Full text of "History of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the county of Westchester, from its foundation, 1693, to 1853"

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HISTORY

OF THE

PliOTESTAl^T EPISCOPAL

CHURCH,

IN THE

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER,

FROM ITS FOUNDATION,

A. D. 1G93, TO A. D. 1853.

BY ROBERT BOLTON, A. M.

AUTHOR or THE " HISTORY OF WESTCHESTtR COUXTY." A MEMBER OP THE PROT
EPISCOPAL, NEW-YORK, AND GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETIES.

•' The Society for Propagating the Gospel is the brightest light .shining in the
candlestick of the Reformation ; it has ilone more, and is doing more, for the
cause of Christ, than all Christendom united." — Hon. Rufus King.

/■j\ry^^'\j^y\.

N E W - Y O R K :

STANFORD & S W OR DS, PUB L I S H E R S

18 55,

Entered according to Act of Congress, ia the year eighteen hundred and fifty-five,

BY ROBERT BOLTON,
lu the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of New- York.

©Ijanks be lo (3ois
for tt)c

bcnerabls propagation Socictn.

Jfiiitatttfit.

TO THE

BIGHT REV. WJLLIAM HEATIICOTE l)e LANCEY,

D. D., D. C. L., OXON,
bishop of the diocese of western new'york.

Kt. Eev. Sir :

The idea of dedicating this volume to you, a
natire of Westchester, was almost co-esistant with the resolution to
enter upon its compilation ; and surely, to no individual could it be
so justly or appropriately inscribed, as to the great grandson of Col.
Caleb Heathcote, to whom, under Grod, the Church in "Westchester
County owes a deep debt of gratitude for her first foundation and
protection.

Trusting that the present work may find some claim to your
favor,

I remain,

Right Rev. Sir,

Your obedient Servant.

ROBERT BOLTON.

New RochcUe, May \st, 1855.

ERRATA.

r«ge. IJne.

20
20

20 7

69 17

80 17

124 5

120

219

236

314

310 35

330

337

351

For 1693 read 1083.

Omit the following, in 1703,
and read, probably in 1700.

Omit the following, he died
in 1767, and read, he died
at Morrisania in 1701.

Note a, for Hawks' New-
York, MSS. from archives
at Fulham. &c., read New-
York, MSS. from archives
at Fulhara, &c, (Hawks,)
and also wherever this re-
ference occurs.

After Sherlock read, he was
licensed by the same prelate
Feb. 25th, 1761.

After orders, read, he was li-
censed by the Bishop of Lon-
don, Dec. 23rd, 1753.

After Cbui'ch-yard insert,
which is coeval.

For 1713, read 1714.

Note a, after vol. insert xi.

After in, insert December.

For Dr. Hinchman, read
Richard Terrick, D, D.

For to, read do.

Note a, for Legislatue, read
Legislature.

Afier Cliurch, read on the

For 1707, read 1704.

Page.

Line.

379

381

382

395

402

409

416

410

436 23

475

479

For unclose, read enclose.

After Bachelor insert 1811.

For Rapalye, read Rapclye.

For Bonrepos, read De Boa-
repos.

For countrj', read county.

After not insert oulj'.

For £1.00, read £3.00.

For £3.00, read £1 0.

Before constantly, insert I
reside.

For Revaud, read Ravaud.

After family, insert also of a
Silver Flaggon, paten and
two Alms Plates, given as
an "Easter Oflering," in
1853, by Mrs. Susan Dau-
beny.

488 14 For Bebts, read Bebits.

489 Note b, for pidgeon read

pigeon.

491 24 After militia insert, and also,

after property omit and,

492 5 After his insert, conduct gain-

ed.
504 20 For missson,' read mission.
508 Note d, for 1165, read 1615,

and for dawrient, read hau-

rient.
605 32 For 1850, read 1801.
030 29 For Febuary, read February.

P RE FA CE.

The principal source from which the materials for this history
have been drawn, are the voluminous MSS., copied from the Archives
at Fulham, in the possession of the Rev. F. L. Hawks, D. D. ;
the printed Abstracts from the Proceedings of the Venerable
Propagation Society ; Humphrey's Historical Account of the
Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Grospel, &c.
Hawkin's Missions of the Church of England ; Anderson's History
of the Colonial Church ; History of the Protestant Episcopal Church
in America, by the Bishop of Oxford ; Berrian's Historical Sketch of
Trinity Church, N. Y. ; Collections of the Protestant Episcopal His-
torical Society ; the Probate Records at New-York ; the County
Records, and the Minutes of the Vestries of the various parishes.
Other sources of information have been diligently and often success-
fully sought after ; and everything in the Worcester, Philadelphia and
New- York libraries, calculated to throw light on the subject, has been
carefully examined. No time nor pains have been spared to render
the work as accurate as possible. The principal cause which has de-
layed its publication was an accidental fire, soon after the work was in
press, which destroyed much of the MSS. The delay, however, has
made the work much more full and accurate than it could otherwise
have been, and it is hoped that it will not be found an unacceptable
contribution to the Ecclesiastical History of our country.

The author takes this opportunity of returning his grateful acknow-
ledgments to all those who have in any way assisted towards the com-
pletion of the present work. He cannot omit expressing his particular
obligation to the Rev. Francis L. Hawks, D. D., L.L. D., Historio-
grapher of the Church, for the help which he afforded him in tran-
scribing the MS. letters of the Missionaries, and for his readiness in
enabling him to examine the other treasures in his valuable library,
also to the Rev. A. B. Chapin, D. D. of South Glastonbury, Ct, for per-

via

PEEFACE.

mitting him the use of some of those rich stores of his library, without
which he would have been frequently at a loss to know how to proceed.
He is also indebted to the Rev. E. Bourns, L.L. D., President of the
University of Norwich, Vt , for many extracts from the Matriculation
books of the various colleges at Oxford and Cambridge, and the
University of Dublin. His thanks are also due to the Rev. Samuel Sea-
bury, D. D., N. Y. ; Rev. J. W. Collison, St. John's Colleg«, Cam-
bridt^e ; Rev. Francis Martin, Bursar of Trinity College, Cambridge ;
Rev. Wm. Digby Sadlier, sen., Lecturer of Trinity College, Dublin ;
Rev. "William P. Hutton, Stanley Place, Chester, England;' Rev.
Micajah Townsend, Clarenceville, Canada East; Rev. Edmund
Barry, D. D., Jersey City ; Rev. Benjamin Dorr, D. D., Phil. ;
Rev. F. M. Noll, Setauket, L. I.; Rev. H. T. Wilcoxson, Smith-
fleld, Isle of Wight, Virginia; Rev. Nathaniel Hyatt, Santee, S. C. ;
Rev. Wm. Payne, Schenectady; Rev. E. Punderson, New Hartford,
"Western N. Y. : Rev. Theodore D. "Woolsey, President of Yale Col-
lege ; Rev. C. Y. De Normandie, Brooklyn, Ct. ; Joseph Rom-
illy, Trinity College, Cambridge ; Edward F. De Lancey, Esi].,
N. Y. ; John C. Jay, Esq., Rye, N. Y. ; Samuel Punderson,
M. D., New Haven, Ct ; Samuel S. Rogers, N. Y. ; William
Hawkesworth, Charleston, S. C. ; Micajah Townsend, L. I. ; Charles
Pinkney, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia; Gouverneur Wilkins, Esq., West-
chester ; James Hay, Esq., Eastchester; E. B. O'Callaghan, Albany,
N. Y. ; Job Williams, Esq., Pomfret, Ct. ; Messrs. Stanford & Swordsj
Publishers, New- York; and Garfet Ashton, Esq., of Cambridge. Eng-
land, The rectors of the various parishes throughout the County have
likewise, in reply to his various enquiries, communicated much val-
uable information.

INTRODUCTION.

In giving a history of the Anglo-American Church in Westchester
County, it appears proper in an Introduction to give some account of
the state of religion prior to, and after its organization. This will
cleai'ly demonstrate the state of things, which grew up under Non-
Episcopal Ministrations, and the necessity for introducing the Church
which has always proved herself a sure bulwark against error.

We shall commence, therefore, with the year 1642, when the first
settlement of Westchester was begun by Mr. John Throckmorton, and
thirty-five associates, who came from New England, with the approba-
tion of the Dutch authorities of New-York. Fifteen years after, we
are informed, that the inhabitants of Oostdorp, or Westchester, " were
Puritans or Independents, who had no preacher among them." We
are also told, that " as early as 1G60, Rye paid taxes for the support
of religion, although no church was formed or pastor ordained."

The English laying claim to New-Netherlands, it was surrendered
to them by the Dutch, A. D. 1664. For the encouragement of settlers,
Richard NicoUs, the first English Governor, published an instrument
in which he declared " that in all territories of his Royal Highness,
liberty of conscience is allowed, provided such liberty is not converted
into licentiousness, or the disturbance of others in the exercise of the
Protestant Religion." The Charter of Privileges granted by the Duke
of York to the inhabitants of New-York, confirmed " the respective
Christian Churches, now in practice within the City of New- York, Long
Island, and the other places of this province, that they shall be held
and reputed as privileged churches, and enjoy their former liberty of
their religions in divine worship and church discipline."

Immediately after the surrender it became a matter of indispensable
and pressing necessity, that laws and ordinances should be passed,
adapted to the then condition of the Colony, whereupon Governor

INTRODUCTION.

Nicolls, invited the inhabitants of Westchester and other towns, upon
Long Island, to send Delegates to a General Meeting at Hempstead,
on the 23th of February, 16G5. The Convention met at the
time appointed, when there appeared for Westchester, Edward Jessup
and John Qaiuby. At this meeting was promulgated a body of laws
and ordinances, for the future Grovernment of the Province, which were
called, by way of distinction, " The Duke's Laws." Among the prin-
cipal provisions of the code are the following: — "Whereas the public
worship of God is much discredited, for the want of painful and able-
ministers to instruct the people in the true religion, and for want of
convenient places capable to receive any assembly of people in a de-
cent manner, for celebrating God's holy ordinances, ordered, that a
church shall be built in the most convenient part of each parish, ca-
pable to receive and accommodate two hundred persons. To prevent
scandalous and ignorant pretenders to the ministry, from intruding
themselves as teachers, no minister shall be admitted to officiate within
the Government, but such as shall produce testimonials to the Gov-
ernor that he received ordination, either from some Protestant Bishop
or Ministers within some part of his majesty's dominions, or the do-
minions of any foreign prince of the reformed religion ; upon which
testimonials the Governor shall induct the said minister into the par-
ish that shall make presentation of him."

The Duke's Laws continued to govern the province until the first
Provincial Assembly convened by Governor Dongan, in IG83.

Col. Heathcote writing to the Venerable Society in 1701, says : —
" When I first arrived in the Province, (A. D. 1692) I found it (West-
chester) the most rude and heathenish country 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 set 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 arras
and to acquaint them that in case they would not in every town ar^ree
among themselves to appoint readers, and pass the Sabbath in the best
manner they could, till such times as they could be better provided,
that they should, every Sunday, call their companies under arms, and

INTRODUCTION. xi

spend the day in exercise, whereupon it was unanimously agreed on
through the country to make choice of readers, which they accordingly
did, and continued in those methods some time." This description
given by that worthy person, who proved afterwards highly instrumen-
tal in settling religion both here and in the neighboring countries, was
confix-med by many accounts from other hands, a

In 1692, Col. Benjamin Fletcher arrived with a commission to be
Governor of the Colony. His very first act was to issue a proclamation
for the suppression of vice and the observance of the Lord's day.
This was published throughout "Westchester, and followed on the 15th
day of December of that year, by an order to the same eifect, from the
County Court of Sessions. Upon this direction to observe the Sabbath
and choose readers, "Westchester, Eastchester and Yonkers, united in
calling one "Warham Mather, styled a student in Divinity. This was
the same individual described by Miller, in 1695, "as a young man
coming to settle at "Westchester without orders." At the same time,
Rye also chose one John Woodbridge ; but from 1690 to 1697, they
were without a minister. Even as late as 1728, Mr. Wetmore, rector of
Rye, says : — " the dissenting teachers officiate without qualifying them-
selves." Such however, was the fearful progress of Sabbath breaking
and other profanities, that the Court of Sessions for "Westchester County
was again compelled to legislate on the subject, as appears from the
following document : —

" At. a Court of Sessions held at Westchester, June the 6th and 7th days, 1693, &c.

Upon- complaint made to the Court, concerning greate disorders and piophainness
in this County upon the Sabbath days, and for regulation and prevention of the same,
the Court orders, that whereas, tlio publick worshipp of God is much neglected,
for want of able ministers to instruct the people every Sabbath day, and on such pu-
blick days of fasting and thanksgiveing, that are appointed or shall hereafter be ap-
pointed by His Excellency, the ^Governor and Council, and General Assembly,
And whereas, we find that severall places wilhin this County, are not in a capacity
to raaintaine a minister, whereby great debaucheries and prophainness, are commit,
ted on the Lord's daj's, and that parents and masters of families doe not traine up
youths and servants in tlie feare of God, and observeiug His holy commandments,
althougli His Excellency iiath taken speedy care after his arrival! for the suppressing

Inquiries Into Religious State of the Colonies by David Humphreys, D. D. 1703.
p. 21.

^" INTRODUCTION.

of vice and encouragement of \-irtue and observance of the Lord's day, and by his
proclamation, wliich hath beene published iu this County, yett very many takes noe
notice thereof: It's therefore ordered, yett within every Towne precinct and pattent
within this County, duo observance of the Lord's day shall be kept, and for want of
an able minister the inhabitants shall employ a reader to read out of good books, two
Sermonds every Lord's day, (that is to say,) one in the forenoone, betweene 9 and
11 o'clock, and one in the afternoone, betweene 2 and 4 o'clock, at such places as
shall be thought meet and convenient by ye inhabitants of such Towue precinct
and pattent, att a meeting ordered by the next Justice of the Peace ; provi<iod that
if the inhabitants will nrt appoyut such place as aforesaid, that then the next Jus-
tice of the Peace shall appoynt a place, and in case any person or persons sliall make
derission, or make any unseemly behaviour in the time of publick worshipp, that
then the said Justice of the Peace of said place or precincts, shall commilt all such
deriders to the stocks one houre, otherwise shall pay tenu shillings, to be ievyed by
the constable, the one half to ye constable, and the other half to be employed to-
wards relief of the poor of said place.

i^.It's alsoe ordered that noe person shall sitt tippleing in a publick ordenary on Iho
Lord's day, upon penalty as aforesaid, or at other times on penalty as the law di-
rects, and that any persons inhabiting within this County shall not travill on the
Lord's day, without permition and make known their ocation to the next Justice of
the Peace, upon penalty as aforesaid, likewise noe person or persons shall presume to
goe a fishing, shooting or hunting of horses, or any other sports which makes breach
of the Sabbath, upon ye penalty as aforesaid, provided, that this order shall not prohi-
bit any stranger of meat and drinke for his refreshment on the Sabbath day.

Also any Justice of the Peace which shall neglect or refuse to grant his warrant
to the constable, for laying such fines upou the breakers of the Sabbath, shall forfeit
twenty shillings for every such neglect as aforesaid, and that the constable of every
respective towne that shall publish this order iu his respective place, precinct or pat-
tent, and inspect and give notice of all Sabbath breakers to the next Justice of the
Peace, on penalty as aforesaid, for every such his neglect."*

The lamentable state of religion in the year 1695, is thus described
by the Rev. John Miller, chaplain to his Majesty's forces in the pro-
vince of New- York : — " A great inconyeniency, this province suflfers
under, is iu relation to a ministry ; now in New- York, there are
either —

" 1st. No ministers at all, that is, of the settled and established reli-
gion of the nation, and of such there is not oftentimes one in the whole
province, nor at any time except the chaplain to his majesty's forces in

• Records of Court of Sessions for Westchester County.

INTRODUCTION. xiii

New- York, that does discbarge, or pretend to dischrxrge the duty of a
minister, and, he being but one, cannot do it every where.

" 2nd. Or secondly, if there be any ministers, they are such as only call
themselves so, and are but pretended ministers ; many of them have no
orders at all, but set up for themselves of their own head and authority ;
or, if they have orders, are Presbyterians, Independents, &e. All
these have uo other encouragement for the pains they pretend to take
than the voluntary contributions of the people, or, at best, a salary by
agreement and subscription, which yet they shall not enjoy, except they
take more care to please the humors, and delight the fancies of their
hearers, than to preach up true religion and a christian life, &c."a

From what has been said, it is apparent that a perfect toleration for
all religious opinions had been guaranteed from the first settlement of
the province. But liberty was converted into licentiousness, for men
pretending to be ministers of the Gospel, officiated without qualifying
themselves according to the Act of Toleration, under a notion that the
laws of England relating to religion, did not extend to the plantations.
What wonder then, that vice of every kind prevailed in spite of Gov-
ernor's proclamations, military orders and judicial acts. It is very ap-
parent too, that up to this period, but little good had been effected by
Non-Episcopal ministrations, for Col. Heathcote, writing to the Secre-
tary of the Venerable Society, in 1705, says: — " I dare aver that
there is not a much greater necessity of having the Christian Religion
in its true light preached any where than amongst them. Many, if
not the greatest number of them, being a little better than in a state of
heathenism ; having never been baptised nor admitted to the commu-
nion."

Such was the state of things, which grew up under Non-Episcopal
supervison, for, until 1693, there seems to have been " no face of the
Church of England " in the colony. In fact, before Col. Fletcher
was Governor of the province, there was no provision made for the
maintenance or support of a minister of the Church of England, nor
church erepted in any part of the province for the members thereof, to

* A Description of the Province and City of New- York, A. D., 169.5, by the Rev.
John Miller^ Losdon, 1743.

xW i^^INTRODUCTION.

worship God in."' Soon after his arrival however, he proposed the
Setthng of an able ministry as one of the best and surest means of sup*
pressing vice and profanity. The majority of the Assembly were en-
tirely disinclined to the scheme, which occasioned a warm rebuke from
the Governor in his speech at the close of the Session, in these words : —
" Gentlemen, the first thing that I did recommend to you, at our last
meeting, was to provide for a ministry, and nothing is done in it.
There are none of you, but that are big with the privileges of Efi-
glishmen and Magna Charta, which is your right ; and the same
law doth provide for the Religion of the Church of England, against
Sabbath breaking and other profanity. But as you have made it last,
and postponed it in this Session, I hope you will begin it the next meet-
ing and do somewhat towards it effectually."'^

The determination of the Governor at length induced the House
to yield ; and a bill was " brought in for'settling the ministry, and
raising a maintenance for them." Col. Lewis Morris, in a letter to the
Secretary of the Venerable Propagation Society, dated New- York, 20th
February, 1711, says : "James Graham, Esq., who was then speaker of
the Assembly, and had the drawing of their bills, prescribed a method
of induction and so managed it that it would not do well for the Dis-
senters, and but lamely for the Church, though it would do with the
help of the Governor and that was all ; but it was the most that
could be got at that time, for had more been attempted, the Assembly
had Seen through the artifice, the most of them being Dissenters, and
all had been lost."«

sNevv York, MSS, from archives at Fiilham, vol. i. p. 42. (Hawks.)
» For this commendable zeal Col. Fletcher has been reviled, by Smith and others,
as a bigot to the Episcopal form of Church Government.
Doc. His. N. Y. vol. ill p. 244.

INTRODUCTION. xt

This bill was entitled

AN ACT FOR SETTLTX& A MINISTRY AND RAISING A

MAINTENANCE FOR THEM IN THE CITY OF

ITEW-YORK, COUNTIES OF RICHMOND,

WESTCHESTER AND QUEENS.

Passed the 24th of March, 1693.

" Preamble. — Whereas, Profanene?s and Licentiousness hatli of late overspread
this Province, for want of a settled ministry throughout the same : To the end that
the same may be removed, and the ordinances of God duly administered.

I. Be it enacted by the Governor, and Council, and Representatives, convened
in General Assembli/, and hy the authority of the same, that in each of the re-
spective Cities and Counties hereafter mentioned and expressed, there shall be
called, inducted, 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 ; County of Richmond, one ; in the County
of Westchester, two ; one to have the care of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and
the manor of Pelham ; the other to have the care of Rye, Mamaronock, and Bed-
ford. In Q.ueens County, two ; one to have the care of Jamaica, and the adjacent
Towns and Farms ; the other to have the care of Hempstead, and the next adja-
cent Towns and Farms.

II. And for their respective encouragement, Be it further enacted by the au-
thority aforesaid : That there shall be annually, and once in every year, in every of
the respective Cities and Counties aforesaid, assessed, levied, collected, and paid for the
maintenance of each of their respective Ministers, the respective sums hereafter men-
tioned, thatisto say ; For the City and County of New-York, One Hundred Pounds ;
for the two precincts of Westchester, One Hundred Pounds, to each ; Fifty Pounds
to be paid in Country Produce at money price ; for the County of Richmond, Forty
Pounds, in Country Produce, at money price ; and for the two precincts of Queens
County, One Hundred amlTwenty Pounds, to each Sixty Pounds, in Country Pro-
duce, at money price.

III. And for the more orderly raising the respective maintenances for the Ministers
aforesaid, be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that the respective justi-
ces of every City and County aforesaid, or any two of them, shall every \ ear issue
out their warrants to the Constables, to summons the freeholders of every City,
County, and precinct aforesaid, together, on the second Tuesday of Januaiy, for the
chusing of Ten Vestrymen and Two Churchwardens ; and tho said Justices and
Vestrymen, or Major part of them, are hereby empowered, within ten days after the
said day, or any day after, as to them shall seem convenient, to lay a reasonble tax
on the said respective Cities, Counties, Parish or Precincts, for the maintenance of the
Minister and Poor of their respective places ; and if they shall neglect to issue their
warrants, so as the election be not made that day, they shall respectively forfeit Five
Pounds, current money of this Province ; and in case the said Freeholders duly

xvi INTRODUCTION.

summoned, as aforesaid, shall not appear, or appearing, do not cliuse the said ten
Vestrymen and two Churchwardens, that then in their default, the said Justices shall,
within ten days after the said second Tuesday, or on any day after, as to tliem shall
seem convenient, lay the said reasonable tax on the said respective places, for the
respective maintainances aforesaid : and if the said Justices and Vestrymen shall ne-
glect their duty herein, they shall respectively forfeit jive pounds current money
aforesaid.

IV. Penalty for not offering to lay the tax, five pounds. Tax Roll to bo delivered to
the Constable to levy the taxes. Penalty for refusing to pay.

V. Ministers to be paid quarterly.

VI. Always provided, and be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that
all and every of the respective Ministers, that shall be settled in the respective Ci-
ties, Counties, and Precincts aforesaid, shall be called to officiate in their respective
Precints by the respective Vestrymen and Churchwardens aforesaid. And always
provided, that all former agreements made with Ministers throughout this Province,
shall continue and remain in their full force and virtue ; any thing contained herein
to tlie contrary hereof in anywise notwithstanding."a

Under this act the ministry by Law established, became entitled to
the public encouragements, leaving the Dissenters at liberty to main-
tain a minister of their own persuasion, but obliging them to pay tho
established clergyman. In consequence, all lands set aside at piihlic
town meetings^ (which almost invariably consisted of persons holding
a great diversity of opinions, in matters of religion,) for the provision
of ministers, all orderly glebes voted for their habitation and mainten-
ance, and all meeting houses raised by ^zi^/ic ^rta; and distress on th^
people^ became vested in the ministry established by law.

The Dissenters, however, contended that the act of 1693 was to raise
a maintenance for a Dissenting Minister , nxxH wherever they possessed
the power, chose churchwardens and vestrymen of their own persuasion.
Yet these men who were Dissenters, chosen by Dissenters, (sworn into
office to support the Church of England as established by law, and ac-
tually received the Holy Communion at the hands of her ministers,) ,
would, when the opportunity offered, refuse to call a minister of the Es-
tablished Church, as the Act of Assembly directed, and on that pre-
sence witlihold his salary.

Col. Morris, in the letter already alluded to, says : — '• I happened to

a Laws of New-York, from 1G91 to 1773, inclusive, vol. i. p. 19, 4th Assembly,
First Sessions, 6th William and Mary, A. D. 1693.

INTRODUCTION. xvii

be in the Grovernor's chamber, when his Judge and a Dissenting Minister
came in and this matter (the late Act of Assembly,) was talked of, the
latter said (i. e. the Dissenting Minister) that the intention of the Legis-
lature at that time was to raise a maintenance for a Dissenting Minister,
all the Assembly but one being Dissenters and knowing nothing of the
Church, and that being the intention of the law makers was the meaning
of the law, and he hoped the Dissenters might enjoy what was so justly
their due, or at least not to be deprived of it without due course of law
as they formerly had been. I told him the Legislature did not consist
of the Assembly only, but of the Governor and Council, joined with
them, whose intentions might be quite otherwise, and I believed it was
most certain the Governor at that time never intended to settle a Dis-
senting Clergy, that the meaning of the Legislature was the meaning of
the whole Legislature, and not of any part, and was most likely to be
found out by the words of the act which most plainly appeared in favor*
of the Church of England. The Governor joined in the argument,
and argued with a great deal of force in favor of the Church."^ In the
spring of 1695, the Assembly declared in explanation of the Act of
1693: — That the vestrymen and churchwardens have power to call a
Dissenting Protestant Minister, and that he is to be paid and main-
tained as the Act directs ; but the Governor rejected this interpreta-
tion of the Assembly- and decided that the Act applied soleltj to the
E^nscopal Ministry y>

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,
commenced its labors here. Of that noble and useful Institution, the
oldest Missionary Society in the Protestant world ; — since our country
was so largely indebted to its kind offices for the ministrations of the

a Doc. Hist, of Xew York, Vol. iii, p. 245.

b The Act of 1693, was confirmed on tlie llth of May, 1697, and again on the 4th
of August, 1705. The latter was again ratified by Queen Aune, on the llth of April,
1706. Laws of N. Y. from 1691 to 1773, inclusive, vol. i. p. 64. Ed. by Hugh Gaine.

xviii INTRODUCTION.

Gospel, it may be well to give a short account. " The Act of lucorpora-
tion was procured by Dr. Bray, and several others who felt a deep in-
terest in the religious welfare of the colonics, through the agency of
Archbishop Tenison, and Bishop Compton, from Williana the Third, it
bears date June 16, 1701. "a

Upon enquiry made into the state of the 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 Enrrlish inhabitants of the colonies lived. In 1702, Mr. l\.eitb,
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, except
at New-York Town."

No sooner, it seems, were tidings received here that the Society for
the Propagation of the Gospel had been chartered, than the country
towns of this Province, applied for assistance ; and we are told that the
inhabitants of Westchester in particular, were very pressing for a minis-
ter : that earnest memorials were sent from the inhabitants of New
Rochelle, from those of Jamaica and Hempstead, towns on Long Island ;
from Staten Island, and from Rye : that their desires were complied
with, and missionaries sent those places.

In 1704, Mr. Bartow, and other missionaries informed the Venerable
Society, " that the Church of England under the administration of the
late Lord Bellomont, and Capt. Nanfan, hath been grievously opposed
and oppressed ; but since the auspicious arrival of the Right Ilonorable
jhe Lord Cornbury, has been delivered from the violence of her ene-
mies, restored to her rights, greatly countenanced and encouraged, and
lives under the just expectation of being more firmly established and
enlarged. But many of the Dutch Dissenters, and all of the Quakers,
though differing from one another amongst themselves, yet agree in op-

» Rev. M. H. Henderson's Centennial Discourse.

INTRODUCTION. xix

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 devoutly 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 ba 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 eac!) orthodox church, a convenient house be
built at the common charge for each minister, and a competent proportion of land as-
signed him for a glebe and exercise of his industry. And you are to tak? 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 BenSace in thai
our Province, without a certificate from the Right Reverend I Uher in 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
already to a Benefice shall appear to you to give scandal, either by liis doctrine or
manners, you are to use the best means for the removal of him, and to supply the va-
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 be one of the Vestry in his respec-
tive parish, and that no Vestry be held without him, except in case of sickness, or
that, after notice of a Vestry summoned, he omit to come."

" G3. You are to enquire whether thefe be any Minister within your Government,
who preaches and administers the Sacrament in any Orthodox Church or Chapel
without being in duo orders, and to give an account thereof to tlie said Bishop of
London."

" So well for the most part," says Mr. Hawkins,'- do the missionaries
seem to have been selected, that Lord Cornbury, Grovernor of New-
York, and a' just upholder of the Church, within his jurisdiction, said,
in a letter dated November 22nd, 1705:— 'For those places where
ministers are settled, as New-York, Jamaica, Hempstead, Westchester,
and Rye, I must do the gentlemen who are settled there the justice to
say, that they have behaved themselves with great zeal, exemplary
piety, and unwearied diligence in discharge of their duty, in their several
parishes.' " In like manner, Col. Heathcote, writing to the Secretary
of the Society from New- York, on the 9th of November, 1705, says, —

INTRODUCTION.

" I must do all the 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.''^

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 coraeth
alone from Cod, and an approving conscience. Like their beloved
Master, 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

■■^ Hawkins' Not. of the Miss, of the Church of England, in the North Amor.
Col. London, 1815.

INTRODUCTION. xxi

and cause of God, and yet ye have not heard, or have not answered, and
that's all one.' "*
* In this call for a Bishop the laity co-operated with the clergy^ for
Colonel Morris tvriting 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 Grovernors of the Plantations are great hindrances to the propa-
gation of the Grospel."^

Colonel Heathcote too, in a letter to the Secretary, from New York;
Sept. 18th, 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 hin:. I most heartly 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 &,rrest 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 B,ev. A. B.
Chapin D. B., '-the Congregationalists 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 ofBoston, (1723) for which he was indicted as
a libel on the government. From this time the Episcopal controversy
was carried on with great vigor for nearly twenty years (1723 \o 1739)
by Dickinson, Foxcroft, Gtraham 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-

• The Jubilee of 1851 in New York, p. 17-18.

* New York, MS3. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. TOG. (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<lioped, 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 calvanistlc 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. Daring tlie 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, Wetjiore, 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 ArTHORP.

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 Revolutionary 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 sufferett are thus detailed by Mr. Inglis, in a letter to the
Secretary, dated October 1st, 1776 :— " 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 Oospel without touching on
politics ; using their influence to allay our heats, and cherish a spidt 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 bj armed mobs into distant Provinces, where they were detained in
close confinement for several weeks, and much insulted, without any
crime being ever alledged 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."'^

"Xew York, MSS. from archives at Fulliam, vol ii, 581. (Hawks.)

HISTORY

OF THE

PARISH AID CHUPiCH

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.'^

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, 1609, 16G4, p.
296.

b 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 tiie Dutch
at this time named Vredeland, 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."-^ 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 Yredeland, 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.''^

Of their mode of worship, the Dutch Commissioners, who
Tisited 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.
^ 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 iiistory 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. Netli. 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 Quimby,
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 orthodox minister in the
toVn 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."iJ

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 Mayior of Pdham, 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,
1G07, 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 Rcc.

AND CnURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 5

after the publication hereof. In Westchester two, one to have
the care of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and the Manor
of Pelham, (fcc."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 Hunt
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."''

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 1691 to 1725.
b Westchester Town Rec. Lib. vi. 56.

« Warham Mather was the son of Eleazer, and grandson of Richard Mather,
who was born at Louton, in Lancashire, A. D. 159G. 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 being 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.^ 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, 1G96:— '• 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 L^gat, Josiah Hunt, is chosen to
agree with a carpetiter to repair the said meetmg house, and to
bring an account to the town of the cost and expence thereof

» 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.

i" Description of the Prov. and City of N. Y. by Rev. John Miller.

AND CnURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 7

whereby a rate may be made to defraye the charge in so do-
ing."^

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 i^uhlick worship of GodP^

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,
(fec.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 ou 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 nieeting held in the Borough town of Westchester, by
the freeholders and inhabitants of said town and precincts, on the 3rd day of May,
1697, 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, 16 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 £0, which
work is to be done by the 31st of October, next.""*

The subjoined order relates to the cartage of timber and
other material for the church, &c., " At a meeting held by the
trustees the I4th of September, 1700, present, Josiah Hunt, Pres-

» Westchester Town Rec. Liber, v. 59.

^ Westchester Town Rec. Liber, v. 141. " It had been previously voted and
agreed upon that there should be a prison built wifh a town house upon it, accord-
ing to the dimensions made by Col. Heathcote, Lib. v. p. 77.

•^ Laws of N. Y. vol. I. chapter Ixxxiii. 37.

^ Westchester Town Rec. Lib. v. 141.

HISTORY OF THE PARISH

ident, 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
town."*"-

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

» Westchester Town Rec. Lib. v. 145.

b "Westchester Town Rec. Lib. v. 145.

' Hawks' New York M, S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 463.

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 9

what was then styled the Town Green, a adjoining the old
County Court-houseb and jail. It was built of wood, quadran-
gular in form,c with a pyramidal roof and bell turret in the
centre ; and was used for the worship of Almighty God until
the year 178S, 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 Eastch ester,
Mr. Charles Vincent, for Yonkers.

» 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 Green in said town, to
erect a market house and settle the market. Lib. v. 63.

•> 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."

■^ 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 conpit cedificare basilicam." Vide Bedoe Hist
Eccles. Lib. ii. chap. 14.

