Mr. Palmer for the future." In the year 1803, Mr. James Mandeville paid the wardens and vestrymen for " one years rent of the parsonage farm, ending 15th of April, £35, and to one year's rent of the church land, situated round AND CHURCH OP CORTLANDT. 599 the church, at Peekskill £l." a The latter must refer to the cemetry which was confirmed to the church by the royal charter of 1770. Occasional services were performed at this time by the New York clergy, for on the 20th of May, 1804, Mr. James Mandeville charges the vestry with the expenses, l - paid by him, for keeping of the Rev. Messrs. Cooper and Wilkius, £0 1 2s." In 1800, the REV. JOSEPH WARREN was called to be rector of the united parishes of St. Peters, Cort- landt and St. Philip's, Philipstown. The next year he makes report to the Diocesan Convention, for the two churches, of ten communicants. He was succeeded by the REV. JOHN URQUHART, who entered upon his duties as minister of the united parishes in lS09, b and resigned in December, 1814, whereupon the "Rev. Adam Empie and the Rev. John Brown were selected to supply the vacant congregations at Peekskill and Philipstown." The following year the Rev. Adam Empie (chaplain and professor in the military Academy at West Point) reported : — " That in compliance with the appointments made at the last Convention he has performed divine services, and preached two Sundays at Philipstown and two Sundays at Peekskill ; in each of which places he administered the Holy Communion, of the ad- vantages of which they had for more than two years, been de- prived." The REV. PETRUS S. TEN BROECK, Deacon, residing in New York, succeeded Mr. Urquha.t in 1817. In the fall of IS16 he reported to the Convention, ''• that "Vestry minutes. Tiie Baptist meeting house must have stood near St. Peter' g church, for on the " "20th of March, 1803, Joseph Ferris was appointed to put up the division fencn betweeen the church yards of the Episcopal and Baptist churches.*' u Jacob Lent was allowed $25 in lb08-9, for reading service in both churches. (500 HISTORY 02 THE PARISH the congregations at Fishskill, Philipstown and Peekskill, have been in a depressed state in consequence of having been desti- tute of the regular services of a clergyman for some time past ; the two last particularly, which have been longest destitute. 5 * They now appear to be rising from their depression."* For the successors of Mr. Ten Broeck see list of rectors. At a vestry meeting held January 4th, 1828, Pierre Van Cort- landt, James Wiley and John Oppie were appointed a committee to rent the glebe farm, and also to petition the Chancellor for leave to sell the same, &c. Permission was accordingly granted on the 10th of November, 1828, and on the 20th of October, 1838, the glebe was sold for the sum of five thousand dollars. On the 18th of April, 1840, (in answer to an application of the wardens and vestrymen of St. Peter s church and St. Philip's chapel, b ) an act was passed by the Legislature of this State, authorizing a seperation of said church and chapel. In 1829 an organization was formed in the village of Peeks- kill by the name of St. Paul's Church, c which continued until 1840, when the above mentioned act of the Legislature took effect, and the present corporation was formed under the title ol " St. Peter's Church, Cortlandt, in the village of Peekskill." THE CHURCH. The old parochial church of St. Peter's (a venerable relic of the piety of its founders, worthy of preservation, and which, connected as it is with the early Provincial history of the Church in this country, we hope to see ere long put in credit- ■ The vestry on February 22d, 1817, " refused to allow the Independent Congrega- tion to occupy a part of the church until further consideration." J This application appears to have been made without a formal meeting of the vestry. c The Rev. Edward J. Ives in his report to the Diocesan Convention of 1829, says : " A new congregation has also been organized in the village of Peekskill, who con- template the- erection of a new church as soon as their pecuniary resources shall bo enlarged, being now insufficient to carry their good object into efiect." AND CHURCH OF CORTLANDT. G01 able repair 3 ) stands upon (he summit of a high knoll, a short dis- tance from the village of Peekskill. This humble structure was erected, as we have seen in the year 1766. Th*e site and adjoining grave yard were the gift of Catharine Van Cortlandt wife of Andrew Johnson, and daughter of the Rt. Hon. Stepha- nus Van Cortlandt, first Lord ot the manor of Cortlandt. The following entry occurs in the old quarto bible belonging to this church, printed A. D. 1728 : — "The gift of Mrs. Susannah Robinson, to St. Peter's church, at Peekskill, which church was by the desire of Beverly Robinson, Esq, Messrs, Jeremiah Drake, Caleb Ward, Isaac Hatfield and Charles Moore, trustees, appointed by the subscribers to said church for directing and carrying on said building, and for securing it to the inhabitants as a place of public worship, according to the establishment of the Church of England, on Sunday the 9th of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-seven, being the eighth Sunday after Trinity, consecrated by the Rev. Doctor John Ogilvie of New York, for the service of the Holy Trinity, according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England, as by law established, by the name of St. Peter's church." Mrs. Robinson, (th^ wife of Col. Beverly Robinson,) was the eldest daughter of the Hon. Frederick Philipse. second Lord of the manor of Philipsburgh, by his wife, Joanna Brockholes, and devisee with her brother, Philip Philipse, of Philipse's patent in the Highlands. Mrs. Robin- son, as we have seen, was included with her husband in the confiscation act of New York, and at the peace accompanied him to England. She died at Thornbury, near Bath, in 1822, at the age of ninety-four. TOMBSTONES. The church yard, which is quite extensive, contains several * In 182S, it was voted, " thtt the sum of $40 be appropriated for the. repairs of St. Peter's Church and yard, under the direction of James Mandeville, John Oppie and Daniel W. Birdsall." 602 HISTORY OF THE PARISH memorials to the Penoyer's, Ward's, Drakes, Ferris', &c. The oldest interment appears to have been the following : — " Mary wife of Jolth Ward, ivho died on the Xolh of September, 1765, in the 69lh year of her age." On the west side of the yard is silu- ated the monument of John Paulding, one of the captors of the British spy, Major John Andre. THE CHAPEL. The chapel of St. Peter's, which was erected in I8"8, a as auxiliary to the mother church, is a handsome gothic structure of wood, situated near the centre of the village of Peekskill. The interior, which is handsomly fitted up, contains a neat chancel and gallery. Against the north wall is placed a marble tablet inscribed as follows: — M. s. Ann Stephenson, The affectionate and beloved wife of Gea. Pierre Van Cortlandt, of this township and count) - , who departed this life at Albany, March 20th, 1821, translated by God to a kingdom of happiness and glory, aged 46 years, 6 months and 16 days. Early instructed by her pious mother in the doctrines and principles of the* Gospel, this excellent woman became exemplary as a communicant of the Church when only thirteen years old, and continuing to be a sincere and humble follower of her Saviour, even unto her life's end, was endeared to all who knew her by her Christiaa virtue-, and for a pure and devoted attachment to Christ's Holy and Apostolic Church, and to the 'mbers of this congregation, who, as a memori. al of her worth and mark of respect for her venerable consort and her only son, benefactors of this parish, have erected this tablet. Requiescat in tace. There is a noble and deep toned bell in the tower, which sum- mons the parishioners every Lord's day to the house of prayer • The deed for the church lot, from Ward B. Howard and Lucia his wife, bears date 23d of December, 1829. AND CHURCH OF CORTLANDT. 603 by its rich and solemn sounds. " This was a gift in every way worthy of the venerable individual whose name is graven upon it, the late Gen. Pierre Van Cortlandt, for many years senior warden, to whoso family the parish is not only indebted for the original grant of land upon which the mother church stands, but for other and more recent favors." It weighs one thousand and eighty-five pounds, and bears the following inscription : — •' Cast by G. W. Holbrook, East Med- way, Mass., 1841. Presented to St. Peter's Church, Peekskill, Westchester County, New York, by General Pierre Van Cortlandt, August 29th, 1841." The marble font was the gift of his son Colonel Pierre Van Cortlandt. The organ? presented by the ladies of the parish in 1849, was also built by the Messrs. Holbrook & Co., and cost twelve hun- dred dollars. The corner stone of this edifice, which was organized under the title of St. Paul's Church, in 1829, was laid by Bishop Onderdonk in 1838, and upon Saturday, June 16th, of that year, it was consecrated and set apart to the worship and service of Almighty God, under the title of "St. Peter's chapel, &c." by the same Prelate. PRINCIPAL BENEFACTORS. •Catharine Van Cortlandt, Col. Beverly Robinson and Susan- nah Philipse his wife, the Ven. Propagation Society, Gen. Pierre Van Cortlandt, Col. Pierre Van Cortlandt, Nicholas Cru- ger, Esq.. Isaac Seymour, Esq., Col. John Williams and the Cor- poration of Trinity Church, New York. a William Dunning and Jarvis Dusenbury were the first dele- gates from this parish to the Diocesan Convention in 1791. RECTORES DE CORTLANDT. INST. RECTORES. VACAT. PATRONS. 16 July, 1771, Rev. John Doty, CI. A. M. per resig. War. & Ves. 18 Sept. 1775, Rev. Bernard Page, CI. A. M. « « » Trinity Church in 1797 presented the sum of $750 to St. Peter's church. In 1807, SI £50 for St. Peter's and St. Philip's. In 182G, $750. hi 1837, $250, aud in 1839, S1000. Total $4000. 604 HISTORY OF THE PARISH INST. 7 Aug. 1792, Rev. 15 Dec. 1794, Rev. 7 April, 1806, Rev. 17 Apr. 1811, Rev. llJun. 1817, Rev. 29 May,1826, Rev. Dec. 1832, Rev. Apr. 1838, Rev. 3 Mar. 1841, Rev. 7 Jim. 1843, Rev. 25 Apr. 1848, Rev. 12 Oct. 1854, Rev. RECTORES. VACAT. PATRONS. Andrew Fowler, Pr. per resig. War. & Ves. Samuel Haskell, B. A. Presb. " " Joseph Warren, Presb. i: " John Urquhart, Presb. " " Petrus Ten Broeck, Presb. " " Edward J. Ives, Presb. " " James Sunderland, Presb. " " William C. Cooley, A. M. Pr. " " Moses Marcus. a B. A. Presb. " " William Barlow, b Presb. " " George S. Gordon, Presb. " " Edmund Roberts, Presb. present rector. •The following obituary notice appeared in the New York Churchman, for Dec. 25th, 1852 : — <: Died at Egremont Place, New Road, London, on Friday, Nov. 26, aged 57, the Rev. Moses Marcus, a Presbyter of this Diocese, but for the last few years a resident in England, his native country. Having received Deacons and Priests Orders in the Church of England, he removed to this country, and became connected with this Diocese, in September, 1835: where he will be long remembered for his geniai temperament, his warm and kind feelings, his steadfast and generous friendships, his quiet and unobtrusive piety, and the earnest and disinterested zea' with which he gave himself to his official duties, and sought the good of the Church* His last parochial connection was with the church of St. George the Martyr in this city, a parish of his own raising, and which he intended should be mainly for the benefit of emigrants from the British dominions." b The Church ^Review for April, 1850, contains the following obituary notice AND CHURCH OF CORTLANDT. 605 NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS. 1807, Baptisms 59, Communicants 50. 1847, « — « 40. 1853, « 7, " 50. Whole number of baptisms from 1838 to 1852, L32. Funerals 62. Confirmed, 36. Marriages, 31. In 1712, the population of Cortlandt's patent was 121, and Ry- ke's patent, 32. In 1782, the east, middle and west wards of Cortlandt's manor, contained 654 heads of families. The num- ber of families belonging to this parish in 1853, were 54, and number of souls, 260. Catechists, 6 and Catechumens, 35. In 1840, the population of Cortlandt was 5,592. " 1850, " " « 7,758. B 1853, " the village proper, " 3,200. WARDENS OF ST. PETER'S CHURCH. 1770-1. 1772-3. 1774-5. 1790-2. 1793-4. 1795-6. 1797-9. 1800. 'l 850-3. Beverly Robinson. Beverly Robinson, Beverly Robinson, William Dunning, William Dunning, Silvanus Haight, Joshua Nelson, Daniel Wm. Birdsall Daniel Haight. Charles Moore. Daniel Birdsall. Jeremiah Drake. Caleb Ward. Pierre Van Cortlandt. Caleb Morgan. Caleb Ward, Sen. Daniel Haight. James Mandeville. of this individual: — "Died at Chicago, III., February 24th, after a short illuessi Rev. William Barlow, formerly pastor of St. Paul's Church, in Syracuse, and subsequently ol Ogdensburgh." 606 HISTORY OF THE PARISH 1804. Daniel Haight, Daniel Haight, Henry Garrison, Henry Garrison, Barnard Hanlen, Daniel W. Birdsall, Pierre Van Cortland t, Pierre Van Cortlandt, Pierre Van Cortlandt, Isaac Seymour, Philip Flagler, Thomas Snovvden 1805-7. 1803-10. 1811. 1812-2U. 1821-5. 1826-39. 1840-3. 1841-8. 1849-51. 1852. 1853. Daniel Birdsall. James Mandeville. Barnard Hanlen. Daniel Birdsall. Henry Garrison. Henry Garrison. Henry Garrison. Jonathan Collett. Isaac Seymour. Philip Flagler. Thomas Snowden. Charles A. Lee. To this parish is annexed York town on the east, which prior to 1788, constituted a portion of the old township of Hanover, within Cortlandt's manor. A part of it early acquired the name of Gertrude's borough, in honor of Gertrude Beeckman. Episcopal services were held at the village of Crumpond, in Yorktown, at a very early period, by Mr. Wetmore of Rye, who, we are assured, " was not wanting in his endeavours to promote the interest of true religion among the inhabitants, but his advanced age, and their distance, prevented his being so very serviceable as otherwise he might have been." AND CHURCH OP CORTLANDT. 607 In 1762, Crnmpond was visited by the Rev. Mr. Dibble of Stamford, who describes the people, at that time, as sheep with- out a shepherd, a prey to various sectaries and enthusiastic lay teachers. He also found here many well wishers and professors of the Church of England, who told him they had not heard the Liturgy in several years. Some land is said to have been given by John Schuyler, Esq. for the erection of an Episco- pal church at Cruinpond, in the vicinity of the Congrega- tional meeting house. The original deed from Schuyler to Sacketf, is said to be in the possession of Mr. Baldwin, of Lake Maho- pac. These particulars were related to a friend of the author, by the late Thomas Strang, Esq. Episcopal services were also performed at the village of Cro- ton, in this parish, by Mr. Wet more in 1756, hy the Rev. Mr, Dibble in 1761, and by the Rev. Mr. Punderson in 1763, who says. " that he preached a lecture there, the people giving a cheerful attendance, &c." Exertions haye been made within the last year to organize a parish here, and build a church, a lot having been given for that purpose, by Philip G. Van Wyck, Esq. a grandson of the late Lt. Governor, Pierre Van Cortlandt ^L Si. Peter's Church, erected, A. D., H6& HISTORY OP THE PARISH AND CHURCH OP SOUTH SALEM. This parish prior to 1808, was called the lower district of Sa- lem and afterwards South Salem, to distinguish it from the northern district and parish of that name. In 1699, the Kitchawan tribe of Indians released a large por- tion of these lands to Stephanus Van Cortlandt. This individual had previously obtained a charter from the Crown, erecting the whole of his possessions into the Lordship and manor of Cort- landt, by which means the northern part of this parish came to be included in that manor. On the 8th of July, 1701, we find the Indian sachem Catonah confirming to the inhabitants of Stamford, "all those lands which extend westward as far as the west bounds of Bedford purchase and marked trees, and by the east bounds of the same, &c." The foregoing sale embraced a large proportion (perhaps the whole) of South Salem. This parish also includes seven miles in length of the south end of a tract of land formerly called the Oblong, the patentees of which on the 23d of December, 1751, made the following grant : — AND CHURCH OF SOUTH SALEM. 609 "That out of the good will they had to the inhabitants of Salem, they have re-leased two parcels of land situated in the lower part of the Oblong or Equivalent lands, to the first Presby- terian or Independent minister who would be called and ordained in Salem, for the use and benefit of himself and successors for ever.' ?a The same year we find, that tl a convention of minis- ters assembled at Salem upon the desire of the people." It appears from the printed reports and MSS. of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, that prior to 1731, and even for some time afterwards, Ridgefield, Ridgebury and the Oblong were considered to be, in one sense, within the bounds of the parish or mission of Fairfield. Accordingly, at a very early period the Episcopalians of Salem were united with their breth- e rn of the Church at those places, in the support of religion. Services in the lower district of Salem, according to the rites of the Church of England, appear to have been first held by the REV. EBENEZER DIBBLE, A. M. the Society's missionary at Stamford, in the year 1759 .The fol- lowing extract occurs in a report of his to the Secretary for that year : — MR. DIBBLEE TO THE SECRETARY. (extract.) "Stamford, Conn., New England, Sept. 29th, 1759. Rev. Sir, June 24th, second Sunday after Trinity last, I preached in the lower district of Salem, to a very considerable auditory, judg- ing between three and four hundred people old and young, who behaved very decently and attentively, and I gave the commu- * The deed of gift, signed by James Benedict, Timothy Keeler and others, was proved by witnesses in November, 1770. The original document is in the posses- sion of the clerk of the trustees of the Presbyterian society at Lewisboro. 39 610 HISTORY OF THE PARISH nion to thirty-nine communicants. There is a hopeful prospect of the increase and flourishing state of religion among that scat- tered poor people, and no endeavours of mine are wanting to serve them in their best interest. I preached to them about two weeks before upon a special fast, appointed in that Province to implore the smiles and blessing of Divine Providence to attend his Majesty's arms the ensuing campaign, upon which occasion, also, that people gave a religious and decent attendance. I am Rev. Sir, your most obedient, most humble servant and brother in Christ, EBENEZER DlBBLEE," a This letter is probably the only record of the organization of a congregation here, seperate from that of Upper Salem and Ridgefield, prior to 1760. Mr. Dibble no doubt continued to preach among them as often as the duties of his extensive mis- sion would allow, until 1767, when the REV. EPENETUS TOWNSEND, A. M. was appointed the Society's missionary at Salem, Ridgefield and Ridgebury. In one of his earliest communications to the Society from Salem, Mr. Townsend says : — " The fatigue which neces. sarily arises from a steady performance of my duty in these three places, I have hitherto, and I trust in God, I shall for the future be enabled to undergo with cheerfulness, tho' I expect it will in a little while be increased, occasioned by the building a new church in Salem, which when it is finished, I propose, with the Society's leave, to officiate in sometimes. To acquaint the So- ciety with the propriety of building a new church in Salem, I would observe, that Salem is a township twelve miles in length, and but two in breadth, joining on the one side to Connecticut, and on the other partly to Cortlandt's manor, which extends twenty miles westward to Hudson river, and partly to another Conn. MSS. from archives at Fulham, 392. (Hawks.) AND CHURCH OF SOUTH SALEM. 611 patent, which extends several miles westward towards Bedford, which is the utmost limit of Mr. Avery's mission. The church, which is already built, is situated within about two miles of the north end of Salem, on the borders of Cortlandt's manor, as the Society was informed in the petition of the churchwardens and vestry It was built by people of this part of Salem and Cort- landt's manor in conjunction, and this congregation is larger than either of those in Connecticut, there being generally in good weather in the Summer season, upwards of two hundred people assembled. The church, which I expect will soon be built in Salem, will be about five or six miles further to the north- ward, and about two or three miles to the westward from Ridge- field church, where I have been informed there are near thirty- families of Church people, besides a considerable number in places very contiguous, for whom it is extremely difficult to attend public worship, either at Ridgefield, or at the church to- wards the north end of Salem, on the borders of Cortlandt's manor, where I reside. When this church is built, (if the Society approves of my officiating in it sometimes, besides my atten- dance at the other three churches,) I would request the favor of the Society, to give a quarto common Prayer Book and Bible to this, as they have to the other churches of Salem and Ridge, bury." In his report for 1771, he informs the Society. " that th e fourth church in his mission is now building." This edifice was probably completed and opened for divine service in the Fall of 1771, for the next year Mr. Townsend reported to the Society, " that his congregations were increasing." At an early period, perhaps before the erection of the church, Mr. James Brown a of Norwalk, made a liberal benefaction of one hundred acres of land in Salem for the support of a minister of the Church of England. But the intention of the donor appears to ■ Tho will of James Brown of Norwalk, bears date 31st of July, 1766. To his son James he devises the dwelling house he now lives in at Salem, and " all the lauds that I have, which lyeth north of the road leading from Ridgefield to Bedford, which Iyeth south of tho pond called Loug pond, &c." This will was proved on the 7th of March, 1769. — Probate office, Fairfield, Conn. 61» HISTORY OF THE PARISH have been sadly perverted, as this gift has never been realized by the parish. The Society's abstract for 1775, says :— " That Mr. Townsend is constant in the performance of his duty in his own parish, and preaches frequently in the parts adjacent." Mr. Townsend continued the services of the Church, within his mission, until the Summer of 1776, when the worship of God was suspended and the churches closed. Subsequently the parish church was used as an hospital, and on one or two occasions sermons were de- livered therein to the American troops. This edifice stood directly opposite the cross roads leading from South Salem to Ridgefield, upon the land of the late Jeremiah Keeler, whose father sold the lot to the trustees. Mr. Keeler, who died 1853, (at the ad- vanced age of 93) remembered its erection in 1771. He described it as a large and convenient building, constructed of the very best oak timber. Its first trustees are said to have been Gershom Sellick, James Brown and others. Some of the most active members of the parish having joined the army at the commencement of the Revolution, it was found absolutely necessary to dispose of the church and lot to satisfy the claims of the contractor, Mr. Benjamin Chapman. This individual subsequently purchased both of the trustees, and converted the former into a tavern. For many years after the war, it was known as the " Church Tavern." The lot still goes by the name of Chapman's garden and meadow. Mr. Chapman afterwards sold the property to John L. Moorehouse, from whom it passed to the late Jeremiah Keeler, a who in 1796 dismantled the building and removed the materials. a la the possession ,of the Keeler family is the following deed for the church lot : " 14th of March, 1796, between John Lewis Moorehouse of Charlton, in the County of Saratoga, to Jeremiah Keeler, all those certain parts, pieces and parcels of land situated and lying in the town of Salem, in the County of Westchester, &c. on the north side of the road leading from Ridgefield to Bedford, opposite to the road leading from the south part of said Salem to the north part of the same, and is bounded as followeth, viz : beginning at the said Bedford read at a stake and stones, around the same, and thence runs northerly six rods to a stake with stones ; thence easterly by said Bedford road so far as that a line of equal length to and parallel with stones, &c." AND CHURCH OF SOUTH SALEM. 613 The first notice of this parish, subsequent to the Revolution, ■occurs in the minutes of the Diocesan Convention held in New- York, Oct. 3d, 1810, when "on motion, it was resolved, that the delegates from the Episcopal Church of South Salem (of the in- corporation of which, the Convention has no legal evidence) be admitted to honorary seats. Mr. Henry Hoyt, delegate from said Church was accordingly admitted to an honorary seat." The earliest record of the proceedings of the vestry, is dated Monday, 15th of October, 1810. The officers then chosen, ac- cording to the provisions of the act of 1795, were the following: Augustus Mc Carroll and William Sherwood, churchwardens. Henry Hoyt, Gould Bouton, Jesse Jarvis, Samuel B. Isaacs, Sam- uel Ambler, Joseph Nash, Absalom Holmes and James Church, vestrymen. On the 19th of May, 1811, the Church was incor- porated under the style of " The churchwardens and vestry- men of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Salem." At this period the REV. NATHAN FELCH, was officiating minister. In 1810, he reported to the Conven- tion :— " That a new Episcopal Church had been incorporated in South Salem. Their prospect is truly pleasing at present." In 1815, MR. GEORGE WELLER. A. M. was licensed as a lay reader for Bedford and South Salem. The same year he makes report to the Convention : — " That in South Salem, the present number of communicants is ten, of which three were added within the past year. Baptisms, within the past year, seven, of which one was an adult. The congrega- tion is small, say fourteen or fifteen families, and cannot be said to have increased much within the year past." In 1816, the Rev. George Weller, missionary in Westchester and Putnam Counties, v/rites to the Bishop as follows : — 614 HISTORY OF THE PARISH " Since my ordination, I have been engaged two-thirds of my time at Bedford, and one-third at North Salem, &c. I have per- formed divine service and preached twice in South Salem, and ntend occasionally to preach lectures in that town. Being cen- trally situated, their communicants unite with us at Bedford and North Salem. Number of communicants, 8." For a number of years after this date no Episcopal services were performed in the parish until 1852, when the Rev. Messrs. Harris, Partridge and Vermilye entered into an arrange- ment by which they were enabled, besides their regular services every Sunday at "White Plains, Bedford, North Castle and New Castle, to conduct services here once a fortnight. By their efforts a good congregation was gathered, and the parish reorganized under the name and title of " St. John's Church, South Salem." At the first meeting of the congregation, held 16th of August, 1852, the following gentlemen were chosen officers : Jonathan Beers and Isaac Hayes, churchwardens. Stephen Lewis Hoyt, Amos N. Raymond, Samuel Field, Timothy Jones, William H. Robin- Son, Ferris Bouton, William Lockwood and John B. Whitlock, Jr. vestrymen. a Exertions were at once made to rebuild the church, a lot, six rods square, in the village of South Salem, having been given for that purpose by Mr. Stephen L. Hoyt. In 1853, a neat stone edifice, thirty feet by forty-eight, was erected, with a tower thirty-six feet high, the probable cost of which? is two thousand dollars. Prior to its erection services had been held in the open air (as no building could be obtained) with a congregation of about two hundred persons. The Rev. Alfred H. Partridge is the present incumbent. NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS. A. D. 1759, Communicants 39, Baptisms — 1815, « 10, « 7. In 1782, the population of Salem was 912. In 1840, " " « 1,619. In 1850, " " « 1,609. * Tuesday in Easter week, was fixed for the day of annual election. HISTORY OF THE PARISH AND CHURCH OF BEDFORD. Bedford, which originally constituted one of the three districts of Rye parish, was at first called u the hop ground," on account of its natural product. It was also emphatically styled by the early planters " Catonah's land," after the Indian chief and pro- prietor of that name ; hence we deduce the origin of the present local term " Canlitoe," which yet survives in the northern part of the parish, the termination " oe" denoting the place of that sachem's residence. Upon the 23d of December, 1680, Katonah, Sagamore and other Indians, sold to Richard Ambler and his associates, a cer- tain parcel of uplands and meadows commonly called and known by the name of the " hop grounds." The same year the proprie- tors of the " hop grounds" (then residing in Stamford,) appointed a committee, " for the purpose of laying out a town spot, home lots, and a town common field or park." At this period the " hop ground" formed a part of Stamford township, within Fairfield County, and was therefore under the jurisdiction of Connecti- 616 HISTORY OF THE PARISH cut. a In 1681 the General Court of that Colony ordered the laying out of a plantation at the " hop ground." Upon the 11th of May, 1682, the same authority directed that the name of the plantation be henceforth called Bedford, and " did empower Abraham Ambler to join persons in marriage accord- ing to law, &c." The proprietors of the " hop ground" appear to have made early provision for the erection of a meeting house and sup- Port of a minister, for in 1680, " it was agreed, that a meeting house should be erected on the commons." In 1681, the Gene- ral Court instructed the committee, who were to lay out a plan- tation at the "hop ground" : — " To take care that there should be a suitable lot laid out for the minister of the place, and a lot for the minister forever." Upon the 8th of December, 1681, the proprietors agreed to give Mr. Prudden a call to be their minis- ter. In 1688, Mr. Thomas Denham must have been settled here, for on the 28th of January of that year, the town ordered £20 to be raised and collected for his salary. September 23d, 16S9, the town by vote agreed that : — " In case Mr. Abraham Ambler, Sen. will come up and live at Bedford, and carry on the Sabbath as God shall enable him, we will give unto him the sum of £20 a year, so long as he shall perform the work among us." The following month, (October 15th,) it was agreed to build Mr. Abraham Ambler a frame house, forty feet by twenty-two. Upon the 16th of December, 1692, " David Mead was chosen by the town, to keep the town drum, to keep it in repair and to beat it when necessary, and to be allowed ten shillings yearly." Prior to the use of Bells in New Eng- land, the meetings were summoned by beat of drum, or the blow- ing of the conch shell : to this practice the poet alludes i — * Although Connecticut gave up Bedford by an arrangement in 1683, it was not until 1700 that the settlement was attached to New York by order of King William. AND CHURCH OF BEDFORD. 