10 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

f Mr. William Willett,
Mr. Thomas Hunt, janr., of the West Farms,
Mr. Joseph Haviland,
For Westchester, { Aldm. John Bayley,
Mr. Richard Ward,
Mr. John Buckbe,
. Edward Collier.

Entered by order,

Edward Collier, Recorder.'^

In the year 1702, came from England, the

REY'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. 3 1st, 1639, where he was admitted a sizer
under the tuition of Mr. Lovett, and graduated in 1692. ^ 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.

"HENRY: 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.

•> 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.

= Matriculation books of Christ College, Cambridge.

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 11

rirtue of an actof Parliament, made in ye: firstyear of ye : lleign 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 athxed 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.'*

MR. BARTOW'S LICENSE FROM THE BISHOP OF
LONDON TO OFFICIATE IN THE PROVINCE OF
NEW YORK.

" Henricus, permissione divina, Londoncnsis episcopus, dilecto nobis in Christo
Johanni Bartow, clerico, salulem et gratiam, ad peragendum officium ministe-
riale intra provinciam de Novo Eboraco, in America, in precibus communibus
aliisque ministeriis ecclcsiasticis ad officium ministeriale pertinentibus juxta
formam descriptam in libro publicarum precum, auctoritate parliamenti hujus
inclyti regni angliae ,in ea parte edita, et provisa, ei canones, et constitutionis, in
ea parte legitime stabilitas, et publicatas, et non aliter neque alio modo ; tibi de
cujus hdelitate morum iutegritate literarum scientiasumma doctrina etdiligentia
plurimum confiJemus, (prgestituta penitus parte juramus totam de agnoscendo
regiam supremam majestatam, juxta vim formam et effectum statuti parliamenti
dicti regni anglice, in ea parte editi et provisi, quamde canonica obedientia nobis
et successoribus nostris in omnibus recitis et honestis per te prtestanda et exhi-
benda subscriptisque pertinentibus illis articulis mentionatis in tricesimo sexto
capitulo Hbri constitutorum, sive canonum ecclesiasticorum, anno Domini, 1604,
regia auctoritate editorum et promulgatorum licentiam facultatura nostram con-
cedimus et impertamur per precedentes, ad nostrum beneplacitum diam tanat
duraturas, in cujus rei testimonium sigillam nostram, (quam in similibus ple-
rumque utimur,) prassentibus apponi fecimus dat vicesimo secundo die mensis
Junii, anno Domini millesimo septengentesimo, secundo nostra translatione vi-
cesimo septimo."''

» Surrogate's Office, N. Y. Rec. of Wills, vol. v. p. 79.
•* 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 illustrissira Vice comes Cornbury Pro\rincine Novi Eboraciin Ame-
rica Strategus et Imperator et ejiisdein ; Vice-Thalassiarcha, &c.

Universis et Singulis Rectorib Vicar : Capellanis: Curat: Clericis et Minis-
tris quibuscumq in et per totatn prcEdict provinciam ubilibetconstitutis 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 sivc Ecclam
Proalem Proedict de Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers et Man de Pellham in
America jam vacantem proesentatu Rectorem ejusdem Rectorice Sive Ecclce pro-
alis in et de eadem institus vobis conjunctim et divisim comitto et fermiter in-
jungendo mando, quatenus eundem Johflem Bartow clericum sive procurat suum
legitim ejus nomine et pro se in realem actualem et corporalem possessionem
ipsius Rectorice sive Eccloe proalis de Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers et Man
de Pellham proedict. Glebarum, Jureumq et pertinentiu suor universor confera-
tis inducatis inducivs laciatis : et defendatis inductum, et quid in premissis fece-
ritis me aut alium Judicem in hac parte competentum quemcunq debite (cum ad
id congrue fucritis requisiti) certificetis sen sic certificet ille vestrum qui prcesens
hoc mandatum fuerit executus. Dat sub sigillo progat diet Provinciae decimo
nono die Novembris ano salutis millesinio septengentessimo secundo."

CORNBURY.

CERTIFICATE OF MR. BARTOW'S INDUCTION INTO
THE PARISH CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER, &c.

"Virtute infra script! mandati Proesentia Hugh Farquhar & Thomas Hunt, Jo-
seph Haviland, Daniel Clark & Edward Collier nos Guielmus Vesey Clericus
& Josias Hunt adelis Parochial's De Westchester & Eastchester &c induximus
Reverandu Johanem Bartow Clericu in Ecclesiam Parochialem De Eastchester
& Westchester, Yonkers et Man de Pellham et in realem actualem et corporatem
possessionem ipsius Rectorill sive Ecclesice Parochialis et prosdict Glebara juriu
et pertinentiu suora universone ejusdum movilus et consue tri divibus solity ano
Domini 1702 in cujus rei testimoniii presentibus subscripsimiis Die 6to Decembris
Anno supra dicto."

GuLiELMus Vesey neo Eboraci Rector.
JosiAH Hunt Churchwarden.

Hugh Farq,uhar.

Joseph Haviland.

Thomas Hunt.

Danl. Clark.

Edward Collier.

AT^D CHUECH OF WESTCHESTER. 13-

' We wliose names are underwritten doe certifie & declare That on Sunday the
Gth day of December Anno Dom. 1702, John Bartow, Clerk, after his induction, did
in the Parish Church of Westchester Read morning and evening service according
to the exact form by act of Parliament prescribed &. immediately after the reading
of ye aforesaid service did declare his unfeigned assent and consent to all and
every thing contained and prescribed in the book of comon prayers as the Law ia
that case directs, before ye congregation on the said day assembled : and also did
read ye book of ye 39 articles of the Church of England with the Ratification, &
immediately after ye reading of ye aforesaid articles & Ratification before the Con-
gregation ; did declare at the abovesaid time and place, his unfeigned assent &
consent to them and to all things therein contained. In testymony whereof we
who where present have hereunto subscribed our names this Gth day of Decembr.
Annoq Dom 1702: Joseph Haviland, William Vesey, H. Collier, Thomas Hunt
Hugh Farquhar, William Willett, Josiah Hunt, John Williams.'"*

It appears that Mr. Bartow was at first appointed to the Parish
of Rye : for in a letter to him from the secretary of the society,
the latter says : — " That the Society were displeased for his set-
tling at Westchester, being by my Lord of London sent for
Rye."b

"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, Ath 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, 170-1.

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 lean 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."^-

» Hawks' New York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, 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, \st 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. ^ 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 LordCornbury ; 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 ray creden-
tials and receive his commands, which were to continue in
Westchester, to which place I 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.
•> This was on the 3rd of Oct., 170-2.

IQ HISTORY OF 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 otliciate 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 more : 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 au 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 cub;hion, saying they would keep that, however, for their
own minister ; the scolding and wrangling that ensued are by
me ineffiible. 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, tliey 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

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 1 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 twentj''. 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, Christmass, 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 dyinor 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 OP WESTCHESTER. 19

T must also tell you that our church is wainscotted, and in a
short time 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 1 remain, &c., &,c.

John Bartow."*

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. ^^ In 1691 he was returned
as one of the four members of the Provmcial 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.

^ " 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 Da Retz saw realized his abstract ideas of the heroes of
antiquity, was the second of these worthies; and notwithstanding the severity of
his temper, and the vigour with which he executed the oppressive mandates of the
Funics, 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 1G93. He was
also Recorder of the city of New-York from 1G93 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.'^
In the vestry book of this parish occurs the following election
for Church officers, about three months after Mr. Uartow'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 Q^iieens
Majesties Raigne 1702-3, as foUoweth : —

Present.

Mr. Justice Pell, Mr. Justice John Hunt,

Mr. Justice WiUett, Mr. Justice Graham,

Mr. Justice Josiah Hunt, Mr. Justice Bayley.

Ch iirchwardens.
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. '^

'■ Surrogates Office, New- York, Lib. xxvi 13.
'" Westchester vestry book.

AND CHURCH OF 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.'''^

" 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 : — ^

Present.

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, Clerk.''^

* Westchester vestry book.
»- Ibid.

22 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

The next letter from Mr. Bartow to the Secretary bears date,

Westchester^ in tlie Province of New- ITor/c,
in America, May 2oth, 1703.

Sir :

"My Lord Cornbnry is very kind in countenancing tlie settle-
ment of the Church of England, and to preserve that mainte-
nance wliich has been provided by act of Assembly for orthodox
ministers, altho' there have been great endeavours to annnll that
act since they saw the church pouring in upon them, which en-
deavours have been chiefly showed, in my parish of W'estchester.
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. ]?on-
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 Majestic
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 donbt 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 becomelh 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 v/hose health and
prosperity I shall ever pray, who am worthy sir,^-

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
1701 Mr. Bartow received from the Society £50 per annum, and a benevolence of
£30. See first report of Ven. Prop. Soc. issued in 1704.

24 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

COLONEL HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY.

Manor of Scarsdale, Neiv-Yorh; lOih 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 favor'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. Eondett, 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.Bondettto 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. Eondett, which I immediately did,
hoping by that means to bring them over to the church ; but
Mather, apprehendmg what I amied 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

Yesey 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 nito 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 sucli guides ; and indeed to do a v/drk 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 tin-ee 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 Governor'^s
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

tliey should live at the most convenient places for the service 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 1 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 Westcliester ; 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 chiu'ch 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 RocheUe, 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 tour, others
seven to fourteen miles from Westchester and Rye, tho' once in
a great while they might come, T 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 witii 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, thot 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
tlieir 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 nisurance 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 1 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 : lie 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 ha\re 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, sent., 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.''''

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 in 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."'=

» Hawks' New York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 33 to 39.
•> Town Rec. of Westchester, Liber, vi. 17.
c 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, Janr., 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 us."

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 Pelhmn.

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.''^

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 Hampslead. upon Long Island, have long expected a mission-
ary from tlie 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."^

On the 4th of August, 1705, anotlier 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 llth of April, 1706,^ 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.

» Hawks' New- York M. S. S. from archives at Fulliam.

^ 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.
I* Laws of N. Y. Ed. by Hugh Gaines, vol. i. 64.

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 with 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." *

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
board 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 Underbill,

Hawks' New-York, M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 125.

34 HISTORY OF THE PARISH 1

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 foUoweth, 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,!^

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.

AND CHURCH OP WESTCHESTER/ 35

to recommend him to your favor, as a person truly deserving the
continuance of your bounty. He lias, 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 Yeset,

Wm. URauHART, 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 Neiv- York, in
America, lOth June, 1709.

Sir :

" I have '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 AVestchester, 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
Q,uakers, 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 sufier 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."*

" 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 iu 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 Fulham, rol. 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 prater of

Sir, yours &c.,

John Bartow."*

" 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,
says : —

Sir:—
" Our church at Westchester increases ; that at Eastchester con-
tinues constant; we have sometimes INegroes 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. "Alt 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 OP 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, <fcc., 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 I remain their debtor, and can only desire that God
would abundantly reward their pious labours in his church,

who am,

Sir, yours &c.,

John Bartow."*
Westchester, New- York, 5th Jul]/, 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, (fcc."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.
«• 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 Ajnil, 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. Poyer 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

» Hawks' New- York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 229.
^ Printed abstracts, of Yen. 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 Dissenters (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,%s 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 another, 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'*'.

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 atfectod 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.''^

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 comm.on prayer books are the most acceptable to those

« Hawks' New- York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 249, 250, 251.
'' Printed abstracts of Ven. Soc.

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 43

who love the church, and I could not avoid giving qffence, 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 auakers. 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 theii' 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.''^

MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY.
[extract.]

Westchester, Feb. 9ih, 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.''^

In answer to certain enquiries, Mr. Bartow again addressed
the Secretary.

MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY.

[extract.]

Westchester, Sejyt. 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.

^ Hawks' New-York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 519.

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 45

about two years with a Presbj^'terian 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 raan.''^

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."^

» Hawks' New- York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 524, 525.
b Printed abstracts of Ven. P. Soc. for 1718.
elbid. 1719.
•ilbid.

Westchester,

£37 10 02

Yonckers,

11 12 lOi

Pel ham,

4 4 li

46 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

From Mr. Forster, schoohiiaster 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."'^

In 1720, the different quotas for the church and poor of the
Parish stood thus : —

Eastchester, £12 14 11^
NewRochelle, 12 14 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, schcolmaster 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."*»

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.
•> Printed abstracts of Ven. P. Soc.
c 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.''^
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."°

REY'D. JOHN BARTOW'S ANSWERS TO THE QUE-
RIES OF THE BISHOP OF LONDON.

QUERIES TO BE ANSWERED BY EVERY MINISTER.

Westchester, in the Provmce of Neio- York,
iti 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 1

A. No other here : but I was inducted to the vicarage of Pampsford, in Cam-
bridge, May 28th, 1G97, 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"?

A. I was inducted to my living here, Nov. 19, 1702, Lord Cornbury being then
Governor.

Q. Are you ordinarily resident in the parish to which you have been inducted "?

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. Are 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.

b Ibid.

c Printed abstracts of Ven. P. Soc. for 1723.

48 HISTORY OP 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 1

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?

A. The value of my living is £bO sterling f of New- York money, which is
almost £22 10, sterling, paid not without some difliculty 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?

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 efiected, 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, Yonkcrs, 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 £bO 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 ; if you have, are the books preserved and

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 49

kept in good condition ; have you anj' particular rules and orders for the preser-
ving of them ; are those rules and orders duly observed 1
A. We have no parochial library.

<^ yjf^'^-

'<^

Rector, ^c, of Westchester.^

Ill 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.''^

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 Fulham, vol. i. C35.
'' Printed abstracts of Ven. Soc.

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, (fcc.

John Bartow.''^

Probably the last communication the Society ever received
from Mr. Bartow, is the following : —

MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY.

Westchester, October Gth, 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 caa
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."'*

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. 6G4.
b Ibid, vol. 1, pp. 664, 665.

AND CHUECH OP 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.''^. In 1705 he married Helen Read,
second daughter of John Read, Esq., of Middrew Castle, parish
of Kirklestou, Scotland; by this lady he left issue, six sons.i>
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 172.5, 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.

i" At a meeting of the trustees for the Borough of Westchester, &c., the 6th day
of March, 1726-7 — 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 sheeplpasture, 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 upon 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
Jast 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 sudh
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 belov^ed 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 he 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 payment 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, tow^ards discharg-
ing of my debt. Item, I give unto my belov^ed 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,
bounded 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
MuUinder, 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 Underbill, 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 TJnderhil),
Daniel Clark, and Thomas Haddon, and John H?ustis, 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 Westchesler 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 Rcid,
senr., and by said John Reid to me, and my least gold ring, and a new English
Bible in duarto. 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 R,eid to me, and my heaviest
gold ring, and an English Bible in GLuarto. 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 Gluarto. 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 five 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 Gluarto. 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 OF 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, seur., and by him to me,
and a new English Bible in Cluarto. 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 Q,uarto. 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. I tem, 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 sufiicient 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 CHURCH 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

Tho. 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.^- 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,

» The arms of this family were : — vert, an arrow, in pale, or, feathered and head-
ed arg. — Crest, a cubit arm, erect, vert, cuffed 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."*

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."'^

The following mandate was issued by his Excellency, Wil- .
liamBurnet, on the Sth of July, 1727: —

MANDATE FROM GOVERNOR BURNET TO INDUCT
THE REV. THOMAS STANDARD TO THE REC-
TORY OF WESTCHESTER.

WiLHELMus Burnet Armiger Provincise Novi Eboraci, necnon Novce CsesariiE
in America Strategus et Imperator ejusdemque Vice Admiralis, &c.

Universis et Singulis Clericis et Ministris Ecclesiae Anglicancequibuscumque
in et per totam Provinciam Novi Eboraci Ubilibet Constitutis Sivc ^dilibus
Ecclesiae Parochialis de Estria Occidentalis in Comitatu Estrioe Occidentalis infra
provinciam predictam prolix Tempore Salutem Cum dilectum in Christo Thoma
Standard Ciericum ad rectoriam sive Ecclesiam parochialem predict Estrice Oc-
cidentalis in Comitatu in dicta Provincise Novi Eboraci in America, Jam vacan-
tem Ipsium que prcesentatum Reclorem Ejusdem Rectoriae Sive Ecclesige paro-
chialis in et de Eadem Admissam Voeis Conjunctim et Divisim Comitto et
firmiter injungendo mando, auatenus Eundem Thoma Standard Ciericum Sive
procuratorem suum Legitimum Ejus Nomine et pro se in Realem Actualem Cor-
poralem possessionem Ipsius Rectorifc et Ecclesiaj parochialis de Estria; Occiden-
tali predict. Glebarium, Juriumque: et pertinentium Suorum Universorem.
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 certiiicet ille vestrum qui)
proesens hoc mandatum fuerit executus. Datum sub sigillo prerogativce dictje
Provinciffi Novi Eboraci viii, die Junii Anno Salutis MDCCXXVII.

W. BURNET.
By His Excellency's Command.

Js. BoBiN, D. Sec'ry.o

» Hawks' New- York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 668, 671.
fc Hawks' New-York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i, 674.
e 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."*

"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.
To Justice Hadden, for lath and service done,
To Captain Oakley for service done, .
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,"b £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

• Printed abstracts of Ven. Prop. See.
b Westchester Town Rec. vol. ix. 212.

58 HISTORY OP 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 inst., to agree with
workmen for that purpose."*

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 seats to be made with backs, including
the collector's fees : and Underbill 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."^

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.
«> Ibid vol. is. 213.

A'^B CHURCH OP 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.

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 Q,uakers, (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. ^

» 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 in the
church established|by law. Editor.

60 HISTORY OF THE 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,
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 order 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-
forehand with the world : but ihe far greatest number are in-
volved in debts and difiiculties 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 OF 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 1 know of,
made either to the Church of West or Eastchester, nor*tiny 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 delif^ered to me.

To the sixth and last head of the enquirj'-, I artswer, 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. Ha-w(kins) 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 OF 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-
cietj^, 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.''^

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 Loiidon ; that when Mr.Yesey, 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 :"i» to which Mr. Stand-
ard gave in his answer, on the 8th 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. A'^esey
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."c Here the m.atter 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.
^ 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 usuai>
the Lord's day preceding."!^

" 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."!'

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."<5

The following notice of Mr. Standard's death, and the ap-
pointment of his successor, appears in the abstracts for 1760 : —
" 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.
«• Ibid from 1744 to 1745.
• Ibid.

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 hnn, 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 Eastchesler.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 aslics of this ven-
erable missionary repose.

THE WILL .OJ' THOMAS STANDARD, RECTOR OF THE PARISH

OF WESTCHESTER.

"In the Name op 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 tnem,>ry, (thanks be to God,) do make my last will and
testament in manner and form following : tirst 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 1 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 sejl 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 1 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.

^ 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 my sister, Sarah Burridge the wife ot
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
such legatee so dying, shall have the share of their dec'd father or mother. Last-
ly, I voMiNATE, 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 thereof, 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., 1760, Surrogates office, N. Y. Vol. xxi. 496.

63 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. lOth, 1760.

" Westchester and Rije 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
count}'', 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."*

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's, 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, Avhich
proved fatal to him on the 20th of June, 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." a

Upon the 25th of February, 1761, the

REV. JOHN MILNER, A. M.,

was licensed as a Missionary, to the Province of New-York, b)y
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,*^ and graduated at Princeton College, New Jersey, in
173b • 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 13th of May,
following. Upon the 12th of June, of that year, he was institu-
ted and inducted Rector of the Parish, by Lieutenant Governour
Golden, in the following manner : —

LETTERS OP INSTITUTION BY LIEUT. GOVERNOUR GOLDEN,
TO JOHN MILNER, CLERK.

I, Cadwallader Golden, 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. 9G.

•> 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.

e 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 the 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 of New-York, the thirteenth day of June, one thou-
sand seven hundred and sixty-one.

CADWALLADER C OLDEN. »

MANDATE FROM LIEUT. GOVERNOUR GOLDEN TO INDUCT JOHN
MILNER, CLERK, INTO THE RECTORSHIP OF THE PARISH
CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER.

The Honorable CadwalladerColden, 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 Pelhan, 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, 1760, 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 GOLDEN. "•

• Record of Commissions, Secretary of State's Office, Albany, vol. v. 188-9.
>• 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 crowc.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-
municdnts will increa^e."^

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 adultsj
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.''^

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, the' 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 Yen. Prop. Soc, for 1762-3-4-5-6-7-8, 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 Ven. Prop. Society, for 1762.

72 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

cured a charter for St. Peter's Church, which will greatly piromote
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."'^

The following petition was presented for the charter alluded
to in the above letter : —

TO THE HONOURABLE CADWALLADER GOLDEN, ESa, 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 ;

Hdmbly Shewkth:

That for many years past there has been a church in the said town of West-
chester for the administration of Divink 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 y lur 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 Q,ueen's Coanty,
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 Laxcet,

JouN Baktow, N. Underhill,

J. WiLLETT, JaAIES GrAHAM,

Lewis Morris, Jr., James V. Cortlandt.''

• 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. PETER'S 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 Underbill, 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 Golden,
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 ot 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 Clueen'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 pioas 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 thest^ pres-
ents for us, our heirs and successors, do ordain, give, grant and declare, that they
the said petilioners, 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 es'tablished, 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 same 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 ot 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 Morris, 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 Lnhabitants 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 whereunto 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, for the 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 oSices 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 succes.sors, 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 to 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
lull power and authority in like manner to make and ordain such rules, orders,
and ordinances as ihey 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 ofBc.ers 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 ofnominating 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
'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 OP 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. S.]

The Society's abstracts for 1764, say :— '-The Rev. Mr. Mil-
ner, the Society's Missionary at Westchester, in his letters dated
June Sth, 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 ; appomted 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 liis diligence has been attend-
ed with such success, that whole families of Quakers, the only
dissenters in this parish, have conformed to the church. BIr.
Milner has baptized, within the year, seventy-two whites, and
nineteen black infants, and has fit^ty 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

o/Neio-York, Oct. loth, 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 17lh Feb. 1764, to 15th Feb. 1765.

78 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

soon address the Honourable Society for the continuance of their
favours; and I beg your lordsIii[)'s care and protection over us,
and that you will assist in sending a faitliful minister to reside
here. I siif)pose our vestry may notninale, but still there may
want inspection. "ii

For what leason Mr. Milner resigned his benefice, does not
now very clearly appear. It is not improbable, however, that
the large sum of money expended by him on the glebe, may have
had some connexion with his leaving. In 1768, he was settled
in Viiginia, as appears from the following : —

MR. MILNER TO THE SECRETARY.
[extract]
Newport Parish, Ide of Wight, Fth. 3rd, 1768.

Rev. Sia :

<'I am very sorry to inform yoti that the people of Westchester
pay very litile regard, either to their promises, or the Society's
expeciations, for i am informed by my lawyer that they abso-
lutely refuse to refund me one penny of all the money I have
expended on thtdr glebe, which, without the repairs and build-
ings I made, would have been entirely useless. I am now set-
tled in Vnginia, where the church is established in reality, and
some certfiin provision made lor the clergy, &C."''

Mr. Milncr probably died at Newport Parish, Va.. in 1775,c
for his name appears among the deceased clergy, in "a list of
persons licensed to the Plantations," ending Dec. 28th, 1777.'^
The Rev. Mr. Fowler, in his M. S. biographies of the clergy,

» New-York, M. S. S., from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 330, 332. (Hawks'.)
*> New- York, M. S. S., from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 446. (Hawks'.)
e The Rev. H. T. Wile, xon, the present Rector of the Parish, in a letter to the
author, dated Smithfield, Isle of Wight Co. Va. January 7ih, 1852, says: "The
oldest resident (of my acquaintance) in the County, thinks he has heard of Mr.
Milner, but can give no certain or reliable information about him." "The records
of the Parish, for many years back, have been destroyed or lost."
* Coll. of Prot. Epis. Hist. Soc. 1851.

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 79

says he died in 1765, but this is evidently a mistake, as the fore-
going letter shows.'^

A vacancy of nearly a year occurred before the

REV. SAMUEL SEABURY, A. M.,

was appointed to the mission. In 17G6, (says Dr. Hawkins,)
"Mr. Seabury intimated to the Society his wish to accept the of-
fer of the mission of Westchester, which was made to him by
the churchwardens and vestrymen, and the Society consenting
to his proposal, he removed thither at the end of the year 1706."''
Mr. Seabury was the eldest son of the Rev. Samuel Seabury,
a descendant of John Sealjerry,^ of Boston, Mass., whose family
were originally seated at Porlake, in Devonshire, England.

• Rev. A. Fowler, M. S. Biog. b. iii, p. 573.

*> His. Notices of the Miss, of the Church of Eng. in the North American Col-
onies, by Ernest Hawkins, B. D.

e " Samuel, the son of John Seaberry and Grace his wife, was born 10»C11»)
1639." N. E. Hist, and Gen. Reg. vol. ii. 401. Samuel Seabury, M. D., was a no-
ted surgeon at Duxbury, Mass., in the 17ih Century. His son, John Seabury, was
born in 1673, and died at Hempstead, L. I. Dec. 17, 1759. His son, Samuel, was
born in 170G, and was graduated at Harvard University, in 1724. He settled at
Groton, Conn., as a Congregational Minisler, and is said to have married Abi-
gail Mumford. From intercourse wiih Dr. McSparran of Narragan.sett, Mr.
Seabury became an Episcopal Clergyman, and was appointed by the Society, in
1728, the first Missionary of St. James's Church, then at New London. His
•wife died in 1731. In 1733, he married Elizabeth Powell, (she died Feb. G, 1799,
aged 87,) the daughter of Adam Powell, a merchant of Newport, R. I. and
grand-daughter of Gabriel Bernon. In 1742 he removed to HerapNtead, on L.I,
■where he died June 15, 17G4. The following is the inscription on his tombstone :

" Here lyeth interred the body of the
:REV. SAMUEL SEABURY, A. M.,
Rector ot the Parish of Hempstead,
who with the greatest diligence and most indefatigable labour, fir 13 years
at New London, and 21 years in this Parish, having discharged
every duty of his sacred function.
Died the 15th of June, A. D. 17G4, aet 53.
In gratitude to the memory of the best of husbands, his disconsolate
widow, Elizabeth Seabury, hath placed this stone."

His brother, Capt. David Seabury, (remarkable for his great bodily .strength,)
died at the same place, Nov. II, 1750, aged 52, unmarried. The arms of the Sea-
bury's, or Sedborough's, are :— ar, a fesse engr. belw. three ibexes, passant sa.

80 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

The ancient orthography of the surname was Sedborough, until
changed, probably, by the early pioneers of the fanriily in this
country. Mr. Seabury was born in Groton, Connecticut, No-
vember 30th, 1729, a and graduated at Yale College in 1748.
Soon after completing his collegiate education, he was appointed
catechist by the Venerable Propagation Society, under the direc-
tion of his father, at Huntingdon, a town about eighteen miles
distant from Hempstead. In 1753, the Society received from
Mr. James Wetmore, Missionary at Rye, a testiirionial in favour
of the Rev. Samuel Seabury, jun.. whom he represented as "a
man of unblemished moral character, sound learning, and so
prudent behaviour, that he would prove a worthy missionary.
He accordingly recommended him for the vacant cure of New
Brunswick, in the colony of New Jersey. The Society liaving
now for some years had knowledge of liim in the subordinate
office of catechist, immediately gave its sanction to liis coming
to England for holy orders."''

He entered on the duties of his mission at New Brunswick, in
May, 1754, and in 1757 was promoted by the government to the
living of Jamaica, L. I.*^

He was admitted, instituted, and inducted rector of this parish
by Sir Henry Moore, upon the 3d of Dec. 1766.

GOVERNOUR MOORE'S ADMISSION OF MR. SEABURY TO BE
RECTOR OF THE PARISH OF WESTCHESTER.

I, Sir Henry Moore, Baronet, Captain General, and Governor-in-Chief,
in and over the province of New-York, and territories depending thereon, in

• " Samuel, son of Samuel and Abigail Seabury, was born in Groton, Nov.
30th, 1729. Samuel, son of Samuel and Abigail Seabury, baptized 14th Dec,
1729, by Rev. John Owen, of Groton". — Extracts from Town Minutes, kindly
i urnished by Miss Calkins.

^Hawkins Missions. — The Society's abstracts for 1753, say: "The Society
have appointed the Rev. Mr. Seabury, son of the Rev. Mr. Seabury, the So-
ciety's Miss, at Hempstead in L. I., in the Prov. of N. Y, to be their Miss, to
New Brunswick, out of regard to the request of the inhabitants, and to the uni-
ted testimony of the Episcopal Clergy of New- York in his favour ; as a youth
of good genius, unblemished morals, sound principles in religion, and one
that had made as good proficiency in literature, while in America, as the present
state of learning there would admit of ; and he was gone for his improvement
to the Unversity of Edinburgh, &c., &c.

c Some of his letters, whilst stationed at Jamaica, may be found in the 3d
vol. of the Doc. History of N. Y.

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 81

America, Chancellor and Vice Admiral of the same ; do admit you, Samuel
Seabury, Clerk, to be Rector of the Parish Church of Westchester, commonly
called St. Peter's Church, including the several districts of Westchester, East-
chester, Yonkers, and the Manor of Pelham, in the County of Westchester, in the
said province, with all their rights, members and appurtenances. Given under
my hand and the prerogative seal of the province of New- York, the third
day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and
sixty-six.

H. MOORE.

LETTERS OP INSITUTION BY GOVERNOUR MOORE TO MR.

SEABURY.

I, Sir Henry Moore, Baronet, Captain General and Governour-in-Chief, in
and over the provinceof New- York and the territories depending thereon, in Amer-
ica, Chancellor and Vice Admiral of the same ; do institute you, Samuel Saabury
Clerk, Rector of the Parish Church at Westchester, commonly called St. Peter's
Church, including the several districts of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers,
and thi Manor of Pelham, in the County of Westchester in the said province,
to have the care of 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, this third day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand
seven hundred and sixty-six.

H. MOORE.

MANDATE FROM GOVERNOUR MOORE TO INDUCT MR. SEA-
BURY INTO THE RECTORSHIP OF THE PARISH OF WEST-
CHESTER.

His Excellency, Sir Henry Moore, Baro.vet, Captain General, andGovernour
in-Chief, in and over the province of New- York, and the territories depending
thereon in America, Chancellor and Vice Admiral of the same, to all and sin-
gular, Rectors and Parish Ministers whatsoever in the province of New- York, or
to the Church Wardens and Vestryman of Saint Peter's Church, at Westchester,
in the county of Westchester, ani to each of you greeting. Whereas, I have
collated, instituted and established our beloved in Christ, Samuel Seabury, Clerk,
to be Rector of the 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,
vacant, as is said, by the resignation of John Milner, Clerk, the last incumbent
there, 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 injoining do command each and every of you
that in due manner him, the said Samuel Seabury, or his lawful proctor in his
name and for him into the real, actual and corporal possession of the said Rec-
tory and Parish Church at Westchester, including the districts aforesaid, and of
all its 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 duly certify unto me, or other competent judge in that

g2 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

behalf, when thereunto you shall be duly 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 third day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand
sevea hundred and sixty-six.

H. MOORE.*

The state of the parish, about seven months after his induc-
tion, appears from the following report to the Society : —

MR. SEABURY TO THE SECRETARY.
[extract.]

Westchester, June 25th, 1767.

Rev'd Sir :
" The congregation at Westchester is very unsteady in their
attendance ; sometimes there are more than the church, which
is a small old wooden building, can contain, at other times very
few, generally, near two hundred. The communicants are few,
the most I have had has been twenty-two ; two new ones have
been added since I have been here. 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 small and cold. They have erected, and just completed
the roof of a large well-built stone church, in which they have
expended, they say, seven hundred pounds currency; but their
ability seems to be exhausted, and I fear I shall never see it fin-
ished. I applied last winter to his Excellency Sir Henry Moore,
for a brief in their favour, but the petition was rejected. Since
I came into this parish I have preached every other Sunday at
Westchester, in the morning, and have after prayers in the after-
noon, catechised the children and explained the catechism to
them. I was the more inclined to do this, as they have never
been used to any evening service at all, and as there seemed to
be but little sober sense of religion amongst the lower sort of
people, I was in hopes by this means to lay some foundation of

» Albany Book of Commissions, vol. v. 343.

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 83

religious knowledge in the younger part of the congregation. I
cannot yet boast of the number of my catechumens which is
but ten, but most of them repeat the catechism extremely well.
There are also a considerable number of young people who
attend to hear, and are very attentive. I should be very much
obliged to the Society for a number of Lewis's catechisms, and
some small common prayer books, and such other tracts as they
think proper ; these things presented to the children and
younger people by their minister, I have found by my own ex-
perience, gives them impressions in his favour, and dispose them
lo come to church and to make their responses.

At Westchester I have baptised six white children^ and one
mulatto adult ; at Eastchester, eight white, and at New Ro-
chelle seven white and two negro children. Before I left Ja-
maica, I baptised there four adults and three infants. 1 have
made two visits there since, and baptised one adult, two white
children and three black ones ; and I must do the people at New-
town the justice to inform the Society, that since my removal they
sent me £20 currency. With regard to the income of this parish ;
the salary, by an act of Assembly, is £50 currency. The ex-
change from N. Y. to London being generally from £70 to £80
for £100 sterling. Burial fees there are here none, but the
more wealthy families sometimes give the minister a linen scarf
on these occasions. Marriage fees from one to four Spanish
dollars ; but far the greater number go to an Independent teacher
in the Parish of Rye, because his ceremony is short, and they
have nothing to say. Possibly these fees may amount to £5 or
£6 a year. The parsonage house is so much out of repair that
it will cost £100 currency to make it comfortable, and the glebe
has cost me near £20 to repair the fences ; when it is put in
good order, it would, I believe, rent for £25 per annum. Some
of the principal people have been endeavoring to prevail on the
congregation to make up the deduction from the Society's salary
by subscription, but have not succeeded, owing to the great ex-
pense they have been and must be at here in buying and repair-
ing their parsonage house, for which they are yet in debt £100,
and to the necessity they will shortly be under of rebuilding their
church J and the Eastchester people are exhausted by the church

84 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

they have undertaken to build. I must defer writing concern-
ing that part of the parish which is under Mr. Mnnroe's care,
till my information is more correct. The professed Dissenters
in this parish are not numerous; some Calvanistic or Presbyte-
rian French at New Rochelie, a few Presbyterians at Eastches-
ter, and some Gluakers ; at Westchester a good many Q^uakers.
But there are many families, especially among the lower
classes, who do not even pretend to be of any religion at all."»

"He states that one of the means which he adopted of com
municating religious instruction to the people, was preaching at
funerals in the more remote districts, whereby he liad the op-
portunity of addressing those who could not be brought together
at any other time."b

In 1768 Mr. George Youngs^ was appointed schoolmaster at
Westchester, in the room of Mr. Nathaniel Seabury, the rector's
brother.

The Rev. Mr. Seabury, in his letter of October 10th, 1769,
says: — "The people become gradually more devout, and read
regular in the public worship. That he had taken pains with
the negro slaves, and had baptised five adults with them. The
school advances, and the children make a due proficiency in
learning."**

The following year he thus writes to the Secretary : —
MR. SEABURY TO THE SECRETARY.

[extract.]

Westchester, March 29th, 1770.
Rev Sir :

" The violent party heats which prevail in this Colony as well
as in the others, engross at present, the attention of the people.
But I think yt even the disturbances will be attended with
some advantage to the interests of the church. The useful-
ness and truth of her doctrines with regard to civil government,

» New-York M.S. S. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 429 to 432. (Hawks'.)
b Hawkins' Notices of the Missions of the Church of England, &c.

* Mr Youngs continued his services here until 1772.

* Society's Printed Abstracts.

AND CHURCH OP WESTCHESTER. 85

appear more evident from those disorders which other principles
have led the people into. This is particularly remarked and
publicly mentioned by the more candid and reasonable people,
who seem heartily tired with the great clamours for liberty, &c.,
as it appears evident yt unbounded licentiousness in manners
and insecurity to private property, must be the unavoidable
consequence of some late measures, should they become prev-
alent. 1 hope the time is not far off when these matters will
be settled upon a firm and permanent foundation ; but how-
ever yt may be, I am confident the behaviour of the church
people, considered as a body, has been such as has done her
honour, and will be remembered many years in this country
with approbation." ^ Nine months after the date of this com-
munication, we find him again addressing the Secretary, as fol-
lows : —

MR. SEABURY TO THE SECRETARY.

[extract.]

7 , Westchester, January 3tZ, 1771,.

Rev. Sir :
"The state of this mission being much the same as when I
last wrote, makes it unnecessary for me to say much on yt head.
In general, I must observe, yt though I think appearances are
something mended since I have been in this mission, yet my
success has not been equal to my first expectations. I find it
very difficult to convince people yt religion is a matter of any
importance. They seem to treat it as a thing unworthy of their
attention, except on some particular occasions, when they are
Otherwise disengaged. Many come frequently to church and
yet continue unbaptised, others come constantly and appear to
behave devoutly, and yet cannot be prevailed upon to become
communicants, while many others pay not the least regard to
religion of any kind nor on any occasion. I shall, however,
endeavour to do my duty, and I hope, by God's blessing, in due
time, I shall see some good fruit from my labours."'^

• New- York M. S. S. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 505. (Hawks'.)
'' New- York M. S. S. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 543. (Hawks')

86 ' HISTORY OF THE PARISH

During the year 1774, he had baptised forty-nine, and admit-
ted three new communicants. ^

In April, 1775, he signed the protest at White Plains, in which
he and others declared their " honest abhorrence of all unlawful
Congresses and Committees," and determination, " at the hazard
of our lives and properties, to support the King and Constitu-
tion ; and that we acknowledge no Representatives but the
General Assembly, to whose wisdom and integrity we submit
the guardianship of our rights, liberties and privileges."

The following letter shows that some of the clergy had found
it prudent to withdraw from the surrounding troubles and seek
refuge in England : —

MR. SEABURY TO THE SECRETARY.

[extract.]

Westchester, May 30th, 1775.
Rev. Sir:
" We are here in a very alarming situation. Dr. Cooper and
Dr. Chandler have been obliged to quit this community and
sailed for England last week.** I have been obliged to retire a
few days from the threatened vengeance of the New England
people who lately broke into this Province. But I hope I shall
be able to keep my station. The charge against the clergy here
is a very extraordinary one — that they have, in conjunction with
' the Society and the British Ministry, laid a plan for enslaving
America. I do not think that those people who raised this
calumny, believe one syllable of it ; but they intend it as an
engine to turn the popular fury upon the church, which, should
the violent schemes of some of our Eastern neighbours succeedj
will probably fall a sacrifice to the persecuting spirit of Inde-
pendency. I am, (fcc,

Samuel Seabury.''^

» Printed Abstracts of the Yen. Society

•• In the old Wilkins mansion on Castle Hill Neck, Westchester, is still shown
the place where Doctors Cooper, Chandler and Seabury managed to secrete
themselves for some time, notwithstanding the most minute and persevering search
was made for them ; so ingeniou&ly contrived was the place of their concealment
in and about the old-fashioned chimney. Food was conveyed to them through
a trap-door in the floor.

• New- York M. S. S. from Archives at Fulham, vol, ii. 571. (Hawks.')

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 87

The calumny against the clergy, resembles the false charge
brought against the Episcopacy itself at this period, viz : — that
it was "one of those causes which, as much as anything else,
conduced to the horrors of the revolution." It is almost need-
less to say that both were unfounded. The real cause of the
American Revolution was, whether the Parliament of Great
Britain had any power or authority to tax Americans, without
their consent. This was the foundation of the whole dispute.
But surely the New England people had no right to complain,
much less to invade a neighbouring province by fone, when
they practiced upon all other denominations this taxation wit/i-
out representation.^

The following letter from Mr. Seabury to his friend Isaac
Wilkins, Esq., (afterward rector of this parish,) dated May
30th, 1775, is preserved among the papers of the Wilkins
family : —

My ever Dear Wilkins :

" I hope you are safe in London ; may every blessing attend
you. Mrs, Wilkins was well last evening. Isabella has had a
rash, but is better. Everything here quiet. Reported that two
thousand men are ready in Connecticut for any operation for
which they may be wanted in this province. The Asia is
arrived — reported that she has demanded a supply of provis-
ions for Boston, and that it is agreed that they shall be
furnished. The associations went on very heavily at W. C,
very few signed. The Provincial Congress have agreed to raise
money upon the province — as the representatives of the people.
Mr. L. Morris has published his remarks upon the protest, (kc,
poor me — you are safe — I think I am too. If I knew
anything worth writing, I would write it. I think the present

• This was precisely what the Puritans objected to in the English Parliament,
at the very moment they were doing it themselves, and for which they revolted.
(See Chapin's Puritanism, p. 128.) The Society's Abstracts, for 1775, say: —
"Mr. Seabury, has been obliged to retire from his mission at Westchesfer,
but has not been able to secure himself from the ill effects of the present distrac-
tions. Mr. Gott, the schoolmaster, a very attentive man in his office, has been
obliged to quit the school on account of ill health."

88 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

scene will not last long. Drs. Cooper and Chandler sailed last
week. Tell Dr. Cooper I received his letter, and I will write to
him. When I can collect anything worthy your notice you
shall have it. God bless you, says your ever affectionate

Seabury."

The Society's abstracts for 1776, say : — =' Tn the course of
this year two letters have been received from the worthy Mr.
Seabury. In the former, dated November Hlh, 1775, he writes,
that his two congregations, though less numerous, were then
pretty steady in their attendance, and that between Christmas
and midsummer he had baptised twenty-seven white, and four
black infants.''^ The latter gives the following account of his
seizure and detention : —

MR. SEABURY TO THE SECRETARY.
[extract.]

Westchester, January, 13th, 1776.
Rev. Sir :

" Since my last letter I have been seized by a company of dis-
affected people in arms, from Connecticut, in number about one
hundred, and carried to New Haven. This happened on the
22d of November, and I was kept under a military guard till
the 23d of December. The particulars of this affair I will
send you when I find a safe opportunity. On the 2d day of
this month I returned to my family. How long I shall be able
to continue here is very uncertain ; but 1 am determined to stay
as long as I am permitted to discharge the duties of my mission,
whatever personal inconvenience it may subject me to. My
private affairs have suffered much on this occasion. I was com-
pelled to bear my expenses, and that has not been less
than ten pound sterling. My papers were all examined, and
are thrown into such confusion that I can find none of my

'Printed Abstracts of Yen. Society, 16 Feb. 1776, to 21st Feb. 1777.

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 89

memoranda relating to my mission or correspondence with the

Society.

I am, Rev. Sir, (fcc,

Samuel Seabury.'"

This invasion of the territory of New- York, and violent
removal of its citizens, called forth a strong remonstrance from
the Provincial Congress^ to Governor Trumbull, who demanded
Mr. Seabury's 'immediate discharge,' The more especially as,
considering his ecclesiastic character, which, perhaps is vener-
ated by many friends to liberty. ^ The severity that has been
used towards him may be subject to misconstructions, prejudicial
to the common cause. Mr. Seabury was accordingly set at
liberty and returned to his parish.**

" In many places the clergy, (says the Rev. M. H. Henderson,
to whom we are indebted for the materials of this sketch,) nat-
urally viewed with a distrustful eye in consequence of their

» New York M. S. S. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 575, 576. (Hawks'.)
"In 1776, s,ays Dr. Hawkins, Mr. Seabury was seized by a party of i he disaf-
fected in arms, andcarrie d cff toeN Haven; all his papers being examined for
proof against him. After describing this outrage, he says: ' God's Providence
will, I hop?, protect His church and clergy in this country, the disorder and con-
fusion of which are beyond description." ' — Hawkin's Missions.

•> The petition of the Rev. S. Seabury, presented to the Governor of Conn, in
1775, for relief and protection, shows that he received anything but gentle treat-
ment at the hands of his enemies. He defended himself against their charges,
and pronounced his arrest " a high infringement of that liberty for which the sons
of America were then so nobly struggling." Whatever might have been his
private views and feelings, he seems to have been a conscientious and industrious
man ; more heedful of the welfare of his flock and family, than of his country's
political relations. Among other things, he stated in his petition, " that to dis-
charge his debts, he had opened a grammar school, and had made XlOO, York
money, the previous year, and was in a fair way of discharging his debts, — that
he had five young men from the Island of Jamaica, one from Montreal, four chil-
dren of a gentleman then in England, with others in his care from Nevv-Yor
and the country, — that it might be impossible to recover his school, in which case
he should be entirely at the mercy of his creditors." — Extract from an address
delivered in St. Peter's Church, Cheshire, Conn. Oct. 1844, by Rev. C. E. Beards-
ley, A. M. The site of Mr. Seabury's grammar school, is still called Seabury Hill.

« Journal of N. Y. Prov. Con. vol. i, 214, 492.

^ Doc. History of N. Y., vol. iii, 1062.

90 HISTORY OP THE PARISH

connection with the Church of England, were obhged to leave
their stations, suffering at times the utmost indignity and
cruelty. /

One of the missionariesa writes, Nov. 25, 1776: — "I have
been obliged to shut up my churches, to avoid the fury
of the populace, who would not suffer the liturgy to be
used, unless the collects and prayers for the king and royal
family were omitted, which neither my conscience nor the
declaration I made and subscribed when I was ordained, would
allow me to comply with : and although I used every prudent
step to give no offence, even to those who usurped authority and
rule," (allowance will of course be made for such expressions,)
"and exercised the severest tyranny over us, yet my life and
property have been threatened, upon mere suspicion of being
unfriendly to what is called the American caused While all
the clergy who were unwilling to espouse the side of the colo-
nies " were marked out for infamy and insult, the missionaries
in particular, suffered greatly." " Some of them," he adds,
"have been dragged from their horses, assaulted with stones
and dirt, ducked in water, obliged to flee for their lives; driven
from their habitations and families, and laid under arrest and
imprisonments. These are the bitter though legitimate fruits
of civil war. All suffered by their mutual hostility. Brother
was arrayed against brother, and the father against his son.
God grant that such scenes may never be enacted again."

I refer to these facts, only to show the peculiar difficulties
with which our church had to struggle from its connection with
the Church of England. Inconsequence of this, many congre-
gations were scattered to the winds; and it was not until years
after the war, that regular organization and discipline were
restored.

Bound, as were the clergy, by a declaration solemn as an
oath, that they would use, in all their public services, "the
prayer book of the Church of England," in which were prayers
appointed for the king and royal family, " many able and
worthy ministers," says Bishop White, in his Memoirs of the

• See Thomas Bartow. See Hawkins, pp. 139-40.

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 91

Church, S' " from conscientious scruples ceased to officiate,"
when such prayers could no longer be used, " Owing to these
circumstances," he adds, " the doors of the far greater number
of the Episcopal churches were closed for several years."
Whatever we may think of the conduct of these clergy in
other respects, we cannot but honour their purity of motive and
honesty of principle, thus maintained and manifested by the
sacrifice of all that men hold dear.

Yet there were others, and among them the illustrious
individual to whom I have just referred, who saw the necessity
of the case, and threw the whole weight of their influence upon
the side of the colonies. Prominent among these were the
clergy of Philadelphia. Let not the Protestant Episcopalian
forget that Bishop White, "the father of his church," was one
of the first chaplains of Congress,^ and invoked, as such, the
divine blessing upon their earliest deliberations :<= nor let him
forget that Washington himself, " the father of his country,"
that great and good man worshipped at her altars,** attending
regularly upon her solemn services. No; — let him not forget
that while her clergy v/ere thus hampered and distracted from
the very nature of their position, her laity in the middle and
southern States lent a most efficient aid in their country's hour
of need. Among the stout hearts and true, that stood up man-
fully for their country's rights, who more prominent than
Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, and Richard Henry Lee,e

* White's Memoirs, p. 20.

•" Mr. Duche, also an Episcopal clergyman, was the first chaplain of Congress.
This was, however, in Sept. 1774, before the Declaration of Independence. He
was appointed on the nomination of Samuel Adams. John Adams wrote on the
occasion in a letter to his wife, " Mr. Duche is one of the most ingenious men, and
best characters, and greatest orators in the Episcopal order on this continent, yet
a zealous'>iend of liberty and his country." The remarkable fitness of the ser-
vice of the day was noted by all. It contained the 35th Psalm. See letter of John
Adams, 18th September, 1774. Also, N. Y. Review, Jan. 1842.

* Bishop White was appointed Chaplain in Sep., 17*7, at the gloomiest period
of the war, just before intelligence was received of the surrender of General
Burgoyne. He did not hesitate a moment to accept.

Bishop Provoost, also, was a warm friend of the Colonies.

* Washington was a communicant of the Church.

* Richard Henry Lee, while President of Congress, wrote a letter, dated New-
York, Oct. 24th, 1785, to John Adams, Minister then to Great Britain, earnestly
requesting his agency in securing the Episcopate. — White's Memoirs, p. 325.

92 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

and Benjamin Franklin, ^ and Patrick Henry.^ and Anthony-
Wayne, and Generals Moultrie, Sumpter and Morgan ? Who,
after Washington, contributed more to secure the independence
of these colonies ? And yet these men were by profession or
preference connected with the Church of England. All the pa-
triots from South Carolina and Virginia,c what were they but

• The following remarkable language, Dr. F. uses in a letter to his daughter
Sarah. Under what other circumstances would he be more likely to express
the genuine feelings of his heart, than to his own daughter, from whom he was
about to be separated by distance and the perils of the deep 1 He writes from
Reedy Island, in the Delaware, Nov. 8th, 17Gi, on his way to England :

" Go constantly to Church, whoever preaches. The act of devotion in the
common prayer book is your principal business there ; and if properly attended
to, will do more towards amending the heart than sermons generally can do. For
they were composed by men of much greater piety and wisdom than our common
composers of sermons can pretend to be ; and therefore I wish you would never
miss the prayer days. Yet I do not mean that you should despise sermons even
if the preachers you dislike ; for the discourse is often much better than the man,
as sweet and clear waters come through very dirty earth. I am the more particu-
lar on this head, as you seemed to express, a little before I came away, some
inclination to leave our church, which I would not have you do."

That Dr. Franklin was not only a true Philosopher, but something of a Church-
man, too, no one can question after reading the above. It is not pretended that
he was what is called "a religious man;" or that he could not, at times, speak
in a vein of pleasantry, which seemed inconsistent with any decided religious
attachments. (Letter, July 18th, 1784, from Passey to Messrs. Weems and Gant.)
But that he had deeper religious feelings and more decided religious preferences,
than the world knew of may not be doubted. His well known motion in Con-
gress, 26th May, 1781, to arrest a stormy debate, for the purpose of prayer,
shows his sentiments in regard to the power of religion over others. His ex-
pression on his dying bed, to Dr. Shippen, of Philadelphia, " it is safer to be-
lieve," indicates its power over himself. — N. Y. Review, Life and writings of
John Jdy, Oct. 1841.— Dr. McVickar.

'• The seizvre and sale of churches and glebes by the Legislature of Virginia
must remain a sad blot upon the history of that State. Patrick Henry resisted
this act for many years, and it was not until after his decease that it was ob-
tained. "He had to resist," says Bishop White, (Memoirs, p. 8G, to which the
reader is referred,) " through many years the united efforts of men hostile to re-
vealed religion, and men who cherished rancorous hatred to the Church of Eng-
land in particular."

e Virginia was favored at an early period with the ministrations of the Church
of England. Rev. Robert Hunt landed in Virginia with a party of settlers, in
1607. He was " an English clergyman, whose Christian meekness, cheerfulness
and perseverance, under the severest trials, were a signal blessing to the colony."
Hawkins', p. 3. it is an interesting fact, in connection with the republicanism

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 93

Episcopalians ? Nay, all from the Soutii, with but few excep-
tions,a and with them a multitude in the North. ^

Such a fact as this but ill comports with the assertion some-
times recklessly made, that our chuich is anti-republican. She
hath borne her full share both in the anxious deliberations of
the council-board, and the hard toil of the battle-field. <= At this

of our Church, that Virginia, an Episcopal colony, should have commenced her
career wiih " universal suffrage and equality." See Burke's Virginia, vol I.
p. 302. Coit's Puritanism, p. 77, 4G3.

• "I am well satisfied that a large proportion of the prominent men of the Revo-
lution were Churchmen. Of the Southern men who figured at that period, prob-
ably not one was otherwise than an Episcopalian, except Charl-s Carroll.
Those from South Carolina and Virginia were so to a man. Such as Rutledge,
Laurens, Moultrie, Gadsden, Sumpter, the Pinckneys, Madison, Monroe, Mar-
shall, Richard Henry Lee, Gen. Harry Lee, Washington, Wyihe, General Mor-
gan, Pendleton, President Nelson, the Pages, the Harri.sons, the Randolphs, Pey-
ton and all the rest. *******
At that period there was scarcely any dissenters at the South, from Maryland,
down. At the time of the Revolution the congregation of Dr. Davies, a Presby-
terian minister in Hanover, Virginia, was, I believe, the only considerable one
of that denomination in the State."— Letter from Rev. Dr. Ducachet of Phila-
delphia.

The writer of the above letter, than whom no man was more familiar with his
country's history, speaks in some cases from personal knowledge— -of Rutledge,
for instance, Monroe and Marshall, the Pinckneys also, and of Moultrie and
Gadsden ; the last two he has seen, in his early youth, standing at the doors of
the church, in their military costume, with boxes in their bancs, as the custom
was, for collections. Marshall was one of Bishop Moore's parishioners. His
devout and humble demeanor attracted universal admiration. He contributed
liberally towards the establishment of the Virginia Seminary. Judge Story, in
his Eulogy on Chief Ju-stice Marshall, says, "Among Chrii-tian sects, he per-
sonally attached himself to the Episcopal Church. It was the religion of his
early education, and became afterwards that of his choice."

•> There were, Chancellor Robert R. Livingston, Gouverneur Morris, Lewis
Morris, William Duer, James Duane, Francis Lewis, Robert Troup, in New-
York, Gen. Lord Stirling of New Jersey, with Robert Morris of Philadelphia,
whose services, vital as they were to the cause of the colonies, will never be for-
gotten, and besides a host of others in both cities.

In regard to Robert Morris, an intelligent lady, who enjoyed with him an in-
timate personal acquaintance, states that he married Bishop White's sister, and
attended Christ Church, Philadelphia. It is well known that, by his great wealth,
he sustained the cause of the colonies in the hour of their greatest peril. This
lady often heard him speak of his having been a "blue-coat boy," in his early
youth. The members of a charity school in Westminster, were so called.

« Bishop White states the remarkable fact that the General Convention of
1785, comprising a fair delegation from seven States, "consisted, as to the lay
part, principally of gentlemen who had been active in the late Revolution," —

94 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

very moment, a large number of our highest officers, both upon
land and sea,a who hold their lives at their country's bidding,
adhere to her faith, and discipline, and worship, as the religion
of their choice. The Episcopal Church anti-republican ! that
contributed as much if not more than all others— the above
names being the witness — to the independence of these United
States '.b The Episcopal Church anti-republican! so ready
with her best life-blood to uphold the honor and the interests of
our common country ! The Episcopal Church anti -republican !
that daily seeks God's richest blessing upon the highest officer
of the Republic, with " all that are iti authority," and her chosen
legislature " in Congress assembled '."^ This church anti-re-
publican, whose whole form of government is most strikingly
analogous to that of the State ? Where else are the checks and
balances of ecclesiastical legislation so wisely ordered and so
well arranged? .Where else is the religious denomination
among us, where the laity, as such, have a negative upon the
acts of the clergy, so that no legislative enactment can have
place without their concurrence ?** Surely naught but ignorance
or misapprehension could bring the charge.

while the application for the Episcopacy then made, was to " the very power we
had been at war with."— Mem. p. 99.

Ought not the original document to be published with the names of all the
members of that convention signed thereto, which the Bishop writes he had in
his possession 1 It is possible also, that a majority of the signers of the Decla-
ration of Independence were Episcopalians. An intelligent correspondent writes
that 18 were certainly, and was inclined to believe that 15 more were so. The
whole number was 51.

» A letter from an officer of the Navy, now before the writer, contains the fol-
lowing passage : " I have been in the Navy upwards of twenty-eight years, and
have formed the opinion that the majority of the officers are Episcopalians, or
prefer that mode of worship."

b It will be observed that reference is made not to numbers, but to names, and
the exalted character and eminent services of individuals.

cSee Book of Common Prayer. The conservative and anti-revolutionary
tendency and influence of the Episcopal Church, as a general rule, is manifest,
as from other things— so especially from this— her constant daily prayer to God
for "the powers that be."

d The author is not aware that so republican a feature is found in any of the
denominations around us. Tlie Episcopal Methodist denomination admits no
representation at all of her laity,— (Decanver's Catalogue, p. 4,— while among
others, he believes a majority of the clergy may carry any favorite measure.

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 95

Did space permit, it would be easy to show how fallacious
was all reasoning a priori, on such a subject. Where might
we expect to find republicanism in forms more pure and perfect,
than among the men who profess to have fled from civil and
religious oppression, and to have given up every worldly tie for
conscience' sake ? And yet among whom of all the multitudi-
nous denominations that cover our wide-spread land, were found
more striking instances of intolerance and persecution^ than
among the Puritans of New England, excellent and noble men
as they were. At the same time it is a recorded fact, that a large

The Bishops too, are elective officers. They hold indeed their office for life, or rather
ior " good behaviour." But that such a tenure is consistent with republican insti-
tutions, is manifest from the fact, that the Judges of the Supreme Court, as well
as others, hold their offices by the same tenure. At any rate, if it be not re-
publican, it is apostolic.

" In the American Episcopal Church, the body which exercises her legislative
power, is constituted analagous to the paramount civil body of the United States
— the Congress. This consists of two houses, of Senators and Representatives
of the several States, the concurrence of both being necessary to laws. And the
supreme authority of the American Episcopal Church is vested in like manner,
in a General Convention of two houses, with co-ordinate powers — the House of
Bishops of the several dioceses — and the house of Clerical and Lay Deputies
from each diocese, chosen by the clergy and representatives of the congrega-
ions in diocesan conventions ; the consent of both houses being necessary to the
acts of the Convention ; and the clergy and laity having a negative upon each
other. The government of the Episcopal Church in America, is perhaps even
more republican than that of the Presbyterian denomination. The legislative
bodies of the latter are not divided as that of the General Convention of the Epis-
copal Church is, into two houses, similar to the civil legislatures, nor in their
ecclesiastical assemblies, have the laity, voting as a distinct body, a complete
negative upon the acts of the clergy, as they have in all the legislative bodies of
the Protestant Episcopal Church."

" There is also a close analogy between the civil government and the gov-
ernment of the Episcopal Church, in the single and responsible Executives; the
President and Governors in the one ; and in the other the Bishops of the several
dioceses, originally elective officers, and amenable by impeachment of the Diocesan
Conventions to the General Council of Bishops." — Bishop Hobart, " United
States of America compared with England," p. 29. Bishop White expresses the
same conviction. — Memoirs, p. 74,

See Puritanism, by Thomas "W. Coit, D. D. It is well known that a di.stin-
guishing feature of the Newark settlement, — as well as of the Puritan settle
ments of New-England, — was that no man might be elected to any civil or
military office, nor have any vote at such election, unless he was a member of
Congregational Church. See East Jersey under the Proprietaries, p. 44.

96 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

number of their descendants, Congregationalists by profession,
espoused the cause of the mother country in the war of the
Revolution, and expatriated themselves.*

• The time has arrived when allowances can be or should be made, for prefer-
ences and prejudices, the growth of education and associations. The object of
the author was not to draw comparisons, but to show that the opprobrium, if any,
yet attaches to those who quietly retired from America, and were in consequence
designated as royalists and refugees, should not rest exclusively upon Episco-
palians, and also that there was no natural or necessary connection between any
set of religious tenets, and the principles of republican liberty. A reference to
the acts of proscription or confiscation of the various states will show the fact
conclusively. Over three hundred individuals, many of them heads of families,
were banished by one act of the State of Massachusetts, — more than sixty of them
being Graduates of Harvard University, — among whom were undoubtedly many
never conceived to have favored Episcopacy. In New Jersey, among those whose
property was declared forfeited, — in the county of Essex alone, there were more
than one hundred, — the names of many can be found Vho haa no connection with
the Episcopal church.

The reader interested in the subject is referred to Eliot's Biography, Lincoln's
History of Worcester, and other local annals, and particularly to "Judge Cur-
wen's Journal and Letters." Judge C, — himself a descendant of an early emi-
grant to New-England, and the son of a dissenting clergyman, — was not con-
nected in any way with the Church of England ; and his Journal abounds in
references to his countrymen with whom he associated in England as a refugee.
A large number of these, says Mr. Ward, " were Congregationalists." — He
mentions the names of seventeen of the more prominent.

In July, 1775, Curwen, then in London, says, "there is an army of New-
Englanders here ;" and in June, 1776, he mentions " six vessels" arriving at one
time 'laden with refugees," via Halifax.

So Samuel Qidncy, writing Jan. 1st, 1777, says, " I see many faces I have been
used to ; America seems to be transplanted to London." This family, (the
duincy's,) was one of the most ancient and distinguished in Massachusetts.
— Eliot's Biog.Dictiouary.

But perhaps the most direct testimony maybe found in the History of the Early
Missions of the Church of England, by Rev. Ernest Hawkins, to which refer-
ence has been already made, wherein are copious extracts of letters, written by
men who lived at the lime and upon the spot. Mr. Breynlon, writing from
Halifax, in a letter, dated Jan. 2d, 1776, says expressly in regard to " the wealthier
among the loyalist families of New England, who sought refuge in Halifax,"
that " many of them were dissenters." Hawkins, p. 371. While in a letter the
year after, he reports the landing of another body of refugees, " about seventeeu
hundred loyalists from Boston."

" It appears," adds Mr. Hawkins, " that by the end of 1783, not fewer than
ihirLy thousand from New- York, and other parts of the States, had arrived in
Nova Scotia." " Many of them," he adds, " were members ol the Church of
England ;" of course, then, many of them were not.

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. qT'

It was an object of anxious solicitude with the church at the
close of the war, to secure the succession of the Episcopacy,
and thus perpetuate that ministry which she believed was es-
tablished by the apostles,a and designed to be permanent and
universal. And what she sought for herself she freely accorded
to others. " When in the course of Divine Providence," such
is her moderate and well considered language, " these American
states became independent with respect to civil government,
their ecclesiastical independence was necessarily included; and
the different religious denominations of Christians in these
States were left at full and equal liberty to model and organize
their respective churches and forms of worship and discipUne,
in such manner as they might judge most convenient for their
future prosperity, consistently with the constitution and laws of
their country."''

This object was ultimately obtained by the consecration of
Bishops White and Provoost, the one of Pennsylvania, the other
of New- York, at the chapel of the Archiepiscopal Palace, at
Lambeth, on the 4th of February, 17S7. The Archbishop of
York, the Bishop of Bath and Wells, and the Bishop of Peter-
borough, joined with the Archbishop of Canterbury in the impo-
sition of hands.c Bishop Seabury had been consecrated two

The following extract from a letter of G. A. Ward, Esq., the intelligent editor
of " Curwen's Journal and Letters," will be read with interest, as the opinion
of a man, than whom probably no one has s-iven the subject more attention :

" It is an unquestionable fact, that very many Congregationalists, descendants
of the Puritans, expatriated themselves at the commencement of the Revolution,
some espoused the cause of our mother country, and entered into her service :
others were refugees from a dislike to rebellion, and in the firm belief that their
course exhibited a love of law and order, and would eventuate for the best interest
of their native land. A large number of Curwen's friends were Congregational-
ists ; and I have no doubt, that of the Massachusetts loyalists, ten were of this
persuasion, to one of the Episcopal Church."

• It is evident unto all men diligently reading Holy Scripture and ancient
authors, that from the Apostles' time, there have been these orders of Ministers
in Christ's Church,— Bishops, Priests, and Deacons." Be ok of Common Pray-
er. Preface to form for ordaining Deacons.

b Preface to the Book of Common Prayer.

e Bishop White's Memoirs, p. 136.

98 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

or three years before, by the "non-juring bishops of Scotland."*
Dr. James Madison was shortly after consecrated in England
as Bishop of Virginia. The succession of the Episcopacy thus
introduced, was secured by the consecration of others for the
various States. We have now twenty-ninei> of that order in our
American church.'

It is an interesting fact, and somewhat important too, as sliow-
ing the sentiments of one of our most distinguished states-
men, in regard to the anti-republican tendency of Episcopacy,
that the successful result of the application was owing in a
great measure to the agency of John Adams, our minister at
the time, at the Court of St. James. A Congregationalist him-
self, from the very heart of Puritanism, yet can he write in
words like these : ^ " There is no part of my life on which I
look back, and reflect with more satisfaction, than the part I
took, bold and hazardous as it was to me and mine, in the in-
troduction of Episcopacy into America."

The first General Convention that met with a Bishop at its
head, assembled 2Sth July, 1789. Measures were immediately
taken for the proper organization and government of tiie church,
and from that time to this, she has grown and strengthened
until a large proportion of the most intelligent and influential
citizens of these United States are enrolled among her mem-
bers."'

We return to the history of this parish. The venerable

» Bishops Kilgour, Petrie and Skinner, Nov. 14, 1784. The non-juring
Bishops, although severed from the State in the Revolution of 1G88, yet carefully
preserved the succession.

' There are now (in 1853) thirty five, including three missionary Bishops.

e Known unto God are all his ways, and he seeth not as man seeth. The
American Revolution was a link in the chain of his providences, by which his
mighty plan is bound together. Certainly we have reason to rejoice that we are
cut loose from the benumbing influence of "State protection." The writer
heartily coincides with these sentiments, expressed by the Rev. Dr. S. Farmar
Jarvis of Conn. He cannot but regard it, further, as a providential circumstance,
situated as the church then was, that the Episcopate was not obtained till after
the war. Bishop White manifestly held this opinion. Mem., pp.70, 71, 72, 73.

<> Dr. Wilson's Memoir ot Bishop White, lctier29th Oct., 1814.

« A Centennial Discourse, delivered in Trinity Church, Newark, N. J., Feb.
22d, 184G, by the Rev. Matthew H. Henderson, M. A., Rector.