617 "New England's Sabbath day, Is heaven-like, still and pure, Then Israel walks the way, Up to the Temple's door ; The time we tell, When there to come, By beat of drum Or sounding shell." By an act of the New York Provincial Assembly, passd 24th of March, 1693, (confirmed A. D. 1697.) Bedford was annexed to the parish of Rye. It appears, however, that both Rye and Bedford endeavoured for a time to avoid its provisions, by de- claring themselves seperate from New York, notwithstanding the agreement of 1683, by which they had been surrendered to that Province. Accordingly, in January, 1697, they applied to be admitted to Connecticut : upon which that Colony con- cluded to receive them. But three years later, King William the Third gave his approbation and confirmation to] the settle- ment of 1683, whereby they were once more included in New York. Under the act of 1693, the ministry of the Church of Eng- land was established throughout the Province and became there- fore entitled to the public encouragement, leaving the Dissenters at liberty to maintain a minister of their own persuasion, but obliging them to support the established clergyman. In conse- quence all lands set aside at public town meetings, for the pro- vision of a minister, all glebes voted for their habitation and maintainance, and all meeting houses raised by public tax or distress on the people, became vested in the ministry established by law. Pursuant to the act of Assembly, a town meeting was held at Rye, February 28th, 1695, when Deliverance Brown and Isaac Denham were chosen vestrymen for Bedford. In 1711, this precinct paid towards the rector's support and poor of the parish £5 5s. On the 19th of October, 1694, the town agreed to buy a house and lot of John Ambler for a parsonage, provided his price did 618 HISTORY OF THE PARISH not exceed £35. In 1698, the town voted that every man should pay three pence per acre for all the land he had, for the support of a minister. Upon the 9th of January, 1699, the in- habitants requested the ministers in the County to inform them where they could procure a minister ; at the same time offering forty acres of land and £30 in current provision as his pay. On the 26th of December, 1699, (nearly a year after the forego- ing request) the town agreed with Mr. Joseph Morgan, minister, as follows, viz : first, to give him the use of the parsonage, on condition he stays three years ; secondly, to build him a two story house, twenty-seven feet by twenty, to belong to his heirs if he die in the town ; if he removes, he shall pay the town the expense of building the house ; third, to give him the first year £40, and plant and manure forty acres for hiin, and after the first year to give him £20, and to raise ten acres of winter grain for him yearly, to cut and cart his fire wood, and transport himself and family to Bedford free of expense. In a summary account of the state of the Church in the Province of New York, as it was laid before the clergy, convened at New York, October 5th, 1704, it is therein stated that : — " There is an Independent church at Bedford, where the minister designs to have them ; they are well affected to the Church, and it is hoped when he is gone theywill be in communion with her." It appears however, that some ol the inhabitants were still de- termined to free themselves from New York in the ministry, for upon the resignation of Mr. Morgan, they called a Mr. John Jones, and in direct violation of the law, voted him a parcel of land, bought by the town of Bedford, to be laid apart for a minis- ter for the said town. From the first report issued by the Society for the Propaga- tion of the Gospel in 1704, we learn : — " That since their incor- poration, June the 10th, 1701, they had appointed the REV. ALEXANDER STUART, missionary at Bedford, with a salary of £50 per annum, besides two sums of £20 and £15 for books." AND CHURCH OF BEDFORD. 619 To this appointment Mr. Pritchard (who was inducted into the rectory of Rye in 1704) thus alludes in a letter to the Secre- tary : — " I perceive by the account of the Society, that one Mr. Stuart is recommended to Bedford, and £50 per annum allowed him ; whereas Bedford is a part of my parish, as settled by an act of Assembly, so that he can't be inducted there. Hoping therefore, that the Society will be so condescendingly pleased to allow it me, as also to send per next conveniency, the £15 worth of books, of which mention is made in the account. The Society would do very well, if in their great wisdom they think it fit, to recommend Mr. Stuart to Hempstead, upon Long Island, where they stand very much in need of a minister." The following extracts from affidavits, (in the Secretary of State's office) show very plainly however, that every effort, strat- agem and threat was made by the Dissenters, to prevent Mr. Pritchard's taking possession of this portion of his benefice : — " Benjamin Wright of Bedford in the County of Westchester, yeoman, aged 22 years or thereabouts, being sworn before Thomas Wenham, Esq., one of the gents of her Majesties Council for ye Province of New York, and one of ye Judges of the Supreme Court of Judicature for the said Province, saith, that since Mr. Pritchard has been appointed minister of ye towns of Rye and Bedford, in the County of Westchester, this deponent has endeavoured to prevaile with the inhabitants of Bed- ford to encourage the said Mr. Pritchard to preach and perform the duties of divine worship as used in the Church of England among them, whereupon the inhabitants of ye said town of Bedford, became so incensed that by their ill-treatment and threats, they have forced this deponent to remove with his family from thence, and deterred the members of ye said Church from speaking anything in its favor. And this deponent further saith, that one Zachariah Roberts of Bedford, a Justice of Peace in ye said County of Westchester, went to the inhabitants of ye said town to pre- vail with them to sign an instrument or writing whereby to oblige them not to pay ye said minister anything, and likewise that the said Zachariah Roberts at a town meeting, called by him for that purpose, got such an act of the town passed accord- ingly, which act this deponent saw, being presented to the view of the persons there presentb y ye said Zachariah Roberts, which town act the said Zachariah Roberts afterwards burnt, and this deponent believes that he cut it out of the records or book s of ye said town. And the deponent further saith that the said Zachariah Roberts hath refused (tho' a Justice of Peace) to take any affidavits in behalf of ye Church of England, the Queen and this Government, and when persons have offered to make such affidavits he has said lie would take none against his neighbours and himself, and that they might tell my Lord so, & c. Tho rancour and malice of said 620 HISTORY OF THE PARISH Justice Roberts being so violent that this deponent has been told by the said Roberts' wife, that she dares not so much as mention the name of Mr. Pritchard or any other Church of England-man for fear of her husband's passion. And this deponent further saith, that he hath been told by the said Justice Roberts' wife, that her husband has razed or altered the records of ye said town, by striking out the name of one Thomas Howard in an assignment of a bill of sale, and putting his own name on in the room of it. And this deponend further saith, that he hath been informed that there was formerly a parcel of land bought by the said town of Bed- ford, to be laid apart for a minister for the said town, which said parcel of land was within a year last past given at a town meeting to one John Jones, a Dissenting minister in the said town for an encouragement to him, to settle and preach among thern." " John Thomson of Bedford, in ye County of "Westchester, gentleman, aged 40 years and upwards, being sworn before Thomas Wenham, &c, saith, that there hav- ing been no divine service according to ye ceremonies and usages of the Church of England, in the said town of Bedford, the said deponent hath often gone to the Dis- senting meeting in that town, where he hath heard one John Jones, the minister of ye Dissenting Congregation, preach, and hath heard him frequently in a very bitter a nd inveterate manuer reflect upon the present Constitution and Government of the Church of England, and particularly this deponent heard him say, that he cared not for the said Church of England, and that in his sermon he used, to the best of this deponent's memory, these words, viz : come out of her (meaning ye Church of Eng- land) my people lest ye partake of her plagues, comparing likewise the said Church to ye Church of Rome, and saying at other times, likewise in his sermon to his congre- gation, ye are in a dangerous government, where they do not pray nor serve God. and that he would preach reprobation in defiance of principalities and powers, and that ye, speaking to his congregation, may tell 'em so at York, for yt he did not care for my Lord — and this deponent further saith, that being one day with the said Mr. Jones at the house of one Zachariah Roberts, at Bedford aforesaid, this deponent heard the said John Jones say, he would burn the Church of England books, &c. The two preceeding depositions were read in Council, May 8th, 1705. Messrs Roberts and Jones failing to give satisfactory explanations thereof, were bound over to answer in the Supreme Court. (Couucil Minutes. 1 ) The Rev. George Muirson in one of his earliest reports to the Venerable Society says : — u Rye is a large parish, the towns are far distant, the people were some Quakers, but chiefly Presbyterians and Independents. They were violently set against our Church, but now blessed be God, they comply heartily. • Doc. Hist, of New York, vol. iii. 933-5. AND CHURCH OF BEDFORD. 621 I find that catechising on the week days in the remote towns and frequent visiting is of great service." The quota furnished by this division towards the rector's tax in 1725, was £16 2s. Mr. Wetmore writing to the Society in February, 1728, says : — " That there are three meeting houses in the parish, one at Bedford, built for and used by the Presbyterians, &c. They have had a Presbyterian minister, they gave him a house and farm to work upon, and £40 per annum, but finding it not sufficient to support him with a numerous family, he has left them, and they have now settled another young man to whom they give the same allowance. There are at Bedford about eight or ten families of the Church, and the rest Presbyterians or Independents." " The Dissenting teachers " officiate without qualifying them- selves according to the Act of Toleration, so that people are sup- posed to do and say what they please about religion, under a notion, that the laws of England relating to religion don't extend to the Plantations." In 1731, he writes: — "That the people of Bedford, who are most rigid and severe of all, came very gener- ally to Church, when I was last among them, and many that never before were at Church." Again in 1744, he informs the Society : — " That at Bedford and North Castle there were four hundred families belonging to the cure, &c." The same year the parishioners addressed the following letter to the Society : — PARISH OF RYE TO THE SECRETARY. (extract.) "Province of New York, Bedford, March 6lh, 1744. Rev. Sir, The parish of Rye includes the large town of Rye, the town of Mamaroneck, the manor of Scarsdale, and a precinct called White Plains, besides Bedford and North Castle, in which two last places are near four hundred families, and no teacher of any sort in North Castle, but a silly Quaker-woman, and at Bedford one of the most enthusiastic Methodists. Mr. Wetmore comes amongst us but once in two months, and very few of us can go 622 HISTORY OP THE PARISH to the parish church at Rye, many living twenty miles distant, and most of us twelve or fourteen miles, so that for the most part there is very lktle face of religion to be seen amongst us, and our children are apt to fall in with the customs of those amongst us that have little or no religion, and spend the Lord's day in diversions and follies, which we cannot prevent tho' we much dislike. Mr. Wetmore, our minister, freely consents we should endeavour to procure another as an assistant to him, and we are willing to contribute as far as we are able. Reverend Sir, Your most obed't and humble servants, Lewis McDonald, Daniel Smith, Arthur Smith." 4 In answer to this application, the REV. JOSEPH LAMSON, A. M. was appointed assistant to Mr. Wetmore in officiating to the in- habitants of Bedford, North Castle and Ridgefield. In his first report to the Society, he writes : — •" That he officiates by turns at these three places to full congregations." But his income proved too small for his support, and he removed by the Society's permission to Fairfield in 1747. In Mr. Wetmore's report for 1753. he acquaints the Society, " that his congregation at Bedford is large and flourishing, and that the disposition of those that opposed the interest of the Church in that place seems changed for the better. The New Light minister is removed from Bed- ford, and there are some hopes of the people uniting with North Castle towards supporting a minister in the Holy Orders of our Church, to officiate alternately among them." And it clearly appears from his subsequent reports to the Society, that this pre- cinct continued, upon the whole, in a state of gradual improve- ment until the time of his death, which took place in May, 1760. a New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham. (Hawks.) AND CHURCH OF BEDFORD. 623 In the Spring of 1762, the precincts of Bedford and North Castle were visited by the Rev. George Dibble and Mr. St. George Talbot. Here the former preached and baptized several chil- dren. At this time there appears to have been several families, professors of the Church of England. Mr. Talbot subsequently- devised in trust the sum of £600 "for the use and benefit of the Churches of North Castle and Bedford." Out of this bequest the united parishes in 1803 recovered the amount of twenty- five hundred dollars. Mr. Punderson, who succeeded Mr. Wet- more in 1762, died A. D. 1764, and was followed by the Rev. Ephraim Avery in 1765. From this period nothing worthy of especial importance ap- pears in the Society's reports relative to Bedford. Mr. Avery's death took place soon after the exciting scenes of the Revolution had commenced, and during the subsequent years the whole parish of Rye suffered considerably from the confusion that at- tended the Revolutionary war. The parochial church was des- troyed by fire, and the parishioners dispersed in every direction. Upon the 19th of April, 1789, the present parish was i &imp o- rated. under the title of " the Trustees of the Protestant Episco- pal Church in the townships of Bedford and North Castle." In consequence however of the act of 1795, it was again organized under the name and title of " the Protestant Episcopal Church in the united towns of Bedford and North Castle, to continue by the regular name of St. George's Church. " a The REV. THEODOSIUS BARTOW appears to have been officiating here as minister of the united parishes in 1796. At a vestry meeting held on the 3d of March, 1803, it was resolved: — "To purchase a certain house and forty acres of land in Bedford, at the price of sixteen hundred and twenty-five dollars, for a glebe and parsonage." ■ See Parish of New Castle. 624 HISTORY OF THE PARISH The purchase was subsequently made, and a new parsonage erected thereon in 1 822. In 1805, the Corporation of Trinity- Church, New York, liberally endowed the united Churches of Bedford and North Castle with the sum of one thousand dollars, also in 1508, the further sum of one hundred and fifty dollars. At this period, " it being in the vestry's opinion expedient to call and settle a minister without further delay, the Episcopa- lians of North Salem and Stephentown joined with Bedford in endeavouring to effect it. It was agreed between them. " that the minister should perform divine service in the different towns of Bedford, New Castle, North Castle and Stephentown, so often as should be in proportion to the amount of their annual subscriptions." In all these places Churchmen manifested, the sincerity of their professions by subscribing liberally to the support of a minister. Upon the 30th of July, 1804, the vestry called the REV. GEORGE STREBECK as rector of the united Churches. He officiated in Bedford and its vicinity from August, 1804, to March, 1805, when he resigned, and accepted the rectorship of St. Stephen's Church, New York- At a vestry meeting held on the 8th of December, 1806, it was re- solved, " that the residue of the bequest of St. George Talbot, be appropriated towards defraying the cost of building a church at Bedford." In 1809, the REV. NATHAN FELCH was called as minister of the united parishes. The next year he reported to the Diocesan Convention : — " That the Epis- copal Church in Bedford is in a very flourishing state ; the con- gregation is numerous, respectable and devout ; an attachment to all the rites and forms of the Church is continually increas- ing among them ; and as this attachment increases, so venera- tion for, and delight in sober, rational and scriptural piety and virtue inrceases." AND CHURCH OF BEDFORD. 625 Mr. Felch resigned his charge in 1813, and was succeeded by the REV. GEORGE WELLER, A. M.a in 1816. The same year he writes to the Bishop as follows : — "Since my ordination, I have been engaged two-thirds of my time at Bedford, and one-third at North Salem. Durino- this time both congregations have been enlarged. With the increase of members, I think there has also been an increase of seriousness and devout attention to the ordinances of the Gospel. In Bed- ford the Lord's Supper has not been administered since my ordi- nation. Since the last Convention however, three communicants have been added, and one died, making the present number to be twenty-six. At the next administration there will probably be several added to this number. Since the last Convention there has been one adult and fourteen children baptized, eight of whom were baptized by my- self, and the others by visiting clergymen in the course of the year." Mr. Weller resigned in 1817, for whose successors see list of rectors and ministers. THE CHURCH. St. Matthew's church is situated in the northern part of a small scattered hamlet, about half a mile north of the village of Bedford. It is a neat structure of brick, erected in 1807, and consecrated the same year by the Rt. Rev. Benjamin Moore, D. D. In 1839 it was thoroughly repaired and the pews re- modelled. The communion silver was the united gift of Mrs. Banyar and Anne Jay, (daughters of the late Hon. John Jay, Chief Justice of the United States) on the 29th of October, 1810. The service books were presented by Mrs. Ann Raymond of Bedford. » Mr. Weller was engaged as a lay reader from the 15th of May, 1815, until June 16th| ldlG, when he was ordained Deacon. 40 626 HISTORY OF THE PARISH MINISTERS AND RECTORS OF BEDFORD. INST. OR CALL. INCUMBENTS. VACAT. BY. 1704, Rev. Alexander Stuart, A. M., Clericus, resig. 18th June, 1745, Rev. Joseph Lamson, A. M., Clericus, resig. 1796, Rev. Theodosius Bartow. Presb., resig. 30th July, 1804, Rev. George Strebeck, Presb. resig. 1809, Rev. Nathan Felch, Deacon, resig. 16th June, 1816, Rev. George Weller, A. M., Deacon, resig. 1819, Rev. Samuel Nicholls, Presb., resig. 12th Aug., 1838, Rev. Alfred Partridge, Presb., present incumbent. NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS. 1746, Communicants, — Baptisms, 14. 1762, « — 14. 1810, K 10, 8. 1815, [( 24, « 19. 1844, a % 88. 1853, a 97, 5. In 1712, Bedford contained a population of 172. In 1728, the precinct of Bedford contained 60 heads of fami- lies and young men on whom the tax was levied. In 1782, Bedford contained 1840 white inhabitants. In 1840, the population was 2822. In 1850, " « 3208. No. of families belonging to the parish in 1853, 50. No. of souls 200. THE SOCIETY'S SCHOOLMASTERS AT BEDFORD AND NORTH CASTLE. TIME OF APP'T. SCHOOLMASTERS. SALARY. 1728, Flint Dwight £15 per nnum. 1745, William Sturgeon, B. A. " No. of Catechists in 1853, 4, and Catechumens, 30. AND CHURCH OF BEDFORD. 627 To this parish is attached St. Mary's church in the middle patent of North Castle, which was incorporated upon the 29th of December, 1S51, Benjamin Smith and Samuel Brown, church- wardens. William Henry Hobby, William Downes, Samuel Lounsbury, Oliver B. Finch, Henry Hobby, Joseph H. Hobby, David M. Johnson and Henry Downes, vestrymen. The church edifice, erected in 1S53 at a cost of $1600, was consecrated to the service of Almighty God, on the 22d of September of that year, by the late Rt. Rev. Jonathan M. Wainwright, D. D. L.L. D- At present services are performed here by the rector of Bedford every Sunday afternoon. Mr. Partridge has also organized St. Mark's church, Katonah. where there is a good congregation every other Sunday. At Poundridge, also in this parish, a site has been given for a church, and a congregation collected. In 1782 Poundridge contained 833 white inhabitants. In 1840, the population was 1407. In 1850, the population was 1492. St. Matthew's Church. Bedford, erected A. D. 1S07. HISTORY OF THE PARISH AND CHURCH OF MAMARONECK. The etymology of the name of this parish, doubtless, refers like most other Indian words, to some object peculiar to its geo- graphical locality. The syllable, " neck" or " uck" being the ordinary inflection for locality, and one of the striking character- istics of Mohegan names, east of the Hudson. By some the : word is supposed to indicate " the place of rolling stones," (boul- ders) which abound in the romantic environs of Mamaroneck. The lands belonging to this parish were originally purchased of the native Indians by the Dutch West India Company, in 1640. Their next proprietor was John Richbell, of Oyster Bay; L. I., who obtained a confirmation from Wompoqueum and other Indians in November, 1661, and the following year a " Ground Brief" for the same, from the Dutch authorities. Prior to 1700 Caleb Heathcote became possessed of these lands, having purchased those in 1696 from Mrs. Anne Richbell, (which were those included in her husband's grant of 1661) and from the Indians other lands adjoining them. AND CHURCH OF MAMARONECK. 629 Upcn the 21st of March, 1701, the extensive purchases of Caleb Heathcote were erected into the lordship and manor of Scarsdale, to be holden of the King in free and common soccage, its Lord yielding and rendering therefor, annually, upon the Festival of the Nativity, five pounds current money of New- York, &c. The name of Heathcote stands conspicuous in the early his- tory of this parish ; some slight notice of whose family cannot be omitted, connected as it is, with almost everything relating to the rise and progress of the Church in this County. — Caleb Heathcote, first lord of the manor of Scarsdale, was the sixth son of Gilbert Heathcote, Esq, in the county of Derbyshire, and hundred of Scarsdale, England, " who went (says his bio- grapher) in the reign of Charles I, into the Parliament's army, and there behaved himself with great courage and bravery in several engagements for the rights and liberties of his country ;" and grandson of Gilbert Heathcote, Esq., whose father, " George was the son and heir of George Heathcote of Brampton, in the County of Derby, Esq., descended of an ancient and worthy family of that County." He was born at Chesterfield, A. D. 1663, and " brought up a ' merchant adventurer,' (as shipping merchants were then styled) whereby with God's blessing, he obtained both influence and a good estate." The cause of his emigration was very different from that which brought most Eng- lishmen to America ; he was engaged to a very beautiful lady, to whom he introduced his eldest brother, Sir Gilbert Heathcote, (afterwards M. P. for London, and Lord Mayor of that city in 1711, at the very time his brother was Mayor of New York, and one of the chief founders and the first governor of the bank of Eng- land,) a circumstance most unfortunate for him, for the lady soon found she preferred the elder brother, and broke her engagement with the younger, who at once left England and came to New York, where he arrived in 1692. a »Doc. Hist. N. Y., vol. iv. p. 1039. 630 HISTORY OF THE PARISH He became a leading man in the Colony, was Judge of Westchester, and Colonel of its militia all his life, first Mayor of the borough of Westchester, a Counsellor of the Province, Mayor of New York for three years, for a time Commander of the Col- ony's forces, and from 1715 to his death, in 1721, Receiver General of the Customs in North America."* He was also one of the founders of Trinity Church, New York, his name heads the list of its first vestrymen in 1697, and he remained in office till 1714. He was elected a member of the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts, A. D. 1704, and embraced every opportunity of doing service to the Church, and through the blessing of God, never slipped one fair occasion therein, when the Provincial Government would give him leave. St. George Talbot, Esq. writing to the Secretary of the Venerable Society, January 10th, 1707-8, says : — " I wish the report were true, that he (Caleb Heathcote) were appointed Governor, it would be the best news next to that of the Gospel, that ever came over." b Some time prior to 1704. he erected a stately brick manor house in the village of Mamaroneck, upon what is still called Heathcote Hill, where he continued to reside for the remainder of his life. c From this place most of the let- ters are dated, which he addressed to the Venerable Society. Here he was reverenced by the poor, esteemed by the Colonial governors and respected by all. His death, which was very sud- den and unexpected took place in the Spring of 1721. He was buried near the south west corner of Trinity church, New- York. The following obituary notice appeared in the American weekly Mercury for March 9th, 1721 :— « New York, March 6th— on the 28th day of Febuary last, died, the Hon. Caleb Heathcote, Esq., Surveyor General of his Majesty's Customs for the East- ern District of North America, Judge of the Court of Admirality a Doc. Hist. K Y., vol. iv. p. 1039. b New-York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 176. (Hawks.) c This edifice was burnt during the Revolution. The present house was erected on the site of the old one in 1791, by John P. de Lancey. AND CHURCH OF MAMARONECK. 631 for the Provinces of New York and New Jersey, and the Colony of Connecticut, one of his Majesty's Council for the Province ol New York, and brother of Sir Gilbert Heathcote of London- He was a gentleman of rare qualities, excellent temper and vir- tuous life and conversation, and his loss lamented by all that knew him ; whothe day of his death, went about doing good in procuring a charitable subscription, in which he made a very great progress." He married Martha, daughter of Col. William (or Tangier) Smith of L. I. so called from having been Governor of that city in Charles the second's time. Mrs. Heathcote bore her hus- band six children, namely : Gilbert, William, Anne, Mary, Mar- tha and Elizabeth. On the 29th of February, A. D. 1719? Caleb Heathcote executed his last will and testament. To his eldest son, Gilbert, he devised his dwelling house at Mamaro- neck, together with a neck of land called Mamaroneck East Neck, &c, and also all his lands lying on the east side of Ma- maroneck River, and all his lands within the County of West- chester, running eighteen miles in length into the woods. His sons and two of his daughters died in their minority, upon which his lands in this parish, with other possessions descended to Anne and Martha, their surviving sisters, who thus became his heiresses. Anne, the eldest, married the Hon. James de Laneey, Chief Justice and Lieutenant Governor of the Province of New York. Their children were first, James, educated at Eton and Cambridge Universities, who was a prominent member of the Assembly for many years prior, and up to the Revolution. He went to England on a visit in the Spring of 1775, and, the war commencing, he did not return. He died at Bath in the year 1800. His son, Lieut. Col. James de Laneey, of the First Dragoon Guards, is the only male member of his family now living. Stephen James, the second son, whose intellect was effected by disease in his infancy, was killed accidentally in 1795 ; he was married but left no issue. John Peter, the youngest child of the Lieut. Governor was also educated in England, at Harrow, and at the Military School at Greenwich ; he entered the army, and served till 1789, when he 632 HISTOKY 0? THE PARISH threw up his commission of Capt., returned shortly after to America, and resided till his death in 1828 at his grandfather Heathcote's old seat, in this parish, of which he was the pro- prietor. Thomas James, the eldest son of this gentleman, died a Judge of Westchester County, at the age of 32, leaving one son, Thomas James de Lancey. William Heathcote, his youngest son, is the present Bishop of Western New York." a The Rev. Wil liam Walton, D. D. of New York, is a great grand- son of Chief Justice De Lancey. Martha, the second daughter of Col. Heathcote, married Lewis Johnston, M. D. of Perth Amboy, N. J., from whom descends the Rt. Rev. Charles Petit Mcllvaine, Bishop of Ohio, and Susannah, wife of the Rev. John M. Ward, rector of the parish. Previous to the Revolution, Mamaroneck constituted one of the appropriated towns of Rye parish, having been annexed thereto by the act of Assembly passed in 1693. In 1711, Ma- maroneck contributed towards the rector's tax £3 13 6, and in 1767, £19 2 6. The parochial clergy appear to have officiated here at a very early period, as Madame Knight incidentally mentions in 1704,^" that one Church of England parson, offi- ciated in all these three towns, (viz : Rye, Mamaroneck and Horse Neck,) once every Sunday in turns throughout the year." b This clergyman was the Rev. Thomas Pritchard, first rector of the parish of Rye, who resided in Mamaroneck at that time. The name of John Disbrow as vestryman from Mamaroneck occurs in the vestry minutes of Rye for January 7th, A. D. 1710. In 1724 the Rev. Robert Jenney, rector of the parish, informs the Bish- op of London : — " That he officiates eight times per annum at Mamaroneck, for that place and Scarsdale, and Foxe's Meadow, about three miles off." The Rev. James Wetmore, his succes- sor, writing to the Secretary of the Yenerable Society in Febru- ary, 1727-8, says : — " As to the number of people dissent- ing from the Church, of all sorts throughout the parish, they are much the greater part at Mamaroneck." In March, 1748, » Doc. Hist, of New York, vol. iv. pp. 10-56. * Madame Knight's Journal, p. 59. AND CHURCH OF MAMARONECK. 633 he observes ; — " I have lately preached a lecture at Mamaroneck, the westemost part of my parish, where many more attended than I had expectation of, upon which I have promised to visit them again, and continue to give them frequent lectures as long as their zeal will continue to attend them." In 1788, the in- habitants of White Plains, Rye and places adjacent, employed the services of the Rev. Richard C. Moore. From this period un- til 18M, occasional services were only performed here by the neighboring clergy. Upon the 12th of April, 1814, the present parish was organ- ized and incorporated in accordance with the Act passed on the 17th of March, 1795. At the first meeting of the Congre- gation held on Tuesday in Easter week, in the year 1814, the following gentlemen were chosen officers for the ensuing year, viz : John Peter de Lancey and Peter Jay Munroe, churchwar- dens. William Gray, Benj. Hadden, Henry Gedney, Samuel Deal, Abraham Guion and Matthias G. Valentine, vestrymen.* The first entry upon thechurch minutes is on the 5th day of April, 1817, when at a meeting of the congregation, (held at the house of David Wood) John P. de Lancey presided, and the following gentlemen were elected wardens and vestrymen for the ensuing year : John P. de Lancey and Peter J. Munro, churchwardens. Henry Gedney, Benj. Hadden, Jacob Mott, Thomas J. de Lan- cey, Benj. Crooker, Guy C. Bayley, Monmouth Lyon and Edward F. de Lancey, vestrymen. At a meeting of the vestry on the 20th day of October of the same year, a resolution was passed, to present a memorial to the Diocesan Convention, and a request to be admitted. In accordance with such a resolu- tion, Thomas J. de Lancey and Guy C. Bayley were elected dele, gates. On the 20th of June, 1818, a deed from Messrs. Prall and Clendenning was presented by Mr. de Lancey, conveying a lot of land, on which to erect a church, and it was resolved that the vestry execute a quit claim for the said gentlemen, for the lot belonging to the Church on Rye neck, agreeable to the • Religious Soc. Co. Rec liber A. p. 145. 634 HISTORY OF THE PARISH arrangement made with Mr. Prall. A Mr. Henderson having bequeathed a legacy to the Church, Messrs. Guy C. Bayleyand Thomas J. de Lancey were appointed a committee to receive the same from his executors. At this meeting Messrs. de Lan- cey, Crooker and Bayley were appointed a committee to draft a plan, and estimate the expenses of building a church, and Mr. James Fennimore Cooper was appointed a committee to procure a seal. On the 4th of June, 1821, the REV. WILLIAM HEATHCOTE DE LANCEY was called as rector, and served without salary for ten months. In this year the Church obtained permission from the trustees of the Methodist meeting house, to use the same for public worship on Sunday afternoons, and Mr. de Lan- cey officiated therein. There seems at this time to have been considerable difficulty in making choice of a suitable place, up- on which (o build a church. After much delay however, earlv in the year 1822, the lots at present occupied by the Corpora- tion were obtained. On the 25th of March, the same year, the Rev. William H. de Lancey, on being ordained priest by Bishop Hobart, resigned his charge, and went to Philadelphia. In August, 1823, the vestry contracted for a church edifice, 43 ft. by 34, which was afterwards enlarged by the addition of a cir- cular recess for the chancel, and a gallery for the organ. In October of this year, the REY. LEWIS P. BAYARD, A. M. then rector of Trinity church, New Rochelle, was engaged to officiate in the church on Sunday afternoons, for one year, after which, in 1824, he was succeeded by the REV. WILLIAM C. MEAD, who resigned in 1825, and a new engagement was entered into with the Rev. Mr. Bayard, which lasted until 1827. For Mr. Bayard's successors, see list of rectors. AND CHURCH OF MAMARONECK. 