AND CHURCH OP WESTCHESTER. 99

Society's Abstracts for 1777, say :— « Three letters have been
received from the Rev. Dr. Seabury ; the first of them, dated
December 29th, 1776, gives an account of the great distresses
he had encountered, greater than he can describe, greater, he
beUeves, than he could well support again. In the preceding
year, he had been carried away by force into Connecticut.
After his return to his mission, he continued tolerably quiet for
a few weeks ; but after the King's troops had evacuated Boston,
he was perpetually insulted by the rebels, on their way from
thence to New- York. This lasted about a month. After the
Declaration of Independency, an edict was published at New-
York, making it death to support the King or any of his ad-
herents. Upon this he shut up his church; fifty armed men
being sent into his neighborhood. On the arrival of the
British troops at Staten Island, and of two ships of war in the
Sound, the coast was constantly guarded, and the friends of
Government seized, so that his situation became critical, as he
was particularly obnoxious to the rebels. After their defeat on
Long Island, a body of them fixed themselves within two miles of
his liouse, so that he thought it prudent to confine himself; for
it appeared he v/ould otherwise be seized, frequent enquiries
being made for him, and his house being examined by the
rebels.

On the 1st of September, it happened that they withdrew
their guard from a neighboring point of land on the coast, and
the guard that was to replace it, mistaking their route, gave
him an opportunity of effecting his escape to Long Island.
The rebels, finding they had missed him, vented their rage on
his church and his property, converting the former into an hos-
pital, tearing oft' the covering and burning the pews ; and
damaging the latter to the value of three hundred pounds cur-
rency.

He accompanied the army into Westchester, and returned for
one week to his family, but, on the army quitting those parts,
he thought it prudent to retire with his family to New- York!
He assures the Society that he did not leave his mission so long
as it was practicable to stay."*

• Pr?nted Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc.

100 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

In his second letter, dated 29th of March, 1777, after alluding
to the death of Mr. Babcock, he says : — " With regard to my
own mission, I can only say that it is utterly ruined ; before the
King's troops went into that part of the country, the people
were robbed of their cattle and otherwise plundered by the
Rebels ; and, I am sorry to say, that they suffered greatly in
that way from the Royal army. Little or no distinction was
made ; no redress could be obtained, and no stop was put to it.
As soon as the King's troops withdrew, the Rebels returned in
parties, and every party plundered the inhabitants. Many fled
to this city, with what little they could carry — many were de-
prived by the Rebels of every thing but the clothes on their
backs, and sent otf with only six days provision, because they
refused to swear allegiance to the iStates of America. Children
and infants have been deprived of their clothes, and women in
child-bed have had the coverings, even the sheets, torn from
their beds, by these mons<ej:s, who seem to have nothing of hu-
manity left but the shape of men only. Many families of my
parishioners are now in this town, who used to live decently,
suffering for common necessaries. I daily meet them, and it
is melancholy to observe the dejection strongly marked on their
faces, which seem to implore that assistance which I am unable
to give. To pity and pray for them is all I can do. I shall say
nothing more of my own situation at present, than that [ have
hitherto supported myself and family with decency, and will
not distrust the goodness of God which has hitherto preserved
me, nor render myself unworthy of it by repining and discon-
tent." a.

In his letter of November 12th, 1777, he observes : — " That
about a month before, he had visited Westchester, and thought
of staying the winter there, but was obliged to drop such inten-
tions on General Burgoyne's defeat, as the Rebels upon that
event came to that town by night and carried off forty-two of
the inhabitants." Dr. Seabury concludes with requesting that
he may remove to Staten Island if he finds it safer than West-
chester ; and the Society, sensible of his great worth, have

» New- York M. S. S. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii.617. (Hawks'.)

^AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 101

signified their ready compliance with his request, engaging to
continue the salary of £50 per annum, during the present dis-
turbances. »

The Abstracts for 1778, state that two letters have been
received in the course of the year from the Rev. Dr. Seabury,
Missionary at Staten Island. In the former he acquaints the
Society, " that in December, 1777, he preached there to a very
decent and attentive congregation, of near three hundred people,
and baptized twelve infants, &c. That the wretched state of
his late mission at Westchester, is beyond description ; many of
the inhabitants having removed to New-York and Long Island,
where they want many comforts of life ; and some who have
remamed at home, are continually plundered by knots and
bands of disorderly people; that all good principles and im-
pressions of morality seem to be wearing out in that devoted
country.''^

Ill his second letter he thus writes : —

MR. SEABURY TO THE SECRETARY.

[extract.]

New- York, November 22d, 1778.
Rev. Sir :

"I am obliged still to continue at New- York, it being impracti-
cable for me to return to Westchester, or reside with safety on
Staten Island ; and though I am strong in hope, that the com-
motions in this country will soon subside, yet I confess the pres-
ent appearances seem to indicate a fixed resolution in the Con-
gress to support their Independency, as long as they possibly
can. I am, however, confident it could not be supported against
the vigorous efforts of Great Britain for one campaign, as the
resources of this country must be nearly exhausted.

I remain, Rev. Sir, &c.,

Samuel Seabury.''^

* Printed Abstracts of Ven. P. Soc. for 1777.
^ Printed Abstracts of Ven. P. Soc. for 1778.
e New- York M. S. S. from Archives at Fulliam, vol. ii. 625. (Hawks'.)

102 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

From this time he continued to reside in New- York until the
peace, and served as Chaplain of the King's American regimentj
commanded by Colonel Fanning.^

His last report to the Society is contained in the following
communication : —

MR. SEABURY TO THE SECRETARY.

[extract.]

New- York, June 2ith, 1782.
Rev. Sir : —

"The situation of affairs in this country, has for the last year
continued so much the same that 1 have nothing new of which
to inform the Society. Both "Westchester and Staten Island
remain in the same ruined state, as much exposed to the incur-
sions of the Rebels as ever. Though their incursions have not
lately been so frequent as formerly.'"*

In 1784 he went to England to obtain consecration as a
Bishop, but objections arising there, he was consecrated in
Scotland, on the 14th of November of that year.c by Bishops
Kilgour, Petrie and Skinner. Early in the summer of the
ensuing year, he returned to Connecticut, the jBrst Bishop of
our Church (for Talbot and Weldon left no traces behind them.)
that had been seen in that part of the North American con-
tinent.

The following extract appears in a communication from the
Rev. T. B. Chandler, D. D., to Isaac Wilkins, Esq., dated Lon-
don, February 25th, 1785. The bearer of which was the Rt.
Rev. Dr. Seabury : —

My Dear Sir :

" I hope that you may happen to be at Halifax when this ar-
rives there — both for your own sake and that of the bearer, who
is no less a person than the Bishop of Cotmectkut. He goes
by the way of Nova Scotia for several reasons, of which the

» Sabine's Hist, of the American Loyalists.

i- New-York, M. S. S. from Archives at Fulham, Vol. ii. 657, (Hawks'.) In
1783, the Society paid Mr. Seabury a salary of XSO. He was then residing in
England. See Abstracts for 1783.

e Updike's Hist, of the Narragansett Church.

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 103

principal is, that he may see the situation of that part of his
family, which is in that quarter, and be able to form a judg-
ment of the prospects before them. He will try hard to see you,
but, as he will not have much time to spare, he fears that he
shall not be able to go to Shelburne in quest of you.

You were acquainted with this Bishop and his adventures
from the time of his leaving New- York, in 1783. He came
home with strong recommendations to the^two Archbishops and
the Bishop of London, from the clergy of Connecticut, and
with their most earnest request that he might have Episcopal
consecration for the church in that State. Though no objections
could arise from his character, the Bishops here thought such a
measure would be considered as rash and premature, since no
fund had been established for his support, and no consent to
his admission had been made by the States ; besides, no Bishop
could be consecrated here for o. foreign country, without an act
of Parliament to dispense with the oaths required by the es-
tablished office. These difficulties and objections continued to
operate through the winter, and several candidates for Priest's
orders, who had been waiting near a twelvemonth, were about
going over to the Continent, to seek for ordination in some
foreign Protestant Episcopal Church. At length a short act
was obtained, authorizing the Bishop of London and his sub-
stitutes to dispense with the aforesaid oaths in the ordination of
Priests and Deacons for the American States ; but nothing was
said in it about the consecration of Bishops. The Minister, it
seems, was fearful that opening the door for the consecration of
Bishops would give umbrage to the Americans, and, therefore,
every prospect of success here was at an end.

Dr. Seabury, with his wonted spirit and resolution, tlien
thought it his duty to apply elsewhere, and by the intervention
of a friend, consulted the Bishops in Scotland, who were equally
without the protection and the restraint of gr- ernment. They
cordially met the proposal, and our friend was consecrated
Bishop for Connecticut, at Aberdeen, on the 14th of November
last. I have been thus particular, on the supposition that you
may not have been acquainted with so much of this history."*

• From the original letter in the possession of Gouverneur M. Wilkins, Esq.

104 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

Bishop Seabury died February 25th, 1790, aged sixty-eight
years. Two vohimes of his sermons were published before his
decease, and one vohiine in 1798. A sermon founded on St.
Peter's exhortation to fear God and honor the King, delivered
before tlie provincial or loyalist troops, was printed during the
war by direction of Governor Tryon.^ The following is in-
scribed on his tomb-stone, at New London :

HERE LIETH THE BODY OF

SAMUEL SEABURY, D. D.,

BISHOP OP CONNECTICUT AND RHODE ISLAND,

Who departed this transitory scene,

February 25th, 179G,

In the 68th year of his age, and the eleventh of his

EPISCOPAL CONSECRATION,

Ingenious without Pride,

Learned without Pedantry,

Good without severity,

He was duly qualified to discharge

The duties of the Christian and the Bishop,

In the Pulpit he enforced religion,

In his conduct be exemplified it. «

The poor he assisted with his charity,

The ignorant he blessed with hi-s instruction.

The friend of men, he ever designed them good,

The enemy of vice, he ever opposed it.

Christian! do'st thou aspire to happiness 1

Seabury has shown the way that leads to it.**

Charles Seabnry, the youngest son of the Bishop, was born
in Westchester, in May, 1770, and succeeded his father in the
church at New London. In 1796, he preached awhile at Ja-
maica. His first wife was Anne, the daughter of lloswell Sal-
tonstall, of New London, by whom he had issue. His son,
Samuel Seabury, D. D., is the present Rector of the Church of
the Annunciation, in the city of New-York.«=

By an act of the Legislature, passed 18th of April, 1785, it
was ordered: — "that the District formerly called and known

» Sabine's History of the American Loyalists.

^The above inscription was written by Rev. John Bowden, S. T. D., formerly
Professor of moral Philosophy in Columbia College, N. Y.
• Updike's History of Narragansetl Church.

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 105

by the stile of the Borough and Town of Westchester, shall
henceforth be called and known by the name of the Town of
Westchester." Up to this date, the church appears to have
been governed by the charter of 1762. On the 6th day of April,
in tlie year 1784, the Legislature of the State of New- York
passed an act entitled, " An act to enable all religious denomi-
nations in this State, to appoint Trustees, who should be a body
corporate, for the purpose of taking care of the temporalities
of their respective congregations, and for other purposes therein
mentioned. "a- Under the provisions of this act, St. Peter's
Church, Westchester, was incorporated on the 19 th of April,
17S8, the following persons being chosen trustees : Lewis Gra-
ham, Josiah Browne, Thomas Hunt, Israel Underbill, John
Bartow, Phillip L Livingston, and Samuel Bayard. ^

The earliest record of the proceedings of the Trustees, is
dated May 12th, 1788, when "it was resolved, that the old
church be sold to Mrs. Sarah Ferris for the sum often pounds."
Their next business was to obtain the necessary funds
for the erection of another edifice. Accordingly, at a meet-
ing held September, 1788, Israel Underbill and John Bar-
tow, Jr., were authorized " to draw up a subscription paper,
and carry it round to the people, in order to raise a sum of
money to build a church, on or near the same ground where the
Church of St. Peter, late removed, stood." At a subsequent
meeting, held October 13th, 1788, Philip I. Livingston laid be-
fore the corporation the following petition to the Venerable
Society : —
"To THE Society FOR the Propagation of the Gospel

IN Foreign Parts. The Petition of Josiah Brown,

Lewis Graham, Samuel Bayard, Israel Underhilx,

ANU John Bartow, Jr.,
Humbly sheweth.

That your Petitioners are by law Trustees of the Episcopal

» Laws of N. Y. from 1778 to 1787. Greenleaf, vol. I. chapter xviii. 71.
^ County Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. A. p. 19.

106 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

Church of St. Peter's, in the Township, lale Borough of West-
chester, and State of New- York, in North America. The
Townsliip in which your petitioners reside, from its vicinity to
the Capital of this State, was, during the late war subject to the
incursions and depredations of both British and American armies,
unprotected by either. That thus circumstanced, their Church
and Parsonage house very early suffered the ravages of war,
and have been so materially wasted as not to claim the expense
of a reparation. That the greater part of their congregation have
been also by these means greatly injured in their estates, and
many reduced to abject poverty, and that under these calami-
tous events they have been since the commencement of the late
war, and even unto this day, without a gospel Minister established
in their Township, and therefore, as might be expected, vice and
irreligion too much prevail amongst the people. And your peti-
tioners further beg leave to show, that from a sense of duty ow-
ing to themselves, as well as from a most unfeigned regard for
the welfare of the souls of those with whom they are connected
in society ; they are most anxiously soUcitous, as soon as may be,
to erect another ciiurch upon their glebe, and establish a minis-
ter. But as the greater part of the members of their Church are
unable to contribute any considerable sums toward these desira-
ble purposes, your petitioners have the best reason to believe
their good intentions will be intirely defeated, unless tiiey are
aided with charitable donations from abroad. And your peti-
tioners beg leave to show, that they are informed your honorable
Society have some property in this state, bequeathed to your
Corporation for charitable purposes, by the will of St. George
Talbot, formerly of New- York, and that it is your intention to
bestow whatever may arise from funds yet left in America, to
American Episcopal Churches. Encouraged by this hope, and
confiding in the well known pious and liberal disposition of your
honorable board, your Petitioners humbly request, that to enable
them to rebuild their church, they may be favored with the socie-
ty's bounty, andauthorized to receive for this purpose, from any
monies being the property of the Society, which now are, or may
hereafter come into the hands of the executors of the late St.
George Talbot, or any of them, or any person or persons acting

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER.

107

for them, or action of them, the sum of £200 sterlhig, or such
other sums, as to the piety and charity of your truly christian
Corporation shall seem meet ; and your Petitioners as in duty
bound, shall ever pray <fec."*

Upon the 26th of January 1789, the Trustees made an agree-
ment with John Odell, of New- York, carpenter, to build a church
for the sum of £336,^

St. Peter's Church, erected in 1790.

At a meeting, Nov. 16. 1789, Messrs Bayard, Livingston and
Bartow, were appointed a committee to write a letter to the Rev.
Dr. Chandler, returning the thanks of this Corporation, for his
favorable recommendation of this Congregation to the Reverend,
the Society for the Propagation of the Gosjjel in Foreign Parts ;
and for his assistance in procuring the benefaction which the
Trustees are informed, the said Society have been pleased to
grant to this Congregation. ^

The Trustees now proceeded to restore the services in the
parish, which had been suspended for nearly thirteen years. —
Accordingly, at a meeting held July 5th, 1790, it was resolved :
" That an application be made to the Rev. Theodosius Bartow,

» Westchester Vestry Book, p. 39.
>• Westchester Vestry Book, p. 40.
• Ditto, p. 44. In 1791. The Society were pleased to grant the sum of £200.

108 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

for the purpose of engaging him as a minister to serve this
Church, for the term of two years, every other Sunday in the
year, and that the members of this congregation be called upon,
by the Trustees, to subscribe such sums as they think proper on
this occasion-''^-

Upon the 2d of January 1792 the Trustees accepted the

REV. THEODOSIUS BARTOW,

as minister of the Church, for a term of two years, from the 1st
of January, 1791. His ministrations were highly acceptable du-
ring this short period.

The

REV. JOFIN IRELAND, A. M.,

was elected his successor, on the 20th of August, 1794. He was
the son of John Ireland, an officer in the British army during
the revolution, who died in this country. He was born in
England, A. D. 1756; but at what institution he graduated is
unknown. He came to this country some time prior to the
adoption of the federal constitution ; studied for holy orders ; was
ordained deacon and priest by the Rt. Rev. Sam'l Provoost, D. D.
in 1792. and was called to this parish, as we have seen, in 1794.
The following release for the site of the church, and adjoining
cemetery, was given by the Trustees of the Town, to those of
the Church in 1795. But as the Rector of this Parish had
been inducted overall the rights and appurtenances of the Church
for a period of nearly seventy-five years, and more especially
as the Charter of 1762 had confirmed the rector, wardens and
vestrymen in possession, "of the church and the ground whereon
the same was built, and the cemetery belonging to the same ; "we
cannot see by what right the former party could release proper-
ty that did not belong to them. Such a conveyance amounts to
nothing at all.

» Westchester Vestry Book. In 1791 it was ordered, " that a collection be made
for the use of the Church and the minister, on every day on which Divine service
ehall be performed."

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 109

RELEASE FOR BURYING GROUND FROM THE TRUSTEES OF
WESTCHESTER TO ST. PETER'S CHURCH. ^^^^

"This Indenture made the 20th day of January, in the year of our Lord 1795, be '
tween the Trustees of the Town of Westchester, of the one part, and the Trus-
tees of the Episcopal Church of St. Peter's, in the Town ol Westchester of the
other part : Witnesseth, that the parties of the first part, for and in consideration
of the sum oi twenty shillings to them in hand paid, at or before the ensealing and
delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged ; have gran-
ted, bargained, sold, aliened, released and confirmed, and by these presents do
grant, bargain, sell, alien, release and confirm unto the parties of the second part,
the Trustees of the Episcopal Church of St. Peter's, in the Town of Westchester,
and their successors for ever, all that certain piece, parcel and lot of ground on
which the Episcopal Church of St. Peter's, in said Town of Westchester is erected,
and also the Burying Ground adjoining the said Church, as it is now enclosed and
fenced, and which heretofore has been used for a Burial Place, by the inhabitants
of said Township, containing about one acre, be the same more or less, and the
reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders, rents, issues and profits of
the said premises, and of every part and parcel thereof, particularly all benefits
and profits arising from a lease of the said Burial Ground, heretofore granted to
George Embree, and which will shortly be determined, and all Estate, Right,
Title, Interest, Claim and Demand whatsoever, of the Trustees of the Town of
Westchester, of, in and to all and singular the said Premises, and of and to every
part and parcel thereof, with their appurtenances. To have and to hold the said
Lots and parcel of laud on which the aforesaid Church is erected, and the afore-
said adjoining Burial Ground and Premises above mentioned, with the appurte-
nances unto the said Trustees of the Episcopal Church, in the Town of Westches-
ter and.their successors, to the only proper use and behoof of the said Trustees of the
Episcopal Church of St. Peter's, in the Town of Westchester, and their successors
forever ; Provided always, and upon condition that the said Trustees of the Episco-
pal Church of St. Peter's, in the Town of Westchester, and their successors do and
shall at all times hereafter permit and suffer the inhabitants of the Town of West-
chester, to Bury their Dead in the said Burial Ground, without any fee or com-
pensation being exacted therefor, in such vacant parts of the said Burial Ground as
shall be directed and ordered from time to time by the said Trustees, of the Epis-
copal Church of St. Peter's, in the Town of Westchester, or their successors, or
by any person legally authorized under them, to direct the same ; and provided
always, that anything herein notwithstanding, the inhabitants of the said Town
shall always be permitted to bury their dead near to and adjoining their families
who have heretofore been buried in the said Burial Ground.
Sealed with the seal of the Trustees, and signed by their order.

(Signed.)

ISAAC UNDERHILL, President. "»

Westchester Vestry Book, p. 22.

110 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

St. Peter's Church continued under the act of 1784, providing
for the incorporation of rehgious Societies generally, until the
2nd of August, 1795 ; when, in accordance with the act passed
for the relief of the Protestant Episcopal Church, on the 7th of
March preceeding, it was again incorporated. Israel Underliill
and PhiUp I. Livingston, Churchwardens, John Bartow Jr., Thos.
Bartow, Oliver de Lancey, Warren de Lancey, Joseph Brown,
Jonathan Fowler, Robert Heaton and Nicholas Bayard, vestry-
men.*

By this act the vestry or a major part of them were vested
with full power to call and induct^ a minister. Accordingly,
at a meeting, in August, 1795, Mr. Ireland, was confirmed in his
call to the jectorship of the church.

Mr. Ireland continued his ministrations till 1797 ;<= during
this period the present Church edifice was consecrated, and the
congregation considerably increased. In 1798 he was called to
St. Ann's Church, Brooklyn, where he remained until ldU6, when
he removed to Grace Church, Jamaica, Long Island. In 1809,
he ceased to be a minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and
entered the navy as a chaplain, in which capacity he served up
to the time of his death. He died at the Navy- Yard, Brooklyn,
on the 25th of March, 1822. " He was (says one who knew him
intimately) a very accomplished man, possessed of highly pol-
ished manners, and an excellent scholar, being gifted with a re-
markably harmonious and pleasing voice ; he excelled in the de-

» County Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. A. 58.

•> "Induction is the vesting of the minister with the temporalities of the Con-
gregation, and in the Church of England, is performed by the patron of the living,
who also appoints the minister ; and in the Church in this country the vestry
or congregation choose the minister ; and fix his salary and other temporalities. —
The Bishop or some other minister appointed by him, ins/itutes the minister thus
chosen to the spiritual charge of the Congregation. The g'eneral Convention
recognized the principal, and prescribed the office of Institution agreeably to the
above. Induction is that act by which a minister is vested with the temporalities
of a living; Institution is that by which he is vested with the cure of souls."

e Agreeably to the 4th Canon of 179G, Mr. Ireland gave in to the Bishop, the
amountof his parochial register, on the 4th of Oct. 1797. See journal of Diocesan
Con. The parochial reports were not printed with the journals until 1804.

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. Ill

livery of his sermons, whilst his style of composition would
compare with the best models in our language." The following
is the inscription from his tombstone :

REV. JOHN IRELAND,
died the 25th day of March, 1822,
aged G6 years.

"At a meeting of the Wardens and Yestrymen, with the Con-
gregations of Westchester, and Eastchester, on the 7th day of
Juno, 170S, it was resolved, that the said Congregations do unite
and associate, in order to procure a clergyman to officiate for
them."a Accordingly on the 9th of March, 1789, the

REV. ISAAC WILKINS, A. M.,

was elected minister of the two churches. He was the son of
Martin W ilk ins, a rich planter of Jamaica, W. I. where he was
born in 1741. ^ His father dying when he was quite young, he
was sent to New-York, to be educated. In 175(3 he entered
Kings College, (now Columbia,) where he graduated in 17(50. <= —
He prepared himself (says Sabine) for the ministry, but did not
take orders. Having settled in the county of Westchester, he *
was roturned as a member of the House of Assembly, in which
body he became a leader on the ministerial side. His influence
with his associates, and with his party was very great."

» Westchester Vestry Book.

i" The family of Wilkins, was originally seated in the County of Glamorgan,
South Wales, and derives from " Robert de Wintona, or Wince&tria, who came
into that country with Robert Fitzhamon, who was Lord of the manor of Languiaa
near Cowbridge, and built a castle there, the ruins of which are still extant ; the
valley, underneath, is called Pant Wilkyn (Wilkyn's vale) to this day. Mem-
bers of the family, yet reside at Brecon, Glamorganshire, and Maeslough, Rad-
norshire. The more immediate ancestor of the American branch emigrated to
Jamaica, West Indies, in 1720, and settled as a planter at St. Dorothy's in that
colony. His grandson, was the Rev. Isaac Wilkins. The coat armor of this
family is— : Or, a wyvern ppr. Crest, a wyvern or Whelk ppr. motto. Syn ar, dy
Hun Aiiglice, Beware of thyself.

« Mr. Wilkins received the degree of A. M. from King's College, in the year
17G3.

112 HISTORY OF THE PARISH.

Mr. Wilkins'S zeal and extreme loyalty, rendered him very
obnoxious to the Whigs. Besides his prominent position in the
Assembly, he gave utterance to his thoughts, in essays. It is a
singular circumstance, that the youthful Hamilton, who was
also born in the West Indies, undertook the task of replying to
two of his poetical effusions. One of them, the "Congress Can-
vassed," &c, which was signed, A. W. Farmer, was extensively
circulated ; and as well as that called, " A View of the Controver-
sy between Great Britain and her Colonies," was summarily
disposed of whenever they fell into the hands of tho«;e whose
measures they criticised and condemned.

In 1775 he left the country, and went to England. At the
moment of his departure, he issued the following address : — •

Neio- York, May 3d, 1775.

My Countrymen : —

" Before I leave America, the land II ove, and in which is con-
tained every thing that is valuable and dear to me — my wife, my
children, my friends and property — permit me to make a short
and faithful declaration ; which I am induced to do, neither
through fear nor a consciousness of having acted wrong. An
honest man and a christian hath nothing to apprehend from this
world. God is my judge, and God is my witness, that all I have
done, written or said, in relation to the present unnatural dis-
pute between Great Britain and her Colonies, proceeded from an
honest intention of serving my country. Her welfare and pros-
perity were the objects towards which all my endeavors have
been directed. They are still the sacred objects which I shall
ever steadily and invariably keep in view. And, when in Eng-
land, all the iniiuence that so inconsiderable a man as I am can
have, shall be exerted in her behalf It has been my constant
maxim through life, to do my duty conscientiously, and to trust
the issue of my actions to the Almighty. May that God, in
whose hands are all events, speedily restore peace and liberty to
my unhappy country. May Great Britain and America be soon
united in the bonds of everlasting unity, and when united, may
they continue a free, a virtuous and happy nation to the end

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 113

of time. I leave America, and every endearing connection, be-
cause I will not raise my hand against my Sovereign, nor draw
my sword against my country ; when I can conscientiously draw-
it in her favor, my life shall be cheerfully devoted to her ser-
vice.

Isaac Wilkins."

In 1776, he returned to Long Island, where he remained un-
til the peace, when he returned to Shelburne, Nova Scotia. He
remained in Nova Scotia several years, and lived a part of the
time atLunenburgh."a- He was ordained deacon in 1798, and
afterwards priest by the Right Rev. Samuel Provoost, D. D. of
this diocese. In 1799 he was settled, as we have shown, over
this parish.

At a vestry meeting on the 22nd of July, 1801, it was resolved :
" That the Rev. Isaac Wilkins, being now in priest's orders,
and having officiated for us for two years past, to our satisfac-
tion, be now called to the Rectory of this Parish, agreeably to
the resolution and intention of the Churchwardens and Vestry-
men on the 9th of March, 1799." b

In 1806 Mr. Wilkins makes a report to the Diocesan Conven-
tion of forty communicants, and eighteen baptisms, &c. ; the fol-
lowing year his communicants numbered nearly fifty.

The Rev. William Powell was elected his assistant on the
12th day of July, 1829, The Rev. Isaac Wilkins died February
the 5th, 1830. His remains were interred on the south side of
the chancel of St. Peter's Church, under the following inscrip-
tion

Sacred

to the'memory of the

REVEREND ISAAC WILKINS, D. D.,

who, for thirty-one years, was the

diligent and faithful minister

of this parish

' Sabine's American Loyalists.
* Westchester Vestry Book.

114 HISTOEY OF THE PARISH

placed here, as he believed, ty his Redeemer,

He remained satisfied with the

pittance allowed him, rejoicing that even in that

he was no burden to his

parishioners ,

;: nor ever wished, nor ever went forth

to seek a better livng.

Died 5th February, 1830,
Aged 89 years.

The following obituary notice appeared in the Christian Jour-
nal for March, 1830 :—

" Died at Westchester, New- York, on Friday, February 5th, in
the eighty-ninth year ot his age, the Rev. Isaac Wilkins, D. D.,
rector of St. Peter's Church, in that place.

If the most stern and sterling integrity ; a conscience which
knew no compromise ; and an habitual purpose, passing by all
selfish considerations, and aiming, through good report and evil
report, at diity^ with all its sacrifices, responsibilities, and conse-
quences, form the upright, virtuous and honourable man. Dr. Wil-
kins was among the most upright, the most virtuous and the most
honourable. If deep and thorough conviction of the great truths
of the Gospel ; the entire submission of a more than ordinarily
strong and enlightened understanding to the teachings of God's
word ; an abiding and humbling sense of a personal need of a Sa-
viour and Sanctifier ; a child-like reliance on the Saviour and
Sanctifier ; revealed in holy writ; devotion of the most intense
character; and piety infusuig its holy influences into all the
heart, all the soul, and all the mind, are constituents of a
true Christian, he has cause to thank God, who has grace
to take pattern herein, by the character of tht> venerable man
now noticed. If love for that Church which Christ loved even
unto death ; reverence for the appointments which He made for
its perpetuity and good order, and for its subserving the great
end of its establishment in the sanctification and salvation of His
people ; a due appreciation of that primitive evangelical piety,
which led Christians to be of one heart and one mind, to con-
tinue steadfast in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, and hold-
ing, as faithful members of the Church, the Head, which is
Christ, thus to derive from Him grace to increase with the in-

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 115

crease of God ; if these enter essentially into the character of a
good Churchman, never had the Church a truer son than in the
subject of this notice. If talents and learning of a superior order •
an intimate acquaintance with the whole range of Christian the-^
ology ; an ardent love for the duties of the ministry ; an abiding
and practical application to himself,'of the truths and precepts
which he delivers to others ; a rule and measure in delivering
those truths and precepts, casting off' all reference to popular
liking, and governed solely by the word of God^ and by a sense
of responsibility to Him ; a conscientious fulfilment of the vows
of ordination ; faithful allegiance to the authorities of that por-
tion of the Catholic Church to which he belongs ; and an en-
lightened and zealous devotion to its interests, mark the able
minister of the New Testament ; one of the best prayers we can
offer for the Church, is, that God would raise up for her many
ministers as well qualified for their Master's work, as was this
venerable man.

A conscience so true as his ; a sense of duty so far removed
as was his, from any sacrifice to personal interest, personal ease,
and the satisfaction of wearing the feather of popularity ; and a
mind of the more than ordinary clearness and elevation, which
characterized his, may sometimes fail, in what may be thought
due allowance for supposed errors of judgment, for the weak-
ness of human nature, and for the strength with which the
world allures, to some abatement of the rigid demands of duty
in favour of what is easier and more gratifying to the natural
man. However this faithful servant of God (and his religious
views were of too evangelical a character, to be blind to the fact,
that the very best have their imperfections,) may have some-
times exemplified the truth of this remark, it was only where he
thought principle was concerned, and in honest compliance with
what he deemed duty, and what he deemed real charity, or a
sincere desire to be instrumental in leading others into the truth
and to avoid even the appearance of sanctioning or conniving
at error.

In private and social life, the piety, kindness, benevolence, and
cheerfulness of the true Christian, an affectionate interest in the
welfare and happiness of all about him, the urbanity of an ac-
omplished gentleman, the good sense and extensive information,

116 HISTORY OP THE PARISH

of an intelligent and well read man, the fancy of a ready poet,
and the spiightliness of true and chastened wit, rendered him one
of the most profitable and pleasing of companions. And for all
the sweet charities, the endearing sympathies, and the elevated
affections, of domestic life, he has left a monument that will per-
ish only with the hearts in which it is erected.

Although from early life of a religious turn of mind, much
devoted to theological reading, attached to clerical society, and
cherishing an affection and desire, equal to his fitness, for the
ministry, it was not until he had attained to nearly three-score
years of age, that Dr. Wilkins found himself sufficiently released
from civil and secular cares to gratify his early and abiding pref-
erence of the ministry, as his profession. He was then ordained
deacon, and afterwards, priest, by the Right Rev. Bishop Provoost,
of this diocese. He soon settled in the parish, in the charge
of which he continued until his death ; having added to it. for
a time, that of St. Paul's Church, Eastchester. He continued in
the exercise of his public duties until within a few months of
his death. He was a graduate of Columbia College, in this
city, and was for many years its oldest surviving alumnus,
having received the degree of B. A. in 1760, and of A. M. in
1763. In ISII he was honoured by his Alma Mater with the de-
gree of D. D. His performance of tl .e public services of the
Church, was characterized by peculiar so'emnity and dignity, and
by a manner clearly indicative of the deep and engaged interest
which his heart felt in the holy offices. In his preaching, he
aimed at the faithful exhibition of the whole counsel of God ;
and explained and enforced the doctrines of the Gospel, the
distinctive principles of our Church, and the whole range of
Christian obligation and duty, with a clearness which manifes-
ted his own understanding of them, and an earnestness which
proved how deeply his heart was engaged in the work. He
was conscious of the existence of no error in faith or practice,
against which he would hesitate boldly and fearlessly, to breast
himself. He saw nothing to be hisownduty, or that of his people,
to which he would not, in the most uncompromising manner,
devote himself, or which he would not most faithfully and earn-
estly urge and enforce upon them. It has been said of him,
and it is here believed to have been most justly said, that had

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 117

he lived in times of martyrdom, there is not that thing which
he thought it his duty to say or do, which he would have left un-
said or undone, or the act or word which he deemed inconsist-
ent with the most rigid demands of duty and of conscience, which
he would have done or said to save his life. His was a piety
and virtue which would have remained unmoved, when those
more boasted might have found plausible excuses for giving
way. The unrivalled venerableness of his appearance, for many
years past, added to the worth, dignity, and sanctity of his charac-
ter, invested his public ministrations with a deep and peculiar
interest. It was to him that reference was made in the beautiful
lines entitled 'The Watchman,' published in the Christian
Journal for December, 1826."*

THE WATCHMAN.

" It was the day of Christians' prayer. — A few
Had met in chapel built in olden time,
For Christian worship. — He, the good old man,
Was at the altar, and his generous blood
Was in the veins of those who knelt around,
To the third and fourth degree. Time had thinn'd
His locks, but had not wholly wasted them ;
Yet what remained were loosely scattered o'er
His brow, and hung in light, thin curls about
His neck, and waved iu every lightest breath ;
Ripened they seemed, and fit for ready harvest ;
Whiter were they than the wreath of foam
Which binds the brow of the broad cataract. —

The pious man had been at prayers with all
His people, and his countenance was white
As was his lawn ; and as you gazed upon
His face, it paler grew, with his devotions,
And brighter still the fancy made it seem
Like that which Peter saw the Son of man
Did wear, when saints come down from heaven

to hold
Converse with him upon the mountain height.

I saw the reverend man of age ascend

The pulpit, with his raiment changed — His step

Was feeble, and infirm, and slow ; and when

* The lines referred to in the above sketch, were taken from a Vermont paper.
Mr. Wilkins was 83 years, of age when the author heard him preach.

1X8 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

He[reached the height, he sank as if exhausted j
And as he rose he trembled — not because
The eyes of mortal man were on him fixed ;
Nor yet because he stood before .his God —
But yet he trembled — age was on his limbs
That half refused their office— but he rose,
A watchman on a tower ; and you might see
His reverend figure, which before was bent
With weight of years, now animate, erect,
And lifted to the height of youthful prime,
And clothed with dignity of one that came
With message from the sky. Slowly he stretch'd
His trembling hand, as in affection, o'er
The people of his charge, and with a voice
That faltered, though its aged tones were full,
Announced his text—' Watchman, what of
the night V

Who that hath seen a boy, green in his youth,
Whose soul of pure devotion, purified
By fire that burned on God's own altar, has
From that holy thing, the pulpit, shot down
On hoary heads beneath him, light from heaven
To guide, or terrors from the damned to warn:
Who that hath seen and heard him, hath not
felt

A conscious shuddering run thro' all his blood 1
But when the Patriarch of his people rose.
Whose foot was sinking in the grave on which
It rested, while his hand reached heaven's
towers.

To which the hand of angels stretched, to lift
Him, their pure brother, to the skies, soon as
His work was ended ; and when to his text.
With tones almost unearthly, that did seem
To come from other worlds, the old man gave
This answer—' I, the watchman, tell you true,
The morning cometh and the night also.'
Ah say, what heart that heard it did not sink
Within his bosom at the threatening word !
I O Watchman, venerable man ! thy night

Of earthly pilgrimage must even be past ;
And true thy morning cometh, which the night
Shall never, never darken or obscure,"
Rochester, August. D- ^- B-*

Christian Journal No. 12, Dec. 1826, p. 400.

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 119

"From the year 1801, until, in 1S21, he was obliged, by the in-
firmities of age, to decline ; Dr. Wilkins was uniformly returned
as a clerical deputy from the diocese of New-York, to the General
Convention, and attended the greater number of the meetings of
that body. There, as in the diocesan convention, he was the able
and enlightened advocate of sound principles of ecclesiastical pol-
ity, and of such measures as in his conscience he believed to be
the most agreeable to them. Indeed, never had the Church a
more disinterested friend. He overlooked all selfish considera-
tions, tending either to personal ease, or to the gratification of
receiving human commendation or applause, and went directly
to the point, whither he thought himself drawn by duty and
by conscience. The strength of his faith, and the clearness of
his religious views, were eminently conspicuous during the pro-
gress of a most painful and distressing disorder towards its fatal
termination. His mind unclouded, and his heart strengthened
and sanctified by the grace of God, he saw no terror in death, but
anxiously, and yet meekly and resignedly, desired its more speedy
approach. The thought of being soon translated to Paradise
not only soothed and supported him, but ministered to the con-
stitutional and Christian cheerfulness which had characterized
him through life. At length the kind and gracious summons
came, and rarely has a soul departed stronger in the faith, richer
in the hope, and more sincere and aflectionate in the genuine
charity, of the Gospel, than that which then entered on the great
salvation purchased by the blood of the everlasting covenant."*

On April the 27th, 1S30, the

REV. WILLIAM POWELL, B. A.,

having been assistant minister to Dr. Wilkins, for nearly a year,
was called to the rectorship. He was the son of .Tohn Powell, of
Dublin, Ireland, whose family were originally seated in Wales.
He was born in Dublin, A. D. 1788, where he received his educa-
tion, some say in Trinity College. In 1808 he came tothis country
under the patronage and guardianship of a Mr. Adamson, his

» Christian Journal No. 3, March, 1830. p. 94.

120 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

maternal uncle, then a respectable merchant of New- York. He
studied divinity under the late Rev. Edmund Barry, D. D. and was
ordained deacon by the Rt. Rev. Benjamin Moore, D. D. in 1810.
He soon after removed to the charge of St. Andrew's Church,
Coldenham, Orange county, and St. George's Church, Newburgh ;
and in the former, on Tuesday, June 29th, 1813, was admitted
by the Right Rev. John H. Hobart, assistant bishop of the dio-
cese, to the holy order of priests. In May, 1816, he took pastoral
charge of St. John's Church, Yonkers, and on the 12th of
July, 1829, settled as assistant minister in this parish, in the
charge of which he afterwards remained as rector, until the day
of his death. In connection with his pastoral duties, he main-
tained for many years, a flourishing school for the education of
boys, from which many have gone forth, who can bear testimo-
ny to his excellence and worth. "Mr. Powell (says one who
knew him for forty-one years) was a most sincere and devoted
friend. He had all the traits of cordiality, kindness and benev-
olence, so usually belonging to the best of his countrymen." —
He departed this life on Sunday, the 29th day of April, 1849, at
the residence of his brother-in law, Stephen Cambreling, Esq., in
Mew- York city. He was the fourth minster that died rector of
this parish, and the third buried in this town. His remains were
brought to AYestchester, and interred in the grave-yard, on the
south side of St. Peter's Church. The following is the inscrip-
tion on his tombstone : —

Died

On the 29lh of April, 1849,

the

REV. WILLIAM POWELL,

Rector ol the St. Peter's Church,

Westchester,

in the Gist year of his age.

" Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord ; (even so saith the spirit) for they
rest from their labours."

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER.

121

The vacancy created by the death of Mr. Powell, the vestry
proceeded immediately to fill, by electing the

REV. CHARLES D. JACKSON, A. M.

at that time assistant Minister, to the rectorship, June 28th, 1849.
Soon after his entrance on his parish duties, measures were adop-
ted, for the building of a new parsonage, on the glebe in the place
of the old one, ^ which was effected, at a cost of six thousand
dollars.

Active measures have also been taken, for the erection of a new
parish church, upon or near the old site, towards which pious
work fifteen thousand dollars have already been contributed. —
The work is now under contract. The present Church edifice
was erected in 1790, on~the site of the old Church, and conse-
crated upon the 9th of December, 1795, by the Rt. Rev. Samuel
Provoost, D. D. bishop of the diocese. It is a neat wooden struc-
ture, surmounted by a cupola.^* The latter contains the origi-
nal bell, presented to the Church, by Col. Lewis Morris, of Mor-

Rectory of St. Peter's Church.

» In 1799, " It was resolved, that the parsonage house and glebe be repaired by
the Churchwardens as soon as a fund be formed for that purpose."

'' At a vestry meeting, 17th January, 1793, " It was resolved to build a desk and
pulpit for the use of the Church, correspondent, with the sounding board given to
this Church, by the Corporation of Trinity Church, N. Y." On the 1st of August
1791, Mr. Samuel Bayard presented the silver oval seal, now used by the Vestry.

122

HISTORY OF THE PARISH

risania, in 1706. Round the lip may be traced in capital letters,
" Lewis Morris, 1677."'

The communion plate consists of a chalice and paten, the gift
of dueen Anne, A. D. 1706, inscribed : — " Ann^ Regin^."

This noble lady, who for the Church's sake, once merited the
name of the "Good Queen Anne," also presented a church bible,
book of homilies, cloth for the pulpit, and communion table.

On the south side of the church, is a plain stone tablet, to the
memory of Dr. Wilkins. A monument on the north side, re-
cords the death of his wife.*

Sacred
to the memory
of
MRS. ISABELLA WILKINS,
The humble handmaid and
faithful worshipper
of God
her Saviour,

* This lady was a sister of Lewis Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Indepen-
dence. See Hist, of Westchester, vol. ii. 284.

AND CHUECH OF WESTCHESTER. 123

She died the 31st of October, A. D. 1810,

in the 64th year ol her age,

and lies buried here.

This monument in conjugal love

is raised and

inscribed, by her grateful, faithful and affectionate

husband.

And now Lord ! what is our hope 1
Truly our hope is ever in thee.

In the vestry room are memorials of the Hoffman, Wilkins and
TurnbuU families.

To St. Peter's church is attached a portion of the old Glebe,
which was given by the Town in 1703, consisting of ten acres,
and a rectory. The former parish house or parsonage, which was
purchased by the vestry in 1763, stood at no great distance from
the present edifice.

PRINCIPAL BENEFACTORS OF ST. PETER'S CHURCH.

Ctueen Anne, Col. Benjamin Fletcher, Edward Viscount Corn-
bury, Col. James Graham, Col. Caleb Heathcote, Col. Lewis
■Morris, the Venerable Propagation Society, the Reverend John
Bartow, the Borough Town of Westchester, Basil Bartow, a
Abijah Hammond, George Lorillard, and the Corporation of
Trinity Church, New-York. The latter have made the fol-
lowing liberal grants to this Church, viz : in 1795, the sum of
$750 ; in 1796, $500, and in 1809, five lots of ground in Reade,
Chamber and Warren streets. New- York. The church still
owns four of these lots, the present value of which is
$55,000.b It deserves to be mentioned, however, that this

• Mr. Bartow, by his will dated 16lh of Dec. 1780, bequeathed " unto the Min-
ister, Churchwardens and Vestrymen for the time being of the Incorporated Church
of England, known by the name of St. Peter's Church, in the borough Town of
Westchester, the sum of .£50 towards building anew church in said borough
Town, or repairing or enlarging the present church, for the worship of Almighty
God, to be paid to them when they shall actually engage in said work." This
will was proved on the 11th of March, 1784. Surrogate's Office, N. Y. Fol. xxxv

^ " In 1807 the sum of $1,950 was raised by St. Peter's Church, tendered to, and
accepted by Trinity Church, for the lots conveyed by their corporation, to the ves-
try of St. Peter's. One of the above lots was taken by the Corporationof N. Y., for
widening Chapel St., and the award applied to the erection of gallery pews, and
the carriage shed.

124 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

parish contributed one half of the original value of the lots.
The first delegate from this parish to the Diocesan Conven-
tion in 1790, was Joseph Brown, M. D.

TOMBSTONES.

The churchypH -^h with the settlement of the

village, contains numerous interments. ^ Among the earliest are
the following :

"Here lyeth the body of William , Esq., aged 50

years, deceased March 27th, 1702. H. 1718. P. B. o. 1727."

" In memory of Philip Honeywell, Esq. He died of a linger-
ing illness, at Greenburgh, on the Sth day of September, 1813,
in the 53rd year of his age. He was an active character during
the Revolutionary War. He lived respected and died regretted.
Anne Eustace, his wife, died May 11, ISll, aetat 50."

" Look on this stone and you will find,

My journey's o'er, and your's behind ;

Think then, before you turn away,

That yours may end before this day."

PEW HOLDERS IN 1790.

The following names appear on the minutes, of individuals
who purchased pews in August, 1790, viz. — James Ferris, John
Bartow, Jr., Philip Livingston, Stephen Bartow, Elizabeth Har-
rison, John Valentine, Jonathan Fowler, William Hunt, Marcus
Baxter, Solomon Baxter, Isaac Valentine, Jr., Peter Bussing,
Elizabeth Williams, Augustus Bartow, David Huestace, Ebene-
zer Legget, Phinehas Hunt, Anthony Bartow, Israel Underhill,

» John Ferris, of the Borough Town of Westchester, in his last will, dated 9th
of May, 1715. directs : "As also the land lying betwixt the Highway that leads to
Thomas Haden's mill, and the way that leads from Broncke's to Henry Bank's,
with a fifty pound privilege of commonage, and also all that my land at Broncke's
containing 24 acres, be it more or less. But, be it provided always, that there shall
be a rod square, free, for all friends and friendly people to bury their dead in th
place where they formerly buried, without any let, hindrance, or molestation what
soever." Surrogates Office, N. Y., folio viii. p. 391.

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 125

Anthony L. Underbill, 2 seats, Israel Underbill, Israel Honeywell,
Jobn Doty, Robert Tucker, William Smitb, Tbomas Bartow,
Benjamin Roe, Joseph Brown, Lewis Graham, Robert Watts,
Jobn Bartow, Benjamin Ferris, Samuel Bayard, Warren de
Lancey, 2 seats, Tbomas Hunt, John Cox.*

RECTORES DE WEST CHESTER.

TEMP. INST. RECTORES. VACAT. PATRONS.

19 Nov. 1702, Rev. John Bartow, CI. A. M. pr mort. War. and Ves.

8 July, 1727, Rev. Tbomas Standard, CI. A. M. per mort. ''
12 June, 1761, Rev. John Milner, CI. A. M. per resig. «

3 Dec. 1766, Rev. Samuel Seabury, CI. A. M. " «

2 Jan. 1792, Rev. Theodosius Bartow, Presb. " «

20 Aug. 1794, Rev. John Ireland, Presb. A. M. " «

9 Mar. 1799, Rev. Isaac Wilkins, Presb. D. D. per mort. "
17 April, lb30, Rev. William Powell, Presb. B. A. " "
28 June, 1849, Rev. Charles D. Jackson, Presb. A. M. present
incumbent.

» With regard to the rights of pew holders we copy the following from Dr.
Gregory's speech, (in the Diocesan Convention of W. N. Y.,) advocating the
resolutions as reported in the Syracuse Daily Star: — "The Trustees of Churches
have no right to sell pews. If they pretend to give deeds of sale by which pews
are conveyed in fee to individuals, such deeds are no better than blank paper,
(see Barbour's Supreme Court Reports, viii., 135.) The only right that can be ac-
quired, is the right for a compensation to occupy a certain seat during the public
worship.

The Vestry or Trustees retain the right to alter or even destroy the seat for the
good of the congregation. The seats, therefore, can only be rented or hired for a
term of years. The lessee has no absolute property in his pew, and no right to
shut it up, or to exclude others from it when not occupied by himself."

b Extract from the Admission Book of Christ's College, Cambridge, 1689. " Jan.
31. mo. Joannes Bartow, ThomsB filius in lucem editus apud Crediton in Comi-
tatu Devon iensi Uteris ibidem institutus a Mro. Gregory annos natus sedecem.
Admissus Sizator sub Mro. Lovett."

126 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS.

. D. 1703.

Baptisms,

, 50.

Communicants, 12.

« 1710,

((

41,

» 172S,

((

52,

« 30.

" 1761,

47,

« 16.

" 1763,

((

87,

« 53.

" 1774,

49,

« 25.

« 1806,

18,

« 40.

« 1815,

14,

« 60.

" 1832,

28,

« 46.

" 1844,

13,

« 40.

» 1852,

32,

« 100.

The Baptismal Register of this Parish commences in 1703.
March 4th. 1702., then baptized by Mr. John Bartow, Rector of
West Chester, John Haden, aged 41 years ; John Haden, son
of said John Haden, aged 17 years ; Abagail Haden, aged 16
years ; Samuel Haden, aged 13 years; Thomas Haden, aged 8
years ; Elizabeth Haden, aged 11 years ; Joseph Haden, aged 1
year and 7 months, &,c., &c.

THE SOCIETY'S SCHOOLMASTERS AT WESTCHESTER.

SALAKr.

£18 per annum.
£10 «

U ((

(( (.'

(( ((

(( u

35.
30.

TIME OF APPT.

SCHOOLMASTERS.

1710,

Daniel Clarke,

1713,

Charles Glover,

1719,

William Forster,

1743,

Basil Bartow,

1764,

Nathaniel Seabury,

1768,

George Youngs,

1774,

Mr. Gott,

NOTITIA SCHOLASTICA.

1719, Number of Scholars,

1721,

(( ((

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 127

In 1703 the number of families belonging to this Parish, were
40 or 50. In 1724 they were computed at 200.

In 1702, the number of inhabitants were 200.

« 1712, " " 572.

" 1840, (prior to its division) 4,154.

" 1850, (since the division) 2,443

NAMES OF PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN ELECTED
WARDENS OF ST. PETERS CHURCH.

1G95 to 1701.

Caleb Heathcote,

1702.

Edward Waters.

Caleb Heathcote,

1703.

Josiah Hunt.

James Graham,

1704.

Josiah Hunt.

John Drake,

1705.

Daniel Clark.

Henry Fowler,
John Drake,

1706.
1707.

Daniel Clark. J
Josiah Hunt, Sen.

Josiah Hunt, Sen.

1708.

John Drake.

Josiaia Hunt, Sen.

1709.

Edmund Ward.

Daniel Clark,

Jeremiah Fowler.

1710 to 1721.

Joseph Hunt, Jeremiah Fowler.

No records from 1721 to 1761.
[1761.
Samuel Sneden, John Hunt.

1762.

Isaac Willett, Nathaniel Underbill sen.

128 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

No records from this date, until the close of the war.
Trustees from 1788 to 1795.

1795.
Israel Underhill, Philip I. Livingston.

1796.
Philip I. Livingston, Israel Underhill.

1797.
Israel Underhill, Samuel Bayard.

1798.
Israel Underhill, Nicholas Bayard.

1799.
Israel Underhill, Philip I. Livingston.

1800-1.
Philip I. Livingston. Israel Underhill.

1802.

Israel Underhill, Philip I. Livingston.

1803-4.
Israel Underhill, James Morris.

1805.
James Morris, Robert Watts.

1800-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14.
Robert "VVatts, James Morris.

1815-16-17-18-19-20.
James Morris, Abijah Hammond.

1821-2.
James Morris, Joshua Waddington.

1823.
Joshua Waddington. James Morris.

1824-5-6-7.
James Morris, Joshua Waddington.

1828-9.
Abijah Hammond, George Lorillard.

1830-1.
George Lorillard, Robert Morris.

1832.
Abijah Hammond, Robert Morris.

1833.
Robert Morris, Valentine Nutter.

AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 129

1834-5-6.

Valentine Nutter, Robert Morris.

1837 to 1840.
Francis Baretto, Richard Hunt. '

1840 to 1843.
Francis Baretto, James DeWolfe.

1843 to 1844.

Francis Baretto, Robert R. Morris.

1844 to 1850.

Francis Baretto, Elnathan Hawkins.

1850 to 1853.
Francis Baretto, Gouverneur M. Wilkins.

Sealoj St. Peter's Churchy inesentedhy Samuel Bayard Esq., A. D. 1791,

HISTORY

OF THE

PAMSH AND CHURCH

OF RYE.

This parish, which formerly indiided the three townships of
Rye, Bedford and Mamaroneck, was originally embraced in
the great pnrchase 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 1610, with instructions to purchase the ' Ar-
chipelago,' or groupof islands, at the mouth of the Norwalk River^
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, comprehfinding much
of the present County of Westchester.''^

The aborigines however, still continued to maintain posses-
sion, for in the year 1650, the lands of Rye or Poniugoe, 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 — qiaBS — 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 of New-York, First Period, 1609—1664, p. 296.

St. Peter's Church, Westchester— Erected A. D. lSi5.

Scdt 1 ineli -iZjtii'

Ground plan of 3t. Peter's Church.

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 Studwell, purchased the Island of Mennewies 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 Qluakers^ the Antinomiaii 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.

132 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

" By authority it had been enacted that no persons within the
colony should embody themselves iu 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."*

"As early as!1660,'' 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."i>

"At a town meeting. held in Rye, November I7th, 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 atHartford, Captain
Nathan Gold, Thomas Fitch, Mr. Holly, Lieut. Richard 01m-
stead, and Mr. John Burr, they, or any three ol 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 obHging and settling
of a minister at Rye,"b

'' At a Court, holden at Hartford, May 17ih, 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 Uil. 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 ISovember, 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, 16S0,
ordered : "that thirty pounds per annum, agreed by Rye to be
paid to the mmister, 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."b 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 '^rrumbull, in-
forms us, that about the year 1688, the Rev. John Bowers, re-
moved trom Derby, and settled at Rye.^

• May 10, 1680 ; " The Town agree to allow XSO 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." Towa
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 ihe 1st of March, nejtt
ensueing this date ; as our maintenance to the minister." Town Rec. p. 54.

' 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.'^

On the24ih of March, 1G93, 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, 16'J3, 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.c The people doubtless were becoming alarmed, lest
the Governour should nominate under the new act.

Upon the 26th of February, 1691, 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."

» " 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 tliera, ana
in order thereunto, have made choice of Captain Horion, Joseph Theall, and
John Brondig. who are to enquire and endeavour the best they can, lor the pro-
viding of a minister for the Town aforesaid"-Town Rec. p. 74.

•• Laws of New-York, vol. I. chap, xxxvi.

« The original resolution reads thus :-" as a committee to take care for the pro-
curing of administer, with what speed they can for us." Town Rec. p. 70.

* Ibid.

• Ibid. 78.

136 HISTORY OP 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."''

Upon the 16lh of June, A. D. 1701, the act for incorporating
the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Rarts,
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 Rev. 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 :— '^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 172S, 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.

fc 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.^

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.

•■ 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. IGOO, 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 16G5, 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. Pritchardis
arrived, and fixed at Rye, to the general satisfaction of tjje people
there."a

The following mandate was issued for his induction by Gov-
ernor Cornbury, in April 1704 :

ORDER TO INDUCT REV. THOMAS PRITCEARD TO THE
RECTORY OF RYE.

" Edward Viscount Cornbury, Capt. Gen. and Governour in Chief of the Provia-
ces of New- York, New-Jersey, &c., and Vice Admiral of the same :

To all and singular Re-.tors, 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 Prilchard, as Rector to ye Rectory or Paiish
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

y04."*

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 Jane, 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. 93-2.

■• " Rye is served by Mr. Pritchard, lately arrived, (a very youDg 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 account 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; these counties 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, it 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 1 hope in a few months to inform you I have done,

140 HISTORY OP 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 they 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 OP 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.''^

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. PRITCHARD TO THE SECRETARY.

Mamaroneck, 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. Healhcote writing to the Secretary, 24th Feb., 1707, says—" I have heard
nothing of Mr. Cleator, so I suppose he is either dead^orhath 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 tliis 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.^- 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 mibrued 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."^

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 Madams Kaight, ia her Journal, Dae. 1704, records the following: " From
Merrinak we came to Horse Neck, where we bailed, aad 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 tlie 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 thai'
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, <fcc., 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. Tiie par-
ish is divided into three districts, viz.. Rye, Bedford, and Mama-
roneck. There is a salary of £50 per annum, estabUshed 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 \st, 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 bringhig 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 convcniency, 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, telling me that my Lord Cornbury would willingly con-
sent thereto for my advantage, as having a great kindness for

F FAND CHUECH 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."*

The followinir 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 &'carsdale, Feb. 26t/i, 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
hosv it has happened I know not, most of the leading men in the

* New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 59. 60. (Hawks'.)

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 .CIO a
year, by Act of Assembly. I did in my last, which went by Capt.
Rogers, acquaint yon 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 Iloclielle, about() 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., (fcc,

Caleb Heathcote."«

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, 1701, 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 M3S. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 71. 72. (Hawks'.)

AND CHURCH OF EYE. 147

LETTERS OP ADMINISTRATION FROM GOVENOUR CORNBURT
^TO ANNE PRITCIIARD, 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, calculatiioa 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 kuowne 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 of 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 rhe 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 testimony 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-G."*

The rectorship having become vacant by the death of Mr.
Pritchard, was filled by the appointment of tiie

REV. GEORGE MUIRSON, A. M. *

This individual was a native of Scotland, and descended

• Record of Wills, Surrogate's Ofl[ice, N. Y., vol. vii, p. 227.

148 HISTORY OF THE PARISH ^

from the Mnrison's of Anchorfield, a branch of the ancient
family of tlie 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 1675, 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.''^ 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 17lh,
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. I find that he is very
well beloved and esteemed by all sorts of people, a man of a very
sober and blameless 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. MdUo — Mediocriter.

•> Mr. Muirsou's License to keep school in New- York, bears date 25th 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. In 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 G-OVER^TOUR CORXBURY TO INDUCT THE
RE7. G-EORG-E MUIRSON INTO THE RECTORY OF RYE.

" Edward's Illustrissim's Vice Comes Cornburie provinciae Novi Eboraci nee usu
Novae Cesaria; 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 Georgiuni Muirson Cleric', ad Rectoriam, sive Eccle-
siam parochialem praadict Paroch' de Rye Mamerenock & Bedford in Die.
Provinc. Nov. Eborac. in America. Jam vacantem, praesentatum, Rectorem
ejusdem Rectoris, sive Ecclesioe parochialis in & de cadem Institus, vobis con-
junctim & Divisim Com'ilto, & fermiter Injungendo. raando, quatenus eun-
dem Georgium Muirson Cleric. Sive procuratoreni suum, Legitimum ejus no-
mine, & pro eo, in realem, actualem & "Corporalem possessionem ipsiusRec-
torige sive Ecclesise parochialis de Rye, Mamerenock and Bedford, Predict.

» Printed Abstracts of Ven. Soc.

•• New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 50. (Hawks'.)

• New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham. (Hawks'.)

150 HISTORY OP THE PARISH

Glebarum, Jurumq's & pertinentium suor' universor', conferatis, Inducatis
Inducive facialis, & defendatis Inductum, & quid in pr. missis me aut ali-
um in hac parte Competent', qucmcunq's debite (cum ad id congrue' fueritis
requisti)certificetis, sui sic. certificet, ille vestrum qui present hoc mandatum
aerit Executus. Dasub sigil Prrerogal's. Diet Provinciro Nov. Eborac Tri-
cesimo primo die Juli, salutis millesimo sept, ingentesimo Cluinto Anno.

CORNBURY.
By His Excellency's command.

WILL. ANDERSON, Dep'y Secretary."

CERTIFICATE OF MR. MUIRSON'S INDUCTION.

Aug't 20 vio. Dec. 1705.

" Virtute suprascripti Instrumenti ego Gul. Vesey Induxi Rev'um Dom' Muir-
son in Eccl'am. Paroch'em. de Rye, Maranock & Bedford &c. Gul. Vesey, Wit-
ness, Caleb Healhcote, 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."b

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 10th
of July, and blessed be God, have liad happy success in my

» Surrogate's Office. N. Y. H. Lib. vii, 210.

>• New- York, MSS. from Archives at Fulham. vol. i. 83 to 8G. (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 Churcli 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 be of great 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 cloaihs 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.
1 have lately been in ye Govertmient 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 v/ell as on all ye Continent, ye ne«
cessity of a Bishop will plainly appear.

Yours, Sec. &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 frequent^

* New- York, MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 8]. 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 //<//^arwe(/, 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. Muiison'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.

Ho 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-(old, 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 CHUECH OF RYE. 153

COLONEL HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY.

Manor of Scarsdale, Nov. 9lh, 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 ai^y 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 I shall not only endeavour to give them
satisfaction as to'any thing they shall desire of me ; biU 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. Dellins 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, the 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 g;vernment, 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 IVlr. Thom-
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 meeti'jgs 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 thiscounty, is only by informaii')n 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 t^l^ly 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. P^'or 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 OP RYE. 155

The people of Westcliester were very angry with me because
I was for having this connty divided into three parishes, and
every minister to have 701 ; instead of BOL, and I had brought the
county, except that place, to a willingness to have it so, as I
formerly acquainted you ; and had they permitted 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 50Z., 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 Eastchestor, 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 j)arish were allot-
ted 120Z. ; and there arc two places more, which, both together,
are one third part az big as Rye parish, which are now in nei-
ther of them. And now I aui 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 dueen would be at the charge of maintaining aSuf-

156 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

fragan Bishop in 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. Muirson did 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 — tfiat
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

[I AND CHURCH OF RYE. 157

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, 1 am, and
have been pretiy 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 ordaiiied ; 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 prev(nit 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 belter than
the Papist ; and they fail not to improve every little thing against
us ; but I bless God lor it, the Society have robbed them of their
best argument, which was the ill lives of our clergy that came
into tiiese parts ; and the truth is. I liave 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

i/."!'k.4

158 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

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, whe.'-ein, 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 1
dare aver, that there is not a much greater necessity of having
the christian religion in its true light preached anywhere than
amongst them. IMany, 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, jMr. 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 Bowers, 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 1 believe 20 of them had never received the
communion, nor half uf 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 CHURCH OF RYE. 159

all}' expected t'rom me ; is to know my opinion of tlie 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 yon my thoughts in what way this great work
may best be endeavoured at, so as it may be done wiih little ex-
pense. I believe, for the first step, the most proper way would
be, that one uf the ministe»"s 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 of 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 shall be much better able to g^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. Muirson, 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 arovernment undeceived in their notions concernina: our
church ; there being, I believe, fifteen thousand m that colony

160 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

who nave never heard, nor scarce seen a church of England
minister; and I have the charity to beheve, 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 beino-
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 you, 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 tho
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. As 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 EYE. 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
H 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. Bondet,
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

162 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

thirty pounds a year settled on liim out of the pubUc revenue
here, as the Frencli minister in Yorlc 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 Fitigland 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. 163

allowance in England. And if effectual care could be taken that
30/. is paid hitn, \5l. 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 has
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 wliole 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 HISTOKY 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 footina: amon?
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, (fee, &.c.

Caleb Heathcote." »

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 FRO^L GOYER>TOIJR CORNBURY TO BUILD A
CHURCH IN RYE.

" By His Ex'cy, Edward "Viscount Combury, 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 ihs 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 the publick 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,, toI. i, 29,

AND CHURCH OF RYE. 165

Keigne of our Sovereign Lady Anne, by the grace of God of England, Scotland
France, and Ireland, aueen. Defender of the faith, &c., Anno Dom. 1705-6.

CORNBURY.

By his Excellency's Command,

Geoege 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. Miiirson paid the masons, whose work amounted to about
JC40." (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. Muirsori having been requested to
baptize several families in Connecticut, obtained the following
Jicense from the Governour for that purpose ; —

A LICENSE TO.REV. GEORGE MUIRSON TO BAPTIZE IN CON-
NECTICUT.

" By his Excellency Edw., "Viscount Cornbury, &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 Geo. 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 ray hand at Fort Anne, in New- York, this 4th day of ApriH,
(1706.)" <•

Of his own parish Mr. Muirson again reports : —

• Albany deed book, i. 101. Sec. office.

* Doc. Hist. New- York, vol. iii, 936.

166 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

MR. MUIRSON TO THE SECRETARY.

Rye, May 22d, 17 06.
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 Independeuts; 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 unbaptizsd, 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 1 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
])Oor, 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 1 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. Heathcoteis 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/ A, 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, M33. from Archives at Fulham. vol. i. 130. (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,i:eens 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 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 that
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. IBondet to the Society as a worthy object to their
favour, he having always been very firm and zealous for the
Chiu-ch, 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 Cliarch in this Parish. We are in dayly expecta-
tion of the mast fleet, by whose return you shall, God willingi
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." *

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 1 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 OF 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.^ 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

• 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 soma 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 EYE. 171

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
your commands. 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 HonDurable 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." ^

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 RYE. 173

conveniency do it ; that to enable him to maintain liis family
during his absence, I would pass my word that he should be en-
titled to the usual missionary's allowance of 50Z. 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 incase 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 hnii 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 \\"un. to be an extraordinary
good man, and one that hath doue very gxeat 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
givingcredit 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'.)
"• Hawkins Hist. Notices, 279.

AND CHURCH OF RYE, 175

MR. MUIRSON TO THE SECRETARY.

[extract.]

Much Honor'd Sir,

" I received yonr'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 imderstand 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 c€ 12 since I've been their minister.
Its true I 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 sufler. 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
cons-ider 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'^^e 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 tlieir 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, btit 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 AUnighty 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 v^ery humble servant,

George Muirson."'^
Rye, 4th April, 1707.

COL. HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY.

Manor of Scnrsdale, 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 resp mses ; 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 tlie 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 appomt 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'.)

178 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

Col Lewis Morris, in a letter to the Secretary of the Yen. 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.''^

The following extract is taken from Col. Heathcote's letter
to the^Secretary, dated :

Manor of Scarsdale, ISth 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.''^

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'.)
[ k New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol, i. 168, 169. (Hawks'.)

AND CHURCH OF EYE. 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.J

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 Q,ueen 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 TOTHE 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 ISZ., 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
houseof 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 oi 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 wher. 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 niem-
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 ray peril, from preaching ; telling me that 1 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 maybe 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 sand us a head to bless and protect
the whole.