635 THE CHURCH. St. Thomas' church occupies a fine elevated position, directly north of the main street, facing the Bay of Mamaroneck. The building is a neat wooden structure, with a tower. The foun- dation of the present edifice was laid as we have seen in 1823, and the church consecrated to the service of Almighty God on Tuesday, the 17th of June, of that year, under the name and title of "St. Thomas' church, Mamaroneck," by Bishop Hobart. To this church is attached a handsome parsonage and glebe. The whole real estate is valued at eight thousand dollars. The communion silver consists of a flaggon, and a double set of chalices and patens, inscribed " St. Thomas' Church Ma- maroneck, New-York, 1837," besides a smaller set, for the private administration of the Holy Eucharist. During the in- cumbency of the present rector, the church has undergone con- siderable repairs, and a new organ has been purchased at an expense of 6600. The parsonage has also been obtained, and greatly improved. The Corporation of Trinity Church, New York, have made the following liberal grants to this Church, viz : in 1835, the sum of $300 and in 1836, the sum of $600. RECTORS OF MAMARONECK. INST. OR CALL. INCUMBENTS. VACAT. PATRONS. 4 June, 1821, Rev. Wm. H. de Lancey, Deacon, resig. war. & ves. 1 Oct. 1823, Rev. Lewis P. Bayard, Presb. resig. 30 Mar. 1824, Rev. William C. Mead, Deacon, resig. 21 Sep. 1825, Rev. Lewis P. Bayard, Presb. resig. 25 Apr. 1827, Rev. Alex. H. Crosby, Presb. resig. 2 Oct. 1830, Rev. John M. Forbes, Presb. resig. 11 Feb- 1832, Rev. Wm. M. Carmichael, Presb. resig. 17 Nov. 1834, Rev. P. S. Chauncey, Presb. resig. 14 July, 1837, Rev. Wm. A. Curtis, Presb. resig. 5 July, 1S41, Rev. John M. Ward, present incumbent. 636 HISTORY OF THE PARISH NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS. A. D. 1847, Baptisms, 10, Communicants, 53. 1853, Baptisms, 10, Communicants, 57. No. of Catechists belonging to this parish, 6. No. of Cate- chumens, 40 In 1828, the No. of families belonging to this precinct were 20- In 1853, « " " parish 44. No. of souls, 200. In 1712, the No. of inhabitants belonging to this parish were S4- In 1840, » « " « 928. In 1850, « « « * « 1416- St. Thomas Church, Mamaroneck. WARDENS OF ST. THOMAS' CHURCH. 1817— ISIS. John P. de Lancey, Peter J. Munro. 1S19. Peter J. Munro, John P. de Lancey. 1S20-21. John P. de Lancey, Peter J. Munro. AND CHURCH OF MAMARONECK. 1822-7. 637 John P. de Lancey, 1828. Guy C. Bayley. Guy C. Bayley, 1829-30. James B. Hadden. Gabriel Purely, 1831-34. Guy C. Bayley. Gabriel Purdy 1835-38. Jas. B. Hadden. Samuel Purdy, 1839-50. Monmouth Lyon. Samuel Purdy, 1850-3. Benj. M. Brown. Samuel Purdy, Jesse Burger. HISTORY OF THE PARISH AND CHURCH OF WHITE PLAINS. White Plains originally formed a portion of the town and parish of Rye. and derived its name from the White Balsam, (Gnaphaiium Polycephalum of Linnaeus) which still grows in great abundance in and around the plains. It was called Quarroppas by the Indians, under whom these lands formed a portion of the ancient domains of Weckquas- keck, as we find Shapham or Thapham, one of the Sachems of that place, conjointly selling lands here to the inhabitants of the town of Rye in 1683. In February, 1714-15, the "White Plains Purchase" was first laid out by Joseph Budd and others. Upon the 13th of March) 1721, King George the Second granted to Joseph Budd and his associates, royal letters patent for four thousand four hun- dred and thirty-five acres of land, lying in the county of West- chester, known by the name of" White Plains." The patentees yielding, rendering and paying therefor yearly, &c. on the Feast day of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, (com- monly called Lady Day) the annual rent of two shillings and six pence for every hundred acres thereof, &c. AND CHURCH OF WIIITE PLAINS. 639 As one of the appropriated precincts belonging to the parish of Rye, White Plains contributed a yearly quota towards the rector's support and poor, which amounted in 1703 to £24 9s. The first record relating to the establishment of Episcopal ser- vices here, was made in 1724, when Mr. Jenney, rector of the parish, writing to the Bishop of London on the 18th of July of that year says : — " I officiate four times at the White Plains about four miles off, the remaining Sundays here at Rye." The Rev. James Wetmore writing to the Society in February, 1728, observes : — " There are three meeting houses in the parish, &c, one at White Plains, in the township of Rye, about six miles from the church built last year by the followers of Walton, who are the old Independent party, and they are about building another, near the church. The haughty insolent behaviour of "Walton drew upon him the displeasure of the Dissenting teach- ers, on which account he removed from this parish a few days ago, but introduced a young man to be his successor, who holds forth one Sunday at White Plains and another in the town of Rye alternately, for which they give him £50 per annum, which they raise by subscriptions. They have besides given him money to purchase a house and land, but how much I can't tell.'' In 1735 he writes as follows : — " I continue my method of preach- ing alternately at several parts of the parish, viz : three Sundays in the church at Rye, then one at North Castle, then three again at Rye, then one at White Plains. Mr. Dwight's catechu- mens, and several others are desirous of baptism, which I have promised to administer to them as soon as Mr. Dwight has pre- pared them by necessary instruction. They belong to Quaker masters, but yet got leave to come pretty often to church, where Mr. Dwight catechises them with such children as offer them- selves after evening service, and keeps a school at the White Plains to the people's good satisfaction." Writing to the Secre. tary on the first of July, 1738, he says: — "Mr. Dwight, the schoolmaster at the White Plains, six miles from Rye, teaches twenty-seven children, whose parents profess themselves to be of 640 HISTORY OF "THE PARISH the Church of England, seventeen born of Dissenting parents, and two negro children, in all forty-six." The year following he writes : — " The two last times I preached at the White Plains, where Mr. Dwight teaches a school, it was judged the congrega- tion consisted of at least three hundred people, where, not hav- ing any house large enough to receive the people, I am obliged to preach in the open fields, and if the congregation at Rye in- creases as it has done the year past, we must be forced to enlarge the parish church." In 1765, Mr. Timothy Wetmore read prayers and sermons at Rye and White Plains, the parish having become vacant by the death of his father's successor, Mr. Punderson. The same year Mr. Avery was inducted rector of Rye and its precincts. In 1772 he writes : — " That peace and unanimity subsists between him and his people." But soon after this the Revolutionary war broke out, and his entire mission seemed utterly ruined. On Tuesday morning, the 5th of November, 1776, Mr. Avery was found dead near the parsonage at Rye, and the same night the court house and every dwelling at White Plains was burnt to the ground. Upon the 11th of April, 1784, Mr. Andrew Fowler collected the congregation at the White Plains, and continued to officiate as a lay reader, both here and at Rye, until the Rev. R. C. Moore was appointed rector in 1787. In January, 1788 we find the in- habitants of White Plains and Rye uniting in the erection of a new church edifice at the latter place ; Joshua Purdy, sen., Jesse Hunt, Esq., Mr. Thomas Lyons, William Miller, Esq. and Jonathan Horton were appointed trustees to collect the money subscribed for this purpose, and superintend the building, &c. In 1803, it was resolved by the vestry of the parish : — " That Mr. Rogers, our present minister, or whoever shall succeed him in the rectorship, shall hereafter attend service and prayers at Rye and at the White Plains alternately as usual, provided our brethren in and about the White Plains shall raise an equal proportion of the salary, and that such rector shall attend at the White Plains in proportion to the sum of money that shall be AND CHURCH OF WHITE PLAINS. 641 raised by our brethren in and about the White Plains." Mr. Rogers in his parochial report for 1808, observes : — " An unhappy misunderstanding has subsisted between Rye and that part of the parish residing at White Plains. The rector is happy in having to state that a union has been restored since the last Con- vention, which, it is hoped, will contribute to the real interest of this church." At a vestry meeting held in Rye, on the 17th of March, 1808, it was on motion resolved : — " That two-thirds of the Sunday service N of the rector be attended at Rye, the other third part at the White Plains." The connection between the two congregations continued until 1816, when it was deemed expedient by the wardens and vestrymen of Christ Church, Rye, to withdraw from the White Plains, and to have the stated services of the rector limited to the church in Rye, From 1816 to 1823 occasional services were performed here by the neighboring clergy. In 1824 the congregation was re-organized by the Rev. Lewis P. Bayard, under the most discouraging cir- cumstances. u There was then not one male communicant, and not more than four or five females were members of our com- munion. " a Upon the 22d of March, 1824, the church was in- corporated by the title of " Grace, Protestant Episcopal, Church, White Plains," (in remembrance of Grace church, Rye, whose ministers had officiated here alternately for nearly one hundred years,) Richard Jarvis and Alan McDonald, churchwardens. Wil- liam Purdy, John Horton, Gilbert Hatfield, James Dick, Alexan- der Fowler, Joshua Horton, William Bulkley and James Merrit, vestrymen. The same year the REV. WILLIAM C. MEAD was elected rector of the parish ; and in the autumn of that year reported to the Diocesan Convention, that : — " The war- dens and vestry of this church, which was organized only last spring, have, with a zeal worthy of imitation, already com- menced the erection of a commodious church, which will be Mrs. G. W. Tompkins, the last survivor of the five died in March, 1853. 41 642 HISTORY OP THE PARISH ready for consecration the ensuing summer." Mr. Mead removed to Pennsylvania in 1826, and was succeeded by the REV. ALEXANDER H. CROSBY, M. A. He reports for 1828, eleven baptisms and forty communicants. Mr. Crosby officiated till December of that year, when he was chosen rector of St. John's church, Yonkers. The REV. JOHN W. CURTIS, M. A. was his successor. He was the eldest son of Zechariah Curtis, and was born at Troy, N. Y. on the 7th of January, 1804. His education, preparatory to college, was entrusted to the care of Dr. Stodart and Mr. McNiece. In September, 1821, he entered Union College, where he graduated with the highest honors. Not less distinguished was his course at tbe Theological Sem- inary, which he entered in the autumn of 1824. Immediately after his ordination by Bishop Hobart, he accepted a call to Canandaigua and entered upon his duties towards the end of the summer of 1S27, but in consequence of sickness, was compelled to return home in the fall of the same year. In the spring of 1828 he removed to Philadelphia, and accepted a temporary call to Harrisburgh, where he labored diligently for about six months. The congregation at this place were unsettled as to their ulti- mate choice of a pastor, and the church in which they then worshipped was in an unfinished state. Having received in the mean time an invitation to this parish, he accepted it, and here continued for more than two years to perform the duties of his office, cheered by many a delightful evidence of success. a In the spring of 1831, being quite feeble, he applied to the Bishop for a change. In March, 1831, he was induced by the Bishop and clergy to become the editor of the Churchman, then first es- tablished. At the same time he had charge of the English and » He was admitted to the Holy Order of Priests by the Rt Rev. J. H. Hobart, D. D. in Grace church, White Plains, May, 30th, 1829. AND CHURCH OF WHITE PLAINS. 643 Classical department of the Public School sustained by Trinity Church in the city of New York. The responsibilities which both these offices brought with them, instead of securing for him more leisure for private intellectual employments, and consequent serenity of mind, only brought him more care and anxiety. The change from country to city operated for the worse. He declined in health rapidly. A pure and living faith in the merits of a Divine Redeemer sustained him to the last. He died on Sun- day morning, June 7th, 1835. " His remains were taken to Troy, and deposited in the ground that is shaded at sunset by the mount so hallowed by him in his youth — his chosen resting place in life and death — serene and sacred Ida." a He was the author of a small volume of poems published in 1846. The REV. ROBERT W. HARRIS, D. D. present rector, took charge of the parish in 1831, being its fourth pastor. THE CHURCH. Grace church is very pleasantly situated, a little east of the Court House, in the village of White Plains, and being somewhat ele- vated above the road, commands a fine view of the valley and hills to the north-east. It is built of wood, with a handsome tower and vestry room in the rear. The former contains a fine bell weighing 1135 pounds. This edifice was consecrated on the 17th of June, 1826, by the Rt. Rev. J. H. Hobart,D.D. In 1841 a lot of ground, in the rear of thaton which the church then stood, was purchased for the sum of $400, in order to afford room for the en- largement of that edifice. The same year the church was greatly improved by an addition of fourteen feet, together with a • Poems by the late Rev. John W. Curtis, M. A. New York, Edward O. Jeukin», 114 Nassau street, N. Y., 1846. 644 HISTORY OF TEE PARISH large vestry room — by an almost entire alteration of the in- terior of the building, and by the erection of a very neat gallery at the east end. The ladies of the parish at the same time pre- sented an elegant communion table, two handsome chairs for the chancel, and rich hangings for the pulpit and reading desk, &c. A fine toned organ has been since added. Adjoining the church is a parochial school house. The church- yard con- tains memorials to the families of Du Bois', Thomas, and others. In the immediate vicinity is situated a parsonage and glebe of four acres, a at present occupied by the rector of the parish ; who has for twenty years past conducted a select boys school, for English, Classical and Religious education, his chief object be- ing to serve the Church, by training a few of its youth in the old paths of filial obedience, patient industry and Christian de- votion. In 1833 Trinity Church, New York, appropriated to this parish the sum of $750. To Grace church is attached, besides a parochial school, a chapel of Ease which has been re- cently erected at West White Plains. The latter is capable Grace Church, White Plains, "The glebe of four acres was purchased by the vestry in 1833, aud the present substantial parsonage erected thereon. AND CHURCH OF WHITE PLAINS. 645 of seating 200 persons. It cost $865, and was paid for by the parish. Services have been held in it every Sunday since November, 1853. The churchwardens of this parish have been, Richard Jarvis, Alan McDonald and Joshua Horton. NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS. In 1824, Communicants. 12, Baptisms, 4. In 1828 « 40, " 11. In 184S « 50, " 8. In 1853 " 80, " 2. No. of Catechists in 1853, 20. No. of Catechumens, 90. The population of White Plains in 1840 was 1,087. In 1850 1.461. HISTORY OF THE PARISH AND CHURCH OF LOWER GREENBURGH. In the Dutch language Grein (Grain) burgh (borough) literally the Grain town. In some of the early deeds called " Lawrence's plantation," a name undoubtedly derived from one of its original proprietors. The aboriginal name of the town itself was Weckquaskeck ; in pure Algonquin, Weec-quaes-guck, " the place of the bark-kettle." On the 14th of July, 1649, Petrus Stuyvesant purchased lands in this parish, in behalf of the Dutch West India Company. The next grantee under the Indians, was the Hon. Frederick Philipse of East Friesland, who had emigrated to New Amsterdam at an early period. In December, 1681, this individual purchased lands of Wessickenaeuw, Sa- chem of Weckquaskeck, and other Indians. The purchases of Frederick Philipse in this parish subsequently formed a portion of the manor of Philipsburgh, which remained in the Philipse family, until the attainder of Col. Frederick Philipse, A. D. 1779, when they became vested by forfeiture in the people of this State. For nearly seventy years St. John's church, Yonkers, consti- AND CHURCH OF LOWER GREENBTJRGH. 647 tuted the only benefice in the manor of Philipsburgh. In 1833 the REV. ALEXANDER H. CROSBY, rector of that church, officiated once a fortnight, in the after- noon, at the school-house in the village of Dobb's Ferry, where with the blessing of God, he succeeded in collecting a congre gation, and in organizing the parish under the title of " the Rector, Churchwardens and Vestrymen, of Zion Church, in the town of Greenburgh." On the 31st of August, 1833, the following officers were elected : Joseph Howland and Oscar Irving, churchwardens. Van Burgh Livingston, Anthony Con- stant, William Waring, Cornelius M. Odell, Andrew Storms and Everet Brown, vestrymen. a The same year a small stone church was erected, and divine service performed therein every Sunday afternoon. In July, 1836, the REV. WILLIAM CREJGHTON, D. D. took charge of the parish. This gentleman was succeeded by the REV. W. G. HEYER, who resigned his charge on the 1st of January, 1852. The present incumbent is the REV. WILLIAM A. McVlCKAR. THE CHURCH. Zion church stands upon the highest ground in the village of Dobbs' Ferry, near the Albany post road. The wonderfully exten- sive views, which this elevated spot commands on every side, are better seen than described. This edifice has been almost wholly re- • County Rec. R. Societies, Liber. B. p. 17. Day of election, Easter Tuesday. 648 HISTORY OF THE PARISH built and enlarged to three times its original size, during the past year, and was consecrated on Monday the 24th of July, 1854, hy the late Rt. Rev. the Provisional Bishop of the Diocese. "The building which was an enlargement of the original struc- ture, is of rough grey stone, but does not claim to be in any respect strictly correct. There is no distinct chancel externally ; the roof is of classical flatness, and a classical cornic3 still remains to testify to the prevailing style when it was first erected. But the changes made have wholly altered the character of the building, and made more of it than could have been supposed possible. It had originally about twenty pews, all owned by rich men It has now about seventy opsn seats, all free. The side windows are left of the original size, which is of the largest. There are no lateral buttresses, except those added to give breadth to the tower at the west end. (We use the points of the compass conventionally, the chancel being at the south in- stead of the east.) This tower was originally very low and narrow, but the buttresses have given it breadth below, and it has been continued above, into a belfry, which is one of the most unique and picturesque features about the exterior of the church. It has four sharp gables, two of which are of somewhat less height. The belfry openings have angular instead of arched heads, single lights and couplets alternating. This belfry is oc- supied by a fine toned bell. There are very pretty ventilation openings, small and traceried, of Caen stone, in the tower and at the east end over the chancel window. The iron work of the gable, crosses, finials and the large ornate vase on the top of the turret is remarkably successful, and shows what can be done in that line by a country blacksmith under good direction. This direction, we ought to add, was that of the rector himself, who has been the sole architect throughout these alterations. In the interior the effect of the church is very pleasing, though plain. There is a gallery at the west end, with the harmonium> and occupied principally by the choir. The open seats have standards, ending in tall though plain poppy-heads. The win- dows are filled with plain ground glas's, a portion of the quarries AND CHURCH OF LOWER GREENBURGH. 649 being tinted. The chancel is formed by railing off a portion of the nave (about fifteen feet) in a manner somewhat peculiar, but very effective. The upright beams that mark the corners of the chancel projection, run up to the roof, their braces being arched, and the open space over the arch line being filled up with tracery, (not good in design, and very thin in its execution.) The altar rail connects these two main posts below. The sides of the chancel are formed by high open screen-work of six com- partments, Arched and cusped under a beam running from the main corner post to the east wall. The lower part of these side screens is solid. Between these side screens and the wall are the benches for Sunday-school children. The chancel is two* steps above the nave, having a couple of stalls and book-boards on the north side, and a lectern on the south. The altar, which is of oak, with a top slab of Caen stone, stands on a broad step, having a credence shelf on the south side, and the Bishop's chair on the north. The chancel wood-work is all of varnished oak, as is also the pulpit, which stands in the nave against the south wall. The altar is beautifully vested with green cloth, frontal, and super-frontal richly fringed and embroidered. The frontal is seme of the passion flower, conventionally treated, and on the super-frontal the same flower, mingled with the vine, is treated more au naturel, the two being twined together in an original and highly effective manner. The embroidery was exe- cuted by Mrs. Ferguson, 188 Fulton street. The altar window is a triplet, and the only elaborate window in the church. It is mainly of pattern glass, with excellent grisaille. In a large medallion in the central light, on a blue ground, is the Saviour with little children, and the legend below: 'Feed my lambs.' In the side lights are four small medallions, bearing angels with scrolls inscribed with the names of the Four Evangelists ; and in each light is also a central medallion, with ruby ground, bear- ing a pot with white lilies — the emblem of innocence. The window bears the memorial inscription : — InMemoriam Sarah Minturn, quae septimo anno oetatis domum rediit. Lux per- petua luceat ei, Domine. Hanc vitream posuerunt parentes. 650 HISTORr OF THE PARISH The archeism in the figures of the children, in the central me- dallion, is rather more severe than there is any need for ; but for admirable harmony of color, and generally satisfactory effect, we have never seen any glass made in this country superior to this specimen of the skill of Doremus & Akeroyd. There is not a particle of glass in the window that is dull or flat in effect. The ruby is particularly varied and rich in tint and treatment. And the tone of the whole together — the cool colors decidedly predominating — is exceedingly fine. Zion Church, Lower Greenburgh. " The ground which it occupies was the gift of Van Burgh Livingston, Esq. The foundation of the old edifice was laid as we have seen in 1833, and the church consecrated to the service of Almighty God on Tuesday, the 20th of May, 1834, by Bishop Onderdonk. There are two or three interments in the grave yard, surrounding the church, of members belong- ing to the Noble, Bowdoin and Irving families. To this church is attached the chapel school of St. Barnabas> at Dearman's. This building is so erected, chapel-wise, as to be used seperate as a school, or united as a church. When open for worship, whether daily or weekly, the whole becomes a church ; AND CHURCH OP LOWER GREENRTJRGH. 651 the eastern or chapel part becoming the chancel ; the western or school, the nave, and is capable of accommodating one hun- dred and fifty hearers. Zion Church, prior to enlargement. The total inside length including the western porch, 62 feet Width of school part 20 " chapel " 32 Projection beyond school, (eastward) - 12 Height of school side wall, - - 10 gables, End W. - - 30 The chapel portion consists, besides the chancel proper, of a sacristy, opening out of doors, and a library room with a small organ communicating with the school. The northern and west- ern porches are so arranged as to add equally to the convenience of the school, and to the accommodation of the church. A small southern door is added in the western porch for the entrance and exit of the school in stormy weather. The ceiling of the school is on the collar beams, showing the main rafters, with plain gothic arch. The chancel arch is sim- ply adorned. The eastern triplet is in rich stained glass. The school windows, which are in couplets, with stone mullions, are diamond panes of ground glass. Over the entrance in the southern porch is cut in stone the well known and appropriate arms of St. Barnabas, an " open book and pastoral staff." On the walls of the school are to be inscribed its founders, including all who shall contribute village lots for its support, or equivalent pieces of land, or endowment 652 HISTORY OF THE PARISH in money to the amount of two hundred dollars ; to each of whom belong, by the terms of such endowment, a perpetual free scholarship in the school. For all minor donations, a " record book" is kept always open on the library table of the school. The walls of the school are enriched with the texts appropriate. The teacher of the school, it is intended shall be a Deacon of the Church, an assistant to the missionary of the village, under whose general superintendance the school shall be carried on, until a regular parish shall be formed within it ; when the school of St. Barnabas will become the parochial school of St. Barnabas, not losing, however, its chapel character for daily school services and bearing besides upon its fame and memory the blessing of the Church, which shall have grown up on its labors and through its holy influences." a "The total cost of the building, including chapel and school) furniture, fencing, &c. was about $5000. of which the sum of $2250 was the amount contributed including the grant from Trinity Church. The balance was from the private funds of the individual clergyman planning and erecting it. To com- plete, however, the full design of the chapel school, and to give it permanency, a small parsonage and teacher's house of stone, to be erected on the adjoining lot, are still wanting, and are now proposed to be added, and with that view, the lot has bem pur- chased and will be conveyed in trust for that purpose, together with a perpetual lien on the production and apparently inex- haustible stone quarry in the neighborhood, from which the chapel school was built, of $50 per annum, to be paid for ever towards the teacher's support, provided that within the year funds for such erection be raised or pledged amounting to not less than $1000." The dedication of the chapel school of St. Barnabas took place on Saturday, June 11th, 1853. the Festival of St. Barnabas. The following: notice of the event is taken from the Church Journal : — » New York, Ecclesiologist, vol. 4, No. 6, p. 163. AND CHURCH OF LOWER GREENBURGH. 653 "At the appointed hour, the procession of clergy, consisting of thirteen, in surplices, besides the Provisional Bishop, left the sacristy, and going by the north side of the building, entered at the western door. As it moved slowly up the central alley, the 19th Psalm was said in alternate verses by the Bishop and the rest of the clergy. The Instrument of Donation and Request, executed by the Rev. Dr. McVickar, to whose means and exertions, together with those of his son, the Rev. Wm. A. McVic- kar, the conception and execution of this original and excellent design is almost wholly due — was read by the Rev. Wm. A. McVickar. The sentence of dedication of the building, together with a special consecration of the chancel thereof, was read by the Rev. Samuel R. Johnson, D. D. Morning Prayer was said by the Rev. Wm, F. Halsey, of Sing Sing, and the Rev. A. B. Carter, of Yonkers, assisted in the les- sons by the Rev. Dr. Haight, of New York, and the Rev. Mr. Moore, Sub- Warden of St. Augustine's College, Canterbury. The Bishop said the Ante-Communion office, the Rev. Dr. McVickar reading the Epistle, and also preaching from the words 1 Occupy till I come.' St. Luke, xix. 13. It was an admirable and beautiful dis- course, setting forth the duty of consecrating the talent of wealth to the service of od, and showing the importance of religion as the keystone of the arch of our liberties, and the only principle which could render the general diffusion of knowledge a blessing. He enlarged upon the happy symbolism of the building, the main pait of which is to serve as a school -room through the week, and as the nave of a church in time of Divine Service. This constant and ever visible connection of religion with daily life and education, would render it interwoven through their whole texture and not merely patched on, as was now too generally the case. The venerable preacher appealed to his own experience, as a teacher under whom tho third genera- tion is now receiving instruction, and asserted that there was no sure safeguard against ruin which might not fail except a thorough religious training. He al- luded, with deep feeling, to ^he joy of hearing, in that place, for the first time since the Creation, the hills and rocks around re-echoing to the sound of 1 the church-going bell.' He conveyed the gratify iug intelligence that the chapel- school already has somewhat of an endowment in landed estate, although not such as can yet produce any annual revenue. Its benefactors were handsomely yet deli- cately alluded to ; on the list of whom the name of Washington Irving stands first enrolled. After a warm exhortation in favor of extending the system of chapel- schools, the preacher concluded with an earnest exhortation to his hearers to remember that they were all builders, who were rearing each the fabric of his own life. Every day the walls of that fabric were rising higher and higher. He exhorted them to see to it that what they builded should be silver, gold or precious stones, that might last and shine forever: not the wood, hay and stubble of vanity and worldliuess, which must all perish at last in the fire." The following particulars touching the origin of its free scholarship, may not be without interest in showing how a good scheme prospers under God's blessing. " From a friend interested in the village of Dearman, came its first landed endowment, viz : the two village lots, (50 feet by 654 HISTORY OF THE PARISH 100) with two adjoining gores, on which the building stands ; the gift of one bearing an honored name, the grandson and name-sake of the friend, companion and counsellor of Washing- ton, a name and gift now perpetuated in the ' John Jay Schol- arship.' A second bears in its name an equal national rank and character, viz : the ' Alexander Hamilton Scholar- ship.' Through the kindness of the grandson and name-sake of that eminent leader in Washington's counsels and framer of our country's policy. A third bears also the name of the ' John Bard Scholarship,' the first contributor of funds to aid in the erection of the school. A fourth scholarship bears the well known name of its earliest country contributor, a name as world-wide in literary reputation as it is dear to his friends ; the ' Washington Irving Scholarship.' A fifth bears the name of a most liberal and kind contributor to all good works ; the 'Robert B. Minturn Scholarship.' A sixth that of the 1 Franklin C. Field Scholarship,' in return for the gift of two village lots. And a seventh that of the 'Trinity Church Scholarship,' in memory of its liberal grant of $1000. Chapel School and Parsonage of St. Barnabas. AND CHURCH OF LOWER GREENBURGH. 