Honored sir, your most assured friend and very humble ser-
vant,

Geo. MuiRSON.a
%e, 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, 170S, 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 : —

Manoiir of St. Georg's, Jane 20th, 1707.

"Then sister Gloriana 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,'' 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.

•> Catherine Muirson was born at Brookhaven, June 8th, 1712, 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 2lst, 1G90.
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 alt 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 scale, 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,
says : — " I must in the jfirst 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."*

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 plrce, 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.''^

The following memorial in behalf of Mrs. Muirson and Mrs.
Urquhart, was addressed by the ^'^ New- York Missionaries to
the Bishop of London ;" —

TO THE RIGHT REV. AND RIGHT HONORABLE,
HENRY, LORD BISHOP OF LONDON.

New- York, Nov. 2iih, 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, IGO. (Hawks'.)

188 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

cred relation of paternity, as well as those of Christian charity
to the indigent, to make this representation to yonr 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 left to
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, (fcc, &-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 Queeji^s Forces. C. Bridge, de Rye.
Samuel Myles, Henry Harris, de Boston.''^^

Mr. Muirson was succeeded in October, l709, 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 30ih, 1709.

Sir,

" 1 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, toI. i. p. 311. 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 duty 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,^ and was born near
Tillington, m 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,)c and in 1692 took the degree of Batchelor of Arts.**
After obtaining holy orders, he was appointed assistant minis-

« New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 208, 209. (Hawks'.)

•> The Bridge's have been seated for many ages in the Counties of Hereford, Els-
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, filius Robert Bridge, Clerici, natus infra Tillington in
Comilatu Esseneae, Uteris institutus in Civitate Cestrensi sub Mro. Hancock,
EEtatis suae 17 admissusut subsizator pro Mro. Stillingfleet, Tutor et fidejussore,
•jus Mro. Wigley, Junii, 4to. 1G89."

* See lists of Cambridge Graduates.

AND CHURCH OF RYE. 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."*

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,

102 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

EEV. CHRISTOPHER BRIDGE'S COMAIISSION, 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 leastday 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 fleast 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 efTect. And the said Society doth hereby
heartily recommend ye said Christopher Bridge to the protection and blessing of
Almighty God, the countenance and ffavour 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, dueen. 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 Scar sd ale, \5ih 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. 1 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 £2(J0. 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.,

Caleb HEATHCOTE."a

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.'"'

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 Provincite Novi Eboraci, nee non Novte Casariae in
America Strategus & Imperator ejusdemq: Vice Admiralis &,c.

• New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 210. (Hawks'.)
•• New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 216, 217. (Hawks'.)

194 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

Universis et Singulis Rectoribz Vicar : et Capellar : Curat : Clericis et Min-
istris qulbuscumq in et per totam Provinciam ubilibet Constilutis ac etiam.

Ecclesiae Parochialis de Rye infra Provinciam Novi Eboraci prsedict, pro hoc
tempore jEdilibus salutem.

Cum Dilectum in Christo Christopherum Bridge Clericum ad Rectoriam sive
Ecclesiam Parochialem Predict. Parochiae de Rye in diet. Provincie Novi
Eboraci in America jam vacantem prysentatum Rectorem Ejusdem Rectoriae
sive EcclesifB parochialis in et de Eadam Institutus, Vobis Conjunctim et divisim
Committo et fermiter Injungo Mando, Gluatenus eundem Christopherum Bridge
Cleric, sive procuratorem suum legitimum ejus nomine etpro eo in Realem Ac-
tualem et Corporalem possessionem ipsius Rectoriae sive Ecclesice parochialis de
Rye praedict. Glaebarum, Jurumq : et pertinentium suorum universor. Confe-
ratis Inducatis, Inducive faciatis: et Defendatis Inductum, Et quid in Premissis
fecerilis 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.
Provincias Novi Eboraci Decimo Septimo die Octobris Anno Salutis Millesimo
Septingentesimo Decimo.

ROB. HUNTER.

By His Excellency's command, i

H. WILEMAN, Dcp. 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, Corcl'r, 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 CHTJRCn OP 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, 20ih 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 1 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, <fcc. 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 v/ere at a low estimation, worth
X150; my clothes and other necessarys worth 50 or £60; with
them was the box of small books [ 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 Q,uakers, 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, &,c.,

Christopher Bridge."^

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 \Uh, 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, and a hinderer 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'.)

108 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

him my mind, but desired to see my accusers or accusations,
which aitho' 1 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."*

Upon the I2th 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."''

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 - - - 10

for the Clerk - - - 10

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 Fulhara. vol. i. p- 359. (Hawks'.)
•> New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 34G. (Hawks'.)

y 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 U 6

Bedford - - - - - 5 5 " «■

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, nn.

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

» Charch 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 forebore 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 aifairs 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." ^
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 be 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.'^

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.''

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 1 return my humble thanks for this their benevolence,
sol 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-
loweih : — 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.

^ These were, probably the Kei^hians or followers of the famous Geo. Keith, a
party which seperated from the duakers of Philadelphia, in 1691. Their leader
deserted them and took orders in the Episcopal Church. They were also called
Quaker Baptists, bec.iuse they retained the language, dress, and manner of the
Q,uakers." — Bucks Theol. Diet.

202 HISTORY OP THE PARISH

in their service, and that I can but barely support 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 professthemselvesof 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 Gates
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. 'I'he 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 RYK 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."*

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.''

To the Rev. Mr. Christopher Bridge.

Minister of Rye, in ye County of

Westchester."

• New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 369, 372. (Hawks'.)
b 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 OP 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 1 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.''^

We shall now conclude Mr. Bridge's reports with the follow-
ing extract from the letter books of the Venerable Society : —

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 Q,uakers, 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."*

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.''^

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. 16.

(

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 OP CHRISTOPHER BRIDGE, CLERK.

" Ik the name of 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 his 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 of 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-
sicrnees for ever. Another third part to my children, by even and equal portions,
sh^'are 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 [loving wife,
Elizabeth Bridge, whole and sole executri.'c, 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,
arisin- 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. Li 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, ; \ Caleb Hyatt,

DavidOgden, \ I Henry 1; owler,

Robert Bloomer, } Vestrymen. \ John Disbrow.

John Brundige, \ (

» Record of Wills, Surrogates office, New- York, vol. ix. 72, 73.

AND CHaRCH OF RYE. 209

First : They examined the accounts then produced, and there

was

found due to Maddm. Bridge, - - - -^2
and for Mr. Bridge's salary, - - _ . ]G (I

£1S
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."a

Mr. Cleator, schoolmaster at Rye, in his report to the Secre-
tary for J 719, 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."i5

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,
" I 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. 16.

^ Printed Abstracts of Ven Prop. Soc.

Bartow,

Thomas,

Poyer,

McKenzie,

Jeniiey,

Vesey,

210 HISTORY OF 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,

'= 16th of "

" 13th of September.

" 30ih of August,

" 27th of September.

" 11th of October,

" 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 RYE. 211

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." ^

On the 16th of January, 1720-1, it was agreed by the vestry
of the 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
ofRye,"&c.b

In 1720-1, the Rev. Thomas Poyer^ 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. Foyer 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
Foreia:n Parts do allow it."^

'S'

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, wlio I'ell in the de-
fence of Pembroke Castle, in the time of Oliver Cromwell, and was the successor
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."

* 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. »

MR. POYER TO THE SECRETARY.

Jamaica, Feb. Wth, 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. Buckiughami 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 whicli 1 find they have resolved to call me ; had I known
of this ship in those parts, I would have got the Churchwardens
and Yestry 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,

* 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 beheve 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, where 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. 1 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
fiock, 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 duly 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. L, 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 unnest him, and discourage him in
his undertaking. The people there are very poor, and incapa-
ble to maintain two diifering ministers, had ihey a churchman
to perform divine service, and preach every Lords day, their
dissenter must of necessity give way and be gone."*

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.^ 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, (fcc, &.c."c The same year
the Society gave Mr. Barclay £10 in consideration of the hard
circumstances he lieth under. **

At a meeting of the Churchwardens and Vestrymen, of this
parish, June the 4th. Anno Domini 1722, the following call was
given, in accordance with the act of 1693 : —

"Whereas, by the death of our late Incumbent, the Rev.
Mr. Christopher Bridge, this Parish is become vacant, we there-
fore, the Church-wardens of the said parish, pursuant to ye
tenour and intent, 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, West-
chester and Queens county, do call the Reverend Mr. Robert
Jenney, to officiate and have the care of souls within this parish
of Rye, aforesaid. And the said Mr. Robert Jenney, personally

» New-York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 577. (Hawks'.)

^ Printed Rep. of Ven. Prop. Society.

<= New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 579. (Hawks'.)

•> Printed Rep. of Ven. Prop. Society. " The Rev. Henry Barclay was father
of the late Thomas Barclay, Consul General of his Brittanic Majesty, in the U. S.
so well known and so highly esteemed by thousands among us, and whose place
as British Cons' 1, is at this moment so worthily filled by Mr. Anthony Barclay,
one of his sons."

AND CHURCH OF R"i:E. 215

came before this board and informed them, he was ready to ex-
ecute the functions he was called unto, when he should be in-
ducted into the same. Whereupon it is ordered, that this board
do forthwith present the said Robert Jeimey, and pray his Ex-
cellency, for his induction into ye Church of the said Parish,
with all and singular the rights, privileges and appurtenances
to the same belonging, or in any ways appertaining. By order
of the Churchwardens and Vestrymen.

John Carhartt, Clerk^^

The following letters were also addressed to the Governor, the
Venerable Society, and the Bishop of London :—

TO THE GOVERNOUR.

June ^th, 1722.

May it please your Excellency,

We, the Churchwardens and Vestrymen of the Parish of Rye,
being informed by the Rev. Mr. Jenney, that your Excellency
has consented to his design of complying with our desire, to
settle among us, and has given him leave to divide his time be-
tween his duty of the garrison and this parish, till such time as
his confirmation can be obtained from the Venerable Society, do
take the liberty to present to your Excellency, our hearty thanks
for thiscondescention in our favour, humbly praying your Excel-
lency, to grant induction to the said Mr. Jenney, into ye said par-
ish of Rye, when, according to law, we have called thereto, as
will appear to your Excellency, by ye enclosed. :.We are with all
duty and submission— May it please your Excelleiicy, your Ex-
cellency's most dutyful and most obedient humble servants.

[Signed by order.]

John Carhartt, Clerk:'^

^ Church Records, p. 20.
*> Ibid.

216 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

TO THE HONOURABLE SOCIETY.

Jime ith, 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 Hb-
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 yonr 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-
selveSj

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.'"'

The Society were pleased to confirm the call of the Vestry, on
the 30th of August, 1722, by appointmg the

» Church Records, p. 21.
^ Church Records, p. 22.

218 HISTORY OF 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 Jen-
ney, of Wanney Town,^ in the North of Ireland, (Archdeacon of
Armagh.) descended of the Jenney's, formerly of Knoddis Hall
in Sutiblk county, England. i^ He was born in the county of
Armagh, A. D, 1GS8, 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

* See America Dissected, in Updike's History of the Narraganset Ciuirch, p.495.
'' Tliis 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. From 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 I5th 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, of^the Commo-
ners, vol. iii. 446.

* The following extract is taken from the Matriculation Book of Trinity Col-
lege, Dublin. " October 13, — 1704, Robertus Jenney, Pentionarius filius Hen. T.
D. Aun age Ifi— 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. T., in viitueof
Governour Burnet's mandate, bearing date, June the 7th, 1722,
of which the following is a copy: —

INDUCTION OF THE REV. ROBERT JENNEY.

" Gulielmus Burnet armiger Provincice, Novi Eboraci, nee non
Novae Cissarias in America, Strategus et Imperator Ejusdemq
Vice Admiralis &c.
Universis et singulis Clericis et ministris Ecclesias Anglicanae (iuibutcumque
in et per totani prorinciam Novi Eboraci ubilibet constitutis sive ^dilibus Eccle-
siae parochialis de Rye infra provinciam Novi Eboraci preedict pro lioc tempore '
Salutera.

Cum Dilectum in Christo Robertum Jenney, Clericum ad Rectoriam sive Ec-
clesiam parocliialem prEedict parochise de Rye, in dicta provincia Novi Eboraci
in America, jam vacantera ipsumque procsentatum Rectorem Ejusdem Rectoriae
sive EcclesicB parochialis in et de eadem inslitutus, vobis conjunclim et devisira
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 Ecclesice parochialis de
Rye prEedicto Glcebarum Juriumque et pertinentium suorum universorum confe-
ratis inducatis inducive facialis et Inductum Defendatis et quid in prtemissis
feceritis seu ant alium judicem in hac parte competentem quemcumque debite
(cum ad id congrue fueritis requisiti) certificetis, seu sic certificet ille vestrum
qui praesens hoc meum mandatum fuerit executus. Datum sub sigillo praeroga-
tivo dietae provincite Novi Eboraci Septimodie Junii, Anno Salutis, MDCCXXII.

GULIELMUS BURNET.^

By his Excellency's command,

Jas. Ro«in, Dep. Sec." ,

At an adjourned meeting of the vestry, held June tire 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 of^the vestry 1 0.

Mamaroneck, 7 13 3. To ye Drummer 1 0,

Scarsdale, 3 6 0. 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. I5th, 1722,

Dear Sir,

" I had the honour of yours, dated August 30th, which brought
me an account that the Venerable Society has accepted nie 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 New 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 ail 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 for 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 CHUPXH. OP 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, \vhich 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 laud are
wholly out offence. 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 1 have thought my-
self obliged (o 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 obhge 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 1 have seldom less than 100. At the
sacrament of the Lord's supper, 1 iiad 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
mhid, only their worldly interest, so that I have a large field to
work in, and much business before me, which I shall .-^pare no
pains to undergo, and J 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
])rayer 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 OP RYE. 223

The mandamus referred to in the above letter, must have been
granted soon after, as 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, 1 721. "a

At a subsequent meeting, in compliance with the command
of the mandamus, it was agreed to raise the sum of sixty
pounds, <fec.

" Which sum above mentioned, viz, ye £60

With ye collecting thereof 3 3 6

• 63 3 6

Was quoted as follows :

Rye, £37

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 or 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.
>> 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 R,ye, in ye Prov-
ince of New- York : —

Maij it please your Excellency :
Whereas, there is a parcel of Land in this town, which for many years has been
in the possession ofthe 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. BORNET.""

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. Nev/ Jersey and Territories thereon depending in America, and
Vice Admiral of the same :

To Cadwallader Golden, 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 {)ossessed and enjoyed by the minister of the said church, notice
being 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-
isterial!, 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, 17-22, 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 Deput)-s, 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 Kniffen, and runs thence south seventy-four decrees'
th.rty 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, westtweu'
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 Tovvn or Parsona-e house
stands, beginning at a heap of stones near the s. id house, and runs then'ce north
ninedegrees, forty-five minutes, east three chains, thence north twelve de<^rees
west four chains, fifty links, to stones near Peter Brown's house thence %outh
eight3^seven degrees, west four chains, ,0 a maple by blind brook, thence alon<^
the said brook, south eighty degrees, east fi.e chains, fifty links, and south seven"
teen degrees, west one chain, fifty-four links, and thence from the brook ""south
eighty-si.x- degrees, east four chains, twenty links, to the stones where we ' be^an
containing two acres, three roods and thirty-six poles

Given under my hand, the Uth day of September, in the ninth year of his
Majestie's Reign, Anno Dom., 1722. ^

CADWALLADER GOLDEN, Sur. Gen.

MR. JENNEY TO THE SECRETARY.

%e, lull/ 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 generallv
above 300, as near as I can guess; my conmiunicants are but
tew, but I am in hopes in a short time to have more. We have a
new settlement amongst us m 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 dua-
kers than any other sect. I have been am-.ngst them with -ood
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

226 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

for stupid ignorance in point of religion, is almost general among
usj 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,^- of
this place, of a piece of land containing about 50 square rods, ly-
ing before the front of the parsonage liouse, wliich 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. 1 beg you will please
to assure them that I am llieir faithful missionary.

1 am Sir, &.c.,

Robert Jknney."''

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
wliich, excepting Rye, being too great distance from the church,
constantly to attend it, lie 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 20, 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 1C77.
b 2^ew-York MSS. from Archives at Fulhara, vol. i. 607, G08. (Hawks'.)

AND CHURCH OF 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 1721, it was decided by a majority of votes, that a drum be
provided for ye church this year.''"^

REV. ROBERT JENNEY'S ANSWERS TO THE QUERIES OP THE
BISHOP OP LONDON.

[queries to be answered by every minister.]

At Rye, in the province of New- York,
July \%lh, 1724.

Q,. How long is it since you went over to the plantations as a missionary 1

A. Please your Lordship, it is tea 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, 1714.

Cl. 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 %

A. I 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 P»,ev.
Mr. Evans, of Philadelphia, afterwards to the Rev. Mr. Vesey, of New- York ;
from 1717, to 17-22, 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.

Gl. 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 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.
^ Church Records, p. 29.

228 HISTORY OF THE PAEISH

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, 1714.

Gl. 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., 112-2, by
virtue of his Excellency our Governour's mandate, bearing date the 7th of June,
1722.
Gl. Are you ordinarily resident in the parish to which you have been inducted"?
A . I am constantly resident in the town of Rye.
Q,. Ot what extent is your parish, and how many families in it 1
A. My parish contains three townships, a manor and two dl^stinct 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 arc
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.

Gl. 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.

Q,. How often is the sacrament of the Lord's supper administered; and what
proportion of the parishioners attend it "?

A. I administer the sacrament of the Lords 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.
Gl. At what time do you catechise the youth of your parish?
A. Neither can the Schoolmaster persuade the people to sen-1 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.

Gl. Are all things duly disposed and provided in the Church, for the decent and
orderly performance of di ine service 1

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 mt £'id 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 X30 and a half, sterling,
so that my whole salary is about £30 6 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.

CI. 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
oi 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 T 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 wliose 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.

d. Have you more cures than one, if you have, wliat are they, and in what
manner served 1

A. My parish is so large that lam 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 Mamaroneck, for that place and Scarsdale and Foxes mead-
ows, about three miles off; and four times at the While Plains, about four miles,
the remainmg Sundays here at Rye.

GL. Have you in your Parish any public school for the instruction of youth, if
you have, is it endowed, and who is the master '?

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.

Gi. 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 1

230 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

A. I found here a library of ^elO 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.»

'^7 "^lU^/Z^

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.''^^

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, £31 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, 172(3 — 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, lo 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." '^

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. GlO-ll. (Hawks'.")

'' Rye Vestry Book.

« Church Records, p. 32.

AND CHURCH OP RYE. 231

of 75, Jaiiiiary 5th, 1762, having lost his wife in tlie former
place, December 25th, 1738, aged G4.a "The Rev. Robert Jeri-
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 qf
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. ^ 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 perplexed state of his congregation. He was a man of
strict lionesty, one that hated dissimulation and a lie ; exem-
plary in his life and morals, and a most zealous member of our
Episcopal Church."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 :

ROBERTUS JENNEY, LL. D.,

* * * Col. S. S. Trinitat, Dublin studiut alummis

obiit die V Mensis Januar, Anno Salut, MDCCLXII.

^t. LXXV. Age Lector.

Parce Religionis, honestee veritatis, benevolent issime Exemplum rulis
Hunc Christians Fidei vindicem, Pribitatis Cultorem Benevolentia studia,

Respice, sequere, initare, Juxta Hoc etiam

mtemor, sepulta jacet

Joanna Elizabetha precedicti Roberti Jenney, conjuEe

Gluse six sanlim modo dies post mariti sepuliuram

obiit, anno cetatis sure LXIV.^

The following notices appeared in the Pennsylvania Gazette,
for January I4th, 1762: "On Tuesday, the 5th inst., died, in

» Thompson's Hist, of L. I., Vol. ii. p. 31.
^ 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 survivt;d 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 THR REV. MR. DAVID h\jMPHREYS, 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 rniniste.'-, the Rev. Mr. Jenney, wliose re-
moval lays us under the necessity to obtain another as soon as
possible, to be actually resident among lis : 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, C/er/^."'"-

The call to the Rev. James Wetmore was as follows : —

"Whereas, by the removal of our late incumbent, the Rev.
Mr. Robert Jonney, (to the parish of Hempstead,) this parish is
become vacant :

We therefore, ihe 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 Nev/-York, County of
Richmond, Westchester, and Q,ueens 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 appertauiing.

Given under our hands and seals, this seventh day of June,
Anno Dom. 1726.

Samuel Purdy, [S] )

r> r, ton V Churchwardens.

Benjamin Brown. [SJ )

John Brundige, [SJ "

Joseph Sherwood, [SJ

Daniel Purdy. [S] y VcstrymenJ'

Jonathan Haight, [S]

William WiLLETT." [S] ^

Rye vestry book.
Ibid.

2.'A HISTORY OF THE PARISH

In the mean time, the Society had appointed the Rev. Thom-
as Colgan,!^ as missionary to Rye. Upon which the Vestry ad-
dressed the following letter to the Secretary : —

Rev. Sir,

"We, tlie 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 horn 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 ns, and we hope do much service for reli-
gion, bnt 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, ClerL"^

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 Stov/,b
and grandson of Thomas Wetmore, (a native of Wales) one of
the first settlers of Middletown, Connecticut,^ where he was born
on the 25th of December, IGOS.'^ 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,
I7I4, 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
folio wmg, 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 born March 8th, 1G5G-7.— Rec. of Marriages and

Deaths in Clerk's office, Middletown.

<= Statistical account of the County of Middlesex, by David D. Field.

i Rcc 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 1635, a Lawrence
Whitmore, husbandman, aged 63, and his wife Elizabeth, aged 57, were passen-
gers in the ship Hopewell, to Boston.— Mass. Hist. Coll.

236 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

his religious sentiments, and m September, 1721, declared for
Episcopacy.^

In consequence of this change of opiaion,>^ he immediately
took a dismission from his then pastoral relation, ° and in 1T23
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 caiechist 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 cliief 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.

*> Air. 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 1723 : —

" 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 aifections, and to his Prayer Book. That Book became 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—

= 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. GOl. (Hawks'.)

AND CHURCH OF RYE. 237

111 1726, 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 liad 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 ia the divine origin and perpetual obligation of Episcopacy. These
ware 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 ia the ministry of the Congregationalists — all more or
less directly through the influeace 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,
where he was graduated in 17-24. After having been a Congregational minister at
Groton, now Poquetanock, for several years, he declared for Episcopac)' in 1728,
and becoming a Missionary of the Society already named, was stationed in New
LonJon. 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, 17.'l-i, Jonathan Arnold, Johnson's
successor in the. Congregational Parish at West Haven, came into the Church,
and having received orders, was stationed by the same Society as a Mi-ssionary
at West Haven and vicinity. Richard Miner graduated at Yale, 1726 — for
many years Johnson's neighbor, as Congregational mini.ster 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
1723, 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 sub.se
quently at West Haven and vicinity. He was instrumental in founding Trinity
Parish, New Haven, more than twenty years after the beginning of the Pari-sh
at West Haven, and organized ten other Parishes in this Diocese. Solomon

238 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

ters of induction froi;n 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 removiug did
not proceed from any dislike, but purely because he conceived

Palmer, a native of Branford, 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 v/as also stationed in Connecticut. Henry Caner, of New Haven, gradua-
ted at Yale in 1724: and his brother Richard, graduated at the same place in
1734, though born of Congregational parents, entered the ministry of the Church,
and became Missionaries of the same Society, one in Ma.ssachutetts and the
other in Connecticut. — Isaac Browne, graduated at Yale, in 1729, the brothi?r 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 ; IchaboJ 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 Watkins, graduated in 1737, went to
New- York. Besides these, Barzillai Dean, graduated in 1737; Jonathan Cotton,
graduated 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 encouuter 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 CHUECH 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 REV.
MR. JAMES WETMORE TO THE RECTORY OF THE PARISH
CHURCH OF RYE.

uLiEiiMus Burnet armiger ProvinciseNovl Eboraci, nee non Novoe Ceesarise
in America strategus et Imperator ejusdemque Vice Admiralis, &c. Universis
et singulis Clericis et Ministris EcclesisE Anglica.ias qaibiiscumque in et per to-
tam Provinciam Novi Eboraci ubilibet ConstitutissedelibusEccIesigs Parochialis
de Rye infra Provinciam Novi Eboraci prsedict pro hoe tempore salutem. Cum
dilectum in Christo Jacobum Wetmore CJerlcum ad Rectoriam sive Ecclesiam Pa-
rochialem Praedict Parochias de Rye in diet. Provincia? Novi Eboraci in America
jam vacantem proasentatum Rectorem ejusdem Rectoriis sive Ecclesiag parochialis
in et de Eadem institutus, Vobis Conjunctim et divisim Committo et firmiter Injun-
gengo Mando, duatenus 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 Ogilvie, 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." — E.xtract 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. MS3.
from Archives at Fulham, p. 73. (Hawks'.)

240 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

sessionem ipsius Rectorise sive EcclesiEe parochialis de Rye praedict glebarium,
juriumque : et pertinentium suorum universorum. Conferatis Inducatis, InJu-
cive facialis : et defendatis Inductum, Et quid in praemissis feceritis me aut ali-
um Judicem in hac parte competentem quemcumque debite (cum ad id congrue
I'aeritis requisiti) certificetis sen sic certificet ille vestri;m qui prassens hoc man-
datum fuerit Executus. Datum sub sigillo prterogativo dictse Provincice Novi
Eboraci— die Junii anno salutis MDCCXXVI.

W. BURNET.
By his Excellency's command,

Jas. Robin, Dep. Secretary."

' At au adjourned meeting of the Vestry, held January 24thj
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

Collecting money

£50

Quoted as follows :

Rye
Bedford
Mamaroneck
Scarsdale
North Castle

£67

17 6

11 6

£71

£35

£71 9

Upon the 25th of April, 1727, the Vestry addressed the fol-
lowing letter to the Secretary of the Venerable Society : — j

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 tliose 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 horn 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.

242 HISTORY OP THE PARISH

MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY.

Rye, May llth, 1727.

Rev. Sir,
" I received yours of December 30th, wherein yon 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
amona 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 \Vhen 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 bothPar-
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 farther knowledge of
the virtue and necessity of the mstitution. 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 1 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 OP RYE. 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,

Jame.s Wetmore."*

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 3.5 children, one of which is a ne^-ro
and has had three more communicants ; that he is preparino- 5 or
6 for baptism, 2 of which are negroes, and that his congreo-a-
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.

Bi/e, February/ 20ih, 1727-S.
Rev. Sir.

"Yours of June Ifith, came not to hand, till the 14th of Novem-
ber. I have since used my utmost diligence to prepare myself to

• New- York MSS. frorn Archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 67G-7. (Hawks'.)

* Church Records, p. 40.

244 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

answer the queries contained therein, which is something difficult,
considering the large extent of my Parish, in which is but one
Church, viz : the Town of Rye, built by a license from Lord
Cornbnry, Governour. of New York, in the year 1706, the mate-
rials of which are rough stone, from the foundation to the roofj
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 w^ork ; 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 byilt 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 belter condition 5
upon which they chose trustees, to repair it according to an act
of Assembly of the Province, empowering trustees so chosen to
repan- public buildings. These trustees made a tax of £100,
and immediately provided tor 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 OB^ RYE. 245

from some of the Presbyterian party, instigated by a very troub-
lesome t'ellow, one John Walton, who set up for a Teacher among
them, before my being appointed here, from whom 1 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 Q,ueen Anne, of blessed memory, with a
Chalice and Paten ; we have a folio Bible 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 £31 sterling, settled by an Act of
Assembly upon an orthodox minister, called by the Vestry, and
niducted 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 widi the glebe, by the minister of the Church, but
the Presbyterian party threatening to give trouble about it in

246 HISTORY OF 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 nurr|ber 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. 2-17

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 prndencS
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. 1 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 convel'sation, 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 Churchj
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 OF 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 chielly settled by people of no religion at all, very ig-
norant and barbarous, being descendants of th^ 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 disgust.

AND CHURCH OF 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,
drevvT 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 ilien 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, neitlier. There are some of this sort
at North Castle, about ten families of the Church, and the rest
Q,uakers ; 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,
don't 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 this 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 beenlblind 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; tliose 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
they give me encouragement that they will send them to 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."®

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, that 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. 68.3, 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 difTicult, 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 attendmg that Institution, in one of those families
there are eleven cliiidren, 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."!!

In 1728, the Society appointed Mr, 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.''^

This year Mr. Wetmore again addressed the Secretary.

MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRF/fARY.

, Rye, July Z\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

• New- York M3S. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. p. 11, 1-3. (Hawks'.)

* Church Records, p. 46.

AND CHURCH OP RYE. 253

the White Plains, who commenced an action against the officer
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 m-
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 then; are all Quakers, and I have thought
if we had a good school masier 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., (fcc,

James Wetmore."*

' New- York MSS, from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. p. 22. (Hawks'.)

254 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

la 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 cliecking the growth of Quakerism.

MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY.

Rije, New- York, December 21 st, 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 Q,uakers, 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, £

AND CHURCn OP 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 Q,uaker, 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-''^-

In the following year Mr. Wetmore reports to the Secretary :

MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY.

Rye, May 15 th, 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 MSS. from Archives at Pulhatn, vol. ii. p. 41, 42. (Hawks'.)

256 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

and industry in the discharge of my function, that I might have
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 tliem, 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
endeavour 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 m 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. Mr.
D wight 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. Dwight'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 OP 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 shillino-s
towards it, and some of my parishioners have subscribed about
forty shilhngs more, but the whole charge will be about £10,
which considering the circumstances of my family, is something
too heavy upon me ; for as tlie 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 tliankfully 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 Fulham, vol. ii, 43, 45. (Hawks'.)

258 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

is in a flourishing condition ; that last year lie 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 sufl'ragan 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 advantao-e
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 OP 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 npon 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
imiformity, 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.

1 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 Lordsiiip,
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, (fee,

James Wetmore.''^

' 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. I3lh, 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-
agnig Mr. Dwight's school, which letter 1 have communicated
to Mr. Dwight, and he has discoursed the people upon it, and T
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 thmks 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. 2GI

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 thingsat 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 wbich we
have begun subscriptions. I have bought a bell^ 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
IGth, 17.32, when it was resolved " to raise £l for a Bell Ringer and sweeping the
Church."— See Church Records, p. 57.

262 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

have subscribed thirty shillings besides to the people ; Mr. Clea-
tor has also, upon his death bed, given half his last years salaiy
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."^

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 calhng 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, New- 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

» 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-
rons 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 popr 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
thegreatextent 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, thai the Honourable Society, if they
think fit, would appoint Mr. Dwight, Catechist for the Paridi 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
Gtuakers, 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'.)

264 HISTORY OP THE PARISH

The Society appears to have acted immediately upon the re-
commendation of Mr. Wetmore, by appointing Mr. Samuel Pur-
dy, schoolmaster at Rye, with a salary of £15 sterling per an-
num.

Notwithstanding his arduous duties at home, it seems that
Mr. Wetmore, lilve his predecessors, occasionally extended his
missionary labors into Connecticut.

MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY.

[extract.]

Rye, June 24.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. 205

Church of England, and the divine right of Presbyterian ordi-
nation and government. There is now dispersing in tliis 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 ihe
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."*

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, vul. ii, p. 74, 75. (Hawks'.)

266 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 Noi"
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 spu'it 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. Purdy is in his school at Rye ; is very diMgent and ac-
ceptable to the people.''^

MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY.

[extract.]

Rye^ July \st^ 1733.
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."i>

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 Falhain, vol. ii. p. 90, 92. (Hawks'.)
»> New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. p. 117, 1 18. (Hawks'.)

26S HISTORY OF THE PARISH

1736, " 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 hatli
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.

»> 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 Parochialis,
his number of communicants is fifty, and he had baptized from
the 3d day of May, 1739, one hundred and eleven children, of
whom, five were negroes, and sevten 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 1 hope the measures
1 use to establish and strengthen my people in the faith of Chris-
tianity, according to the doctrines of the Church of England,

' Primed Abstracts of the Vea. Prop. Soc, from 1740 to 1741.

270 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

will, by God's blessing, prevent this 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 Parochialis, and beg leave to pre-
sent my humble duty to the Venerable Board, and subscribe,

Rev. Sir, your most obedient,

humble servant,

James Wetmore.''^-

According to Mr. Wetmore's Notitia Parochialis, (for 1741,)
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 distractionists," who were probably associated with
Mr. Whitefield in his labours : —

MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY.

[extract.]

Rye, March 2oth, 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 un?ettled 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-

» New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 124, 125. (Hawks'.)

AND CHURCH OF RYE 271

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 Aiir
pretences, but we have some again made more zealous in attend,
ing the Church, and I hope are more settled in their principles."*

MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY.

[extract.]
Province of New- York, i?ye, Sept. 29th, 1743.

Rev. Sir,

"As to the state of my Parish, nothing very remarkable has
happened since my last, but I find ray care and labours in.
creased, by having two Independent Methodist teachers settled
by that party ""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- M8. (Hawks.)

272 - HISTORY OF THE PARISH

six months past, and our church was never so full as this sum-
mer, insomuch that we find 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 anjong them.''^

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. /., 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. ^^ 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'.)
»■ New-York, MSS. from Archives at Fulhara. (Hawks'.) In 1743, Mr. Colgaa
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 pnbHshed a work " on the Nature and
Necessity of Regeneration, with remarks on "Dr. Waterlnnd'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 Neiv-York. Rye^ Dec. 13th, 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 Ptidgefield 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
efi'ected, as they live so remote from the Parish Church at Rye,
that they seldom or ever go to church except once in two

274 HISTORY OF THE PAEISH

months, which is the proportion I 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 Cliurch, 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. Wetraore, 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 fimction 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. Dwight, 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 (he true sound principles of
Christianity, and to those of Ridgefield, adjoining to them,
where a church is already built ; and the inhabitants of those
towns earnestly petitionuig 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 mmister 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 snfferinss
and n-^cessities, 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 New- York,
and went from thence to enter upon the duties of his mis-
sion. ''»

Under date of March 25tli, 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. 1 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."^

The following extract shows that the flames kindled in

» Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Society.

k New-York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. p. 155. (Hawks'.)
This year Colonel Robinson, one of the wardens of Trinity Chyrch, 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, ia
Westchester County.

276 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

1722, by Johnson, Cutler, Wetmore 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 just notionsof religion and beget in them
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
years — 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 legislativa sit unicumque societati Essentialis affirmat re-
spondens.

2nd. Aures in se indiffiantes sunt proprie humonie potestatis objeclum respon-
dens affirmat.

AND CHURCH OF RYE. 277

3rd. An conscientia dictermina, conferent jen agendi vel cogitandi contra veri-
tatem nuget respondens.

Reverend Sir, yours, &.C., &c.,

James Wktmork.'-i

The two following are Mr. Wetmore's semi-annual reports
for 1748:—

MR. WETMORE TO THE SECRETARY.

Rye, March 2Qth, 1 748.
Rev. Sir,

"Since my last, dated December 28th, 1747, nothing remarka-
ble relatmg 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 surh
contentions, in which I hope they will meet with a disap-
pointment. That by this means they have hindered ns 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 gaia
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 Fulliam, vol. ii., p. 155. (Hawks'.)
The Society's Abstracts fo<- 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 OP THE PARISH

in proportion to the number of professors, and deaths, and re-
movals, seem to equal our accessions ; but 1 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.

1 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."^-

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, I 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 OF RYE. 279

only one in the Parish, is much out of n^pair, 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 tlie
Church, chiefs of the Parish for estates, from whom 1 have had
my greatest troubles since I have hid 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
lawsuit; 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, tliat the
people to whom they send missionaries, shonid provide a honse
and glebe for their minister, I believe a lino or two from you up-
on this subject, directed to the churchwardens, would be of more
efft'Ct than many words of mine, which I therefore request the
favourof; and as 1 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."'^

« New- York MSS. from Archives at Fuih=im. 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 dehvered the following letter from the Rev. Philip
Bearcroft, D. D., Secretary to the Venerable Propagation So-
ciety : —

Lo)ido?i, Charier House, June 27th, 1 749.

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 tlie 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 Chinch, cannot but reconmiend him
to every vvorthy member of it ; therefore, the Society hope and
ex|)ect, tliat 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.
I am, gentlemen,

your very humble servant,

Philip Bearcroft, Secretary.
To the Churchwardens and Vestry

of the Church of Rye, New- York?''^

In a letter dated Rye, Oi^ober 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 ai all lessened by the ef-
forts of our adversaries, and that the tryal with the Dissenters,

» Church Rec. of Rye, 115.

AND CHQRCH OF RYE. 281

concerning the parsonage lot, is to be the 24ili of this month,
according to notice of tryal given. The lot is of no great valnCj
being bnt seven and a half acres, yet I have thought it my dnty
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 1 will
agree to some terms whereby tlie Presbyterians may have a
share of what was anciently designed for a parsonage ; but as
there is no more than two stnall lots, (which liave 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, producRd 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 Chm-ch had been lately improved, and is
made neat and beautiful, and n 't only things, but persons 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 20M, 1749.

Rev. Sir,

"I have for several years maintained in my house, a very
capable master, well qualified, and etnployed wholly to tend
thn 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 months ago, agreed with the people
where Mr. Dwight formerly kept his school, about three miles

New- York MSS. from Archives at Fiilham, Vol. ii. p. 222. (Hawks'.)

2S2 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 f 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."*

"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 tin ir
useful, but lowly employment, &c."''

» New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii, p. 223. (Hawks'.)
t" Rev. Dr. Berrian's Hist, of Trinity Church, N. Y., pp. 86, 87.

AND CHURCH OF RYE. 283

The two following extracts arc taken from Mr. Wotmore's
reports for 1752 : —

MR WE TiVIORE TO THE SEORKTARY.

[extract.]

-Rye, April 2d, 1 752.

Rev. Sir,

'• * * The party disputes which have run high among
us for several years, to my great grief, ohstrnct the success
which I might otherwise hope for, in my endeavours to promote
a becoming zeal f)r piety and reformation of manners among
the looser sort of my parishioners, whicli are too numerous.

I am glad to liear of more visible success among my breth-
ren, especially in Stamford Parish, which I am told, flourishes
happily, and increases by ilie diligent endeavour of good Bioth-
er Dil)blee, 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
ministiy 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 u{)oa
our order.a

MR. WETAIOilE TO THE SECRETARY,

[extract.]

Ri/e, 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

New- York MSS. from Archiv^es at Fulham, vol. ii. p. ^la. (Hawks'.)

284 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

mnke 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 liglu 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 suff'ered 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 tlie loss of
two such worthy members. ^ Mr. Purdy was succeeded in his
office of schoolmaster for the Parish, by Mr. Timothy Wetmore,
eldest son of the Rector, the appointmetit having been made by
the Society, on the reconmiendation 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

* New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulhain, vol. ii, p. '242. (Hawks'.)

f Printed Abstracts of Yen. Prop. Soc, from I6th Feb., 1753, to 15th Feb., 1754,

AND CHURCH OF RYE. 285

and seemed very desirous of further instruction. JMr. Wetmore
hath furnished his son, the Society's schoolmaster at Kyo, 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 promismg hopes of promoting christian know-
ledge among them, that young Mr. Wetmore continues tlie 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, tliat a very worthy
person, a native of England, but now living in New- York, has
put into his hands £000 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 pi;rcha>se 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 m 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 heaity
thanks to this most worthy benefactor, for the £(300 already
given, 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."'j

In a letter of April 7ih, 1759, Mr. Wetmore acquaints the
Society, "That a very worthy person, a native of England, (St.
George Talbot, Esq.,) but nov/ 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.
^ Printed Abstracts of the Ven. Prop. Soc. lor 1759.

2S6 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."a-

The Rev. James Wetmore, finished his earthly course, and
fell asleep in the Lord, on Thursday, May 15th, 1700, having
been nearly thirty-four years minister of this Parish. " Tlie last
scene of his life was such as afforded the most pleasing pros-
pect of 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 groiuid, 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. J.-VMES 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, 1700.

.lEtatis, G5.

Cujus Memorise sit in

Benedictione scmpiterna.

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. Tliis 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. Weimore's death is mentioned
in the Society's Abstracts for 1701, 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 CHURCn OF RYE. 287

of which he was a staunch friend and an able advocate. a In the
important discharge of his ministerial oflice he was zealous, con.
stant, and unwearied ; and though he observed wiih grief, the
great decay of true Christianity and genuine piety, (which he
often heartily lamented to his friends,) yet he persevered warnily
In the defence of the former, and in recommending the latier,
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. Bur, —
" 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 Answer to the duakers, 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 Favor of Presbyterian Ordination and a Ee-
joinderto Mr. Hobart's Serious Address, 1717.

5. The Engli-hman Directed, 1748.

6. Appendix, &c., to Rev. J. Beach's " Calm and Dispassionate Vindication of
the professors of the Church of England," 1749.

•> '■ It is reported of Mr. Wetmore, that being in the city of New-York on a vi.sit,
he 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 discourse 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 ad<led. i^
was none of his own ; it was the very one which the Old P — I, as you called iiim,
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 OP THE PARISH

was tlie rational and evangidical 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 [ 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 pm-e 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
comcth 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 villified. 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."=i

Mr. VVetmore 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
Hifluence 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.'J James, second son
of the Rev. James Wetmore, was also the Society's schoolmas-

• Fowler's MSS. Biog., of the Clergy, vol. ii, p. 212.

•> Robert G. Wetmore, of New- York, eldest son 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 tliese was the late Ezrahiah Wetniore, who -
died on the 7th of February, 1838, aged 81. Elizabeth, widow
of the latter, is still living at the advanced age of U3. The Rev.
James Wetmore left also four daughters, Alethea, wife of the
Rev. Joseph Lamson; Anna, wife of Gilbert Brundage;a Charily,
wife of Joseph Purdy, 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, Amen. This sixth day uf August, in the year of our
Lord. 1759, I, James Wetmore, of Rye, in 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 ray 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.

290 HISTORY OP 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 land 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, £M, to be paid by my executors in one year after my de-
cease. Item, I give, devise, and beqaeath 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 coarse 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, £\Q, to be paid by my executors
unto my said daughter within a year after my decease. Item, I give and bequeath
'i;nto 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, ea.stward 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 paymant 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 neces.sary 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, Jamss and Timothy, to be executors of this, my
lasi 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, 12G. This will was proved 10th
June, 1760.

AND CHURCH OP RYE. 291

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 largf» and
populous county of Westchester, as is also the Mission of Rye,
to which the worthy and learned Mr. Wetinore was appointed
Missionary in the year 1727; but tliere 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 liis loss will be endeavoured to be repaired in
the best manner in which it may be done."=i

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
Timolhy Wetmore, on account of his father's salary of £2U."

Nearly six months after Mr. Wetmore's decease, Dr. Johnson
addressed the Secretary of the Venerable Society as follows : —

MR. JOHNSON TO THK SECRETARY.

[extract.]

King^s College, New - York, Nov. 2oth, 1760.

'T 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.''^

» Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Society, for 17fiO.

b 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 and 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 I know of no place where they
can be more serviceable^ provided they have the interest of
religion at heart."*

The followmg extract occurs in a letter from Mr. Timothy
Wetmoie, to the same : —

Ri/e, May 6lh, 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 people, to read service every Lord's daj', 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 1 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. 28-3 (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, 17G1.

-AND CHURCH OF RYE. 293

in length. Mr. Thomas, who is one of the representatives in
this county, and who, in Governour DeLancey's time, being
favoured with all the administration of all offices in the counlry,
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
indilfi^rent towards relitrion (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. Tiiis 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, 1 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 M3S. from Archives at Fiilham, 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 thai 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 proceedujg 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 recommen<l to the Society for a missionary m 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. Timotliy 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 tMhe Society,
that by a law of the province, a minister properly inducted into
the Parish, is entitled to £50 currency. Tliat we have petition-
ed His Excellency, Mr. Monckton. our Governour, to induct Mr.
Punderson, and we iiave no reason to doubt he will comply with

AND CHURCH OF RYE. 2'J5

onr request, as every thing that can be reqiured, on tlio part of
the Parish, is done. We have also a parsonage house and lot,
which Mr. Punderson has seen and expressed his satisfnction
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,
Churchivardens, and oiherc.'''^

Dr. Johnson, writing to the Secretary, May 10th, 17(53, says: —
•' Mr. Punderson was indeed much urged by that pciople to Rye,
who have, by law, a right to choose their incumbent, but u|)on
my urging the inegularity of it, wiihcnt the Society's appomt-
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 appointnjent 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 also desirous of
it, and I did not doubt but the Society would readily come into
it. If I presumed too far in giving that advice, 1 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. Palmerc thus addresses the Secretary in relation to this
affair : —

• New- York MSS. from Archives at Pulhatn, vol. ii., p. 291. (Hawks'.)
t Conn. MSS. from Archives at Fulham, p. 147. (Hawks'.)
<= The Rev. Solomon Palmer was, a dissenting teacher, at Cornwall, Conn. In
1754, he conformed and went to England for holy orders. He died at his mission
of Litchfield, Nov. Lst, 1771, and was interred the Sunday following.— See Conn.
MSS. from Archives at Fulham, p. G28. (Hawks'.)

296 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

MR. L'ALMER TO THE SECRETARY.

[extract.]

Litchfield, Conn.. June Sth, 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. ATr. Panderson'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 ttie 6th of November last came to hand, which gave me the
first notice of my appointment to that mission."

Rf/e, February 2lst, 1763.
Rev. Sir,

"We, the justices, churchwardens and vestrymen of the Parish
of Rye, having greatly at heart the preservation of our liapj)y
union, that subsists in our church, presume, Sir, that you, a
preacher of the gospel of peace, will highly concur with us in
opmiou of the absolute necessity of guarding against every
event that threatens to impede its contitmance. 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 iniiue 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 CIIURCn OF RYE. 297

Rev. Dr. Barclay, to his Excellency the Governour, to induct
the Rev. Mr. Paiiderson 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 t!ie 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, anJ 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 coidd
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 our duty 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

vatinii of peace and harmonj' in the Church, and also his res-
toration from his much reduced situation ; and he assured, i^
things were circumstanced now as they were before Mr. Pun-
-derson's coming here, we should receive you cheerfully with
open anus, agreeable to your character, and with the respect
that is justly due to the Venerable Society's appointment. We
remain, most respectfully,

Rev. Su", your very humble servants,

! 3

Andrew Mkrritt, ; ^, , ; ' '

C Cmirchwardens,

Ebenezer Kniffen. \

and several others."
At the same time I received the above, came to hand the fol-
lowing one : —

Neiv Haven, February 25lh, 1763.
Dear Brother,

"Your letter for Dr. .Johnson of the 22d of January, which
came not to hand until Wednesday evening last. 1 am infoim-
ed the Society have appomted 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 liis opinion to the
Vestry at Rye, and also m 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 mv 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 PijNDERSON."a'

• Conn. MSS. from Archives at Fulham, p. 453. (Hawks'.)

AND CHURCH OF R\E. 299

The

REV. EBENEZER PUNDERSON, A. M.,

Mr. Wetmore's successor, was the sou of Tlioiuas Pnndcrsou,
of New Haven, where he was born in the year 1704. His
grandfather, John, was ihe only son of John Punderson, who
emigrated from Yorkshire to New Enghand 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 Grotouj
December 25th, 1729. *> In 1732, he came into the Episcopal
Church, and in April, 1734, crossed the Atlantic to be ordained. ^
On his return, he reorganized a church at the village of Poque-
tannuck, North Groton, i738, 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 ituierant 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 Enolant] on the a5th of July, 1637, in company
with John Davenport and others. He died 11th February, 1680. His only son,
John, was born in 1 G4.3, and died in 1729. The name originally was Punchardon.
The arms of Punderson are : — at. a fesse witiiin a borduro gu. charged with eight
egcajlops of tiie fir^st. ('rest — a unicorn's Iipad, erased, gu., bezantee and armed or.

•> Trumbull's Hist, of Conn., vol. ii. p. 5.'J0

* 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
he even received ordination, but falling under doubts and scruples concerning their
form of ordination 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. MSS. from Archives
at Fulham, p. 18!). ' (Hawks'.)

300 HISTORY OP THE PARISH

officiating clergyman at Norwich, upon the erection of their
chcrch in 1750.

The Venerable Society's Abstracts for the year ending 1753,
say : — " The Rev. Mr. Pnnderson, the Society's itinerant mis-
sionary in Connecticut, having petitioned the Society to be set-
tled a missionary, with only a part of liis 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 towns 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 Comiect-
icut, have granted his request, and have appointed him tlieir
missionary to the three towns of New Haven, Guilford, and
Branford, 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 remainuig
part of his itinerant mission." Mr. Punderson was presented
to the Governor for induction, in the following manner : —

THE PRESENTATION OF THE CHURCHWARDENS AND VESTRY-
MEN OF THE PARISH OF RYE OF MR. EBENEZER PUNDERSON
TO THE RECTORY OF SAID PARISH.

" To the Honourable Cadwallader Coliieii, Esq., his Majssty's Lieuten-
ant Governour, and Commander in Chief of the Province of New-
York, and the Territories depending thereon, in America :

The Cliurchvvardens and Vestrymen of the Parish of Rye, including the districts
or precincts of Rye, Mainaroneck, 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-
bent of tlie 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 Kbenezer Punderson, sends by these
presents lo your Honour, present, humbly praying ihat 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 lliat you will, with favour and effect, do and fulfdl all and singular,

other thiiiffs which in this behalf are proper and fitting for your Honour to do.

In testimony whereof, we, the Cliurciuvardeiis 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, ) „, 1 ,

J. Lkurchwardens,
Andrew Meruit. S

and seven Vestrymen."*

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 Govcrnour, and
Commander in C'hiel of the Province of New- York, and the Territories depending
thereon in America, do admit you, Ebenezer Punderson, Clerk, to be 'Sector 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, wiihin tiie 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 seventeenth day of November, in the
year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and si.xty-three.

CADWALLADER COLDE.N.""

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOUR COLDEN'S INSTITUTION OF MR. PUN-
DERSON AS RECTOR OF THE PARISH CHURCH OF RYE, <fec.

" L Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, his Majesty's Lieutenant Governour and
Commander in Chief of tlie Province of New-York, and the Territories depending
thereon, in America, do institute you, Ebenezer Punderson, Clerk, Rector of the
Parish Church of Kye, commonly called Grace Church, and of the Parish of Rye^
including the several districts or precincts of Rye, Mamaroneck, and Bedford, in tho
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 tho original document in the possession of John C. Jay, Esq., Se-
nior Warden of the Parish.
>> Ibid.

302 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

nour and Commander iu Chief of the Province of New-York, and the Territories de-
pending thereon iu America. To all and singular, Rectors and Parish Ministers
whatsoever, in the Province of New-York, or to Andrew .Merrit and Ebeiiezer Knif-
fen, tlie present Churchwardens of the Parish of Rye, in the Countj^ 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 tho 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 deatli 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 rights, 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 iiijoining, do com-
maud each and every of you, that in due manner, him, the said Ebenezer Punder-
son, or his lawful! 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, iu the
year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and si.xty-three.'"*

CADWALLADER COLDEN."

CERTIFICATE OF MR. PUNDERSON'S INDUCTION" INTO THE REC.
TORSHIP OF THE PARISH OF RYE, &c.

" I, John Miluer, Rector of the Parish of Westchester, in the County of West-
chester and Province of New- York, do hereby certifye, that by virtue of a warrant
hereunto annexed, from the Honourable Cadwallader Golden, 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 liave tiiis day in-
ducted the Rev. Ebenezer Punderson, into the real, actual, and corporal possession
olihe 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. Mimia-
roneck, and Bedford, in the County of Westchester aforesaid, with all their rights,
members, and appurtenances, the 21st day of November, Anno Domini, 1763.

* llec. of Commissions at Albany, foj. v., 274-5. — The original docimients are in
the possession of John C. Jay, Esq.

AND CHURCH OF 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, RerAor of St. Peter's Church, Westchester,
and twenty- one others."

"I, Ebenezer Punderson, do here declare my unfeigned assent and consent to all
and everything contained and prescribed in and by ye Book entitled the Bonk 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, 1763, the above mentioned Ebenezer Punder-
son, after divine service wa.s began, and before it was ended, read distinctly the
thirty-nuie Articles ot Religion, and declared his unfeigned a.ssent and consent
to them; and also made the above declaration.

Witness. Hachaliah Brown, Timothy Wetmore.""

The following extract is from Mr. Puiiderson's first report to
the Secretary :—

MR. PUNDERSON TO THL: SECRETARY.

[extract.]

i?ye, November 12//i, 1762.

Rev. Sir,

"I am now entered upon the thirtieth year in the service of
the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, (fcc,
and notwithstanding I have laboured under many infinniiies,

* 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 ol the Parish
Church of Rye, commonly called G'-ace Church, and of the Parish of Rye^ in-
cluding the several Districts or Precincts of Rye, iVIamaroneck, 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 Churchi
and put the person in possession thereof, who usually tolled the Church bell —

304 HISTORY OF 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 lime. 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 to 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 tlie salvation of immortal souls.*

Rev. Sir, &.c.,

Ebenezer Punderson."

At a meeting of the Vestry held at the house of Abraham
TheaM, 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 to them, after the Com-
mon Prayer was began, and before it was ended, and likewise within the said
{WO months, he had upon Sunday, to read the whole service for that day, out of
the Book of Common Prayer, and deliver his assent to it in that very Church to
which he was inducted, in the words as above.
New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. pp. 311, 312. (Hawks'.)

AND CHURCH OP RYE. 305

the sum of two hundred and forty-five pounds on the several
districts of the Parish, in manner following, viz : —

Rye, - - - - Jt68 18 7

Manor of Scarsdale, - 25 4 G

Bedford, - - - 50 18 6

iMamaroneck, - - 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. Prin-
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 Grifien, 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 Churchwardens.''^

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 childien,
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.''^

» Church Records of Rye.

^ Printed Abstracts of Yen. Prop. Soc. from 18th of Feb., 1703, to I7th of Feb.,
I76i.

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
remaiheth 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 iuscrip-
tion : —

Sacred to the Memory of the
Rev'"". Ebenezer Punderson, Late
Missionary to the Rev"'*. Society for
Propagating the Gospel in foreign
Parts, who died 22d SeP., A. D. 1704,
Being GO Year? 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 ult., alter a few days illness, mucli 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. i' His son, Ebenezer, died in 1846-
7, leaving two sons, Francis, of Hudson, Columbia County,
N. Y., and the Rev. Ephraim Punderson, of Western New-
York ; besides two daughters, Mary and Elizabeth. (.Jyrus

» The Boston Gazette for the 15th of October, 1764, says :— -'that he died at
Rye, ou Sunday, the 2-3d 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.

•> The following obituary notice appeared in the Churchman's Mag., for 1809.
" Died at Preston, in Connecticut, on Thursday, the Gth 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, de^ eased, who was formerly
a mi.ssionary for the Veu. Soc. for the Propagation of the Gospel, in Connecticut,
afterwards at New Haven, and finally at Rye."

AND CHURCH OF RYE.

30/

Punderson, the second son of the Rev. Ebcnezer, was born at
North Groton, Conn., April IZlli, 1737, educated at Yale, and
was admitted Master of Arts of Kings College, N. Y., in 1758.
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 Uxarried 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
Chuich, Setauket, Long [sland.a

Upon the I9th day of December, 1764, Grace Church, Rye,
received the following charter from King George the Third :

ROYAL CHARTER OF GRACE CHURCH, RYE.

" George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France 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 Golden, 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 ihe
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.

308 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 ihe 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 jiious intentions of our said loving sub-
jects and to grant this their reasonable request. Know 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 for 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 and 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
q.ualified for the cure of souls, two churchwardens and eight vestrymen, who shall-

AND CHURCH OF RYE. 309

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 Peter Jay and Elisha Budd to be present churchwardens,
and John Thomas, Joshua Purdy. Christopher Isinsfhart, "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 menibsrs 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 ofthess presents, shall die o'' 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, we do hereby give full power and antliority to, and ordain and require that
the rector and the said churchwardens of tiio 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 lieing,
shall give public notice thereof by publishing the same at the said church, imme-
diately after divine service on the Sunday next preceediiig 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 inhabilauts of the said Parish of Rye in
communion as aforesaid, or the majority of such of them as shall in such casp 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 lime of such elec-
tion, until the Tuesday in Easter week thence next ensuing, and until other or othera

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 be chosen might or could have done by vir-
tue of these presents ; and we do hereby will and direct that this method shall for ever
hereafter be used fof 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 witii 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 tiie 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 affitirs 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-
ponitiiig 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. 311

clerk and sexton shall hold and enjoy lln'ii- rospectivo offices diii-inj> tlip will and
pleasure of the rector of the said church for tho tiino being. And whereas by the
death of the late minister of the said church the same is now in avoidance, our royal
will and pleasure is, that in this case, aud also in case of every future avoidance of
the said church, either by the death -of trie rector thereof or otherwise, that the pow-
ers and authorities hereby vested in the rector, cluirchwardens and vestrymen, in
vestry met as above mentioned, shall, untd the said church be le<T;i'ly supplied with
another iuciimbent, vest iu and be executed by the said churchwardens of the said
church for the time beiug ; 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, wo 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
e^ablished, and that this our present grant being entered on record as is hereinafter
particularly expressed, shall be good and effectual iu the law to all intents, construc-
tions and purposes whatsoever, against us, our heirs and successors, according to our
true intent and meaning heroin before declared, notwithstanding the not reciting or
misreciting, not naming or misnaming of any of the aforesaid franchises, privileges,
immunitic*'s, 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 tho 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 in our city of New-York, in one of the
books of patents there remaining. Witness, our trusty and well beloved Cudwallader
Golden, Esquire, our Lieutenant Governour and Commander iu chief of our Provmce
of New- York, and territories thereon in America, at our Fort in our ciiy of New-
York, by and with the advice and consent of our Council fov 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, lino the fortieth, the words
or with, and .second skin, line the twenty- seventh, the word is are mterhned.

CLARKE."'

At a vestry meeting, for this Parish, o.i the 7lh of May, 1705.

Book of Commissions, Secretary of State's office, Albany.

312 HISTORY OP THE PARISH

it was "ordered that the churchwardens do take up on interest,
the sum of twenty-five pounds to pay oft' 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 Yst. 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 Parisli, 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."*

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, 174 1,'^ 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 Fulham, vol. ii., pp. 392, 393. (Hawks'.)

■» Wllliana Avery received a grant of land, at Ipswich, in U)33. John Avery,
of Boston, died 31st of July, 1G51. Christopher Avery was a selectman, of
Gloucester, in 1646. The arms of Avery, of Wells, are :— gu. a chev. between
three bezants. Crest — two lions gambs, or, supporting a bezant.

<= Trumbull's History of Connecticut, vol. ii., p. 533.

^ "Ephraim Avery and Samuel Avery, sons of the Rev. Epiirnim 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 .-Vvery, were baptized at Pomfret, Sunday
April 19th, 1741.— Record of the 1st Ecclesiastical Society of Pomfret.

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. Elhichman,
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 24lh 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, iiobert 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, 17(33 to Feb. 17, 1764.

i- Fowler's MSS.

« Printed abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. for 1765.

AND CHURCH OF RYE. 315

Punderson, to this day. which he signifies by snbscribini^ his
hand hereunto ; the vestry gave him a call, and a presentation to
the Hon. Cadwallader Golden, Esq., Lieut. Goveinour of the
Province of New- York, to induct him accordingly/'^

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOUR COLDEN'S ADMISSION OF
MR. AVERY TO BE RECTOR OF THE PARISH CHURCH
OF RYE, &c.

"I, Cadwallader Golden, Esq., His Majesty's Lieutenant Govcrnour and
Commander in Chief of the Province of New-York and the Territories depending
thereon in America, Do admit yon, Ephraim Avery, Clerk, to be Rector of the
Parish Church of Rye, commonly called Gj-ace 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 ray
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 GOLDEN.'"'

LETTERS OF INSTITUTION BY LIEUTENANT GOVER-
NOUR GOLDEN TO MR. AVERY.

" I, Cadwallader Golden, Esq., 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 Di.stricts 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 GOLDEN."

MANDATE FROM LIEUTENANT GOVERNOUR COLDEN TO
INDUCT MR. AVERY INTO THE RECTORSHIP OF THE
PARISH OF RYE.

'•The Honourable Cadwallader Golden, Esq., His Majesty's Lieutenant

» Church Records of Rye.

^ Book, of Commissions, Secretary of State's Office, Pel. 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 R3^e, 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 Bedlord, 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 Pari-sh, the true and undoubted
patrons of the said Parish, vacant by the natural death of Ebenezer Punder.son,
the last incumbent there; and him, th3 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 and Canons of Right in that b:;half re-
quired and to be observed. To you, therefore, jointly and severally I do commit v
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 ; anl of what you shall have done in the premises
thereof, you do duly certify unto me, or other competent judge in that behalf
when thereunto you shall be duly required. Given und^r my hand and the pre-
rogative seal of the province of New- York, at Port 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 Isl, 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, Pol. V. 297-8.

AND CHURCH OF RYE. 317

£150, which was quoted in the following manner, viz. : —

Kye, - - - - i: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 SECLIETARY.

[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 the 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 ot which have come to the lioly ordinance
since my residence 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 them.b

Church Records of Rye.

* New- York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. (Hawks'.)

318 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

In 17G7, 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. Timotliy 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 hst, as schoolmaster at
Rye, m 1770, with a salary of £10 per annum.. In 1779, Mr.
Avery left his school, being engaged in other employments,
whereupon, Mr. James We*move, 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 :— l)a[)tized
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 colonics
and the mother country together. The relations of the clergy

» Printed Abstracts of Veil. Prop. Soc, from Feb. 21st, 1772, to Feb. 19t!i, 1773.
b Ibid froia Feb. 19lli, 1773, to Feb. 18th, 1774.
e Ibid from Feb. 18th, 1774, to Feb. 17th, 1775.

AND CHURCH OP RYE. 319

with the latter, were perhaps of a more close und 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 phiced 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 could over-
come, and which led to the sacrifice of home, comfort and
wealth, for conscience' sake. With these qualificaiions, I trust
that I 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 m 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 lor
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 brutal 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 tiie same

320 HISTORY OP 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 suspicions. Some obliged to fly the provinces, have been
taken prisoners and brought back, and threatened to be 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 m.uslers with their arms,
have been fined for not appearing, and threatened with impi'is-
onment. Others have had their houses plundered, and their
desks broken open, under pretence of their containing treason-
ahl.e j)aj)e7's. After the Declaration of Independence, the clergy
were greatly embarrassed to ofiiciate 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 sliut
up their churches.''^ 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 ofliciated 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. ^

" The persecutions and privations to which the clergy were

» Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc.

*• Hist, of Trinity Church, N. Y., by Dr. Berrian, p. 141.

Al^D CStJRCH OP RYK 321

exposed (says Dr. Hawkins) in the war, whether from the
royalist or american armies, proved fatal' to several of tliem.
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. "a

One letter from Mr. Avery, dated 5th June, 1776, containeth
nothing material ; having lost the use of his right hand, he was
incapable of writing, and sent no accoimt of the state of his
Parish. " Mr. Wetmore hath diligently attended his school,
consisting, m the course of the year, of seventy-one scholars,
whom he instructs to the satisfaction of 'their parents.''^

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.

k Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc, from 16th Feb., 177G, 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 cour.sc of the year,
acquaints the Society that in October, 177G> 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. froni IGth Feb., 17T6, 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 hai
taken place oetween 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 fait
character of a worthy and excellent minister. But amid the turmoil of civil war,
the conscience-stricken murderer found no rest ; ho 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 ibr 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 rop«

322 HISTORY OP 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.

NeiD- 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 Harris, 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 tliroat cut, either dead, or just expiring.*
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 despeifation 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, whicli 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, 1 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."b

From the above letter, it appears that Mr. Avery's death took
place on Tuesday, November 5th, 1776. 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. GM. (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. 177G 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, ^ was in the
month of March, 1777, appointed missionary to Rye, with a
salary of <C40 per annimi."'' 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 fied 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

» He was licensed for Trinity Bay, on the 4th of March, 1777.

* Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc.

e 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.^

In 1777, he was ordained deacon and priest by the Rt. Rev.
Robert Lovvth, D. D., Bishop of London, and in the month of
March of that year, appointed missionary tw Rye. Whether he
ever visited his mission, we have no means of ascertaining ; prob-
ably the tronbles of the Revolntion prevented his doing so.
His name appears, however, on the Society's list of missiona-
ries, until Febrnary 20th, 1778.

"Mr. Hunt," says Hovvitt, •• 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. ""^ His wife was Mary,
daughter of Stephen She well, merchant, of Philadelphia, whose
sister was the wife of Benjamin West."c

The Rev. Isaac Hunt died in 1809, 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.**

" The Revolution, (observes the late Right Rev. J. P. K. Hen-

» Howitt's Homes of the Poets, and Autobiography of Leigh Hunt.

^ Ibid. Vol. ii. p. 399, 340. See Autobiography of Leigh Hunt, published in
1810.

= Sabine's Hist, of American Loyalists.

-1 The last meeting of the Ve.-.lry took place in the houss of John Doughty, in
Rye, April the 5th, 1776, present— Lewis McDonald, Jun., and Gilbert Merritt,
Esq'rs., Justices, Joshua Purdy and James 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 iu religion and looseness of morals as a common ca-
lamity to our people, but as most of the 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 des(!rted 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 at)d 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
iiol 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 OF 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 Cliurch 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, aiid collected the congregation here and at
White Plains.^

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 HaviUnd, 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 See. 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 AVhite Plains, where I read prayers also, every other Sunday.
Began at Rye the 1st Sunday in April, 1784, (4th of April) and at White Plains
the next Sunday, (11th of April.) The Church was burnt by the British in the
war."— Fowler's MSS,

32B HISTOKY 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, 17S5. 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

REV. 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, m the city of New-York, where he
was born on the 2lst of August, 1762. After completing his
preparatory education, he studied medicine, and engaged in the
practice of 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 Bisiiop Provoost, as deacon, on the 15th of July,
and priest, on the 22dof October, 1787. He was admitted at
Columbia College, M. A., in 1794, and D. D., of Washington,
now Trinity College, Hartford, in 1829.