655 To these free scholarships, the nomination under the rules of the school, is in the hands of those whose names they respec- tively bear, for life, or descending to heirs according to the amount of endowment. In addition to the above private scholarships, nine further are provided, as "on the foundation," to which the nomination lies jointly in the : ' Visitor," the " Missionary" and the " Principal" of the school ; the object of these last being to provide gratuit- ous instruction for such as need in the neighborhood, without the reproachful distinction of being received in forma pau- peris. NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS. In 1834, Baptisms, 2, Communicants, 15. In 1853, " 4, " 22. No. of Catechists belonging to this parish in 1853, 5. Cate- chumens, 34. No. of Families, 18. No. of Souls, 130. HISTORY OF THE PARISH AND CHURCH OF OSSIN-ING. Ossin-ing once formed a part of Mount Pleasant, and like the neighboring parishes, was originally included within the honor and fee of Philipsburgh. Ossin-ing, the proper Indian orthography of the word, vari- ously written, Sing Sing, Sin Sinck and Sink Sink, is derived from Ossin (a stone) and ing (a place) or " stone upon stone," a name exceedingly characteristic of this beautiful parish, whose coast is guarded by a vast munition of rocks and ancient boulders. The first grantee under the Indians of Ossin-ing, was Frede- rick Philipse, to whom on the 24th of August, 1685, they re- leased all that tract of land, called by them Sint-Sinck. This Indian purchase was confirmed to his son, Philip Philipse, by royal patent in 1686. On the death of Frederick Philipse, A. D. 1700, this portion of the. manor of Philipsburgh passed by will to his second son, Adolph Philipse, who dying without issue in 1749, it became vested in his nephew, the Hon. Frederick Philipse, son of his eldest brother, Philip Philipse. The last AND CHURCH OF OSSIN-ING. 657 mesne lord was Col. Frederick Philipse, with whose attainder these lands expired in the Philipse family. Prior to the Revolution, Episcopal services were occasionally performed for this neighborhood at Croton, by the missionaries of the Venerable Propagation Society. In 1762, the Rev. Mr. Dibble writing to the Secretary of that Society, says: — "I preached a lecture at Croton, where I found no settled teacher of any denomination : but sundry heads of families, professors of our Church, and many others well disposed towards it." So that ninety-one years have elapsed since the prayers of our venerable Church were first offered in this vicinity. For some time previous to 1833 there. had been occasional services held at some private house, when a clergyman of the Church happened to be in the village of Sing Sing or its vicin- ity. In 1833, there was reported to be twenty-four heads of families, with an aggregate of one hundred and thirty-six souls belonging to the Episcopal Church. " At a meeting of Episcopa- lians, residing in the village of Sing Sing and vicinity, held at the house of Mr. Caleb Bacon, on the 3d of October, 1833, it was resolved to form themselves into a society for the purpose, under Divine favor and assistance, of forming a Church in said village ; and that we will communicate with our Episcopal friends and neighbors on the subject, and urge by our best en- deavors their co-operation in the good work." It was also agreed to write to the Rev. Mr. Jelliff, of North Salem, who had expressed a wish to aid them in establishing a Church. Upon the 27th of October, the Rev. Mr. Crosby officiated in the house of Mr. Ba- con, and on the 3d of November following, divine service hav- ing been read by James Smith, Esq. notice was given of their intention to organize a parish according to law. At a meeting of the congregation held November 11th, 1833, present, the Rev. A. H. Crosby of Yonkers; the following gentlemen were elected the first officers of this parish, viz : Caleb Bacon and George William Cartwright, churchwardens. Robert Wiltse, Jo- seph Hunt, John Strang, Jacob C. Arthur, Peter R. Maison, John Barlow, William Dargue and James Smith, vestrymen. At a 42 658 HISTORY OF THE PARISH vestry meeting, held Dec. 4th of that year, a committee reported that they had wailed on the Rev. iVJr. Harris of White Plains, who expressed a perfect willingness to officiate for the Church on that part of the Lord's day, when his service was not required in his own congregation. At the same time it was resolved to memorialize the rector, churchwardens and vestrymen of Trinity Church, New York, for aid by funds, in the erection of a church edifice. In this memorial, which was presented by James Smith. Esq., the petitioners state among other matters : — " That some years past, an old Episcopal church in this neigh- borhood, at New Castle, (of wood) falling to decay, its congrega- tion was broken up, and some of the descendants of its mem- bers have become Quakers, notwithstanding portions of them have until lately adhered to the forms of the Episcopal Church ; and your memorialists entertain a hope that with the blessing of Divine Providence, by the means of the establishment of a church at Sing Sing, many of the descendants of this ancient congregation may be brought back to our Church, &c." Trinity Church nobly responded to this call by an appropriation of $2000, the remainder being raised by public subscription. At a vestry meeting held May 12. 1S34, it was resolved to pr^ct a church 65 feet in length, by 45 feet in breadth, on pro- perly purchased for that purpose of Richard Austin. Subse- quently $500 in this County was obtained towards the building of it. Upon the 6th of August of that year, it was also unani- mously resolved to invite the REV. EDWARD N. MEAD, A. M. to become rector of this parish. At the Convention of this Dio- cese held the first Thursday in October following, this church was admitted into union with the Convention. In November, 1839, Mr. Mead resigned the rectorship of the parish and was suc- ceeded on the 16th of December by the REV. CHARLES HENRY HALSEY, A. M. who entered ubon the duties of the recorship May 1st, 1840. AND CHURCH OF OSSIN-ING. 659 n Juno, 1841, the churchwardens and vestrymen purchased a convenient house and lot of one acre, as a parsonage, for the sum of $3150. On the 16th of October, 1846, the REV. CHARLES TOMES was called to the rectorship. This gentleman was succeeded on the 20th of December, 1847, by the REV. WILLIAM F. HALSEY, the present incumbent. THE CHURCH. St. Paul's Church, which is situated in the village of Sing Sing, is a beautiful gothic structure of native marble. The tower is built of the same durable material and supported by single buttresses. It is intended to finish the whole with a plain marble spire and pinnacles. Beneath the body of the edi- fice is an extensive basement, containing lecture, vestry and robing rooms. Above the tower entrance, a neat escutcheon bears the following inscription : — " St. Paul's Church, A. D. MDCCCXXXV." The interior, which has recently under- gone considerable improvement, is neat and appropriate. — The altar and font are of polished marble, richly carved, the lat- ter presented by Miss Ludlow. The communion service con- sisting of a flaggon, two chalices and paten, were the gift of Mrs. Jacob C. Arthur. The tower contains a large bell manu- factured by "A. Meneely, West Troy, N. Y., 1835," which weighs ISOOlbs. It was purchased by the vestry at a cost of $450. The deep tones of this powerful bell can be heard for many miles over the adjoining hills. The corner stone of this edifice was laid by the Rt. Rev. B. T- Onderdonk, November 6th, 1834, in the presence of a large con- course of people ; on which occasion an address was delivered by the Rev. E. N. Mead, rector of the parish. The Rev. Peter S. Chauncey, of Rye, was also present, and assisting. On the 3d 660 HISTORY OF THE PARISH of April, 1835, the corner stone was finally closed up and built upon. In the cavity of the stone was deposited a Bible and Book of Common Prayer, as an evidence that the Church is spiritually founded upon " Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone ," also the canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the United States of America, journals of General and Diocesan Conventions, with other jour- nals and pamphlets, together with a glass bottle closed and sealed, containing among many other things a parchment, on which was the following inscription : — St. Paul's Church, incorporated Nov. 11th, 1833. Rev. Edward Nathaniel Mead, A. M., rector. George W. Cartwright and Caleb Bacon, Churchwardens. John Strang, Peter R. Maison, William Dargue, Jacob C. Arthur, John Sing, John Barlow, Joseph Hunt a^nd Robert Wil- tse, vestrymen. James Smith, clerk of the vestry. Samuel C. Nichols, Superintendent of the Sunday school. Mrs. John Strang, superintendent of the female department. Carman Nichols, secretary ; Robert Wiltse, Treasurer ; John Barlow, Librarian. Building committee, Jacob C. Arthur, Joseph Hunt, George W. Cartwright. John Strang and John Sing. Led yard H. Halsey, Builder. Calvin Pollard, Architect. Paul McCord, Superintendent. On Wednesday, July 6th, 1836, it was consecrated and set apart to the service of Almighty God by the Bishop of the Diocese in the presence of a large congregation. There were the follow- ing clergymen also present : the Rev. E. N. Mead, rector, the Rev. William Creighton, D. D. and the Rev. William Cooper Mead. D. D., also the Rev. Messrs. Zachariah Mead, P. S. Chauncey. Alexander H. Crosby, John F. Messenger, Samuel F. Nichols, Francis H. Cummings, William F. Walker, Lawson Carter and Robert W. Harris. AND CHURCH OF 03SIN-ING. NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS. 661 Since the organization of the parish in 1833 to 1853, there have been two hundred infants baptized, and fifty-three adults. In 1840, Communicants, 58. Baptisms, — In 1S53, « 82, « 12. The No. of Catechists belonging to this parish in 1853, were g ; Catechumens, 50 ; No. of Families, 66 ; No. of Souls, 268. The population in 1840, prior to division, was 7307. " " 1852, was 4200. WARDENS OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, SING SING. From 1833 to 1853. George W. Cartwright, Caleb Bacon. John Strang, Robert Wiltse. John J. Kane, Samuel C. Nichols. Marlborough Churchill. St. Paul's Church, Sing Sing. 662 HISTORY OF THE PARISH All Sainfs, Briar Cliff. The Chapel of All Saint's, Briar Cliff, belongs to this parish. " This small, but beautiful stone sanctuary is situated at the junction of two roads, on a height behind Sing Sing, command- ing one of the finest views along the whole length of the Hud- son. That noble river lies in the distance, like a lake of ten miles extent, while the villages which dot its banks, and the high rocks which border its western shore, and the plains and hills that lie still beyond in the back ground are spread out like a map beneath the eye of the spectator, standing by the porch or bell gable of the building. It seems, indeed, an house of prayer and praise set where the glorious works of God are full in view to stimulate devotion, and like Balaam on Peor.it looks down on a goodly scene of valleys spread out and gardens by the river side." Struck with the beauty of this spot, the late Rev. John Ogilby, D. D. had selected it as a retreat for himself and his family. Before his own dwelling was completed, the thought entered his mind that an humble way-side sanctuary in which, when not occupied, he might officiate, would, prove a blessing to the neighborhood. By the help of generous friends in the vicinity, and elsewhere, he was enabled to carry on the good work near to its completion, when disease interrupted him, and death stayed his hand. His friends knew that the use of AND CHURCH OF OSSIN-ING. G63 the chapel, if completed, would depend upon the family by whom the place was occupied. Happily it has fallen into the hands of those whose hearts are devoted to the Church. With ready zeal they entered into this good design. So that it might not be stayed, Henry McFarlan, Esq. of New Jersey, offered to bear the whole expense of its completion. This work was ac- complished under the direction of Messrs Dudley & Condit, in a manner which reflects the greatest credit, upon their skill and taste, in all which they were most devotedly seconded by F. Mc Farlan, Esq. of Briar Cliff. Ground Plan of All Saint's, Briar Cliff. This edifice was first opened for divine service on Wednes- day, December 13th, 1854, on which occasion a number of the clergy were in attendance. The following notice of this event is taken from the Banner L of the Cross, tor December 23d: " Morning Prayer was commenced by the Rev. Dr. Morton, of Philadelphia, the Rev. Dr. Higbee, of New York, and the Rev. W. H. Williams, of Ridgefield, Conn., reading the Lessons, and the Rev. W. F. Halsey, of Sing Sing, offering the Litany. The Rev. A. B. Carter, of Yonkers, read the Ante-Communion ser- vice, in which the Rev. Mr. Johnson, of New Jersey, read the Epistle. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Frederick Ogilby, from the text, 1 Samuel, vii.- 12. The Holy Communion was then administered to a large number of Communicants, by the 6(54 HISTOEY OP THE PARISH Rev. Dr. Creighton, of Tarrytown. There were present of the clergy also, the Rev. Harry Finch, of New Jersey, and the Rev. Messrs Geer, Spencer, Olssen and Lnndy, of New York. AU but two were in surplices, and filled the deep chancel, giving great effect to the services. " The furniture of the church is most appropriate ; the wood used is yellow pine, oiled and varnished. All the windows are of stained glass, by Gibson, of Philadelphia — that in the chan- cel being very beautiful. It is intended as a Memorial Window of Dr. Ogilby, and bears most beautifully inscribed upon it those three articles of the creed : — ' I believe in the Communion of Saints, the Resurrection of the Body, and Life everlasting.' In the centre light of the Triplet are the Cross, the emblems of the Communion, and the letters I. H. S. At the base of the win- dow is the inscription, ' In Memoriam FunditorisJ This win- dow is the gift of A. Beresford Hope, Esq., a noble layman of the Church of England, and a warm friend of Dr. Ogilby, thus happily expressing ' the Communion of Saints.' The font, one of the most beautiful we have ever seen, was given to Dr. Ogilby by a devoted Christian lady. The communion service was presented by a family of St. James' Church, Philadelphia, through the Rev. Dr. Morton. Well might this be called a Temple of gifts, realizing the doctrine which its name asserts." The Reverend Founder, who died in 1851, was buried in the grave yard of St. John's Church, New Brunswick, N. J. In a quiet corner, of which there stands at the head of a lowly mound, a chaste and solid head stone, surmounted by a beautiful wheel- cross, and bearing in the old English character the following inscription : — To The beloved memory of JOHN DAVID OGILBY, D. D., Prof, of Eccl. History, Who entered into his rest February ii, Mdcccli, At the age of forty years, after a life of unreserved devotion to Christ and His Church. HISTORY OF THE PARISH AND CHURCH OP UPPER GREENBURGH. This parish was first organized by the Rev. William Creigh- ton, D. D. in August, 1836. At a meeting of the congregation, held on the 8th of that month the following gentlemen were elected officers : Nathaniel B. Holmes and Steuben Swartout, church- wardens. Jonathan S. Odell, Joseph M. Scribner, Stephen B. Tompkins, Pierce Wildey, Jasper Odell, Henry L. Haight, Nathaniel Bayles and Charles B. White, vestrymen. a A church edifice was commenced in the autumn of that year and consecrated to the service of Almighty God, by the name and style of Christ Church, Tarrytown, by Bishop Onderdonk in September, 1837. The whole structure, a neat gothic edi- fice of brick, is valued at $8000. The Rev. William Creigh- ton, D. D. is the first and present incumbent. On the north side of the chancel of Christ Church are two marble slabs bearing the following inscriptions : — In memory of Catharine Kemble, born October, 1765, and departed this life the 16th day of July, A. D. 1844. Sister to Maria Philipse. " In death they were not divided." In memory of Maria Philipse, (relict of Frederick Philipse) » County Rec Religious Soc. Liber. B. p. 42. 666 HISTORY OF'THE PARISH of Philipstown, Putnam County, New York, who departed this life the 13th day of November, A. D. 1839, aged 68 years. Her remains rest within the walls of the tower of this church. " The memory of the just is blessed." Prov. x. 7. The No. of baptisms for this parish in 1853, were 7. Com" municants, 49. Catechists. 4. Catechumens, 40. Christ Church, Tarrytown' HISTORY PARISH AND CHURCH OP SOMEKS. Prior to the year 1788, this parish formed a part of the town- ship of Hanover, within Cortlandt's manor. Upon the 7th of March, 1788, it was independently organized under the title of Stephentown, a name adopted out of compliment to Stephen Van Cortlandt, (fourth son of the Hon. Stephanus Van Oortlandt, first lord of the manor of Cortlandt) one of its principal propri- etors. The present name was bestowed, A. D. 1808, in honor, it is said, of Captain Somers, one of the gallant heroes of the Tripolitan war. Under the Mohegan Indians, Somers formed an appendage to the great territory of Amaghpogh or Ammawalk. In 1699 a deed for this tract was executed by Sachima Wicker, the chief of the Kightawonck tribe, (within whose limits Amaghpogh was comprehended) to Stephanus Van Cortlandt. This parish may fairly be considered a daughter of St. James' Church, North Salem, as the families which formed its nucleus were for many years under the pastoral care of the rectors of St. James', and attended service at Salem. 668 HISTORY OJ 1 THE PARISH So early as the year 1804, the Episcopalians of North Salem and Stephentown united with those of Bedford and New Cas- tle in calling a minister. It appears too that the Episcopalians of Stephentown contributed liberally towards this object, consider- ing their number and estates. Upon the 4th of September, 1804, the REV. GEORGE STREBECK was called to, and accepted the rectorship of the united parishes. The next year, however, he resigned his charge, and accepted a call to the rectorship of St. Stephen's Church, New York. For some time after 1805, the Churchmen of this section o£ country were favored with the occasional ministrations of the Rev. R. C. Moore, the late pious and beloved Bishop of Vir- ginia, and many other respectable and laborious clergymen. In 1807 the Rev. Messrs. Rogers. Moore and Wilkins were appointed, agreeaoly to the sixth canon of the Diocese of 1806, "to sup- ply North Salem and the other congregations in Westchester County, on a Sunday, or some days in the same week of their appointments at Bedford." Occasional services were also per. formed here, by other clergymen. In his parochial report for 1S08, Mr. Rogers, rector of Rye, observes: — "Agreeably to appointment I visited and performed divine service twice at Bedford, once at Stephentown, and qnce at New Castle. And although the congregations in those places appear to labor un- der discouragements, having no settled minister, yet many are friendly attached to our Church, and are highly gratified with even the occasional services which we are able to afford them." Previous to the erection of the parish church in 1842, Episco- pal services were held usually in an edifice erected by the lib- erality of persons belonging to the various religious societies and others, possessing no denominational connection, under the name of the union meeting house. Before the 26th of January in the year of our Lord 1835, the present parish was organized under the rectorship of the REV. ALEXANDER FRASER. AND CHURCH OF SOMERS. 669 About this time, arrangements were made for disposing of the interest which the Episcopal party held in the union meet- ing house and parsonage, and building a church for themselves. This was quickly effected through the active and zealous exer- tions of the vestry, to whose liberality, together with that of several other individuals'of the neighborhood, friendly to the un- dertaking, the parish is indebted for its present commodious and beautiful church. Mr. Fraser was the son of Donald Fraser, a descendant of Hugh Fraser, (Lord Lovat) chief of the clan Fraser, and Anne Bowman, a daughter of the Haliburton's of Kirkleston, in Aberdeenshire. He was born at Lachilee, in Forfarshire, A. D. 1802; and at the age of fifteen removed into England, where he received the principal part of his education. " Early in life, religiously inclined, he became, when arrived at man's estate, a preacher among the Primitive Methodists, in which capacity he officiated in London and other places in Eng. land, and with much acceptance, for several years. About 1831 he came to this country, intending to pass through to Canada, where he purposed to take holy orders in the Church, and to serve as a missionary. His plans, however, were so far changed that he married in New York, and was ordained Deacon by the Rt. Rev. Benjamin T. Onderdonk, in St. Peter's Chapel, New York, on the 30th of June, 1833. He then became a mis. sionary, first in what is now the Diocese of Western New York, and afterwards at North Salem and Somers, &c. He was admitted to the holy order of priests by Bishop Onderdonk in St. James' Church, North Salem, May 8th, 1835, and the next year transferred to New York city, as a missionary of the New York Protestant Episcopal Missionary Society, which office he held, first as missionary in charge of the church of the Holy Evangelists, and afterwards as missionary at large for four years ; m both of which capacities he laboured with great zeal and diligence. As illustrative of his deep interest in his pastoral duties, and of his mental powers, it may be mentioned, that while missionary in New York, finding that he was brought in contact with many French and German emigrants, he made 670 HISTORY OF THE TAE1SH himself at once sufficiently acquainted with those languages to converse and officiate therein. " The remaining years of his life were most usefully passed as the minister of St. Philip's Church, New York, and one of the chaplains of the Sailor's Snug Harbor, Staten Island." a He died in New York city, on Friday, May 26th, 1848, in the 48th year of his age. His remains were interred in Greenwood cemetery. Upon the removal of Mr. Fraser in 1836, occasional services were held here by the Rev. Alfred H. Partridge. In September, 1842, he reported to the Convention that : — " In addition to the usual services of the Church in Bedford, he had officiated at Somers once a month until the consecration of the church, which took place on the 19th of January last ; and since, every afternoon until Easter." Mr. Partridge has labored in this par- ish (at different periods) for five years, and was under God the means of raising the Church to its present prosperous condition. Mr. Fraser was succeeded by the REV. DAVID H. SHORT, who entered upon the duties of this parish, in connection with St. James' Church, North Salem, on the first Sunday after Eas. ter, A. D. 1842. He reported six baptisms and thirteen commu- nicants. Mr. Short removed to Connecticut in 1S44, and was succeeded by the REV. SAMUEL C. DAVIS, who took charge of the parish about Easter of that year. He makes report to the Diocesan Convention, of twelve baptisms and twenty- two communicants, and observes : — " That a grad- ual advancement in the temporal and spiritual interests of the parish, calls for devout gratitude, and encourages to greater zeal and faithfulness." Upon his removal in 1846, the R See New York Churchman for June 10th, 1848. AND CHURCH OF SOMERS. 671 REV. ALFRED H. PARTRIDGE officiated here until the REV. JOHN WELLS MOORE, the present incumbent was called to the rectorship in 1851. THE CHURCH. The Episcopal Church of St. Luke, occupies a fine situation on the plain, which combining with the beautiful range of hills to the west and north furnishes a pleasing view. It is a very handsome edifice of wood, in the Grecian style, with a stone basement beneath. The front presents a lofty portico, supported by Ionic columns ; the roof is surmounted with a low tower, which contains a fine toned bell. The interior is very hand- somely fitted up, and reflects much credit on the parish. This building was consecrated to the service of Almighty God, on the 19th of January, A. D. 1842, by Bishop Onderdonk. It had been previously incorporated upon the 28th of February, 1835. Isaac Purdy and Frederick J. Coffin, churchwardens. Thad- deus Barlow, Aaron Brown, William Marshall, Gerard Crane, Edwin Finch, Charles Wright, William Turk and Ray Tomp- kins, vestrymen. The organ was presented by the ladies. The communion service, which is of silver, and very handsome, was also given by them, and bears the following inscription : — " St. Luke's Church, Somers, 1843." NOTITIA PAROCHIAL1S. 1S42, Communicants, 13, Baptisms, 6. 1844, do 22, do 12. 1853, do 23, do 33. In 1782, the white population of the middle ward of Cort- landt's manor was 2146. In 1840, the population of Somers was 2082. In 1850, do do do 722. 672 HISTORY OF THE PARISH No. of families belonging to this parish in 1853. 20. No. of souls, 95. Catechists, 5. Catechumens, 17. WARDENS OF ST. LUKE'S CHURCH. 1836 to 1840. Isaac Purdy, Frederick J. Coffin. 1840 to 1848. Joshua Purdy, Charles Wright. 1849 to 1853. Thaddeus Barlow, William Turk. St. Luke's Church, Somers. . Z^Z/e / HISTORY OF THE PARISH AND CHUECH Off MOERISANIA. The manor of Morrisania formerly constituted one of the six precincts of Westchester parish. Its name being derived from the Morris family, the first patentees under the Crown. At the period of the Dutch discovery, it was styled Ranachque, an aboriginal appellation, which doubtless refers to some object peculiar to its geographical locality. The first grantee under the Indians of Ranachque, was Jonas Bronck, in 1639, who sub- sequently obtained a " ground brief" from the Dutch authorities. His widow Antonia Shighboom, married Arendt Van Cnrler, who in 165 L transported Bronck's land to Jacob Van Stoll, trom whom it passed th rough several proprietors to Richard Morris. This individual was among the adherents of Oliver Cromwell, who, by the restoration of Charles the Second in 1660, were obliged to seek refuge in foreign lands. He had held the com- mission of Captain in a regiment commanded by an elder bro- ther, Lewis, in the army of the Commonwealth, and having disguised himself under the profession of Quakerism, first took 43 674 HISTORY OF THE PARISH up his residence in the Island of Barbadoes, whence he removed to New York. In 167G he obtained a patent of Bronck's land from Gov. Andros, and subsequently a confirmation from Sha- has and other Indians. He died in 1672, leaving a son, Lewis Morris, 1 who was born at Morrisania in 1671, and upon the death of his uncle Lewis in 1691, fell heir to his estates. On the 8th of May, 1697, Lewis Morris obtained royal letters patent from King William the Third, erecting Morrisania into a town- ship and manor, to be holden of the King in free and common soccage, its Lord yielding and rendering therefor, annually, on the Feast day of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the rent of six shillings. Under this charter the Morris' were possessed of the impropriation and -the patronage of all and every, the church and churches, erected or established within the manor of Morrisania. Lewis Morris, the third proprietor of Morrisania, appears to have been a man of extraordinary talents. Chief Justice Smith informs us, " that of all the members of the New York Assembly in 1710, Col. Morris had the greatest influence in our public affairs. He was a man of letters, and, though a little whimsical in his temper, was grave in his manner, and of pene- trating parts. Being excessively fond of the society of men of> sense and reading, he was never wearied at a sitting till the spirits of the whole company were dissipated. From his in- fancy he had lived in a manner best adapted to teach him the nature of man, and to fortify his mind for the vicissitudes of life." In the year 1700, he was appointed President of the Council of New Jersey, and subsequently Governor of that Pro- vince. On the accesssion of William Burnet, as successor to Governor Hunter, in September, 1720, Col. Morris received the appointment of Chief Justice of the Province of New York, and became the chief confidant and adviser of the new execu- a Among the unprovided brethren of St. David's College, Pembrokeshire, in 1553, was Lewis Morris, one of the ministers who received a pension of £G 13. Hist, of the Cathedral of St. David's, by Brown Willis. AND CHURCH OF MORRISANIA. C75 live. In 1733, he was elected a representative for the County of Westchester, in opposition to the aristocratic candidate. He was chosen a member of the Venerable Propagation Society, and took a very active part in promoting its interests. As early as September 14th, 1700, at a meeting of that body, held in London, a memorial was received from him, in which he speaks of the several townships of East Jersey, "as distracted by al- most every variety of dissent, but with little appearance of real religion among them." He also suggests some measures which may conduce to the bringing over to the Church the people in those countries. "First. That no man be sent a Governor into any of these Plantations, but a firm Churchman, &c. If pos- sible, none but Churchmen to be in his council and in the magistracy. "Secondly. That Churchmen may have some peculiar privili- ges above others. This (if practicable) must be done by Act of Parliament. "Thirdly. That there may be some measures fallen upon, to get ministers to preach gratis in America, for some time, til there be sufficient numbers of converts to bear the charge, and I presume that may be accomplished this way : let the King, the Archbishop, the Bishops and great men, admit no man for so many years to any great benefice, but such as shall oblige themselves to preach three years gratis in America; with part of the living let him maintain a curate ; and the other part let him apply to his own use. By this means we shall have the greatest and best men, and in all human probability, such men imust in a short time, have made a wonderful progress in the conversion of these countries, especially when it is perceived the good of souls is the only motive to this undertaking.""- About the same time he informs the Society that : — " The want of a Bishop, and exorbitant power of the several Gover- nors of the PI ntations are great hindrances to the propagation of the Gospel." ■ New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 106. (Hawks.) 676 HISTORY OF THE PARISH The following extract is taken from his next communication to the Secretary : — "I have used some endeavours to persuade the Dutch in my neighborhood into a good opinion of the Church of England, and have had that success, that they would, I believe, join a great part of them in the sacraments and worship^ had they Dutch common prayer books, and a minister that understoo 1 their language. I have taken some pains with one of their ministers, one Mr. Henricus Beyse, and have prevailed on him to accept of Episcopal ordination. 1 think him a man of the best learning we have in this part of the world, and I believe he may be ranked among the men of letters in the other, but I must acquaint you that. he has had some falling out with his parishioners For my part I do believe he is most falsely accused, I have observed his life and have found nothing in it irregular or unbecoming his character. The Dutch of best figure have a value for him, and allow him to be the greatest master of the Dutch tongue they have among them, and those in my neighborhood esteem him very much. If the Society think fit to employ him I shall add to what they give £15 per annum for three years, and I believe he will do great service, and I doubt not you will find him worth your acquaintance and favor. If the Society would send about fifty Dutch common prayer books, I believe they would sell, and the money might be returned or paid to their mission- aries as they thought proper. This would be doing a great good at a cheap rate. This sir. is what offers at present from Sir, Your affectionat humble servant, Lewis Morris."* 1 Colonel Morris was at this time one of the most influential freeholders in the parish of Westchester, and a liberal benefac- tor to its church. The small bell that recently hung in the turret of St. Peter's was the gift of his bounty in 1705. His manor em- braced a large portion of the parish, and contributed annually •New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. pp. 159, 160. (Hawk*.) AND CHURCH OF MORRISANIA. 677 a small rate for the support of the rector and poor. The follow- ing extracts are taken from the vestry book of St. Peter's : — " At a meeting held by ye Justices, Vestrymen and Churchwardens on ye 17lh of January, I70S-9, it was ordered, yt the two Church- wardens for this ensuing year shall go to Mr. Morris to know if yt he will pay his arrearedges, or otherways to know if yt he will joyne issue with ye parish to try ye title whether his man- nor be in ye parish or not, and make return at ye next meeting.'' At a meeting of the same body held the 24th day of January, A. I). 1709-10, &c: — " it being discovered amongst ye vestry- men, &c. yt sometime since Mr. Lewis Morris, a principal free- holder of this parish made some motion and overtures of erect- ing or building at his own proper charge a convenient seat, place or pew, in some suitable part of ye church in this town, for ye accommodation of himself and family ; which generous offer was by some (tho' a diminutive number) of the vestry rejected : yet notwithstanding did conclude them all by a tame acquiescency to ye bare negative voices of but two of them, who not well weighing ye consequences, nor seriously considering ye ration- allity of the offer did refuse giving ye liberty to that worthy gentleman ; which ye vestry now met, having took into con- sideration, and seriously reflecting upon ye miscarriage of ye vestry in yt particular, (which indeed did look a little better than black ingratitude) have unanimously (nemine centradi- ccnte) agreed and concluded : that ye said Mr. Lewis Morris may if he sees cause at his own proper cost and charge, build, erect, make or set up any convenient pew, seat, &c, capacious enough for ye accommodation of his worthy self and family, within any convenient place (as unto him shall seem best) of ye body of said church." Among the early benefactors to Trinity Church, New York, occurs the name of Lewis Morris, who contributed the timber for its erection. In return for this act of munificence, the vestry of that church granted the family a square pew. He was also a vestryman from 1097 to 1700. He died on Wednes- day the 21st of May, 1746, aged 73. 678 HISTORY OF THE PARISH The following notice of his death appeared in the New York Weekly Post Boy for May 26th, 1746 :— " New York, May 23d, Wednesday last departed this life, at Trenton, after a lingering illness, in an advanced age, his Excellency Lewis Morris, Esq., Captain General and Governor-in-Chief of the Province of New Jersey." The following items are taken from the journal of his son, Lewis Morris. " May 26th, 1746, set out from Trenton with my father's corpse for Amboy ferry ; got there that night about nine of the clock. His corpse was attended by numbers of peo- ple, and his pall was supported by Messrs. Andrew Johnston, James Hide, Peter Kemble, Thomas Leonard, Philip French, Daniel Cox, Philip Kearney and Charles Read. The corpse was put on board of a large peri-augur, which came from Morri- Sania for that purpose, and arrived the next morning at Morrisa- nia, the wind blowing at night at north-west extraordinary hard, and being cold lay that night at the ferry." " May 29th. My father was buried at Morrisania in a vault built by directions in his will. The materials and workman- ship came to £10 6 7\. His bearers were the Chief Justice, Joseph Murray, Robert Walters, James Alexander, William Smith, David Clarkson, Abraham Depeyster and Lewis Johnston. Dr. Standard the minister of the parish of Westchester attended the burial and performed the service of the Church." By her last will and testament, Isabella Morris, wife of Gover- nor Morris, directs that " her body be decently interred in the vault at Morrisania, near the remains of her deceased hus- band." This lady was the daughter of James Graham, Attorney General for the province of New York. The subjoined notice of her decease appeared in the Penn- sylvania Gazette for April 9th, 1752. i: New York, April 6th, last Monday, died in the SOth year of her age, and on Thursday was decently interred in the family vault at Morrisania, Isabella Morris, widow and relict of his Excellency Lewis Morris, Esq., late Governor of the Province of New Jersey. A lady endowed with every qualification requisite to render the sex agreeable AND CHURCH OF MORRISANIA. 679 and entertaining. Through all the various scenes of life, she was a pattern of conjugal affection, a tender parent, a sincere friend and an excellent economist. She was Liberal without Prodigality. In Person venerable. Frugal " Parsimony. " Conversation affable. Cheerful " Levity. ■' Friendship faithful. Exalted " Pride. Of Envy void. That she passed through life, endowed with every grace ; Her virtues, Olint Destruction can't deface, Or cruel Envy e'er eclipse her fame, Nor mouldering Time obliterate her name." The sons of the Hon. Lewis Morris, were Lewis, who in- herited the lordship and manor of Morrisania, and Robert, who had for his share the Jersey estates. Lewis Morris, the eldest son was judge of the Court of Admi- ralty, and one of the judges of Oyer and Terminer. His death took place in his sixty-fourth year, July 3d, 1762. By his first wife, Catharine, he had issue three sons, Lewis, proprietor of old Morrisania, Richard and Staats. The descendants of the two for- mer are very numerous in Westchester county. By his second wife, Sarah Gouverneur, he left one son, Gouverneur, father of the present Gouverneur Morris, of Morrisania. Another descendant in the fifth generation is Lewis G. Morris, senior warden of St» James' Church, Fordham. Prior to the Revolution, Morrisania, as before stated, formed one of the precincts of Westchester parish, and in 1703 paid, as her quota, towards the rector's support and poor, £3 7. In 1720 her rate was £4 10. Morrisania continued to be associated with Westchester in the support of a minister until 1S40, when the present parochial church of St. Ann's was founded by Gouverneur Morris, Esq., being the first builling devoted to reli- gious worship and instruction ever commenced in Morrisania. The church with its adjoining grounds were munificently con- veyed to the vestry as a donation, by its founder, Gouverneur Morris, Esq., in a deed securing the holy and beautiful house, 680 HISTORY OF THE PARISH which God had moved him to erect, to the service of God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, (fee. DEED OF GIFT. " This indenture made tliis seventeenth day of July, in the year of our Lord ono thousand eight hundred and forty-one, between Gouvei'neur Morris, of Morrisania, in the county of Westchester, in the State of New York, Esquire, of the first part, and the Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Ann's Church at Morrisania. of the second part : Wnereas the said Gouverneur Morris with a view to the promo- tion of Religion and Piety, has at his own expense erected on his estate at Morris- ania aforesaid, a church or edifice intended for the public worship of God according to the rites and ceremonies of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America ; and whereas a religious society has lately been formed and incorporated according to law, by the name and style of the Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Ann's church at Morrisania, which corporation are the parties hereto of the se- cond part, and the said Gouverneur Morris has promised to give to them the said edi- fice with the land hereafter described to be attached thereto, with the exceptions, and on the conditions hereinafter expressed. Now this indenture witnesseth that the said Gouverne Morris, in consideration of the premises and of one dollar lawful money of the United States of America, to him in hand paid by the said parties of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, hath granted, bargained) sold and conveyed, and hereby doth grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said parties of the second part, their successors and assigns, all that certain piece or parcel of land situate in Morrisania aforesaid, whereon the said church edifice hath been erected, and bounded as follows, to wit : Beginning at a stake situate south sixty-six degrees and forty-five minutes, east sixty-eight and a half feet from an iron bolt in the south corner of a large rock, which stake is the south-west corner of the lot herein described, and running thence north twenty-three degrees and fifteen minutes, east two hundred and eighty feet six inches, thence south sixty-four degrees and forty-five minutes, east three hundred and ninety-five feet and two inches, thence south thirty degrees and thirty minutes, west one hundred and twenty-six feet and eight inches? thence south forty-one degrees and. thirty minutes, west one hundred and forty nine feet six inches, thence south forty degrees, west nine feet and two inches, thence north sixty-six degrees and forty-five minutes, west three hundred and twenty-six feet and six inches to the place of beginning, the last mentioned course being par- alell with the front of the said church or edifice, and distant therefrom one hundred and sixty-two feet and eight inches, together with the said church or edifice and the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging, but excepting and reserving thereout the two vaults hereafter mentioned. To have and to hold the said premises hereby intended to be conveyed to the said parties of the second part, their successors and assigns forever, but nevertheless on the conditions and subject to the stipulations and covenants herein contained ; that is to say, first, that the said church or edifice shall be devoted to the worship of God according to the rites and ceremonies of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and shall not be used for AND CHURCH OF MORRISANIA. CS1 any Other purpose. Second, that such of the pews in the said church as are marked in the plan hereto annexed with the word Free, shall never be sold or rented, but shall remain free, so that all persons comming to the said church to worship therein may freely occupy and use the same. Third, that none of the pews within the said church or edifice shall ever be sold, but that all except those intended to be free as aforesaid, may be rented for terms not exceeding three years, and that the rents aris- ing therefrom shall be forever applied for the support of the rector or minister for the time being who shall officiate in the said cbuich. and for no other purpose except for necessary repairs of the said church, and for fuel and other necessary expenses for the services of the same. And whereas a vault hath been constructed which is nude' the said church, and in which are interred the remains of the mother of the said Gouverneur Morris and whereas there is another vault within the boundaries above described, but not beneath the said church, in which are interred the remains o! the father of the said Gouverneur Moiris and of others of his family, now it is hereby declared that each of the said vaults, and the ground whereon they are built, is hereby reserved and excepted from the above grant and conveyance (and it is one of the ex- press conditions of this conveyance) that the said Gouverneur Morris, his heirs and assigns, shall at all times have access to the said two vaults with the privilege of opening and using the same for the burial of their dead. And whereas the said Gouver- neur Monis has also caused to be constructed under the said church other vaults, it is also a condition of this conveyance, that if the parties hereto of the second part shall sell or grant the right of using the same, they shall invest all money to arise from such sales or as compensation for such grants so that it may produce an annual interest or income, and shall apply such interest or income to the support of the rec- tor or minister for the time being officiating in the said church, and for no other pur- pose whatever. And this conveyance is on this further condition, that the land here- by conveyed, and not covered by the said church, shall be used for the purposes fol- lowing and none other : that is to say, a part not exceeding one half thereof may be used as a site for a parsonage or dwelling house for the use of the rector or minister for the time being officiating in the said church, and for a garden to be attached thereto, and tor a site for sheds for the protection of horses and carriages of persons attending worship in the said church, and the residue of the said land shall be used as a cemetry or burial ground, and for no other purpose, and it is a further express condition of this conveyance, that wo rector or minister shall be called or employed to officiate in the said church during the life of the said Gouverneur Morris without his previous consent in writing, and further, that neither the premises hereby conveyed or any part thereof, nor any of the said pews or vaults, or any of the rents or income to arise therefrom from any part of the said premises, shall ever on any pretence, be mortgaged, or in any way or manner be made liable for any debts or engagements of the parties of the second Dart, or of their successors. And the said parties of the second part, for themselves and their successors, hereby covenant with the said Gouver- ii' ur Monis, his heirs and assigns, that they the said parties of the second part and their successors, shall and will faithfully observe and perform all and every rf the said conditions, and it is hereby expressly declared and agreed, that if default shall at any 682 HISTORY OF THE PARISH time bo made in the performance or observance of any of the conditions above men- tioned, or of the said covenants, it shall be lawful for the said Gonverneur Morris, his heirs and assigns to re-enter into, and upon tho said premises, or any part thereof, in the name of the whole, and tho same to have again repossess- and enjoy as in his first and former estate, anything herein contained to the contiaiy iheieof notwith- standing. In witness whereof, the said Gouverueur Morris hath hereunto set his hand and seal, and the parties of the second part have caused their corporate seal to he hereunto affixed the day and year first above written. Gouverneur Morris, of Morrisania."* Sealed and delivered } in the presence of \ 11. M. Morris. THE CHURCH. The church of St. Ann's is situated in a picturesque position, near Old Morrisania, on rising ground, overlooking a clear and rapid little stream, hastening to join the more expanded waters of the East River. It is a pleasing gothic structure of marble, and comprises a nave with two aisles, small recess chancel, and a spire over the southern end. " It was erected by the present Gouverneur Morris, Esq. in a field on his own estate, which had for some time been hallowed, as containing the sepulchre of his parents. In a vault constructed to receive his remains, as ap- pears by a tablet in the chancel, the relics of the Honorable Gouverneur Morris, a name illustrious in his country's annals, were laid by his faithful widow. In the year of our Lord 1837 she joined him with the dead, and over her remains has arisen this beautiful sanctuary, which, in remembrance of her, and with respectful regard to two other valued relations of the name, was called St. Ann's, from the blessed St. Anna of the Gospel, and consecrated by that name on the 28th of June, 1841, by Bishop Ouderdonk." The following notice of the conse- cration occurs in the address of the Bishop to the 57th Annual Convention of the Diocese : — •' Monday, 28, consecrated St. Ann's Church, Morrisania, Westchester county, of which the * Copied from the original in the possession of Gouverneur Morris, Esq., Secretary and Treasurer of the vestry of !3t. Ann's Church, Morrisania." AND CHURCH OF MORRISANIA. 683 laying of the comer stone, but little more than eight months previously was mentioned above. In that short period, this substantial marble edifice was erected, finished and furnished, in a beautiful, neat and commodious manner, at the sole cost of Gouverneur Morris, Esq. on his own estate. This is the fourth instance of such pious munificence in the history of our Dio- cese, and one which every true friend to his country will de- light to regard as eminently worthy of a name already illustri- ous in that country's annals. God grant that it may not be the last addition to the list which hands down to the grateful re- membrance and veneration of the Church, the names of Duane, Van Zandt and Pierrepont. It were much to be desired that our wealthy and ^benevolent men would duly consider the perpetual and inestimable good that may be done by the erection — and let me add, moderate endowment — of churches. Before pro- ceeding to the consecration of St. Ann's Church, Mr. Morris had cheerfully given every security that the church should be per- manently devoted to the worship of our communion, and with that view transferred to a parochial corporation, when one should be there formed." The act of incorporation of this Church bears date 20th of July, 1S41 ; Robert Morris and Lewis Morris, wardens. Jacob Buckhout, Daniel Davoe, Benjamin Rogers, Benjamin M. Brown, Edward Legget, Lewis G. Morris and Henry W. Morris. vestrymen. The interior of the church contains a well arranged chancel and the tablet before mentioned, inscribed as follows : Conjugal affection Consecrated this spot where THE BEST OF MEN was laid until a vault could be erected to receive his precious remains. A beautiful purple altar cloth adorned with the sacred mono- gram, surmounted with the glory, together with a silver com- munion service, consisting of a flagon, two chalices and paten, 684 HISTORY OF TILE PARISH have been recently presented to the church by the ladies of the congregation. There is also'an additional paten which bears the following inscription, " Stae. Annas Altaii Voverunt Ties, J. H. C. Fest Pentecost, 1742." The bell is inscribed, " Presented to St. Ann's Church by Gouvemeur Morris. J. P. Allaire, New York.. 1841." The chancel screen and organ were also furnished by the ladies. In a vault near the church, repose the remains of the Hon. Gouvemeur Morris, who died at Morrisania, November 5th 1816, aged 64. On the west side of the church is a neat par- sonage. RECTORS OF ST. ANN'S CHURCH, MORRISANIA. INST. OR CALL. INCUMBENTS. VACAT. BY. 1811, Rev. Arthur C. Cox, Deacon, resig. 1842, Rev. Charles Jones, Presb. resig. 1843, Rev. Charles Aldis. Presb. resig. 1 Sept. 1847, Rev. Abraham B. Carter, Presb. resig. 20 Mar. 1852, Rev. J. Pinckney Hammond, Presb. present rector- St. Ann's Church. Morrisania. AND CHURCH OF MORRISANIA. 685 NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS. 1S47, Communicants, 60. Baptisms, 17. 1S53, since division, " 50. " 19. In 1712 the population of Morrisania was 62. In 1S40, Westchester, West Farms, Morrisania and Fordham contained 4,154. In 1850, West Farms, Morrisania and Fordham contained 4,268. WARDENS OF ST. ANN'S CHURCH. 1841. Robert Morris, Lewis Morris. 1S42-9. Robert Morris, William H. Morris. 1850-3. William H. Morris, Edward G. Fade. HISTORY OF THE PARISH AID CHURCH OP NOUTH CASTLE. North Castle was at first styled the White Fields, a name de- rived from the White Balsam, and subsequently upon its di- vision into several patents, the Liberty of North Castle. Upon the 19th of October, 1696, Caleb Heathcote obtained a release from the Indian Sachems, Wampus. Patthunck, and others, of all that tract of land : — "Bounded north by Croton River, easterly with Byram River and Bedford line, northerly by the land of John Harrison and his associates, and the line stretching to Byram River aforesaid, and westerly by the land of Frederick Philipse." The above sale included the west patent of North Castle. In 1702 the eastern portion of what is still known as the Middle Patent, was granted by royal char- ter to Col. Caleb Heathcote and his associates. The western portion of the same was confirmed by Queen Anne, on the 25th day of September, 1708, to Anne Bridges and her associates. In 1766 a partition of the middle and west patents took place. The settlement of North Castle was commenced about 1752, AND CIIURCII OF NORTH CASTLE. 687 principally by descendants of the Long Island Quakers, and a few Churchmen, who gave it the name it now bears. At this time it was united with Rye, and enjoyed with her, for nearly sixty-two years, the services of a succession of devoted and faithful missionaries. Sometime prior to 1753, a site was selected for a church edifice, on the undivided land of the Middle Patent, not half a mile from the spot now occupied for this purpose, and was designated by the letter C, inscribed on a rock. This letter is still legible. The present proprietor of the farm has the an- cient deed for the lot of ground in his possession. For some reasons, now unknown, it was determined to erect the church on another site (then in the same town, now in New Castle,) five miles distant from the former. a This was done, and that building, being since taken down, was called "St. George's Church. North Castle." The Rev. Robert Jenney, rector of Rye, (who first began to take pains with the people of North Castle, and preach among them) thus writes to the Venerable Propagation Society, in 1722 : — (; I have lately been to a settlement in the woods, where I had good success, having baptized a whole family, parents and children." This evidently refers to the present parish, for a On the 10th of October, 1755, John Hallock "of North Castle for the sum of £10 conveyed to Joseph Fowler and Caleb Fowler of the same place, " a certain piecs of land lying in North Castle, bounded as followeth : beginning on the east side of the highway that leads from the said John Hallock's house to Aaron For- mau's, sen. at a certain neck, which lyes at the south-west corner of the said Aaron Forman's home lot, with the letter C cut thereon, and from thence extending south 65 degrees, easterly or thereabouts along by the land of the said Aaron For- man's as the fence now stands 3 chains and 50 links (of Mr. Gunter's chain) to a stake stuck in the ground, with stones about it ; from thence running south-easterly about 47 degrees 2 chains to a marked chesnut tree, standing on the edge of the brook, a little to north-end of the said John Hallock's new grist mill, from thence running west 2 chains and 80 links to the aforesaid road, and from thence running something to the east of the north 3 chains and 10 links to the first bound, contain- ing | of an acre, &c." Copied from the original deed in the possession of Mr. Job Sands, of North Castle. 638 HISTORY OF THE PARISH in 1728, the Rev. James Wetmore, his successor, informs the same : — " That at North Castle, a new settlement in the woods, there are more than forty families, most of which are unbaptized, and that he preaches there every fifth Sunday." At this period North Castle, as one of the precincts of the par- ish of Rye, contributed towards the rector's support and poor £3 7 0.* For a number of years North Castle was destitute of reli- gious privileges, until it pleased God, through the faithful la- bors of the Rev. Robert Harris to revive His cause in this insu- lated portion of the country. The following account of the or- ganization of this parish is taken from the printed parochial reports of 1843: — "Episcopal services were commenced in a school-house, in the town of North Castle, in November, 1810, and were held here once a fortnight, until the Summer of 1842, when it was deemed expedient to occupy the log cabin in the village of Mile Square, in said town, as a place of public wor- ship. In this building (eight miles distant from the church of White Plains) a good congregation was gathered, consisting of persons, who, although strangers to our services, were, notwith- standing, favorable to the Church, attentive to its ministrations and disposed to aid in its establishment. Immediately after the Convention of 1842, a Church was organized with the title of 'St. Stephen's Church, North Castle;' and it was de- termined at once to erect, with strict regard to economy, a neat and substantial church edifice. The Lord in an especial man- ner blessed our undertaking. Several providential circumstances, which might be mentioned, if space would allow, occurred to encourage and aid us. The work was accomplished without delay, and in a manner exceeding our most sanguine expecta- tions. A beautiful church of wood, (42 by 36) with a handsome tower and vestry-room (12 by 18) in the rear, and gallery across has been thouroughly finished by day's work, of the most sub- Tor a further account of this precinct, prior to the Revolution, see the parish of New Castle. New Castlo was set off from North Castle in 1791, AND CHURCH OF NORTH CASTLE. 689 stantial materials and workmanship, and completely painted with several coats of paint for the moderate cost of $2000. "It must be observed, however, that a small lot of ground eligibly situated was given for a site, together with the timber for the frame, and the drawing of the materials. The builder also, (Mr. L. Eggleston) very generously gave off his usual profits. " The interior of the church has been handsomely furnished by money raised by the Ladies' Sewing Society, of the parish, which, aided by a similar association in my other parish, has furnished blinds for the windows, and paid for the painting of the church. (Two gentlemen in New York presented the church, the one. with a chandelier, the other with a pair of lamps for the pulpit, very acceptable gifts, both costly and orna. mental.) " Without assistance from other parishes this church could not have been built. About $675 were given by them, and we have returned them our sincere thanks. Indeed the undertaking from the first, has been one of a mis- sionary character ; ministerial services are rendered gratuitously, and were extended in the hope that a region destitute of reli- gious priviliges, might, through the influence of our excellent institutions, be reclaimed from immorality and unbelief, to the fear and obedience of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This hope is daily confirmed." St. Stephen's Church, North Castle, was first incorporated on the 23d of August, 1S41 : — " Israel Townsend and Samuel B. Ferris, churchwardens. John Merritt, Reuben M. Green, Lemon B. Tripp, Joseph Close, Ziel J. Eggleston, Elisha Sutton Jonathan H." Green and Isaiah Townsend, vestrymen." THE CHURCH. The parochial church of St. Stephen's is situated at Armoncki k on the road leading from White Plains to Bedford, and was Consecrated September 13th, 1843, by the Rt. Rev. B. T. On. derdonk, D. D., twelve of the clergy being in attendance. 44 690 HISTORY OF THE PARISH From 1842 to 1853, the Rev. R. W. Harris, D. D. connected the rectorship of this church with that of his parish of White Plains. To St. Stephen's church is attached a glebe of several acres, on which stands the " Chester Female Institute." The clergyman now in charge of this school, is the Rev. Isaac Dyckman Vermilye, rector of the parish, who, as well as his wife, has had valuable experience in teaching, and are both admirably adapted to the situations they respectively oc- cupy. " The Rev. Mr. Vermilye is now engaged with every prospect of successful labor. The congregation increases, and under his care will flourish. The present is with them an important period ; a few individuals have made great efforts to plant our Church firmly, and if they can be sustained in carrying out their judicious plans, the parish will not only soon be beyond the need of aid, but be enabled to assist others. The school is their reliance, under God, for sustaining the church, and for ex- tending its influence widely in the surrounding region, to be reached in no other way." St. Stephen's Church, North Castle AND CHURCH OF NORTH CASTLE. 691 NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS. 1844, Communicants, 11. Baptisms, 11. 1853, " 42. » 8. In 1782, North Castle contained a population of 558 white inhabitants. In 1840, the population was 2058. In 1850, » " 2191. The No. of families belonging to this parish in 1853, 33. No. of Souls, 133. No. of Catechists, 4. No. of Catechumens, 13 . HISTOEY OF THE PARISH AND CHURCH OP PELHAM. Prior to 1788, Pelham formed a district of the parish of West- chester and a portion of the old manor of that name, which originally embraced nine thousand one hundred and sixty-six acres. The name itself is of Saxon origin, and compounded of the two words Pel (remote) and Ham (mansion.) The former being the ancient surname of the manorial proprietors, affords us a very good reason for its adoption in connection with the last. In the year 1642, Ann Hutchinson, widow of William Hut- chinson* 1 of Newport, R. I., fled here for protection and -com- menced a plantation on Pelhanr neck, which up to a very late period was distinguished as the " Manor of Ann Hook's Neck." Here in 1643 the Siwanoy Indians murdered her and her whole family, consisting of sixteen persons. b a William Hutchinson came from England in 1G34, and settled at Boston, which he represented in 1G35. He died at|Ne\vport, R. I. in 1642. b Neale's History of N. E. vol. i. p. 178. Weld's Rise, Reign and Ruin of the Antinomians. AND CHURCH OP PELHAM. 693 In 1654, Thomas Pell, Esq. of Fairfield, Conn, purchased from Wampage and other Indians, nearly the whole of the south eastern portion of Westchester county, a part of which was erected by Governor Nicolls, A. D. 1666, into the manor of Pel- ham. The proprietor rendering therefor, yearly, one lamb upon the first of May, (the Festival of St. Philip and St. James) if the same should be demanded. " The Pells boast a very remote antiquity, tracing their de- scent from the ancient family of that name in Lincolnshire, Eng- land, a branch of which afterwards removed into the county of Norfolk. Of this family was John Pell, Esq., lord of the manor of Shouldam Priory and Brookhall, in that county, who, by his will, dated September 26th, 1554, required to be buried in the church of Dersingham. a John, his son and heir, was ' Steward or Master of the King's cup,' and died in 1607, leaving by his wife, Margaret Overend, six sons and three daughters. One of his sons was John Pell, A. M. in holy orders, rector of South- wyck,'Sussex, who died A. D. 1616. b This individual was the father of two sons, the Rev. John Pell, D. D. rector of Fobbing in Essex, and Thomas Pell, Esq. first proprietor of the manor of Pelham. The latter was born at Southwyck in 1608, he was 'Gentleman of the Bedchamber' to King Charles the First, and emigrated to New England about 1642, in which year he ap- pears by the records to have been a resident of New Haven* Warmly attached to the Royal cause he refused to take th e oath of allegiance to the New Haven authorities and removed to Fairfield, where he purchased from the Indians, as before stated, in 1654. Dying without issue in 1669, he bequeathed hi s lands in Pelham, to his nephew, John, the only son of the Rev. John Pell, D. D. who was employed by Oliver Cromwell as Diplomatic agent to the Protestant Cantons of Switzerland? and was afterwards appointed chaplain to the then Archbishop » Hist, of Norfolk Co. vol. v. pp. 127, 128, 129. b Biograpliia Brittanica, vol. v. • O'Ca'laghan' Hist, of N. H., vol. i. 283. 694 HISTORY OF THE PARISH of Canterbury. John Pell, Esq. was born at London on the 3d of February, 1643, where he received his early education. Soon after the Restoration he was appointed { Sewer in Ordinary' to King Charles the Second. Upon the death of his uncle, he re. moved to this country and took possession of the manor of Pel- ham in 1670. He was a noble benefactor to the French church at New Rochelle, one of the first vestrymen of Westchester par- ish, a representative for the county of Westchester in the Pro- vincial Assembly, and for many years a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He died intestate in 1702, leaving issue by his wife, Rachel Pinckney, two sons and several daughters. His descendants are still very numerous in the State of New York. Upon the 20th of October, 16S7, the lands bequeathed to him by his uncle were by Royal letters patent erected into the lord- ship and manor of Pelham, to be holden of the King in free and common soccage, its lord yielding and paying therefor, yearlyj on the Feast day of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the sum of twenty shillings good and lawful money of this Province. Under this charter, the Pells were possessed of the impropriation and the patronage of the church or churches erected or to be erected in the said manor. In 16S9, John Pell and Rachel his wife sold to Jacob Leisler for the French refu- gees, 'all that tract of land lying within the manor, containing six thousand acres,' which they subsequently settled and called New Rochelle. In this grant to the Huguenots, John Pell did also give ' the further quantity of one hundred acres of land for the use of the French church erected or to be erected by the inhabitants ;' whereupon the French refugees took immediate possession of those glebe lands, and erected a church at New Rochelle, which constituted the only benefice within the manor until 1S43. On the 24th of March, 1693, an Act of Assembly was passed oy which the manor of Pelham was made one of the four pre- cincts of "Westchester parish The first vestryman elected un- der this Act, for the precinct in 1702. was John Pell, Sen. Esq., and the quota contributed towards the rectors support and poor AXD CHURCH OF PELHi.il. 695 of the parish was £1 13. " At a meeting of ye churchwardens, vestrymen, freeholders and parishioners of ye Borrough of West- chester. Ccc. in Westchester, the 10th day of January. A. D. 1709-10, &c, Mr. Thomas Pell was chosen and appointed ye vestryman for ye manor of Pelham." The quota for the pre- cinct the same year was £3 0. In 1720, the qui ta furnished by Pelham had increased to £4 4 1^. As early as 1695 a clergyman of the Church of England was settled in the manor of Pelham, but as the freeholders were oblig- ed to pay towards the rectors support at Westchester appointed to him by Act of Assembly, they were rendered incapable cf doing any thing for their own pastor, so that the principal sup- port which the three French ministers of New Rochelle received prior to the Revolution, was derived from the Yenerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. In 17SS, New Rochelle was seperated from the manor of Pel- ham. but the latter still remained united for all ecclesiastical purposes with the former until 1840, when the Rev. Robert Bol- ton, rector of the parish of Eastchester, first extended his minis- terial labors to this town, which was as yet, destitute of the ser- vices of the Church. At this time Mr. Bolton, besides his stated duties at Eastchester, held a Sunday service at his residence in Pelham. accommodating in the ample hall a neighborhood pecu- liarly destitute of spiritual culture. Through his instrumentality a parish was finally organized, and the corner stone of a church laid on his own estate, Friday, the 23th of April, 1S43. being the first building devoted to religious worship and instruction ever commenced in the town of Pelham. The edifice thus happily begun was finished the same year, and on Friday, the 15 th of September, consecrated to the service of Almighty God, by the name of ' : Christ Church, Pelham." Prior to this event, the Reverend Founder prepared a deed transferring the church, and the quarter of an acre of land on which it is situated, to a parochial corporation, when one should be there formed, reserving however six free seats, the south-east- ern transept and two vaults beneath the floor of the church. 696 HISTOEY OF THE PARISH INSTRUMENT OP DONATION OF CHRIST CHURCH, PELHAM. f " I, Robert Bolton, of the town of Pelham, county of Westchester and State o New York, having by the good providence of Almighty God erected in said town a house of public worship, do hereby appropriate and devote the same to the worship and service of Almighty God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, according to the provisions of the Protestant Episcopal Churcli in the United States of America, in its ministry, doctrines, liturgy, rites and usages, by a congregation in communion with the said Church, and in union with the Convention thereof in the Diocese of New York. "And I do also hereby request theRt. Rev. Tredwell Underdonk, D., D. the Bish" p of the said Diocese, to take the said building under his spiritual jurisdiction, as Bishop aforesaid, and that of his successors in office, and to consecrate the same by the name of Christ Church, and thereby seperate it from all unhallowed, worldly and common uses, and solemnly dedicate it to the holy purposes above mentioned. "And I do moreover hereby relinquish all claim to any right of disposing of the aid building, excepting those rights reserved in a certaiii deed conveying the said Church to the rector, wardens and vestrymen of the same, or allowing of the use of it in any way inconsistent with the terms and true meaning of this instrument of donation, and with the consecration hereby requested of the Bishop of this Diocese. " In testimony whereof, I, the said Robert Bolton, have hereunto attached my seal and signature at Pelham, this fifteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord) one thousand eight hundred and forty-three. Robert Bolton."* This instrument, at the order of the Bishop, was publicly- read in the time of divine service, immediately before the con- secration, by the late Rev. John Milnor, D. D. rector of St. George's Church, New York. The act of incorporation bears date 25th of September, 1843, Richard Morris and Henry Grenzebach, churchwardens,, Isaac Roosevelt, George F. Mills, John J. Bolton, William J. Bolton, Peter V. King, Jacob Le Roy, Cornelius Winter Bolton and Robert Bolton, Jun., vestrymen. 1 * Upon the organization of the parish the REV. ROBERT BOLTON a Copied from the original document in the possession of the Rt. Rev. B. T. On- derdonk, D. D. b County Rec. Rel. Soc. Lib. B. p. 85. Day of annual election, Easter Monday AND CHURCH OF PELHAM. 697 became its rector. He was born at Savannah, Georgia, 10th of September, 1788.' His father was Robert Bolton, a merchant of that city, the only son of Robert Bolton, the first Post Mas- ter of Savannah, and a grandson of Robert Bolton, senior warden of Christ Church, Philadelphia, Penn. in 1727. The branch of this family to which Mr. Bolton belongs, removed more than one hundred and eleven years since into Georgia, in which State his father was born, A. D. 1757. He was ordained Deacon by Bishop Onderdonk in St. Paul's Church, Eastchester, Monday, 25th of July, 1837, and Priest by the same Prelate on Sunday, 12th of November following. In 1S44, he reports to the Bishop fifteen communicants and adds : — " The rector is happy to re- port that the object of forming Pelham into a parish, is so far accomplished, that a congregation regularly attends, and gives hopes that permament good will be done among them." His fourth son, the Rev. Cornelius Winter Bolton, was chosen assis- tant minister in IS 17, but resigned in 1850. Mr. Bolton con- tinued rector of the parish until 1852, when he resigned his office. After a short interval (wherein the services of the Church were supplied by the Rev. R. H. Bourne, as assistant minister) the REV. ALEXANDER SHIRAS was called as rector. THE CHURCH. The parish church, which occupies a beautiful situation near the East River, at no great distance from the Priory, com- prises a nave sixty-five feet by twenty-two, with two small tran- septal buildings, east porch, and a bell turret over the eastern gable. It is constructed of common granite, in a very solid manner. The style is gothic, and may be called the transitional second pointed. The chancel window, of three lights, is filled with stained glass of exquisite coloring, representing the adoration of the Magi, as described by the Evangelist St Matthew : — 698 HISTORY OP THE PARISH " When they were come into the house they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him : and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts, gold, and frankincense and myrrh." Mat- thew ii. 11. Over this is a circular light bearing the Agnus Dei, with the appropriate legend : — " Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world." These windows were executed and presented to the church by the Rev. Wil- liam Jay Bolton, of Cambridge, England. The northern win- dow of the transept bears the arms of Pell : — Ermine, on a can- ton azure a pelican or, vulned gules. While the southern is charged with those of the Reverend Founder : — sable, a falcon argent beaked, jessed, membered and belled or, charged on the breast with a trefoil, slipped ppr. The open rafters of the church rest on half length figures of angels projecting from the wall. The interior contains the following monumental in- scriptions: — Sacred to the memory of SARAH WILMINGTON NORTON, of Savannah, Georgia, who. died in Pelham on the 15th of July, 1854, aged 17 years, " Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth." Eccles xii. chap. 1 verse. This tablet is erected by her affectionate young friends. Sacred to the memory of ABBY BOLTON, who slept in peace June 16th, 1849. She was the fifth daughter of the Rev. Robert Bolton, Founder and first Rector of this Church. Loving purity from principle she courted the shade. Her religion dwelt upon the spirit, and was sweetly exhibited in the every- day duties of life. AND CHURCH OF PELHAM. 699 This is pure and undented religion. " Her God sustained her in her final hour, Her final hour brought glory to her God." This tablet is erected by her friends. In memory of our beloved nurse, ANN G RIFFIN, who after twenty-four years of d rvoted service, fell asleep in Pelham, August 2£ th, 1854, aged 54. Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord." Matt. xxv. 21. acred to the memory of MRS. MARY ANNE THOMAS, who fell asleep in Jesus, March 24th, 1849, aged 36 years. Her dying words were : — " There is a Reality in Religion." Christ Church, Pelham, In a vault beneath the chancel repose the mortal remains of William Matthew Evans, Esq., son of William Evans and Sa- rah, (second daughter of Robert Bolton, Esq. of Savan- nah, Geo. and Susannah Mauve) who departed this life in East- chester, on the 18th of November, 1837, aged sixty-three. 700 HISTORY OP THE PARISH Also, Abby Bolton, fifth daughter of the Rev. Robert Bolton and Anne Jay, his wife, who was born at Henley upon Thames, Oxfordshire, England, February 3d, 1S27, and died in Pelham, June the 16th. 1849. Also, her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Rebecca, wife of Robert Bolton, Jim. and second daughter of James Brenton, Esq., of Newport, R. I., who was born at Pittstown, in this State, on the 2d of August, 1814, and died in New Rochelle on the 12th of March, 1852. In the Roosevelt family vault are the following : Elizabeth Curtenius, daughter of Peter T. Curtenius, (Commissary dur- ing the Revolution) who died May, 1837, aged 80 years. Jane Roosevelt, wife of Elbert Roosevelt, and sister of the above, who died in Pelham, January 31st, 1S46, aged 75. Elizabeth Roose- velt, daughter of Cornelius Roosevelt, who died April 25th, 1850, aged 84. Mary Eliza Roosevelt, daughter of the Rev. Wash- ington Roosevelt, and grandaughter of Elbert Roosevelt, who died August 13th, 1851, aged 7 years. The bell weighing 1S4 lbs. was presented to the church by Lydig Suydam, Esq. The communion plate which was the gift of Mrs. C. L. Spencer, bears the following inscription : — ■ " Christ Church, Pelham, May 11th, 1844." A chalice was also presented by the late Miss Georgiana C. Pell, inscribed with the appropriate motto : — " This do in remembrance of me." This lovely young lady, who died the 15th of November, 1851, aged only 16 years, was a lineal descendant of John Pell, Esq. second lord of the manor of Pelham. The marble font was presented by Miss Clark, the chandeliers by Miss. Emma Guerard, and the service books by Gerardus Clark, Esq., and a set of beautiful illuminated tablets by John Bolton, Esq. The church is also furnished with an organ built by Henry Erben, of .New- York. In a small cemetery, at no great distance from the church, repose the remains of the Pell family. The^nonumen- tal inscriptions, which the hand of Time has nearly oblit- erated, are as follows : — Her lyes Isec Pell, D. Dec. 14, No. 1748. Body of Joseph Pell, aged 87, D. 1752. AND CHURCH OF PELHAM. 701 Here lies the body of Salome Pell, born Jan. 13th, 1750, and departed this life Oct. ye 10th, 1760, aged 1 year 8 months and 27 days. In memory of Phcebe Pell : the widow of Joseph Pell, she de- parted this life on the 22d day of March, 1790 in the 70th year of her age. To Christ Church, Pelham, is attached a parochial school. This building, which was erected by public subscription in 1843, is constructed of common granite, 56 ft. by 29, in the Norman style, and serves the double purpose of a dwelling-house and school. The ceiling of the school is on the beams, showing the main rafters ; the windows, which are faced with brick, are in diamond panes of plain glass. The eastern triplet contains some stained glass. Average number of scholars, 35. NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS. 1814, Communicants, 15. Baptisms, 9. 1853, " 47. « 9. In 1712, the population of Pelham was 62. In 1S40, ' " " " 789. In 1850, " " " 578. No of families belonging to the parish in 1853, 20. No. of Souls, 130. No. of Catechists, 10. No. of Catechumens, 71. Parochial School of Christ Church, Pelham. 702 HISTORY OF THE PARISH WARDENS OF CHRIST CHURCH. 1843-5. Richard R. Morris, Henry Grenzebach. 1846. Richard R. Morris, William J. Bolton. 1847. Richard R. Morris, John Bolton. 1848-50. Richard R. Morris, Philip Schuyler. 1851-3. Gerardus Clark, Robert Bolton, Jr. .L.COLI,, HISTORY . JB'KARY. N.YC J OF THE y/ PARISH AID CHURCH OF WEST FARMS. West Farms originally constituted' a portion of the district of Westchester, one of the four precincts of the extensive parish of that name, and obtained the appellation by which it is still dis- tinguished, prior to 1680. In 1663 Edward Jessup and John Richardson, both of West- chester, purchased from the Sachem Shawnarockett and other Indians, " a certain tract of land, bounded on the east by the river Aquehung or Bronx, and on the west by a little brook called Sackwrahung, &c." Upon the 25th of April, 1666, Ed- ward Jessup and John Richardson procured a patent for the same from Governor Nicolls. Edward Jessup, like most of the original settlers of West. Chester, emigrated from Fairfield, Conn., for as early as 1653 his name occurs in the records of that town as a proprietor of lands on Sascoe neck. He died in 1666, and left issue by his wife, Elizabeth Bridges, a son Edward, and two daughters. Elizabeth, the eldest, married Thomas Hunt, patentee of the Grove Farm, Westchester, from whom the Hunts of Hunt's Point descend. John Richardson died in 1679, leaving three daughters as co- 704 HISTORY OF THE PARISH heiresses. Elizabeth, the youngest, married Gabriel L and left a numerous posterity, some of whom are still residing in the parish. West Farms was t>ej~erated from the ancient borough town of Westchester, and incoirx '-ated on the 13th of May, 1846, by an act of the Legislature, bu it still remained associated for all ecclesiastical purposes, with the parish of Westchester until 1844- In 1842, the Rev. William Powell, rector of the parish, reports to the Diocesan Convention : — " That divine service is held re- gularly at West Farms every Sunday afternoon in a school- house. About $1900 have been already collected towards build- ing a chapel there in connection with St. Peter's Church." The credit of first attempting the establishment of an Epis- copal church in West Farms, is due, under God, to Miss Mar- garet Hunt, (daughter of Thomas Hunt, fourth in descent from Edward Jessup, one of the first patentees) a lady whose intelli- gent zeal, kindly sympathy and untiring benevolence, deserve especial mention. The work was undertaken by this lady about 1838, and although the number of Episcopalians in the immediate neighborhood was then comparatively small, still a considerable interest was awakened by her endeavors. The amount of $2061 was collected, to which the sum of $1000 was added by the munificent donation of Mrs. C. L. Spencer, to whose christian liberality, the congregation is further indebted for the gift of an organ, a Sunday-school library, and numerous other contributions to the church. Additional aid was given by the following gentlemen, viz : Messrs. Peter Lorillard ; Jr., Philip M. Lydig, Gouverneur M. Wilkins, J. D. Wolf, William A. Spencer and others, making in all the sum of $4,153 95, the cost of the church. The congregation are ajso deeply indebted to Francis Barretto, Esq., of the building committee, for his gene- rous sympathy with the first projectors of the church, as well as for his attentive supervision of the building while in process of erection. Grace Church, West Farms, was incorporated upon the 13th of Dec. 1844. » William A. Spencer and Phillip M. Lydig, AND CHURCH OF WEST FARMS. 705 churchwardens. Peter Lorillard, Richard Crowther, Wil- liam Bayard. Charles S. Valentine, Benjamin Lee, Jacob M. Van Winkle and William B. Hoffman, vestrymen." On the 3d of June, 1847, the REV. WASHINGTON RODMAN was unanimously called to be rector of the parish. THE CHURCH. The parish church, situated near the centre of the village of West Farms, is a beautiful gothic structure of wood, with a bell tower attached to the north-eastern corner. Over the principal entrance is a neat porch. The corner stone of this edifice was laid on Tuesday, November 10th, 1846, by the Rev. Hugh Smith, D. D., rector of St. Peter's Church, New York, on which occasion an address was delivered by the Rev. J. T. Cushing, minister in charge of the parish. In the corner stone were de- posited a copy of the New Testament, and of the Book of Com- mon Prayer, the Journal of the last General Convention in 1S44, the Journal of the last Diocesan Convention of New York for 1S45, together with the debates in the same, copies of the General and Diocesan "Canons, Sword's Pocket Almanac for 1S46, Protestant Churchman of the date of Nov. 9th, 1S46, and sundry parish documents, &c. Besides the officiating clergy, there were present, the Rev. William Powell, rector of St. Peter's Church, Westchester, and the Rev. Robert Bolton, rector of Christ's Church, Pelham. On the 2Sth of June, 1847, it was consecrated and set apart to the worship and service of Almighty God, under the title of Grace Church, by the Rt. Rev. William Heathcote de Lancey, D. D., Bishop of the Diocese of Western New York. The con- secration sermon being preached by the Rev. Kingston Goddard, rector of St. John's Church, Clifton, Staten Island. The bell, cast by Andrew Meneely, of West Troy, was pur- 45 700 HISTORY OF THE PARISH chased by subscriptions received principally from the members of the church, and weighs five hundred and thirty-five pounds. The communion plate, which is of silver, and of elegant workmanship, was presented by Mrs. C. L. Spencer. It con- sists of a flagon, chalice and paten. This gift is in every way worthy of the person, who has from the first organization of the parish, nobly and liberally contributed to promote the present and future usefulness of the Church. It is believed that the contributions made to Grace Church by this liberal and cheerful giver, are not exceeded by the offerings of an individual to any parish in either the Diocese or the State. The usefulness of both the church and the rector, are singularly promoted by aid from this source, extended not only to the sup- port of the church itself, but also to the fund for the relief of the numerous poor of the neighborhood. The unobtrusiveness which marks these acts of Christian liberality indicate always a sin- cere desire that the giver should remain unknown. The merit of faithful history, however, is to give the world the benefit of each good example and to preserve in grateful remembrance the names of the benefactors of the Church. It is not inappropriate to add that the memory of the late William A. Spencer, formerly a captain in the navy of the United States, and an early friend of the parish, is deservedly cherished by those whose connection with him as a warden of the church, made them acquainted with both his active exertions, and his heart-felt desires for its prosperity. The names of other benefactors of the parish and neigborhood, in the past and at the present, are P. M. Lydig, J. D. Wolfe and A. P. Woodruff, The service books were presented by Mrs. David Lydig. To Grace church, West Farms, is attached a parochial school, consisting of two stories, 25 ft. by 50. A portion of the build- ing is used as a library. AND CHURCH OF WEST FARMS. NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS. 707 In 1853, Communicants, 33. Baptisms, 6. No. of families belonging to the parish in 1853, 26. No. of souls, 200. No. of Catechists, 14. No. of Catechumens, 90. Grace Church, West Farms. HISTORY OF THE PARISH AID CHURCH OP SCARSDALE. Under the Provincial Government, Scarsdale constituted a portion of the extensive manor of that name, and was one of the seven districts of Rye parish. The name is derived from the Heathcote family, who originally came from Scarsdale, Derbyshire, England. " More inward," says Camden, (describ- ing that part of Derbyshire) " we see Chesterfield in Scarsdale, that is, in a dale enclosed with rocks ; for rocks or crags were called scarrs by the Saxons." In 1763, Scarsdale contributed to the rector's tax and poor of the parish of Rye, the sum of £25 4 6. The parochial clergy appear to have officiated here at a very early period, as the Rev. Robert Jenney, writing to the Bishop of London in 1 724, says : — < : I officiate eight times per annum at Mamaroneck, for that place and Scarsdale and Fox's Meadows." In 1727 there were thirty persons in Scarsdale, upon whom the parochial tax was levied. Mr. Wetmore in writing to the Society in 1744 ob- serves : — " I have a considerable congregation at the White Plains and Scarsdale, about seven miles west of the parish church, which I also attend once in two months." AND CHURCH OF SCARSDALE. 709 Religious services for this district were for a long time con- fined to White Plains. In 1818 a Sunday-school was first opened in a private family, and subsequently in the district school-house. In August, 1849, the Rev. Henry J. Morton, D. D., rector of St. James' Church, Philadelphia, first held services in the farm house, (formerly the residence of Chief Justice Morris,) after which the late Rev. H. L. Storrs, of Yonkers, officiated with other clergy for nearly six months prior to the call of a permanent rector. Through the zealous efforts of William S. Popharii, Esq., a parish was finally organized, and the corner stone of a church laid on Saturday the 29th of June, 1S50, by the Rt. Rev. W. R. Whittingham, D. D. being the first structure devoted to religious worship ever erected in the town of Scarsdale. The church was incorporated on the 3d of September, 1849, by the name and style " of the Rector, Churchwardens and Vestrymen of the Church of St. James the Less in the township of Scarsdale." William S. Popham and Mark Spencer, churchwardens. Charles W. Carmer, William II. Popham, Francis Mc Farlan, Joshua Under- bill, Edmund Ludlow, Samuel E. Lyon,. Augustus Bleecker and Orrin Weed, vestrymen. Upon the 31st of January, 1850, the REV. JAMES F. LE BARON was called as rector, and resigned the next year. On the 1st of April, 1851, the REV. WILLIAM W. OLSSEN was called, and formally instituted rector of the parish on the 10th of May, 1853. In June, 1850, the grounds adjoining the church were con- veyed to the vestry in the form of a lease, by William H. Popham. LEASE FOR CHURCH LOT. ''This Indenture, made the 28th day of June, eighteen hundred and fifty-one, be- 710 HISTORY OF THE PARISH tween William H. Popham in the town of Scarsdale, county of Westchester, State of New York, party of the first part, and the rector, churchwardens and vestrymen of the Church of St. James the Less, in the town of Scarsdale, in the county of Westchester, State of New York, of the second part, witnesseth : that the said party of the first part, for and in consideration of the rents, covenants, agreements and conditions hereinafter mentioned, reserved and contained on the part and behalf of the said parties of the second part and their successors, to be paid, kept and performed as granted, demised, and to farm-let, and by these presents doth grant, devise, and to farm-let unto the said parties of the second part and their successors, all that cer- tain lot, piece or parcel of land, on which the church edifice of St. James the Less is now erected, in the town aforesaid, bounded and containing as follows : — commenc- ing at a bovfnd mark on the south fence of the old Scarsdale farm road, being the northerly corner of a lot of laud designed for a cemetery and marked A on the annexed diagram, running thence south fifteen degrees, west six chains two links, along a line of pegs, and east of the church edifice as shown by a dotted line in dia- gram to a ground mark iii the opposite fence at B, thence along the south fence north seventy-five degrees, thirty minutes, west five chains and sixty links to a point in diagram marked C, thence north seventeen degrees, thirteen minutes, east six chains and eighty links, fifty links east of and parallel to the western fence of said lot as shown by a dotted line to a point marked D in diagram, thence south sixty- seven degrees, forty minutes, east forty chains and ninety-two links along the south fence of the old Scarscale farm road aforesaid, to tho place of commencing at A. The lot is bounded on all sides by lands of the said William H. Popham, and contains three acres one rood and twenty-six perches, as designated in a diagram hereunto annexed, surveyed by R. Henwood, October, eighteen hundred and fifty one. To have and to hold the above mentioned and described premises with the appurtenances, unto the said parties of the second part and their successors in office .from the day of the date hereof, for and during the full end and time of one thousand years next ensuing, and fully to be completed and ended, yielding and paying therefor unto the said party of the first part, and his heirs yearly and every year during the said term hereby granted the yearly rent or sum of one silver dime, lawful money of the United States of America, on the Festival of St. Philip and St. James in each and every year ; and also, the parties of the second part or their successors in office, shall not at any time during the continuance of the term hereby granted let, underlet, assign, sell or convey the whole or any part of said premises to any person or per- sons, sole or corporate whatever, except the right or privilege of burial in said ground and upon the further condition that religious services in said church during said term shall be performed according to the form prescribed by the book of Commeu Prayer or the administration of the Sacraments and other rites and ceremonies as pre- scribed in said book for the use of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America, and of the doctrine and discipline therein set forth, and of the canons of said Church by a duly and regularly ordained minister of said Protestant Episcopal Church, or by one allowed by the canons of said Church so to officiate, or by a duly AND CHURCH OF SCARSDALE. 711 ordained minister of the Church of England, as now by law established, and none other, provided always, nevertheless, that if the rent above reserved shall not be de- manded by, or paid to the said party of the first part or his heirs on or before the Feast of St. Andrew in every year, after the same shall have been due, that then the said parties of the second part shall forever thereafter be discharged from the payment of the same. And provided further, that in case any form or mode of wor- ship shall be used or celebrated in said church, or in any other building that may hereafter be erected thereon, or upon any portion of said grounds in the open air, other than as above mentioned, or if said church or any portion of said land shall be used or converted to secular use, then and thence forward it shall and may be lawful for said party of the first part, his heirs and assigns into and upon the said described premises, and every part thereof, wholly to re-enter and remove therefrom all per- sons found violating the aforesaid conditions, and the same shall remain vacant until a new incumbent be appointed by the Bishop of the said Church then administer- ing the Diocese ; anything herein before contained to the contrary thereof notwith- standing. And the said parties of the second part and their successors in office, do covenant and agree to and with the said party of the first part and his heirs, by these presents, that they the said parties of the second part and their successors in office shall, and will yearly and every year during the said term hereby granted, well and truly pay the said rent in manner aforesaid, reserved, if demanded, within the time aforesaid ; and that they will not celebrate nor allow to be celebrated in said church, or other buildings that may be hereafter erected on said land, or upon any open space thereof in the open air, any other form or mode of worship than that of the Pro- testant Episcopal Church in the United States of America aforesaid, or by any other person not duly ordained according to the forms prescribed in the sa'd book of Com- mon Prayer or allowed by the Canons of the said Church, or by a duly ordained minister of the Church of England, as now by law established in England, and in good standing therein. Andthe said parties of the second part further covenant and agree to and with the said party of the first part and his heirs, that they will not during said term hereby granted, let, underlet, assign, sell, convey or in any way or manner dispose of the whole or any part or portion of said premises above mentioned, ex- cept the right or privilege of burying therein as aforesaid, and that they will faithfully keep and perform all the covenants herein, on their part and behalf to be kept and performed. And the said party of the first part for himself, his heirs, executors, ad- ministrators and assigns, doth covenant and agree to and with the said parties of the second part and their successors in office, by these presents, that the said parties of the second part keeping and performing the conditions, covenants and agreements aforesaid on their part and behalf, the said parties of the second part and their suc- cessors in office shall and may at all times hereafter, during the said term hereby granted, peacefully and quitely have, hold and enjoy the said described premises, without any manner of let, suit, trouble or hindrance of or from the said party o* the first part, his heirs or assigns or any other person or persons whomsoever. In wit- 712 HISTORY OF THE PARISH ness whereof the parties hereto have interchangeably set their hands and seals, the day and year first above written. William H. Popiiam. [L. S. By order of the Corporation of the Church of St. James the Less, Scarsdale. William W. Olssen, Rector, Augustus Bleecker, Clerk."* fL. S.] THE CHURCH. The parish church is well situated on ah eminence command- ing a fine view of the Greenburgh hills, under which flows the river Bronx, adding greatly to the beauty of the picture. It was built, as before stated, by William S. Popham, Esq., in conjunction with several members of his family aiid personal friends. The style of the building is early English or first pointed, according to Rickman's nomenclature. It is constructed of native stone, with dressings of the white dolomitic marble, and consists of a nave, chancel, with sacristy attached, and porch. The nave, which is 56 ft. by 24 ft. in the clear, with sitt- ings for about 211, is divided into four bays, the flank walls of which are pierced with couplets, excepting the first bay from the west end on south side, which contains a door leading to the porch. The roof is open, with rafters diagonally braced. The pulpit is in the north-east corner of the nave. A font of the largest size (2ft. 6in. across the bowl) stands in the south east corner of the nave. It is circular, supported on a central octago- nal stem, surrounded by four detached pillars of white mar- ble, and was presented by the sisters of the first rector of the parish. The seats are open, and entirely free of any charge for rent or use, the church being supported by voluntary contribu- tors at the offertory. The organ, presented by a member of the vestry, is situated at the west end of the nave. The chancel, 20 ft. by 16 ft. in the clear, is separated from the nave by the chancel arch. The choir is raised two steps above the nave, 'County Rec. liber 180 of Deeds, p. 400. St. James' Church, Scarsdale— Erected A. D. 1851. n ' ' ti . it nun inn ^i^ — i — i ... ■ i Ground plan of St. James' Church. [To face page 712 AND CHURCH OF SCARSDALE. 713 and has two stalls on the south side. On the north it opens by a door into the sacristy. The sanctuary, elevated above the choir by two steps, is about 8 feet in depth, containing an altar 6 ft. by 3 ft. on a foot pace, a credence shelf on the south side, and Bishop's seat on the north. The chancel is lighted by a triplet of richly stained glass, the middle lancet of which con- tains a cross within the vesica piscis, the south, a dove and font, and the north, a paten and chalice. The rest of the glass, excepting the west end of the nave, which is richly grisailed, and the southern windows of the chancel, which have colored borders, is plain enameled. The whole of the stained glass was manufactured by Mr. John Bolton, of Pelham. Over the cen- tral lancet in the chancel, and in the middle of the west gable are triangular trifoliated lights, with colored glass. The west end of nave, supporting bell gable, has flank win- dow couplets. Taken as a whole, we think that this simple church, in proportion and general arrangement, might well serve as a model for a country parish. The entire cost, including the glass and furnace chamber, was $5000. It was designed and carried out by Frank Wills, Esq., of New York. This church was consecrated on the 28th of June, 1851, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop De Lancey, who preached the sermon and administered the Holy Communion, assisted in the services by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Whittingham, of Maryland. The communion service, presented on the day of consecration, consists of the following articles : a flagon inscribed : — " The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin." Two silver chalices, each bearing the following inscription : — " I will re- ceive the cup of salvation." A paten with the legend : — " I will offer unto Thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving," and a sil- ver alms basin, which was presented by an aged female friend on the day of consecration. The altar cloth is of rich crimson velvet, presented by the rector's father, having the sacred mono- gram I. H. S. worked in gold and blue by a lady of the parish. The church linen is also richly embroidered, and bears numer- 714 HISTORY OF THE PARISH ous inscriptions, likewise the work of various ladies of the parish. The service books were presented by individuals interested in the Church, and the Bishop's chair by the builder, Mr. Henry Cornell. To St. James' church is attached a parochial school, the aver- age number of scholars attending which, are fourteen. NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS. In 1853, No. of families, 20. No. of souls, 115. Baptisms, 4. Communicants, 50. Catechists, 6. Catechumens, 23. The population of Scarsdaie in 1712, was 12. " « 1740, « 255. ' ; " " 1F50. « 844. WARDENS OF ST. JAME'S CHURCH. 1849 to 1850. William S. Popham, Mark Spencer. 1851-3. William S. Popham, Charges W. Carrner. Col. Caleb Heathcote. HISTOEY OF THE PARISH AND CHURCH OF MT. PLEASANT. The name of this parish justly denotes its pleasant location upon high hills. Mount Pleasant was formerly included within the manor of Philipsburgh, one of the four precincts of the parish of Westchester, but acquired its present title by an act of the Legislature in 17S8. From the MSS. of the Venerable Society, it appears that as early as 1759 there were people enough in Philips' manor for a large congregation, without any minister at all. In 1761, the Rev. Mr. Dibble, who visited this part of the country, says : — " I found a great want of a regular clergyman to officiate in these parts, to prevent confusions in religion, which hath too much obtained, and there seems a general good disposition to the Church if they could be favored with a settled teacher. This de- ficiency was in some measure supplied by the appointment of the Rev. Harry Munro to the mission of Philipsburgh in 1765, but for nearly seventy years afterwards St. John's church, Yon- kers. served the purposes of divine worship to a district which now contains seven churches. 716 HISTORY OF THE PARISH In this parish is situated St. Mary's church, Beechwood. This interesting edifice is beautifully located on high ground above the Hudson River, about two miles south of the village of Sing Sing, and was erected in 1850, principally at the cost of the Rev. Wm. Creighton, D. D., and of his son-in-law, the Rev. Edward N. Mead. To the latter gentleman credit is to be given, not only for a large pecuniary contribution, but for the plan and drawings, and the supervision of the work from its foundation to completion. It consists of a nave 32 ft. by 20, chancel 14 ft. by 20 wide, north and south transepts 10 ft. by 20 wide ; a gabled north vestry, south porch, and bell turret over the west gable. The roof is equilateral, and ridge pole 30 feet from the ground. It is constructed of common granite, in a very solid manner, which has an excellent effect. The roof is covered with blue slate. The style is first pointed. The east window is a triplet filled with richly stained glass. In the compart- ments of the centre light are represented the Spiritus Dei, the Last Supper, a Cross Patonce and Sacred Monogram, all within the Visica Piscis. The south light contains the emblems of St. Mark and St. John, a Pelican in her piety, and the Greek Omega. The north light, the emblems of St. Matthew and St. Luke, the Agnus Dei, and the Greek Alpha. This beautiful window, which cost $250, was presented by Mrs. Edwin Bartlett. The east window is of five lights, filled with stained glass, richly diapered. It was presented by Mrs. Gideon Lee, widow of the late Hon. Gideon Lee, of Geneva. In both windows the lights are unequal, and inclosed in a surrounding arch, formed by an offset in the wall. The south chancel window is a single light of colored glass, and was presented by Miss Julia Hoffman, at a cost of $25. The five nave windows are also of stained glass, filled with the various implements of the crucifixion, and sur- rounded with foliated borders. Four of these, which cost $130, were presented by James Watson Webb, Esq., and the fifth by Master Burrill Hoffman. One of the transeptal windows was the gift of Charles D. Mead, Esq. Most of the windows are AND CHURCH OF MOUNT PLEASANT. 717 narrow, single lights, except the two circles or Catharine wheels in the gables of the transepts, which are also of stained glass, containing emblems of the Trinity. These windows were presented to the Church by the Masters Wm. Creighton and Edward Schermerhorn Mead. The whole of the stained glass was manufactured by Mr. John Bolton, of Pel ham. The open roof is of the simplest construction, depending en- tirely for its support upon the strength of the walls and butt- resses. There is no western entrance, but a door in the south transept. The floors of the nave and transepts are laid in hy- draulic cement, and the chancel in blocks of black and white marble, with steps of brown sand-stone. The altar, which is of Italian marble, and cost $100, was presented to the church by Mrs. Lindley Murray Hoffman, and the marble font by Miss Catharine S. Creighton, at a cost of $100. The bell, of Spanish metal, was the gift of Commodore M. C. Perry, and bears the following inscription : — "Captured at Tobasco, Mexico, 1847- Recast and presented by Commodore M. Q. Perry." The church has a fine toned organ, the cost of which was $520, the gift of Mrs. Auguste Belmont, and other members of Com- modore Perry's family. The service books were presented by- Mrs. John Fraser Mathewes, of Charleston, S. C. Captain N. Cobb, of Tarry town, generously gave $330 towards finishing the braces and carving of the roof. The whole structure cost about $7500. Besides the lot of one acre, on which the church stands, the Rev. Founder has purchased two and a half acres adjoining, for a glebe and parsonage. The chancel ar- rangements are not yet completed. Towards these George H. Swords, Esq. has made the very liberal donation of 300 dollars. The rector reports 18 baptisms within the past year. Besides the church at Beech wood, Sunday services are now regularly performed at Pleasantville, in this parish, where a good' congregation has been gathered and incorporated under the ti- tle of " St. John's Church in the town of Mount Pleasant." A lot has been purchased and a church edifice of stone is now 71S HISTORY OF THE PARISH being erected upon it.- The rector of White Plains has been engaged on stated Sundays in performing divine services here. St. Mary's Cburcb, Beechwood. HISTORY OP THE PARISH AND CHURCH OP UPPER MORRISANIA. St. Paul's church, which was formerly included in the paro- chial limits of St. Ann's, Morrisania, was on the 30th of May, 1853, erected into a seperate parish. It was first organized by the fourth rector, in the new village of Morrisania, on the 8th of July, L847. Services from that date were regularly held every Sunday afternoon, in a room engaged for that purpose, until Easter Monday, March, 31st, 1850, when the new and beautiful church building (the corner stone of which was laid by the Rt. Rev. William Rollinson Whittingham, D. D., Bishop of the Diocese of Maryland, on the 15th of September, 1849) was opened for the first service ; the rector reading prayers, preach- ing and administering the Holy Communion to a large number of communicants. On the 22d day of June it was solemnly consecrated to the worship and service of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, by the same Rt. Rev. Prelate, who in the preceding September had laid its corner stone. Iterumque aut Christi Majorum Gloriam Individuasque Tri- nitatis. Amen. 720 HISTORY OF THE i'AJMSH The following notice of its consecration appeared in the Epis- copal Recorder for June, 1550 : — ; - Saturday, June 22d A. M., the Bishop consecrated St. Paul's chapel, in St. Ann's parish, Morrisania village. The Instrument of Donation was read by the Rev. Benjamin I. Haight, D. D., Morning Prayer was said by the Rev. Messrs. Rodman and Storrs, the Rev. C. W. Bol- ton reading the Lessons. The Ante-Communion service was said by the Bishop, the Rev C. D. Jackson reading the Epistle, the sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Hawks. In the ad- ministration of the Holy Communion the Bishop was assisted by the rector. Rev. Dr. Haight and Rev. Mr. Jackson. This beautiful church, which reflects great credit on the architect, Mr. Jackson, owes its existence, under God, to the zealous and persevering efforts of the rector, the Rev. Mr. Car- ter. In the new village which sprung up in his parish, and which was rapidly increasing in population, he determined that the Church should be permamently planted. He found some warm hearts and liberal hands to sympathize with and to aid him, and the result has been the erection of the edifice, which was this day solemnly dedicated to the worship and service of the Triune God.'' St. Paul's church is erected upon an acre of ground which the vestry of St. Ann's had purchased from Charles Bathgate, Esq.. as will appear from the records of the vestry. It was built from plans furnished by and under the direction of Thomas Pv. Jackson. Esq., an architect of New- York. Its full dimensions, including the tower and chancel, are 30 by SO feet, and is intended to seat between three and four hundred persons. It is con- structed of wood in the gothic style. The chancel window is a triplet filled with richly stained glass. In the compartments of the central light are represented the Spiritus Dei, the Cross and the Agnus Dei ; the souihern and northern lights contain the All Seeing Eye, the paten, emblem of the Trinity, and chalice, connected by scrolls bearing the following legend :— ;: We preach Jesus Christ, and Him cruci- AND CHURCH OF UrPER MOEEISANIA. 721 fled." The roof is of the simplest construction, displaying the open rafters and braces to great advantage. The font and cover are of black walnut. The bell, manufactured by Andrew Meneely, of West Troy, was purchased by subscription, and weighs TOOlbs. The organ was built by Mr. Erben, of New- York, and cost $600. Upon the 1st of September, 1853, the REY. BENJAMIN AKERLY, A. M. was called to the rectorship. The number of Communicants belonging to this parish are 44 St. Paul's Church, Upper Morrisania. 46 HISTORY OF THE PARISH AM CHURCH OF POET CHESTER. This church (after existing for nearly eighteen years as a chapelry of Christ Church, Rye) was organized agreeable to law in 1853. Services were first established here by the Rev. Peter S. Chauncey, in December, 1S36. The present rector is the REV. ISAAC PECK. The church edifice is a small and very unpretending struc- ture of wood, not distinguished either externally or internally by architectural elegance ; and consists of a nave and chancel only, and has a bell in its wooden tower, which crowns the northern end. HISTORY OF THE PARISH AID CHURCH OF TUCKAHOE. This parish (after existing for more than half a century, as a chapel of St. John's, Yonkers; having had its connection with the above mentioned parish severed by an act of the vestry thereof) was organized according to law on the 18th of July, 1S53, and the REV. CHARLES JONES, A. M. chosen rector. The church edifice was erected A. D. 179S, during the rector- ship of the Rev. Elias Cooper, upon land, the gift of the late John Bowne, Esq. It has lately undergone considerable repairs, a chancel and commodious vestry room having been added, and the pews remodelled. Upon the 29th of June, 1847, it was consecrated to the service of Almighty God, under the name of St. John's Chapel, Tuckahoe, by the Rt. Rev. William Heath- 724 HISTORY 0? THE PARISH cote deLancey, D, D. L.L. D. The consecration sermon being preached by the Rev. Thomas W. Coit, L). D. late rector of New Rochelle. Half an acre, of land has recently been presented to the Cor- poration by John and Elias Cooper, sons of the late John Bowne, Esq.. upon which the vestry have erected a neat parsonage. The number of Baptisms for the year 1835, were three. Com- municants, sixteen. St. John's Church, Yonkers, erected by Col. Frederick Philipee, A. D. 1753. HISTORY OF THE PARISH AND CHURCH OF FORDHAM. The manor of Fordham, which now forms one of the three divisions of West Farms, "was originally included within the parish limits of Westchester. The name itself is of Saxon origin, and compounded of the two words Ford (ford) Hani (mansion.) In 1646, we find the whole of Fordham as well as the Yon- kers land in the possession of Adriaen Yander Donck, whose widow, Mary, conveyed them to her brother, Elias Doughty. The latter, in 1666, sold them to Mr. John Archer, of Westches- ter, who, in 1669, obtained a confirmation thereof from the In- dian sachem Sachareth. In 1671, Francis Lord Lovelace, Governor of the Province, erected the same into the manor of Fordham. From* the Archers, the manor passed through the Steenwycks in 16S4, " to the Nether Dutch Reformed Congre- gation, within the city of New York, for the support and main- tenance of their ministers, ordained according to the Church orders of the Netherlands, &c." Through the liberality, how- ever, of Mrs. Margaret Steenwyck, three hundred acres were 726 HISTORY OF THE PARISH exempted from the conveyance to the Dutch Church, upon which was situated the old manorial residence, where a des- cendant of the original proprietor now resides. The family of Archer is of English origin, and held, for many centuries, large possessions in the county of Warwick. Fulbert L' Archer, the first of whom anything is known, came into England with William the Conqueror. The representative of the senior branch A. D. 1600, appears to have been John Archer, of Warwickshire. At what period they emigrated to this country is uncertain, but as early as 1630, occurs the name of Samuel Archer, a freeman of Salem, Mass. John Archer, the first proprietor, accompanied the early settlers from Fairfield to Westchester in 1654. He died in 16S5. His eldest son, John Archer, was elected a vestryman for the precinct of Yonkers in 1703, an office which he held for nearly seven years. Little is known concerning the early history of religion here except, that as early as 1671, the inhabitants residing between the two kills of Harlem and the Bronx, were obliged to con. tribute towards the support of a minister. In 1696, a society was organized here by the Collegiate Dutch Reformed congrega- tion of New York, the Rev. John Montaigne, being minister. Col. Lewis Morris, writing to the Society in 1709, says : — " 1 have used some endeavours to persuade the Dutch in my neighborhood into a good opinion of the Church of England, and have had that success, that they would, I believe, join a great part of them in the sacraments and worship, had they Dutch Common Prayer Books and a minister that understood their language. I have taken some pains with one of their ministers, one Mr. Henricus Beyse, and have prevailed on him to accept of Episcopal ordination." 1 The old Dutch meeting house, erected in 1706, which has long since been destroyed, stood on the farm of Mr. James Valentine. 1 Its last minister, prior to the Revolution, was the Rev. John Peter Tetard. a The following inscription is taken from the foundation stone of this edifice : — «' I. V. S. 1706." AND CHURCH. OF FORDAM. 727 Numerous residents of the manor of Fordhamexperiencingmuch inconvenience in attending Episcopal services, on account of having no place of worship, and considering moreover, in the great increase of the population, that the cause of the Church might suffer by having no spiritual provision made for her members where the wants of other Denominations are so amply considered, called a meeting which assembled at the house of William Alexander Smith, Esq., on the 5th of July, 1853, for the purpose of organizing a parish, and adopting such measures as would most effectually conduce to the same. Oswald Cam- mann, Esq. in the chair, William Wctson Waldron, acting as Secretary. It was then and there resolved : — " That the per- sons present do proceed to incorporate themselves as a religious society in communion with the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and that the said Church and congregation be known in law, by the name and title of ' the Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen of St. James' Church in the manor of Fordham, town of West Farms, county of Westches- ter.' The meeting proceeded to choose two churchwardens and eight vestrymen for the said Church, when the following per- sons were elected : Lewis G. Morris and William Alexander Smith, churchwardens. Oswald Cammann, Francis McFarlan, William Watson Waldron, George Bement Butler, Samuel R. Trowbridge, Gulian Ludlow Dashwood, William Ogden Giles, and Nathaniel Piatt Bailey, vestrymen." The vestry have recently purchased two acres of ground, on which it is intended to erect a church edifice in place of the present building they now occupy, which was originally the old manor school-house. In November, 1854, the vestry called the REV. JOSHUA WEAVER, A. M. to the rectorship. There is a very handsome communion service of silver, ron- 728 HISTORY OF THE PARISH sitting of two chalices, a flagon and paten, on which is in- scribed the following: — " Presented by the ladies of the parish, A. D. 1854." A baptismal font and a lectern were presented by the rector. William W. Waldron, by the donation of two hundred vol- umes, has founded a parochial library for the benefit of all young persons resident in the parish. St. James' Church, Fordham, from a sketch in the possession ofWm. W. Waldron, A. B. APPENDIX A. MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY. (extract.) ''•New- York, June 24th, 1726. Rev. Sir, I wrote by the last ship to acquaint you, that the people of Rye had given me a call, and my acceptance of it on condition the Honorable Society will give leave for my removal from New-York, whi^h the churchwardens and vestry of that parish having petitioned for, I concur with them, and request that I may know the Honorable Society's plea- sure therein before the winter. Upon the urgent desire of the church- wardens and vestrymen, with Mr. Jenney, I have promised to officiate there every third Sunday, 'till the Society's further pleasure be known ; and for securing the glebe, and to prevent any difficulties that might herat arise by the different factions in the parish, I have received in- duction as Mr. Jenney did at Hempstead, immediately upon his call there, which is thought necessary to prevent the destruction of the glebe, and to preserve the peace of the parish, or resisting any attempts that the enemies of the Church might make, for the Dissenters in that par- hh. are numerous, and would do what lies in their power to raise diffi- culties ; and though the chief of that party seem now well pleased, and gave their vote in my call, yet we may expect Dissenting ministers in the neighboring towns will be very busy among the people while destitute of a minister, and I am told they have already concluded to fix and ordain within the parish, one who is a very troublesome man."* * New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 27-36. (Hawks.) APPENDIX B. The consecration of the new church at Rye took place March loth, 1855. The following notice of the event is taken from the Churchman for March 22nd :— " NEW-YORK.— On Thursday, March 15th, the new and beautiful building of Christ Church, Rye, was consecrated by the Provisional Bishop, attended by twelve of his clergy, all in surplices. The profession, headed by the Bishop, entered the church from the sacristy, moved down the south aisle to the west door, and thence up the central alley to the chancel. The instrument of donation and request was read by the rector, the Rev. E. C. Bull. Morning prayer was said by the Rev. Mr. Chauncey, formerly rector of the parish, and the Rev. Mr. Purdy, a scion of one of the oldest families in the place. The ser- mon was preached by the Bishop, from the words of the Psalmist, 'O how amiable are thy dwellings : thoit Lord of Hosts? (Psalm 84, 1.) It set forth the duty and the delight of thus setting apart, for ever, one little spot of clay which should thenceforth be sacred to the service and honor of God, and whence should flow forth sources of comfort and spiritual joy in the Church, to innumerable souls in future ages. The weather was unfavorable, but the attendance was large, and all present took evidently a deep interest in this evidence of the prosperity of an ancient parish. The presence of the choir of Christ Church, New-York city, added not a little to the services of the day. The new building is after the design of Mr. Dudley, and is a remark- ably fine specimen of his tastefulness and skill. The material is brown stone, hammered, with sills and dressings nicely cut. It consists of chancel and sacristy, nave, aisles and porch, with bell turret and spire all of stone. Orientation is observed. There is no clere-story proper, but the triple division is given in the interior by posts and arches sup- porting the steep roof, and giving an excellent effect. The inside is finished plain, with simple color. The chancel is deep, having a three light window over the altar, and a similar one at the west end of the 732 APPENDIX. nave ; over the organ loft. The windows are all filled with pattern glass, that over the altar hearing in a medallion the monogram. The nave is of three bays, the aisles having a two light window in each bay. The chancel arrangements are not altogether satisfactory, there being a reading-pew on the north side and a pulpit on the south. This pew, the pulpit and the Bishop's chair, on the right of the altar, are all but- ternut. The chancel is properly divided into choir and sanctuary by a light rail. The tower is at the south-west corner of the nave, and pro- jects diagonally from the western wall. In the upper stage it is broken into an open octagon, and finished with a stone spire, the treatment of the whole being the boldest, most original and most successful feature of the design. The church will seat about 350 persons. It has cost about 813,000, which is nearly all paid, and the small balance is suffi- ciently provided for." INDEX. Akerly Rev. Benjamin, 721. Adams John, a promoter of Episco- pacy, 98. All Saints, Briar Cliff, chapel of, 662, 663, 664. Anabaptists, conversion of, 269. Antinomians, persecuted by Indepen- dents, 131. Archer John, 725 , family of, 726. Ashurst Sir Henry, notice of; pre- sents bell to French Church, N. Y., 478. Assembly, act of, for settling a minis- try, 4, 135 ; better explanation of, 32 Auchmuty Rev. Mr., his letters to Secretary of V. P. S., 470, 496, 497. Avery Rev. Ephraim, birth of, &c, teaches school in N. J. 313 ; Or- dination of, and appointment to Rye, 314 ; admission, institution and induction of, by Gov. Cold- den, 315 ; salary of, 316 ; literary honor awarded to, 318 ; persecu- tion of, 320 ; murder of and exe- cution of the murderer, 321, 322 ; Mr. Seabury details circumstan- ces of his death, 322 ; inscription' to wife of, 323, 324. Averv, his letters to Secretary of V P. S., 217, 321. Babcock Rev. Luke, birth of, &c, 504 ; conforms to the Church, 239; his voyage to England for Holy Or- ders, appointed to the mission of Philipsburgh, 504 ; receives the degree of M. A. from King's Col- lege, N. T. ; protests against the Whigs ; his letter to the Secre- tary of V. P. S,. 505; seizure, cruel treatment and death of, 506, 507, 508 ; monument to, 523. Babcock Col. Harry, notice of, 508. Baptisms, early records of, where found, 3 Baptists, persecution of, by Indepen- dents, 132. Baptism, the cross in, how styled by Puritans, 143. Baptism, license of, to perform in Conn., 165. Baptists Quaker, why so called, 201. Bartow Rev. John, birth of; inducted to the vicarage of Pampsford, Cambridge ; removes to Ameri- ca; Bishop of London's admis- sion of, 10 ; license from Bishop of London to officiate in N. T.. 11; mandate from Gov. Corn- bury to induct, 12 ; first ap- pointed to Rye, 13 ; commen- ces services at Westchester, 15 ; attempts of Independents to disturb, 16, 17 ; confirmed in benefice, 25 ; free gift of town to, 32 ; services at New Rochelle, 46 ; answers to queries of Bis- hop of London, 47 ; violent op- position to, at Eastchester, 365 ; admission of at Christ College, Cambridge, 125 ; death of, &c, 50 ; his descendants ; last will of; 51 Bartow, his letters to Secretary of V. P. S., 13, 15, 22, 32, 33, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 42, 44, 49, 50, 189, 369, 434; letter to Bishop of London, 77. Barclay Rev. Henry, appointed mis- sionary at Rye, 214 ; conformity of. 238 ; his letter to Secretary of V. P. S., 68. Bartow Rev. Theodosius, birth of; appointed lay reader; ordination of; salary; how paid, 473; re- INDEX. 735 signs his office ; vote of thanks to for long service ; death of, 474. Bartow Basil, appointed school-mas- ter at Westchester, G5; liberal donation of, 123. Barlow Rev. William, obituary notice of, G04. Bayard Samuel, donation of, 129. Bayard Rev. Lewis P., birth of, &c. ; joins the Church, 476 ; ordination of; officiates at Eastchester ; called to New Rochelle ; removes to Geneseo ; organises St. Cle- ment's Church, N. Y. ; receives honorary degree of D. D. from Geneva College; embarks for the Holy Land ; dies at sea on his return, 477, 478. Baxter Stebbins, bequeathes lands to Sfc. James' Church, North Salem, 572. Bede the Venerable, describes early mode of building churches, 9. Bedford. General Court orders the lay- ing out of; early provision for erection of meeting-house and sapport of minister ; Mr. Prud- den, Mr. Denham and Mr. Am- bler called ; drum and conch shell used instead of bell, 616 ; annexa- tion of to Rye; obstinate resis- tance to royal edicts ; public pro- perty vested in established min- istry ; choice of vestrymen for ; quota of; town agree to buy house and lot of minister, 617 ; town taxed for support of min- ister ; forty acres of land voted for minister ; Mr. Morgan called, and agreement with ; proposes to conform ; determination of in- habitants to free themselves from Established Church ; Mr. Jones called, and violation of law for support of; Rev. Alexander Stuart appointed miss., 618 ; Mr. Pritchard protests against ap- pointment ; treatment of Mr. Pritchard by Dissenters, and affi- davits in proof of. 619 ; Mr. Muirson reports compliance of Dissenters, 620 ; state of Presby- terian Society at ; Dissenting teachers officiate without qualifi- cation ; letter from parishioners to Secretary of V. P. S. 621 ; Mr. Lamson appointed missionary at ; disposition of Dissenters, and removal of New Light minister, 622 ; visited by Mr. Dibblee and St. George Talbot ; liberal bene- faction of the latter ; great con- fusion attendant on Revolution ; parishioners dispersed ; incorpo- ration of church at ; Mr. Bar- tow officiating minister at ; glebe purchased, 623 ; endowment from Trinity Church ; Mr. Stre- beck called ; erection of present church edifice ; Mr. Felch settled, 624 ; succeeded by Mr. Weller ; description of church edifice at ; gift of communion silver, 625 ; list of ministers and rectors ; no- titia parochialis, &c, 626 ; St. Mary's Church attached to, &c. 627. Bellamont Earl of, author of act for erecting Eastchester into parish 44. Beza advocates conformity, 412 ; ad- dress to Queen Elizabeth, 430, Bishop's, Prot. Am., first consecration of, 97. Bishop Suffragan, charge of maintain- ing, 155 ; recommended for Colo- nies, 259. Lishop's great want of in Plantations, 179, 184. Bolton Rev. Robert, first services at Pelbam, 695; birth and family of, &c, 697. Bolton Abby, inscription to, 698 ; notice of, 700. Bolton Elizabeth Rebecca, notice of, 700. Black well Rev. Dr. notice of, 512. Bondet Rev. Daniel, birth of. &c. ; receives Holy Orders from Bis- hop of London ; accompanies 736 INDEX. French emigrants to Boston, Mass. ; employed by Corporation for P. C. F. I. at New Oxford, 397 ; missionary among Nipmug Indians ; removes to New Ro- chelle ; Westchester vestry refuse to call, 398 ; serves the French Church at New Rochelle ; desti- titute condition of; petitions Lord Cornbury, 399, 400 ; order and report thereon, 401 ; first Episcopal minister in the county ; manorial tenants pay their pro- portion towards support of, 402 ; commission of 413; death of wife ; ill treatment of by Dissen- ters ; death and interment of; will of, 432 ; becmeathes library to church, 433. Bondet, his letters to Secretary of V. P. S., 403, 404, 414, 424, 425, 426, 427, Bonrepos Rev. David, D. D., accom- panies Huguenots in their flight from France ; first French minis- ter at New Rochelle ; addresses Gov. Leisler in behalf of French settlers, 395 ; removes to Rich- mond, Staten Island; conveys his property in New Rochelle to his son Elias ; letters of den- ization granted to; death of, 396. Bonrepos Elias, licensed to keep school at New Rochelle, 396. Brewster Rev. Mr., invited to East- chester, 358. Bowers Mr. John, 158. Brown David, epitaph to, 346. Bridge Rev. Christopher, birth, and education of, 190;. appointed as- sistant minister of King's Chapel, Boston; proceeds to England to solicit subscriptions; misunder- standing with Mr. Miles; re- moves to Narragansett ; settle- ment at Rye, 191 ; commission from Society; Col. Heathcote, high testimonial in favor of; in- duction at Rye by Gov. Hunter, 193, 194; his summary method of dealing with Sectaries ; death; of; last will and testament of, 207, 208. Bridge, his letters to Secretary of V. P. S., 195, 201, 204, 206, 207. Brooks Rev. Mr., 156, 179, 184. Buckingham Mr., 212. Brown James, extract from will of, Oil. Calvin advocates conformity, 412 ; good advice to English reformers, 431. Camp Rev. Mr. 291. Carter Rev. Lawson, 478. Catechising publicly on week days, 18 when and where performed, 48, 57, 228. Carter Rev. Abraham B. 521. Catechists high testimonial of, 282. Church, first organization of, in West- chester county ; great progress in New England, 236, 237, 238, 259 ; terrible confusion and dis- order of during Revolution, 90, 319; preservation and re- organ- ization of, and congeniality with free institutions, 327. Churchwardens, first election of at Westchester, 9 ; ibid at Rye, 135. Church rates, protests against collec- tion of, Churches, law for the erection of. 7, 362 ; early form of, as described by Bede, 9 ; provincial method of building, 59. Churches, closing of during Revo- lutionary war, 91. Church Bibles, presentation of, by Queen Anne and others, 122, 602, 573. Church trustees of, rights belonging to, 125. Church, method of introducing in Conn., 168 ; reformation and de- formation of, 197. Clark Daniel, appointed catechist at Westchester, 37. Chandler Mr., catechist at Bedford, 278. INDEX. 737 Chandler Rev. Dr., his letter to Isaac Wilkins, 102. Clark Rev. Richard S., birth, pa- rentage and education of; sails to England for Holy Orders; li- cense from Bishop of London ; appointed missionary at New Milford, Conn.; removes to Gage- town, New Brunswick; death, and family of, 555. Communion Holy, times for the cele- bration of, 48, 228, 499. Colgan Rev. Thos., 234, 242. Cleator Joseph, appointed catechist at Rye, 140 ; arrival of, 176, faithful services of, 177, 184 ; mis- conduct of, 20G ; report to Secre- tary, 209 ; sickness of, 229 ; death of, 260, 262. Clergy. Colonial convention of, 14; meeting to express loyalty of,45 ; ancient custom of interring, 50 ; unjust charges against, 86; bound by solemn oaths, 90 ; fre- quent consultations necessary, 200 ; their order for officiating at Rye, 210 ; good harmony among, 275 ; laws of Church with regard to, 292 ; great sufferings and loy- alty of, 318; ancient custom of inducting, 303. Communion plate, royal donation of, 122 229. Commissaries Bishop's, recommenda- tion of, 259. Continental Fast, its effect on the Church, 505. Congregationalists, great movement among, 236 ; their ministers de- clare for Episcopacy, 237 ; great numbers among royalists, 96. Congress Provincial, remonstrance from, to Gov. Trumbull, 89 ; con- gress, fixed resolution of, 101. Connecticut, first Episcopal services in, 142, 151 ; spiritual condition oi, 151, 157; conformity of Dis- senters in, 151, 237; condition of Church in western portion of, 156, 160 ; disadvantages of dis- seminating the Gospel in, 159 ; 47 Mr. Muirson's license to baptise in, 165; best method of intro- ducing the Church into, 16S ; great reformation in, 236 ; friend- ly disposition of people to Church of England, 264; communicants and baptisms in, 206 ; Mr. Pun- derson's services in, 304. Convention General, delegation from Southern States, 93. Colen Donck, why so called, 4S5. Cooper Rev. Elias, birth, parentage and education of; ordination of; takes charge of Yon leers, 513 ; success of, 514; institution of, 515; death of. ibid; family of, 516; monument to, 523. Cornbury Lord, his great zeal for the Church, 44, 142, 144. Cortlandt, early history of, 575, 576; first Episcopal services at, 577; deed for church lot at , 578 ; first trustees of; erection of church at ; royal charter tor, 579, 580, 5S1, 582, 583 ; Mr, Doty recom- mended as missionary at ; letter of churchwardens to Secretary, 584, 585, 586; petition of war- dens to Society, 587 ; Mr. Doty called, 5S8 ; induction of, 589 ; special charter for, 590 ; donation of Beverly Robinson to ; gift of Trinity Church, ibid; erection of parsonage at, 592; attempt of Presbyterians to seize church and glebe; re-incorporation of church, 595 ; Mr. Fowler ap- pointed minister ; Mr. Haskell, called ; doors of church closed ; cemetry rented, 59S ; Mr. War- ren called : succeeded by Mr. TJrquhart ; Mr. Ten Broeck settled, 599; vestry petition to sell glebe ; church organized in the village of Peekskill ; des- cription of church edifice ; gifc of Mrs. Robinson ; tombstones ; . description of chapel, 602 ; prin- cipal benefactors ; list of rectors, 603, 604; notitia parochialis, and list of wardens, 605. 73S INDEX. Crosby Rev. Alexander, birthof, &c, 517, 518 ; ordination of, ibid ; death of, 519, 642, 647. Creighton Rev. Wm. D. D. 647. 716, 717. t Croton, Episcopal services at, 607. County of Westchester, general popu- lation, and first settlers in, 140. Court-house, burning of, at Westches- ter, 9. Crumpond, early Episcopal services at, 305, 606; gift of land for erection of church at, 607. Curtis Rev. John, 642. Davis Rev. Thos., 239, 291. Davis Rev. Samuel C, 670. Declaration of Independence, its effect upon the clergy, 320. Delpech Mr. catechist at Eastchester, 62. De Lancey, family of, 51S, 549, 550, 631, 632. De Lancey Rt. Rev. Wm. H., 632, 631. Denham Thomas, donation of land to, 134, 158. Denham Isaac, gift of land to Grace Church, Rye, 226, 229. Dibble Rev. Ebenezer, birth and education of, 550 ; declares for Episcopacy ; sails for Holy Or- ders ;. return and appointment of, 551; death of, 554. Dibblee, his letters to Secretary of V. P. S., 535, 537, 540, 551. 552, 609. Dissenters, number of at Westches- ter, 6; prejudices of; conformi- ty of, 158 ; extraordinary move- ment among, 236 ; conduct of, 253, 256 ; oppress Church peo- ple, 267 ; trial with Church peo- ple at Rye, 281 ; conformity of at Eastchester, 366. Doty Rev. John, birth, &c. ; license to officiate ; called to Peekskill, 5S8 ; admission and institution of; mandate from Gov. Try on to induct, 590 ; removes to Sche- nectady ; settles in Canada ; taken prisoner ; appointed chap- lain ; repairs to England ; return of, and settlement at Brooklyn ; resigns his mission, 593, 594. Dwight Mr. Flint, appointed catechist at North Castle, 252 ; diligence of, 256, 260 ; recommended as catechist for Rye, 203, 530, 532 ; death of, 534. Eastchester, first Episcopal service at, 17 ; occupation of inhabitants, 60 ; why made a distinct parish, 43; erection of church at, 44; included in appurtenances of Westchester parish, 59, 60 ; claim of Dissenters at, 61 ; erection of new stone church at, 82, 81; re- united with Westchester, 111; early inhabitants compelled to support minister of; petition for separation ; protest against Church rates, 358 ; Mr. Joaes called, 359 ; Mr. Mather settled, 360; meeting house erected by rate, 361 ; made a precinct of Westchester, ibid ; parsonage, lot laid out, ibid : Governor re- fuses to induct Dissenter, 362 ; attempt to annul act of, 16, 93; parsonage land laid out, 362, 363; Mr. Morgan called, ibid ; inhabi- tants petition ; act declaring se- paration, 364; Mr. Bartow in- ducted ; Independents pay quota towards support of, 365 ; Dissent- ing teacher supported by volun- tary contributions ; conformity of Dissenters at, 366 ; inhabitants address V. S. ; account of erect- ing meeting-house, 366 ; address for abatement of quota, 367 ; al- ways considered joined to West- chester ; payment of quota, and repairs of church, 368 ; efforts made to introduce Dissenting teacher, 369 ; Mr. Tennent offi- ciates at; Rev. Mr. Standard in- ducted and i pposed by Presby- terians ; appointment of sexton ; death of Mrs. Standard, 371 ; parsonage regulated, and founda- tion of new church laid, 373 ; Mr. Milner inducted, ibid ; Mark INDEX. 739 Christian appointed sexton ; Mr. Wright's cemetery; application for brief to finish church ; sus- pension of services, ibid ; elec- tion of trustees ; management of Church property ; trustees elect sexton, 375 ; church sex- tons ; rental of glebe ; town de- fines boundaries for church, 376 ; rights of church at, 37S ; enclos- ure of church lands, 379 ; incor- poration of church under wardens and vestrymen ; Mr. Wilkins elected; letter of Vestry; Mr. Kearney elected ; Mr. Bayard called, 381 ; description of church edifice, 3S2 ; parsonage and tombstones, 333, 3S4; list of rec- tors, notitia parochialis, 386. Episcopacy, republican character of, 94, 95 ; converts to from Con- gregationalism, 236, 237, 23S, 239 ; increase of, 276 ; effects of Revolution upon, 326. Evans TVm. Matthew, notice of, 699. Episcopalians, eminent leaders during Revolutionary war, 91, 92, 93 ; prohibition and proscription of, 132. Eucharist Holy, seasons for the cele- bration of, 48, 228. Famistical parties, persecution of, by Puritans, 131 Fees surplice, value of, 83. Felch Rev. Nathan, 571, 613, 624. Ferris John, will of, 124. Festivals church, observance of, by colonial clergy, 421. French Church of N. Y., how re- duced, 430. Franklin Dr., advice to his daughter 92. Fogge Mr, Ezekiel, 3, 353, 459. Fordharn, Dutch Ref. congregation at, 184; formerly included in West- chester Parish ; erected into ma- nor. 725 ; organization of parish 727 ; Incorporation of St. dames' Church at, First Rector of; ben- efactions to, 728. Forster William, school-master at Westchester, 45, 46, 47, 62 difficulty with Mr. Standard, 64. Foote Rev. David, birth, &c, 332 ; education and ordination of; call to Rye ; death of, and monu- ment to, 333. Forbes Rev. John M. Apostacy of, 346. Foxe's Meadows, Episcopal services at, 229 ; 703. Fowler Rev. Andrew, employed as lay reader at Rye, 327 ; first services at New Rochelle, 472 ; officiates at Yonkers, 512; birth of, &c, 596 ; called to Peefcskill, ibid ; a great missionary, 597 ; death of, 598. General Court, order concerning Rye, 132, 133. Glebe, common right of Church to, 37S ; freehold who vested in, ibid. Glebe of Westchester, 14, 23, 30, 31; 32, 45, 77 ; glebe of Rye, 134 , survey of, 221; description of, 229 ; sequestration of, 290. Goding Mr., lay reader, 360. Glover Charles, school-master at Westchester, 87. Go it Mr., schoolmaster at Westches- ter, 87. Governor's Provincial, powers of, 292. Greenburgh Lower, Indian name of; early connected with Yonkers, 646; first services at; erection of church edifice; officiating clergy; description of parochial church, 647, 618, 649; chapel- school of St. Barnabas, 650, 651, 652 ; dedication of, 653 ; origin of scholarships at, 65 i; notitia parochialis, 655. Greenburgh Upper, incorporation of parish ; erection of church edi- fice, 665 ; memorials to Philipse family ; parochial statistics, 666. Greenwich, Episcopal services at, 142, Graham Col. James, 14 ; family of, 19; author of law for mainten- ance of clergy, ibid. Guilford, church at, 3, 34. Guion David, release of, to Trinity Church, N. R., 469. 740 INDEX. Grigg Rev. John, 517. Hadley Joseph, 22. Haight Charles, donation of, 53G. Halsey Rev. Chas. H., 658. Halsey Rev. Wm. F. 659. Harris Rev R. W., 515, 614, 643. Haskell Rev. Samuel, 337; call of, 33S ; induction of, 343 ; death of, 314 ; called to Peekskill, 598. Heathcote Caleb, attempts to induct Bondet, 4, 5 ; treatment of in Conn., 152 ; testimony to mis- sionaries, 153 ; advice for settling, clergy, 163, 1 67 ; commendation of Gov. Hunter ; biographical notice of, 629, 632. Heathcote, his letters to the Secretary, 21. 133, 145, 153, 164, 167, 169, 171, 174, 176, 177, 178, 179, 192, 193, 197, 198, 405, 406, 420. Hamilton Alexander, reply of, to Wil- kins, 112 ; scholarship of at Dear- man's. Hart Glorianna, 307. Henderson Rev. M. H., historical dis- course of, 89, 98. Henry Patrick, noble efforts in behalf of Clnuch, 92. r Henshaw Rfc. Rev. J. P. K., observa- tions on the Revolution, 325, 327. Heyer Rev. Wm. G-. 647. Holy Orders, great peril in obtaining, 69 ; willingness of Dissenters to receive, 151. Homilies, presentation of, by Queen Anne, 122. Hoit Moses, presentation of, to Court of Sessions, 358. Honey well Philip, inscription to, 124 Houdin Rev. Michael, a native of France, 453; notice of from So- ciety's abstracts, 455; accompa- nies British generals to Canada, 479 ; attempts of Romanists to seduce ; appointed to New Ro- chelle, 457 ; death of, 470. Houdin, his letters to the Secretary, 454, 456, 465, 467. Huddleston, school-master at Rye, 204. Hunter Gov., zeal for the Church, 419, 420; letter to Secretary 429. Hunt Rev. Robert, early services of, in Virginia, 92. Huguenots, persecution of, by Roman- ists, 388, 392 ; cruelties practised upon ministers, 397. Hunt Margaret, 704. Hutchinson Ann, settlement at Pel- ham; death of, 691. Hunt Rev. Isaac, appointed mission- ary to Rye, 324 ; death of, 325. Hunt Leigh, 325. Independents, rigid, refuse conformity at Eastchester, 43; marriage cere- mony of, why preferred, 83 ; mode of enforcing conformity, 131 ; intolerance of, 132, 152, 170, 183, 264 ; mode of erecting their meeting-houses, 247 ; origin of, 249 ; infection among, 269. Independency, declaration of, and edict issued thereupon, 99. Induction, meaning of ancient mode of, 303, 301; how differing from institution, ] 10. Indians, mission among, 160 ; descrip- tion of, 180, 181. Inglis Rev. Mr., letter to Secretary, 506, 507, 569. Ireland Rev. John, notice of, 108 ; death of, 110, inscription to, 111. Jackson Rev. Charles D. 121. Jamaica, disturbance of the church at, 16. Jay Peter, 329. Jay Anna Maria, legacy of to Rye, 334. Jay Anne, donation of, to Bedford, 625. Jenney Rev. Robert, notice of, 21S ; induction of by Gov. Burnet; 219 ; letters to the Secretary, 220, 221. 222, 255, 226; his an- swers to the Bishop of London, 227, 230 ; removed to Hemp- stead ; settled in Philadelphia, 230 ; death of, and inscription to, 231, 232; death of Mrs. Jenney, 322. INDEX. 741 Johnson Rev. Samuel, D. D., 6S ; notice of,*237 ; letter to Secretary, 291 ; letter to Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, 492. Johnson Rev. Win. appointed assist- ant to Mr. Standard ; death of. 68. 238. Jones Mr. Morgan, 3, 158, 359, 360. Jones Rev. Chas. 723. Katonah, St. Mark's Church at, 627. Kearny Rev. Ravaud, notice of, 4S1 ; called to New Rochelle, 475. Keith Rev. George, 201. Keithians, doctrines of, 199, 2Q1. King Hon. Rufus, dying testimony to Ven. Society, 326. Lamson Rev. Joseph, declares for Episcopacy, 238 ; appointed as- sistant to Mr. Wetmore, 273 ; detention, and arrival of, 273, 274 ; removal and marriage of, 289 ; biography of ; letter to Sec- retary, 622, 533 ; death of, 534. Legislature of N. Y., act of, in rela- tion to Westchester, 104. Leisler Jacob, re-leases to Huguenots, 388. Le Baron Rev. Jas, F. 709. Liturgy, how styled by Puritans. 143 Long Reach, donation of land at, as glebe, 45, 125. Long Island, parishes and glebes of, 220. Mac Kenzie Rev. Mr., recommended to Rye, 187. Mamaroneck, heads of families in, 248, 230, 135; petition of freeholders, 140 ; Indian name of, 628 ; an- nexed to Searsdale, 629 ; appro- priated to Rye parish ; first ves- tryman of, 632; incorporation of church at ; deed for church lot, 633 ; Mc. Henderson's legacy to ; Rev. Wm. H. de Lancey called ; erection of church edifice; des- cription of church, and list of rectors, 635; notitia parochialis, 636. Mandamus, writ of, to Justices, 223. Marcus R«v. Moses, notice of, 604. Marriages, early records of; where found, 3. Marshall Chief Justice, eulogy on, 93. Mather Mr. Warham, 3, 6, 25, 45, 360. Mead Rev. Wm. C. 641. Mead Rev. Edward N., 658. Meeting-houses, erection of, by pub- lic tax, 7, 8, 361, 362. Methodist teachers, influence of, 270 ; great confusion produced by, 271 ; wild and enthusiastic no- tions of, 272. Middletown, Conn., early organiza- tion of Church at, 272. Middle Patent, St. Mary's Church at, 627. Miller Rev. John, 6. Milner Rev. John, birth of, &c. ; man- date to induct, 69; arrival of, 71 ; resignation and letter to Secre- tary, 78 ; recommended to West- chester, 291. Ministers Dissenting, refusal of Colo- nial Governors to induct, 362 ; . absolute power of, 158. Ministers Colonial, how supported and chosen, 368 ; early conven- tion of, 14 ; how provided, for 213 ; address of to Secretary, 342 ; power to call, 110 ; always mem- bers of vestry in their respective parishes, 203 ; constitution of the parishes with regard to, 292. Ministry, act for settlement of, 4. Missionaries, great sufferings of, 90 ; salaries, how paid, 144 ; high testimonial to, 2S8 ; petition Ven. Society, 189. Moore Rev. Richard C, elected rec- tor of Rye, 328 ; removal of, 331 ; subsequent career of, 332. Morgan Mr. Joseph, 363, 366. Moore Rev. John W., 671. Morris Richard, notice of, 673, 674. Morris Col. Lewis, commends Gov. Hunter, 420 ; donation of to St. Peter's Church, 121, 676; first lay impropriator of Morrisania ; 674 ; notice of death, 678. Morris his letters to Secretary, 178, 675, 676. r 42 INDEX. Morris Isabella, 20 ; obituary notice of, 678. ' Morris Hon.Gouverneur, 679, 6S2, 684 Morris Gouverneur, munificent dona- tion of, 671. Morris Ann, tablet to, 683. Morris Lewis G. 679. Morris, Chief Justice, 709. Morrisania, contest concerning, 38; early settlement of, 163 ; early grantees of. 673 ; erected into manor ; first lay impropriator of, 674; Dutch conformity at, 676; order of Westcbester vestry with regard to, 677 ; interment of Lewis and Isabella Morris at, 678 ; annexed to AVestchester parish ; foundation of St. Ann's church by Grouverneur Morris, 679 ; deed of gift, 680, 681 ; des- cription of church, 682 ; incor- poration of, 683 ; rectors of, 6S4 ; wardens of, 6S5. Morrisania Upper, formerly included in St. Ann's Parish, 719, organi- zation of parish 720; description of St. Pauls church, at, 720; first Rector of, 721. Moulinars Mr., usurpations of, 428,442 Mt. Pleasant, formerly included in Philipsburgh, 715, erection of church at 717. Muirson Rev. George, 145 ; notice of, 147, 148 ; ordination and induc- tion of, 149 ; anxiety with re- gard to Conn., 151 ; cordially supported by Col. Heathcote ; great good effected by, 156, 15S ; recommended as missionary to Conn., 159; license to baptise in Conn., 165; doggerel verses writ- ten upon, 170 ; forbearance of, 174; testimony to character of, 171, 178 ; cruel treatment of, 1S2, 183 ; obituary notice of, 185, 307 ; will of, 186; Col. Heathcote's letter concerning, 187 ; death of Mrs. Muirsoa, 1S6 ; letter of mis- sionaries in behalf of widow, 187. Muirson, his letters to Secretary, 150, 151, 166, 167, 169, 170, 171, 175, 176, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184. Munro Rev. Harry, notice of; re- nounces Scottish Kirk, 494 ; ap- pointed chaplain ; sails for Ameri- ca, 495 ; recommended by Dr. Auchumuty, 496, 497 ; receives Episcopal Orders, 498 ; accepts call to Albany. 502 ; causes for removal from Yonkers ; removes into Canada ; returns into Eng- land ; settles in Scotland; death of, 503. Munro Peter Jay, 504. Nantes, revocation of edict ; effect on ministers, 397. Neau Elias, testimony to Mr. Bartow, 39 ; appointed catechist to the Indians. 161. New England, passive obedience of the people in, 158. Negro plot, 63. New Castle, when taken from North Castle, 329 ; first settlement of; when annexed to Rye ; number of Quakers at 530 ; irreligious state of people at ; neglect to make parish rate, 531 ; Mr. Lam- son appointed assistant at, 532 ; noble benefaction of St. George Talbot to ; erection of church at ; gifc of land for, 543 ; first incor- poration of, 544 ; destruction of old church edifice, and consecra- tion of the new, 545 ; re-incor- poration of, &c, 546. New Lights, or vagrant preachers, numbers of, 565. New London, mission at, 104. New Rochelle, Mr. Bartow officiates at, 39 ; state of congregation at, 60 ; Calvanistic, or Presbyterian French at, 84 ; conformity of Huguenots at, 162 ; confirmed by Leisler to Huguenots, 3S7 ; sufferings of early settlers, 38S, 392 ; petition from inhabitants to Gov. Fletcher, ibid ; settle- ment of village, 393 ; erection of church edifice ; early gift of glebe and burying ground, 394 ; Dr. Bonrepos, first minister at, 395 ; INDEX. '43 sale of land to church elders, 396; Mr. Bondet called, 397; support of minister, 402; church glebe; how laid out, 407; con- formity of inhabitants, 407, 411 ; conformity sanctioned by foun- ders of French Church, 412, 413; Ingoldsby's license, and subscrip- tion to erect cluiTch edifice, 415, 417; exertions of Gov. Hunter to erect church at, 420 ; royal patent for church and ground at, 422, 423 ; gift of town to church, 423, 434; decrease of Dissenters at, 42G ; outrageous conduct of seceders at, 428 ; Independents condemned by discipline of French Church, 432; death of Mr. Bondet, 432, 433 ; services performed by Mr. Bartow, ibid ; Mr. Stouppe appointed minister at, 435 ; building of church edi- fice at, 440 ; glebe and parish house at, 441 ; meeting house begun at, 442 ; glebe, how laid out, 443; letter of inhabitants to Mr. Orem, 447; members of Church address Society; gift of laud to Church, 448, 449 ; ves- try announce death of Mr. S:ouppe. 441, 452 ; Mr. Houdin appointed missionary at, 457 ; petition of inhabitants to collect funds for parsonage, 45S ; royal charter confirmed, 459, 464 ; at- tempt of Calvanists to obtain church glebe, 465 ; release of church glebe, 467, 468 ; foreclo- sure of parsonage lands at, 470, 475 ; Mr. Bartow appointed minister at, 473 ; description of church at, 478 ; gift of bell, &c, 479 ; principal benefactors to, 480 ; list of ministers, 481 ; war- dens of, 4S2, 484. North Castle, settlement of, 6S6, 687 ; organization of parish, 6S8; in- corporation of; description of church edifice, 689 ; Female In- stitute at, 690 ; notitia paro- chialis, 691. Pell Thomas, purchases of in West- chester, 693. Pell, family of, 693 ; monuments to, 700. Pell John, first lay impropriator of Pelham, 694. Pell Georgiana C, 700. Pell John, sale of, to Leisler, 388. Pell Joseph, executors of re-lease church glebe at New Rochelle, 467, 46S. Pelham, early settlement of, 692 ; erected into manor, 693 ; first lay impropriator of; annexed to Westchester ; first vestryman of, 694 ; seperated from New Ro- chelle ; organization of parish, 695 ; instrument of donation ; incorporation of; first rector of, 696; description of church edi- fice, 697, 698, 699, 700; paro- chial school at; notitia paro- chialis, 701 ; wardens of, 702. Ogilvie Rev. John D., monument to, 664. Ogilvie Rev. John, declares for the Church, 239; appointed minis- ter at Rye, 335 ; death of, 336. Oostdorp, early Independent services at, 2. Ossin-ing, originally included in Ph.il- ipsburgh, 656 ; organization and incorporation of, 657 ; Mr. Mead called rector of, 658 ; purchase of parsonage ; description of church edifice, 659, 660 ; notitia paro- chialis. 661 ; Chapel of All Saints, belonging to parish of, 662. Olssen Rev. Wm. W. 709. Page Rev. B., notice of, 594. Panton Rev. George, notice of, 508 ; appointed to Philipsburgh ; re- moves to England, 509, 510. Parishes, first division of in West- chester county, 4; unequal dis- tribution of, 155. Palmer Rev. Solomon, 23S, 295, 296. Parsonage Point, belonging to glebe at Rye, 221. Parsonage lands, at Westchester, 14. 22, 30, 31, 48, 72, 78, 109, 121. 744 INDEX. Parsonage lands at Rve, 133, 134. 220, 221. 222, 223. 224. 226,229, 245, 280, 281, 290, 348. Parsonage lands at Eastchester, 359 361, 363, 372. Parsonage, rule of common law con- cerning, 378. Partridge Per. Alfred H., 691. Peck Rev. Isaac. 722. Perry Rev. David, notice of. 570. Perry Commodore, M. C, donation of 717. Pew holders, rights of, 125. Philipse Col. Frederick, gift of glebe to Philipsburgh, 31, 489, 490; family of, 486 ; notice of, 491 ; monument to, 492 ; letter to Secretary, 493. Poningoe Neck, share of, to minister at Rye, 134. Popham Wm. H.. donation of, 709. Popham, Wm. S.709, 712. Portchester organization cf church at, &c. 722. Powell Rev. William, elected assist- ant to Mr. Wilkins, 113; death of, and inscription to, 120. Poyer Rev. Mr., his troubles at Ja- maica, 40 ; notice of, 211 ; letter to Secretary, 212. Poundrid?e, organization of Church at, 627. Prayer book, wonderful effect of, 236. Presentation, laws concerning, 6. Presbyterians, their aspersions upon ci- vil and ecclesiastial government, 265 ; closely allied to Indepen- dents, 222 ; threaten Church peo- ple at Rye, 246; mode of erect- ing meeting houses, 247 ; temper of, at Rye, 293 ; divine right of ordination, &c, 264. 265. Presbyterian minister not allowed to officiate at Eastchester, 50. Pritchard Rev. Thoma3, arrival of, 29 ; notice of, 137 ; induction of, by Gov. Cornbury, 138 ; letters to Secretary, 141, 145. Pritchard Rev. Thomas, death of, 146 ; letters of administration granted to widow of, 147. Protest of royalists at White Plains. 86. Prudden Rev. Peter, 133. Pulpit cloths, royal presentation of, 122. Punderson Rev. Ebenezer, declares for Episcopacy, 237; called to Rye, 293; difficulty with Mr. Palmer, 295, 298 ; family of, ibid ; induction of, &c, 300 ; certificate of induction, 302 ; letter to Sec- retary. 303, 304 ; death, of, &c. 306. Punderson, Rev. Ephraim, 306. Punderson Cyrus, M. D., 1S6, 307. Puritans, early settlement at West- chester and Rye, 2, 131 ; abuse of liturgy and sacraments, 143 ; state of heathenism among, 158 ; doggerel verses upon Mr. Muir- son, 170. Purdy Samuel, recommendation of, .261 ; appointed schoolmaster at Rye, 264 ; letter to Secretary, 231; death of, 2S4. Putnam Gen. Israel, marries widow of Rev. E. Avery, 313. Pyne Rev. Smith, 519. Quakers, builders of church at West- chester, 59 ; wholesale conformi- ty of, 77 ; persecuted by Inde- pendents, 131 ; ranting, 199 ; baptist, 201 ; Mr. Bridges' dis- pute with, 202; practises of, 205; conduct of, at Rye, 252; industry to propagate sect, 254. Queen Anne, royal donation of, to Westchester ; why called the / " good Queen Anne," 122; gift to Rye, 245 ; gift to New Ko- chelle, 479. Queries of Bishop of London to Mr. Bartow, 47 ; to Mr. Jenney, 227 , to Mr. Stouppe, 436. Roosevelt family, interment of, 700. Rand John schoolmaster at Rye, 318 Rate payers, duties of, 378. Readers lay, appointment of, 24. Regeneration erroneous opinions con- cerning, 272 ; controversy upon, INDUS rifl Revolution, real causa of, 87 ; sad effects of, 318, 326. Revolutionary worthies, list of, 326. Ridgefield proposes to unite with Rye, 273 ; united with Salem, 550, 609 ; erection of church at, 274. Robinson Col. Beverly, 275 ; notice of, 591, 592. Rodman Rev. Washington; 705. Rogers Rev. Evan, notice of, 339 ; death of, 340; inscription to 341. Robinson Susannah, notice of, 601. Roux Rev. Monsieur Lewis, cruel treatment of, by seceders, 428 ; memorial to Gov. 429, 430. Rye, Mr. Bartow appointed first mis- sionary at, 13 ; history of parish, 130; annexation of, to N. Y., 131; first Independent teacher at, 132 ; gift of parsonage point at, 134; act of Assembly for Erecting parish of; first election of wardens and vestry; rate to repair parsonage, 135 ; school- master at, 140 ; license to build church at, 164 ; erection of church at, 151 ; Dissenting teachers at, 158 ; early provision of parsonage for, ibid ; first Epis- copal services, where held, 164; description of old church edifice ; completion of, 180 ; description of Indians resident in, 180, 181 ; Mr. Reynolds appointed mission- ary to, 189, 190; Mr. Bridge commissioned minister to, and inducted at, 193, 194, 199 ; par- sonage house and land belonging to; church built by public tax, 205; opposition of Independents at, 209 ; progress of dissent, at, 212 ; Mr. Jenney called to, 215, 217 j parsonage repair'd by public tax, 219 ; house St glebe, survey of; 221 ; church lot draft and survey of, 224, 225 ; gift of glebe by Mr. Denham, 226 ; description of church, 228 ; parochial library 4S at, 230 ; vestry of petition 232 ; Mr. Wetmore called, 233; let- ter of vestry to V. P. S., 240 ; building of church, 244 ; Queen Anne's gift to ; glebe and par- sonage of, 245 ; first erection of meeting house at, 246 ; number of meeting houses in parish of, 249 ; number of schools, 250 ; repairs of church, 261 ; decrease of sectaries, 266 ; fresh attempts to promote dissent, 277 ; glebe claimed by Dissenters, 279 ; noble benefaction to, 285 ; sequestration of glebe, 290 ; state of Presby- terian society at, 292; church- wardens letter to Secretary, 294 ; glebe and parsonage, 295 ; royal charter, 307; confirmation of church and cemetery, 308 ; burn- ing of parochial church ; last meeting of vestry, 325 ; first re- ligious services after Revolution ; first delegation from, 328 ; trus- tees chosen, 329 ; re-election of wardens and vestrymen, 330 ; re-construction of church, ibid ; change of corporate title, 334, 337 ; purchase of parsonage and glebe, 335, 34S ; incorporation of church at, 337 ; erection of new church, 343 ; principal bene- factors to, 348 ; rectors of, &c, 350 ; notitia scholastica ; pew holders, 351 ; churchwardens of, 352. Rye Neck, proposed erection of a chapel on, 344. Sacrament of Lord's Supper, times of administration of, 18, 14S, 228. Salem North, early history of, 548; union with Ridgefield, 550 ; first religious services at, 551 ; erec- tion of church ; boundaries of glebe, &c, 554 ; Mr. Clark officiates at, 555 ; letter of vestry to Secretary, 556, 557; Mr. Townsend appointed to, 558 ; Mr. Perry called to, 570 ; erec- tion of present church, 571, 572; incorporation of; Mr. Baxter's 746 INDEX. bequest to ; erection of parso- nage ; boundaries of glebe, ibid ; parochial statistics, 574 ; list of wardens, 575. Salem South, 608 ; gift of land to In- dependent minister of; Mr. Dib- blee, first officiates at, 609 ; Mr. Townsend appointed missionary to, 610 ; erection of church at, 611 ; parish church, dismantling of; deed for church lot, 612 ; in- corporation of; new church erected at; notitia parochialis, 614. Sands Rev. John J., notice of; called rector to Rye, 334 ; resignation of, 335. Saybrook, Independent college at, 235. Scarsdale, first Episcopal services at, 708 ; incorporation of church ; deed church for lot, 709, 710, 711 ; description of church at, 712,713, notitia parochialis. wardens, &c, 714. Seabury Rev. Samuel, appointed missionary at Westchester ; fam- ily of, 79 ;• admission of, SO, 81 ; carried prisoner to New Haven, 88 ; petition and discharge of, 89 ; escapes from Westchester, 99 ; missionary at Staten Island, 101 ; appointed chaplain, 102 ; sails for England ; consecration in Scotland, 102, 103 ; death of, and monument to, 104, 237 ; Seabury, his letters to the Secretary, 82, 83, 84, 85, 88, 100, 101, 322, 323, 373, 471, 472, 507 ; letter to Mr. Wilkins, 87. Seabury Nathaniel, school master at Westchester, 77. Seabury Rev. Samuel, epitaph to, 79. Seabury Rev. Charles, missionary at New London, 104. Sectaries, definition of, by Puritans, 131, 265. Sermons funeral, means of communi- cating religious knowledge, 84. Services public, great slackness in at- tendance upon, 247. Setauket, Caroline church at. 312. School parochial, nurseries for the Church, 71. Schoolmasters, Venerable Society's at Westchester, 126. Schoolmasters at Rye, 351 ; high com- pliment to zeal and industry of, 282. Scarsdale, early services at, 229 ; heads of families in, 248. Short Rev. David H., 670. Sherlock Bishop, 69. Shelton Rev. George A., 51. Smith Mr. Dissenting teacher at Rye, 312. Society for Prom, and Prop, of the Gospel, &c, foundation of, 397. Society for Prop, of the Gospel in N. E., organization of, 397. Society Venerable Prop., first mem- bers of in Westchester Co., 152; missionaries of, 189 ; letter to vestry of Rye, 280 ; letter with regard to Rye, 292. , Somers, parish of, 667 ; united with North Salem; organization of, 668 ; erection of church edifice, 669 ; description of church ; no- titia parochialis, 671 ; list of war- dens, 672. Strebeck Rev. Geo., 571, 624, 668. Stamford, Episcopal services at, 158, 266, 283. Standard Rev. Thomas, family of, 55 : mandate to induct, 66 ; difficulty with schoolmaster at Westches- ter, 64 ; notice of death, 65 ; will of, 67, 68 ; officiates at Eastches- ter, 370; melancholy death of Mrs. Standard, 371 ; removal of remains, 372. Standard Rev. Mr., letters to Secre- tary, 55, 58, 370. Staten Island, ruined state of mission at, 102. Stouppe Rev. Peter, minister at New Rochelle, 60 ; notice of, 435 an- swers of, to Bishop of London. 436, 437; visits Europe, 447, death of, 451 ; interment of, 453. Storrs Rev. Henry L., 519. 521; monument to, 524. INDEX. 747 Stuart Rev. Alexander, recom- mended to Bedford, 144 ; ap- pointed missionary there, 619. Sturgeon Wm.. schoolmaster, at Rye, 277. St. John's church, Pleasantville. no- tice of; 717. St. Mary's church, Beechvvood, de- scription of, 716, 717. Suffolk county resolves, opinion of clergy concerning, 565. Talbot Rev. John, charged with Ja- cobitism, 49. Talbot St. George, noble benefaction of, 275, 535 ; biographical notice of, 541 ; will of, 542 ; letters to Secretary, 533, 539, 540, 551, 552. Taxation without representation en- forced by Puritans, 89. Tennison Archbishop, pious bequest of, 41. Tennent Rev. Wm., officiates at Eastchester, 369. Ten Broeck Rev. Petrus S., 599. Thomas Rev. Juo. appointed mission- ary at Hempstead, 154; letter to Secretary, 213, 293. Thomas Hon. John, 329. Tomes Rev. Charles, 659. Thompson Rev. William, notice of, 344, 345 ; inscription to, 346. Townsend Rev. Epenetus, notice of, 558, 559; melancholy fate of, 568, 569 ; letters to Secretary, 560, 567. Tracts, useful impression created by, 83. Trinity Church, N. Y., liberal dona- tions of, 1, 2, 3, 275, 339, 4S0, 526, 545, 572, 603, 624, 644, 654, 658. Throckmorton John, persecution of, by Baptists, 1, 2. Trustees, powers of, 374. Tuckahoe organization of Parish, 723 ; description of church at; gift of land, &c, 724 Urquhart Rev. Mr., difficulties at Ja- maica, 154 ; memorial of mission- aries in behalf of widow of, 188. Urcmhart Rev. John, 59'J. Tan Cortlandt Augustus, 514. ; Van Cortlandt Frederick, ibid. Van Cortlandt, family of, 576. Van Cortlandt Gen. Pierre, obituary notice of, 577. Vermilye Rev. Isaac Dyckman, 510 690. Vesey Rev. Mr., Commissary ; letter to clergy, 209; letter to Secre- tary, 210 ; enquiries into the con- duct of Mr. Standard, 64. Vestry, act for election of, 24 ; refuse to grant the annual quotas, 41 ; declare Eastchester seperate from Westchester, 43 ; major part power to call minister; disqua- lification of, 6 ; rights of, to sell pews, 125, meetings of, not be held without minister ; powers of, 292, 303 ; discordant elements in colonial, 293 ; popular election of, 368. Virginia, unlawful seizure of church glebes in, 92. Vredeland, why so called 2. Waldron Wm. W-, founder of St. James' Library, Fordham, 72S. Weaver Rev. Joshua, 727. West Farms, early proprietors of 703 ; separated from AVestchester, 704 ; first Episcopal services at, 705 ; description of church, 706 ; liberal contributors to church at, ibid ; Notitia Parochialis, 707. Walker's Sufferings of the Clergy, proper supplement t©, 320. Walton Mr., coaductof, at Rye, 246 ; followers of old Independent party, 249. Warren Rev. Joseph, 599. Weckquaskeck, 130. Weller Rev. Geo., 571, 613, 625. Wetmore Rev. James, call of to Rye, 232, 233 ; family of, 235 ; sails for England, 236; mandate of Gov. Burnet to induct, 239; letter of vestry to V. P. S. con- cerning, 241 ; see appendix for letter; controversy with Qua- kers, 255; death of, 286, 291; 748 INDEX. monumental inscription to, 286 ; works of, &c, 287 ; descendants of, 288 ; last will of, 289, 290 ; settlement with executors of, 291. Wetmore, his letters to the Secretary, 243, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 280, 284, 285. Wetmere Timothy, appointed school- master at Rye, 2S4 ; notice of, 288; letters to Secretary, 292, 312. Wetmore Rev. Robert G-., notice of, 288. Wetmore James, appointed school- master at Rye, ibid. Wetmore Ezrahia, notice of, 289. Westchester parish, 1 ; Independent services at, 2, 3 ; erection of meeting house, &c. 6, 7; built by public tax, 8 ; removal of, 9 ; burning of court house at, ibid ; first wardens and vestrymen of, 20 ; lay readers provided for, 24 ; land given for glebe at, 30, 31 ; great progress of church at, 44 ; account of erecting church at; glebe of twenty-three acres at, 45 ; bishop of London obtains land for church at, 22, 23 ; undi- vided tract, called Longreach, given for glebe at, 45; church, how repaired, 46; extent of par- ish, and number of families in, 47; value of benefice, &c, 48; description of church at ; given by Quakers to Col. Heathcote, 59 ; number of meeting houses in parish of; royal charter for, 73, 76 ; repairs of parsonage and purchase of glebe land, 77 ; dese- cration of church, and deplorable state of parish at, 99, 100 ; great accessions to church at, 82 ; pro- fessed Dissenters at, 84 ; erec- tion of township, 105 ; election of trustees, ibid; trustees peti- tion V. P. S. ibid; erection of new church edifice, 107 ; confir- mation of church and burying ground, 108; re-lease of bury- ing ground, 109; incorporation of church at, 110; union with Eastchester, 111 ; list of benefac- tors, pew holders and rectors, 123, 124, 125 ; notitia parochialis, 126 ; inhabitants and wardens of, 127. Westchester Co., early method of building churches in, 59 ; Dis- senting ministers of; proposed division of parishes, 155 ; sub- dvision of parishes in, 4; gene- ral population of, 140J; treatment of reformers in, 19S ; low ebb of religion in, 292 ; observance of the Lord's day in, 312. White Plains, parish of, 638 ; first Episcopal services at ; the Inde- pendents of, 246, 249, 253, 639 ; catechetical instructions at, 266, 282, 639 ; large attendance of people at ; Mr. Rogers officiates at, 640 ; withdraws from Rye 344, 641 ; incorporation of church, 641 ; description of church edi- fice, 643 ; donation of Trinity Church to, 644 ; churchwardens of, 645. White Plains West, chapel of Ease at, 644. Whitefield Rev. George, pernicious tenets broached by, 272. Wilkins Rev. Isaac, Bishop Seabury's letter to, S7 ; Chandler's letter to, 102; family of, 111; letter to fellow countrymen, 112 ; visits Nova Scotia; death of, &c, 114, 119; "the Watchman," a poem to, 117; Wilkins Isabella, inscrip- tion to, 122. Woodbridge Mr. Independent teacher at Rye, 25, 158. Yale, students of, fined for attending Episcopal services, 239 ; com- mencement at, 276. Tonkers, parish of, 485 ; early associ- ated with Westchester. 25, 45, 487 ; first vestrymen of, ibid ; ' first services, where held ; peo- ple determine to erect church ; Mr. Jones catechist at Mile INDEX. 749 Square, 4S8; Mr. Philipse be- queathes site of church aud glebe, 71, 48S; tenants taxed for erec- tion of church, 489 ; state of pre- cinct, described by Dr. Johnson and others, 492, 493 ; Mr. Munro appointed missionary at ; Assem- bly refuse to erect manor into parish, 49G ; state of religion among Dissenters at ; commu- nion silver provided for ; des- cription of Dissenters at, 499, 500 ; growth of Church at, 501 : conformity of Dissenters at, 502 ; Mr. Babcock appointed mission- ary at, SOS ; State restores Church property ; distraction of parish, and abortive attempts of Dissenters, 511, Mr. Fowler collects congregation at, 512; Mr. Cooper called to rectorship, 513 ; description of church edi- fice, 522 ; sale of old parsonage, 525; principal benefactors of, list of ministers, 526 ; popula- tion and wardens of, 527. Youngs George, schoolmaster at Westchester, 84. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 0035519720 © o *-4 CD & cD .J O :0 i