The following is a copy of tlie call given to the Rev. Richard
C. MoorCj September 5th, 1787 : —

• AND CHURCn OF JIYE. 309

Rev. Sir,

" We, the Trustees and Members of Grace (Church, in the
Parish of Rye, and County of Westchester, stimulated by mo-
tives of sincere afiection for the advancement of true rehgion
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 flock, 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 j}er 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 Purdy, William Miller,

Elisha Purdy, Thomas Haight.

Members.

Peter Jay, Esq., a Alex. Hunt, John Thomas, •>

Ben, Grifpen, John Falconer, Samuel Purdy,

Joseph Budd, Jona. Hunt, Isaac Purdy.

Roger Purdy, Moses Purdy, Daniel Park,

Jonathan Purdy, Joshua Secor, Jas. Wetmore,c

» Son of Peter Jay, and great grandson of Pierre Jay, the Huguenot,
k Sheriff of Westchester County, and grandson of the Rev. John Thomas, one
of the Ven. Soc. Missionaries.
"^ Second son of the Rev. James Wetmore.

330

HISTORY OF THE PAEISH

Henry Budd, Tamar Barker, Thomas Thomas. "^

JosiAH Brown, John Purdy.

" 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'' for the elec-
tion of two wardens, and eight vestrymen, to take into charge
the temporahties of the said Church, the following persons were
unanimously chosen : —

Peter Jay,
Isaac Purdy.

Churchwardens.

Joshua Purdy, Sen.,
Jesse Hunt, Esq.,
Andrew Lyon,
Thomas Brown, j

r Thomas Thomas,

>• Vestrytnen. \

Elijah Purdy,
Joshua Secor,
I Moses Fowler."

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

* 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.

«> See the Charter of 1764.

AND CHURCH OP RYE. 331

held in the month of March, 178S, 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 shillings— To one day clearing rubbish from the old
church, (fee." 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 top 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 17Ui
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, 1788, 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 16ih of April, 118^, it was determined by the Vestry to allow
Mr. James Ford, carpenter, from New-York, the snm of £120 for erecting and en-
closing the church without a steeple. At a subsequent meeting it was resolved to
omit the gullery on the east, by which moans the church will be 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 1809 he was invited to the rec-
torship of St. Stephen's Church, in the City of New-Tork, 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, 1814, with so much unanimity invited him
to the Episcopal charge of this diocese, and was consecrated in
New-York,on t!ie 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, (Uth Nov., 1841) 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., 1788, until Nov., 1790, the Parish re-
mamed 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 OP RYE. 333

and grandson of Nathaniel, the fourth in descent from Nathaniel
Foots, one of the first settlers of Wethersfield, Conn.a He was
born at Colchester, now Marlborough, Oct. 5lh, 17G0, and was
graduated M. A., at Dartmouth, in 1778.b Mr. Footc was or-
dained deacon by the Rt. Rev. Samuel Seabmy, 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, iii the
Journal of New- York, in 1791, and also m the Journal'of the
General Convention of 1792.c He continued rector of this
church till 1793, when, after many judicious eiforts to restore
order and promote both the spiritual and temporal prosperity 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

the Rev. Mr. DAVID FOOTE

late Pastor at

Rye & "White Plains,

who departed this lite the 1st of Aug't.

1793,

aged 32 Years.

Blessed are the dead who

die in the Lord.

* See History ofthe Foote Family, by Nathaniel Goodwin, Hartford, 1849.

•• Historical notice of the Clergy ordained by Bishops Seabury and Jarvis, from
Appendix to Conn. Journal of Convocation. No. xxxiii.

« Plistorical notice of Clergy ordained by Bishops Seabury and Jarvis, Appendix
to Conn. Journal of Cunvocatiou- No. xxxix

334 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

Upon the 14th of June, 1792, Mr. Isaac Purdy 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 appiopriated towards enlarging the
glebe lands belonging to the Parish. Miss Jay, who clied 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 iGSS-^^ 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 cliurches at Eastwood and Jslip, 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 179 4, 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 Pv.eading, 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 OP RYE. 335

on the 26th of January, it was resolved to substitute the title
Christ, instead of Grace, by wiiich the church had heretofore
been distinguished, and Mr. Peter Jay was requested to obtain
a new seal."*

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

• Church Records.— On tho 11th of September, 1794, Mr. Jay presented a new
seal to the Church.

^ The noble family of Ogilvie has given rise to tho Lords of Findlater and Sea-
field, the Barons of Banff and other eminent houses of Nortii Britain. Its descent
from Dubican, the son of Indochtraig, Maormor, or Thane of Angus, who died in
939, is capable of proof. The more recent progenitor, Iiowever, was James Ogilvie,
of Cardell, who was succeeded by his grandson, Sir Waller Ogilvie, knigiit, (sou of
Alexander, by Barbara, daughter of Walter Ogilby, of tho Boyno,) who was elevated
to the peerage of Scotland, 4th Oct., IGlG, by the title of Baron Ogilvie, of Desk-
ford. His lordship married first, Agnes, eldest daughter of Robert 3d Elphiuston,

336 HISTORY OP THE PARISH

native of Scotland, came to this country about the middle of
the last centuiy. 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 tlie Revohition he held a
commission in a corps of loyahsts;^ and at the peace removed
to England. He subsequently returned to his native country,
studied theology under the Rev. Dr. Ogdeu, of Newark, N. J.s
was ordained deacon by Bishop Provoost, in Trinity Church,
New- York, A. D., 17S7, and priest by Bishop Seabury, October
3rd, 1790.^ 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 Y\^as 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. Ogilvic. His sal-ary to consist of £110,
yearly, for three 3 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 bir John Forbes, of Pitsligo.
fie 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. Vvilliam married Catharine, daughter of Lancaster
Sims, of New-York, and had by that lady, William, a lieutenant in the royal navyj
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, passajit, 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.

* Historical notice of Clergy ordained by Bishops Seabury and Jarvis, from
Appendix to Conn. Journal of Convocatioii. No. xxxix,

* 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. Corn-
stock. He is depicted in a long crimson coat with gilt buttons
and blue vest. His first wife, to whom he was married 4lh of
September, 177S, was Amelia, daughter of Cornelius Willett, 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 i6th, 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 1704, 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 finst ofBcers under the above incor-
poration were :— Peter Jay and Isaac Purdy, Churchwardens; Joshua Purdy
John Haight, Thomas Brown, John Guion, Thomas Thomas, Gilbert Hatfield,

Jonathan Purdy and Nathaniel Purdy, Vestrvmen.

338 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

cinity of Boston, Mass., in 1762, and was descended from Ro-
ger Haskell, one of the original settlers of Salem, in 1639. His
early inclinations led him to adopt a military life. In the smii-
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, 1799. He was afterwards employed for
two years as a tutor in Gtueen'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, 1823, he v/as an officiatmg 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 Pt,ye 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, 1801, 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 lay the

" Hist. Account of Christ Church, Boston, by the Rector. Boston, 1824.

AND CHURCE OF RYE. 339

address before the house, (fee." 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, P^ye, August the 27th.
1801, 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, 1801, 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 born 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, ItOO.
He officiated at Hebron, Conn., until 1802. He was called to
this Parish, as we havp. seen, in ISOl, and remained its rector
until January 25th, 1809, when he rested from his labors. He
was once a delegate to the General Convention from Connecti-
cut. ^

" Hist. Not. of Clergy, ordained by Bishops Seabury and Jarvis, from Appen-
dix to Conn. Journal of Convocation. No. Iv.

340 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

At a vestry meeting held on the ISth 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 sura of ten dol-
lars."

In 1807, Blr. 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."

Hisnotitia 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 )^ear, 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 CHaRCH 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 ice 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."^^

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. SO.

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 tlie 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,
1809, 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 cliurch, &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 afbresaid church of
Rye, have called the Rev. Samuel Haskell, to take the retorship
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."f^

On the 26th of August, 1809, it was resolved, " that the clerk
(of the' vestry) request Bishop Moore to attend to the induction
of the Rev. Mr. Haskell.''^ 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."c

At a meeting of the vestry of Christ Church, Rye, in 18(19,
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, (fcc.""^

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 — 8 ; 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 Munro, 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 Plams, 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.
'' Ibid.

<= Churchman's Magazine.
^ Churcli 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
resDlved to postpone the subject for further consideration, (fcc."

In his parochial report for 1816, Mr. Haskell observes, "that
the wardens and vestrymen of Christ Church, Rye, judged it
expedient to Avithdraw 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, 1833, 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 83d year of his age, he was call-
ed togiv^e 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

the Memory

of the

REV. SAMUEL HASKELL.

who died Aug. 24th 1845

aged 83.

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 1816-17. 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. 3.I5

notice of his death appeared in the Christian Journal of 183U.
i' 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 completmg a
course of study with that view, was ordained deacon by the
Right Rev. Bishop Hobart, iu Christ Church, in this city, on
the Thursda)'- 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
kind 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 orc^inary course of Providence, many years might
have been expected to be added to his ministry."^'

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-

» Christian Journal, vol. xiv. p. 2SG.

346 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

torship in 1S30. 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 Charch at Rye,
a native of Enniskil'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. ^ 317

who died
March 21th, 1851,
Aged 80 years.
" Rejoice, because I said I go
unto the Father."

Beneath the floor of the church, he pillowed in the darkness
of the grave, the Rev. George Muirson, who died rector of this
Parish in 1708, and his successor, the Rev. Christopher Bridwe
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. 17U6. The former
is perfectly plain — the latter is bell mouthed, will hold about
one quart of wine, and stands nine mches and a quarter high.
They bear the following inscription, viz : — '' Ann^ 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.'"'^

Three pieces of communion silver, viz : — a flagon, chalice
and alms plate, are inscribed as follows : — '• Presented to Christ
Church at Rt/b, by Mrs. Mary Jay, lS18."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.

^ 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 behall of tlie congre-

34S HISTORY OP THE PARISH

There is likewise a chalice bearing the following inscription :
— " Presejited 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, hy Ja^nes 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^ 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.

Queen 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 thants,
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 \yi\hmi\\e field of Rye, near the upper end of \.\xt 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, Peb.23th, 1693-1, '' 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. Bj-e— Erected A. D. 1855,

* T L ' n — »* ' 1 '

iiiuliml

ZO 30

Ground plan of Christ Chnrch.

[To fice page 343]

AND CHURCH OP RYE. 319

Jay, Mrs. Philemon Halstead^ the Venerable Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel, and the Corporation of Trinity
Church, New-York.b

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 fomid in
the wall 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 39th year of her age.

" Let us since life can little more supply —
Than Just to look about us and to die,
HJpe 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 the goodness to present two elegant communion cloths to the
Church, in 1833.

»- Trinity Church, in 1800, presented the sum of ^"50 for a parsonage, at Rye.
Ill 1813, S500 for Christ Church, Rye. The old Prayer Book, which is still used
in the service of the Church, was presented by Mrs. Peter A. Jay, Aug., 1831.
It is entitled " The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacra-
ments and other rites and Ceremonies of the Church, New- York. By Direc-
tion of the Gen. Con. Printed by Hugh Gaiue, 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, CI. A. M. pr mort. War. and Ves

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 mort. "

1777, Rev. Isaac Hunt, CI., A. M., per resig. "

5 Sept., 1787, Rev. Richard C. Moore, Prcsb. 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, 1823, Rev. William. Thompson, A. M., per mort. "

1830, 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, 1849, Rev. Ed. C. Bull, A. M., Presb., present rector. "

NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS.
A. D. 1705, Baptisms 200, Communicants 30

1710,

ditto

1722,

ditto

60,

ditto

1727,

ditto

50,

ditto

1739,

ditto

118,

ditto

1763,

ditto

111,

ditto

1760,

ditto

AND CHURCH OF EYE. 351

A. D. 1773, Baptisms 101, Communicants 9

1804,

dittto

ditto

1810,

ditto

14,

ditto

1817,

ditto

22,

ditto

112

1853,

ditto

In 1712 the number of persons belonging to the chiu'ch in
this Parish were 313. In 1853, number of families were 64.

hi 1703, the population of the Parish was - - 800
1712, " 'c . . jj^

1840, " "... 1^803

1850, « " . . 2,590

THE SOCIETY'S SCHOOLMASTERS AT RYE.

Ti??ie of AppH. Schoolmasters. Salanj.

17'07, Joseph Cleator, £15 per ann.

17'14, Thomas Huddlestone, ditto.

1723, John Carhart, ditto.

1728, Flint Dwight, 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.

- 55.
21.

- 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
Himt, Esq., Joshua Purdy, Jr., Thomas Lyon, Ezekiel Hal-

1718,

i'.

1738,

177G,

352

HISTORY OF 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

AVARDENS OF GRAGE CHURCH (NOW CHRIST

CHURCH,) RYE :—

1695—6.

George Lane, John Brondig.

No records from 1G96 to 1703.

1703—10.

Caleb Heathcote, Joseph Theall.

1710.

Joseph Theall, Johathan Hart.

Cornelius Seely,

1711.

Isaac Denham,

1712.

Jonathan Miller.

1713.

David Ogden.

1714.

Moses Knapp.

1715.

Jacob Haviland.

Joseph Budd,
John Brundige,
John Brundige,
David Ogden,
Moses Knapp,

AND CHURCH OF RYE. 353

1716.
Jacob Haviland, Henry Disbrow.

1717.
Henry Disbrow, George Lane.

1718.
Ebenezer Theal, George Lane.

1719-20,
John Haight, ^ ^ Isaac Den ham,

1721.
Samuel Purdy, Henry Fowler,

1722.
George Lane, Benjamin lirowru

1723.
Henry Fowler, John Horton.

1724.
Jonathan Haight, Jacob Haviland.

1725.
Samuel Purdj^, Benjamin Brown,

1726.
Daniel Pnrdy, John Budd.

1727.
William Fowler, Abraham Miller,

1728.
David Ogden Daniel Purdy.

1729-30.
Daniel Pnrdy, John Glover.

1731.

James Woods, John Budd.

1732.

Daniel Pnrdy, sen., Joseph Kniffiii,

1733.
Daniel Purdy, sen., William Willett.

1734.

Daniel Purdy, Francis Doughty.

334 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

1735.

Daniel Piirdy, Benjamin Brown.

1736-7.

Samuel Purdy. Francis Doughty.

1738-9.
Hachaliah Brown, Andrew Merritt.

1740.
Daniel Purdy, John Thomas.

1741.
John Thomas, Daniel Purdy.

1742-3.
Daniel Purdy, 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 Pnrdy, Roger Parks, jun.

1753-58.

William Willett, Jonathan Brown.

1759.
Jonathan Brown, ' William Willett.

1760-1.
William Willett. Jonathan Brown.

1762.
Elisha Badd, Ebenezer KnifRn.

AND CTIURCn OF RYE.

355

1763.

Ebenezer Kniffin, Andrew Mcrritt.

1764.
John Thomas, Ebenezer Kniffin.

1765-6.
Gilbert Bloomer, Joshua Purdy.

1767.
Hachaliah Brown, Timothy Wetmore.

1768.
Timothy Wetmore, Eachaliah Purdy.

1769.

James Horton, jun.
1770-75.

Benjamin GriiTen.
1776.

James Horton, jun.
1788-95.

Isaac Purdy.
1796.

John Barker.
1797.

Isaac Purdy.
1798.

Joshua Purdy.
1799.

Isaac Purdy.
ISOO.

Isaac Purdy.
1801.

John Haight.
1802.

Andrew Lyon.
1803-4.

John Guion.
1805.

John Haight.

Joshua Purdy,
Joshua Purdy,
Joshua Purdy,
Peter Jay,
Isaac Purdy,
Peter Jay,
Isaac Purdy,
Joshua Purdy,
John Haight,
Andrew Lyon,
John Haight,
John Haight,
John Guion,

356

HISTORY OF THE PARISH

1806-7.
John Haight, John Guion.

1808-23.
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.
HachaUah Brown, Josiah Buckley.

1841-2.
Peter Jay, Hachaliah Brown.

1843-4.
Hachaliah Brown, William Bush.

1815-51.
WilHani Bush. Josiah Buckley.

1852-3.
John C. Jay, John A. Dix.

HISTORY

OF THE

PARISH Am CIIUriCIT

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 in-to
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 Norwalk 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 OF THE PARISH

that is, where the house stood at the meadows and uplands, to
Hutchinson's River, they paying according to ye proportion of
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 of
that day, paid early attention to religion, to the support of the
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 was
ordered: — "That all and every one of us, or that shall be of
us, do pay unto the minister according to his mead ;" also,
"That we give new encouragement to Mr. Brewster each other
week, to give us a word of exhortation."* In 167U 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 about
the worship of God." It was also resolved, " That whereas Mo-
ses Hoit, being deserter, and being behind, and not seeming to
be willing to contribute unto our minister, whereupon the in-
habitants of Eastchester, have agreed that the said Moses Hoit
shall be presented unto the next Court of Sessions, &c."i^

Upon the 29th of July, 1 674, " Richard Shute was chosen for
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 our
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.

•» Town Records.—" On the 13th January, 1672, it was resolv^ed 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. 1674.

• Town Records.

AND CHURCH OF EASTCHESTER. 359

The following day, at a public meeting of llie inhabitants of
Eastchester, it was resolved by vote, " 'I'o 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 liis present
comfort, and likewise for his future livelihood."*

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 £i4t) a year for his subsistence, and also provide him a
house and land for his use, during the time he slays here as
our minister." At this meeting it was resolved, "To send IMiilip
Pinckney and Samuel Drake, sen., as representatives to West-
chester, to the town meeting, to treat with that town for the
providing a minister.'-^

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. ?. d.

William Haiden, 14 Will. Grcgier, 0.5

Richard Shute, 12 Henry Fowler, 04

Nat. Tompkins, 10 Henry Creway, 02

John Pinckney, 10 Samuel Drake, 15

Richard Hoadljr, 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, minisler of

Newtown, L. 1 ; that is to say, to be paid unto the said min-

» Town Records.
i> 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."a

Feb. 11th, 1G80, we find the Rev. Morgan Jones officiating in
the village of Westchester.^

During the year, 1G84. 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."<^

At this period, Mr. Samuel Goding received instructions to
read in the Bible, and other good sermon books, and so to car-
ry on ihe Sabbath exercises in Eastchester, according to the
Hon. Col. Fletcher's order. 'i

On the 30th of Nov., 1C92, 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. s. d.

John Tompkins, 3 Jno. Pinckney, 5pecks

John Clark, 2 of Indian corn,

Joseph Drake, 4 William Gray, 2

Thomas Pinckney, 3 Johti 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

* Tdwn Records.

b Westchester Town Records.—" On the 17th day of Dec, 1G80, the inhabitants
of Eastchester agreed by vote, to pay £iO a year unto Mr. Jones,, minister of
Newtown, L. I."

* Westchester Town Records.

* Eastchester Town Records. "In 1692 Richard Shute, and Samuel Goding,
■were chosen to carry on the Sabbath day serTices, dec."

AND CHURCTT OF EASTCIIESTER. 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 imto the estates of every particu-
lar person's list taken." "The same day Capt. William Hayden,
John Drake, John Pinckney, Richard Shute, and Ilenry Fowler,
sen., were chosen overseers to superintend the building of tho

meeting house, &c."a

By an Act of Assembly, passed 21st Sept., 1G93, 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.''^

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 sanie.'"^

At a town meeting held 22nd July, 1697, " It was agreed by
vote to meet at the meeting house on the lOlh day of Au-
gust next ensuing, at sun half 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 2iid of January, 1698-9, the inhabitants agreed by

» Town Rec. "At a town meeting on tlie J5th of December, 1(!D.3, Mosea
Hoit, jun., and otliers, were chosen to lake a list of estimation accordin},' to tlio
town's agreement, for making a rate for tlie payment of the carpenter's work ui
building the meetinghouse."

^Ibid.

• Ibid.

* See Hist, of the County of Westchester, vol 1. page 143.

362 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

vote, "That the address wliich is drawn up to be presented
unto His Excellency, concerning indockin (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 o/V/iOf/o.r minister, for if
otherwise, nothing but confusion would ensue about the dispo-
sal even amongst the Dissenters themselves.

The inhabitants of Easicliester finding the Governour bent up-
on the settlement of a national ministry, next attempted to annul
the act of 1093, by making themselves a distinct parish from
Westchester. This appears by the following extract from the
town records : — "April I Ith, 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
meetn]g held in Eastchester, " To haste and erect the meeting
house, and that it shall he 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 inliabitants, 20Lh 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," 2
Will. Ill, A. D. 1G99. Laws of N. Y. vol. 1. Chap. 83, p. 37.

AND CHURCH OP EASTCHESTER. 3G3

containing 18 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 JoHiv><i Lancastkr."*

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."'*

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.

»> 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, tliat 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, 17U0, " 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 maybe freed from Westchester in the ministry."

12ih of King William HI, 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 Assenribly 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 dueens 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 Westche.ster, should
be a parish together, for the better maintaining of a good and sutficient Protestant
minister; and, whereas, since the making of said act, it has been found incon-
Tenient, 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 Governourand
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 CHURCH OP EASTCHESTER. 3G5

Chester be for henceforth, and forever hereafter, separated from the parish of
Westchester, Eastchester, Lower Yonkers and the Manor of Pelhain, to all in-
tents, constructions and purposes whatsoever ; the said act, entitled An Act for
settling the ministry and raising a naaintenance for them, in the City of Nevr-
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 Pelhara, 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 Froleslatit minister in the said
town of Eastchester; any law, usage or custom to the contrary hereof, iu any-
ways notwithstanding."*

March the 6th, 1701, the inhabitants "exchanged 4 rods of
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 mako
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 constant. y, every Lord's day if occasion require,
and at other times when it is needt'ul, and to keep the drum in
repair ; and tiie said inhjibitants do promise to pay him therefor
9 pence a piece, every one."

Upon the 19lh 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 ^^ g-ood 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 tlie rights and appurtenances of West-
chester parish, of which the church at Eastchester formed a
part. Tliis 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 OP THE PARISH

On the 18th of May, 1703, the inhabitants of Eastchester ap-
pointed Mr. Thos. Pinckney and Mr. Edmund Ward, " To draw
an obhgation with Mr. Joseph Morgan, minister, for one yearj
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 Eugland 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 EASTCIIESTEP.. 357

Church of Eastchester was built iu the )'ear of our Lord. 1002
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 prtacfi unto us in tiie v( ar
1703, since which time it has been in his possession, and' he
comes and preaches at Eastchester once in four weeks dining
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 foHowing peti-
tion to Governour Cornbury, asking for an abatement in tiieir
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 ChaJder-
ton in the behalf of themselves and the Inhabitants of Eastchester,

Sheweih :

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 ab aed from the quoata layd oa
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 beibre liiis 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 (hat 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 'lii
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 fitl to have the parishes in the County
otherwise divided, which are at present so very iaconvenient, that not half of the

368 HISTORY OP 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 £1 5s. 6d., and the Vestry have layd .£15 10s. upon us, and there being
£l 10s. layed on the parish, besides the Minister's rate and the Constables's al-
lowance for leavying the same, under the name of 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 futjre only our equal divident, and as in duty bound,
your Excellency's Petitioners shall Ever Pray, «fcc.

John Drake,
Joseph Drake,
William Chatterton." •

The foregoing petition shows conclusively, that although
Eastr.hester had heen declareti a seperate 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 1(393, 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. Od., 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, this resolution was repealed and the same men cm-
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 xis the
boards that are already bought will go."

The next year the R,ev. John Ca,rtow contributed c€9 6s. 6d,
towards rectifying the pews and seats in East and Westchester
Churches.

In 1718, Mr. Bartow informs the Society that some cfForts
Avere being made to introduce a Presbyterian minister at East-
chester. This must have been the celebrated William Tennent,
who officiated here for a short time only, from whence lie re-
moved to Bedford.

MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY.

[extract.]
Westchester^ in the Province of Neio- York,

Nov. ISth, 1718.
W^ORTHY 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 liave been
with me and signified their design, from whicli 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, 1 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

New York MSS. from Archives at FuUiam, vol. i. 555. (Hawks.)

370 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

pulpit and wainscoat of the church at Eastchester, are since
decently painted, and a new gallery bnilt, and the Presbyterian
minister wRen 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

" Daring 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. Bartow'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 inclnded among
the rights and appurtenances of Westchester parish : that Mr.
Bartow was Zeo-rt% 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 j)roper 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

» Printed Abstracts of Ven. Soc.

* See Rev. Henry E. Duncan's Jubilee Sermon for 1851.

AND CHURCH OF EASTCHESTER. 371

thing 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."*

The following year he informs the Society, that the parishes
of East and Westchester are in a peaceable and growins; state.

As church business was at this time transacted with Unva
matters, we find the inhabitants electing a sexton for Eastches-
ter. On April the 1st, 1755, it was resolved, -'That Kichard
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, 175(3, the town
appointed the same individual grave-digger and sexton for 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, yet speaketh."

At the commencement of this year, the aged missionary was
called to mourn over the grave of an atfectionate wife, who
came to her death in a terrible manner, as appears by the fol-
lowing extract taken from the INew-York Post Boy, of February
6lh, 1758: — " We have the following most schocking and mel-
ancholy account from Eistchester, viz: — that on Friday morn-
ing, the 2rth of January, Mrs. Manj 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 entn^ely burnt to
cinders. It appears tiiat the unfortimate old gentleman and his
more unfortunate old lady, had, upon some necessary occasion
the evening before, agreed to lay separate; and the Doctor tai<uig

» New York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 152. (Hawk's). '• In 17:23
Mr. Delpech was schoolmaster at Easiehesier."

372 HISTOEY OF THE PARISH

his leave, went to bed, leaving his wife sitting hefore 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 aflectionate and tender husband, who first discover-
ed her in the morning."

The Rev. Thomas Standard died at Eastchester, in January,
1700, at the advanced age of nearly eiglity, and was huried by
the side of his wife, beneath the chancel of the old church, on
the Green. In 1S18, their bodies were removed by order of the
Vestry and interred under the communion table of the present
edifice. =1

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 Westcliester, including the
several districts of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers and tlie
Manor of Pclham, on the 12ihof June, 1761.

The following extract from the town records relates to the
parsonage lot, described in 1695, as "Lying uj)on ihe Green in
Eastchester :" — " At a public town meeting called by the justices
of the town 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 Eowler,
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."''

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 stale of preservation, but crumbled to
pieces on exposure to the atmosphere. Tradition sa)^s, that Mr. Standard gave,
certain lands to the Church on condition that the ren-iains of himself and wife
should be removed whenever a new edifice should be built.

* Town Records of Eastchester.

AND CnUKCn OF EASTCIIESTER. 373

Tenerable Society, dated Westchester, 1701, he sfiys:-" The
people of Eastchester have laid the foundation of a new chuicli
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 1765, 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 bier."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, 17b J. June 25th, 1707,
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 1 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 l^th day of June, in

• At a town meeting held 7ih of April, 1707, " It was agreed, that Dr. Wright
should not be molested in his burring yard on said Green in said Town."— Towa
Records.

374 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

the 3^ear 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, Jonallian J. Tomp-
kins, Ebenezr^r S. Burling, and Benjamin Stevenson, Justices of
Oyer and Terminer and General Jail Delivery for the County
of Westchester, «fcc."

St. Paul's Church, Eastchester, was first incorporated on the
12lh of ]March,17S7, in pursuance of an Act of the Legislature,
entitled : —

AN 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 Glh, April, 1784.

" 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 liouses, 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 pui chased and had, or to them given 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
Successors for ever, &c.

Article. G. — 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., *

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, Greenleaffe edition, Vol. i. chap, xviii, 71.

AND CHURCH OF EASTCHESTER. 375

•

" Thomas Bartow, John Wright, Isaac Ward, Elisha Shutc,
Lewis Guion, and Philip PeK, juti.

After this incorporation, all rnaiiagetneiit of the Church and
Church property at town meetings is dropped. The Church
now manages her own atfdirs, 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 incorporated
and consequently claimed the Green exclusively as her own. In
1790, therefore, it was ordered by ihetown, "To build the school
house on town g ound. by Charles Guion's, where it formerly
stood." Again, at a town meeting in 1792, 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 lOih of December, 17S7, 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, \bth Dec, 17S7.

Rev. Sir,
''We have tins 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 offir.iate in the two places.
From a reliance on yonr 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 $1 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, 1790j
Mr. Pell, one of the Trustees, produced a letter directed to the
Right Rev. Samuel Provoost, D. D., Bishop of the Stale 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, lor 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 belPs
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 deliTCred the key and was dismissed the service."

In 1791 James Pell was elected sexton and bell ringer. He was succeeded
by Benjamin Bartow in 1794.

AND CHURCH OF EASTCIIE3TER. 377

the old church, and burial place of one of its ministers) to pub-
lic occasions, and appointing trustees lo 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 l)y vote at this town meeting, that there shall be
three trustees chosen, who shall have power, and are hereby authorized lo affix
and ascertain, in conjunction with the trustees of the Episcopal Church of th^
town of Eistchester, the quantity and boundaries of the land necessary for said
church anJ 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^
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 of April, 1792, were authorized and empowered to affix
and ascertain, in conjunction with the Trustees of the Episcopal Church ia
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 vjhereas, 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 order abovementioned, hcrcbij certifiij, 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 afore-said,
that is to say :— Beginning at the di.stance of 31^ 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 23 feet from the front of said church, until it comes
to the edge of the bank between the upland and salt marsh, thence southerly by
the said 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 tho proprietors of salt meadow>

378 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

adjoining said land, and those who have meadows southerly of said land, their
usual right of way in going to and coming from said meadows with their hay,
through the land above described.

Witness our hands and seals, the 28th day of April, 1793.

BKfj. Morgan, [l. s.]

Jamks Morgan, [l. s.]

Nehemiah Marshall, [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'imen 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 laio. 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-
chester as 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 e.tpend3d." " 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 ITS I tor the incorporation of religions socie-
ties, and nnder this act, we have seen, the chnrch at Eastches-
ter was incorporated. Now this act conftn-red on trusiees the
right, " Lawfully, to have, hold, use, exercise and enjoy all and
singnlar the churches, meeting houses, parsonages, bi/ri/ln^-
places and lands, thei-eunto belonging, with the hereditani'Mits
and appurtenances heretofore by the said cliurch occupied or
enjoyed, &.c." Whatever rights, therefore, the chnrch possessed
prior to the Revolution, were still continued to iier by the act of
1784.

Subsequently, however, to the joint action of the trustees
" The Church appointed three persons to iniclose 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 house of Win. Crawford, on the 1 3th of
March, 1733, it was resolved as follows : fies«/ur(/, that Messrs. Stephen Ward, Lan-
caster Uuderhili, and Abraham Valentine, bo, and they are hereby authorised and
empowered to inclose the land belonginor to the chnrch in Eastchester, as laid out
and ascertained by trusiees chosen on the part of the town of Eustchester, 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 slittcd above, and that the same be of the
height of four feet and a half ; and the other parts of said land to bo 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."

" Re-soloed 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 ont 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 com[)ensation bo made by the use thereof for their
trouble and expense in fencing the said land.""

The presumption is, tliat 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 1783, or
perhaps of both, acted as the recipient of tlie same from the
town, and wisely asserted no claim. It is certain that her action
in 1792 did not weaken the title she possessed in any land

* Church Records, coinmencing A. D. 1787.

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.*

This church was again incorporated on the 4th of October,
1795, by the styleand title of " St. Paul's Church in teie
Town of Eastch ester,"'' in pursuance of an Act passed for
the relief of the Protestant Episcopal Church, on the 17ih of
March, previous. Upon this occasion, WiUiam Popham and
Lancaster Uaderhill were elected church wardens; Philip Pell,
Lewis Guion, Isaac Ward, John Reed, Isaac Guion, Abraham
Valentine, William Pinckney and William Crawford, vestry-
men.

In I79S, the connection between this parish and Yonkers was
dissol ved,c 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 0-" NEW YORK.

" The wardens and 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
oncoura;jinir 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
tomake 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. 185:i.

'' County Rec. Religious SocLib. A. 10, 11, 12.

*= Mr. 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.

AND CIIURCn OF EASTCITESTER. 39!

wnshuiltsnme fewyears before tl.o Revolution, Imt left unfinished. Tl.atby tliodrprc-
datK.ns commonly attendant lliereon, it was {jreatly injured, the wooden part of it be-
Hig taken away, whereby the walls were exposed and so nmcl. impaired, that short-
ly after the return of peace, the little remaining part of the former conirretration
exerted their best, tlie war having enfeebled their abilities, to put the church in some
sort of order for public worship, and enjraged a minister, and in conjunction with
■\Vestchester do still retain one who promises by his talents as a teacher, with an
exemplary conduct, to promote the cause of religion and enlarge the congregation, 6cc."

In April, 1817, the

REV. RAVAUD KEARNY, A. M.,

succeeded Mr. Wilkins as minister of this parish. }Te was
the son of Phihp Kearny, whose grandfather, Michael Kearny,
emigrated from Ireland to this conntry in 170G. He was born
at Newark, N. J. 22nd of August, 171J1, entered Colnmhia Col-
lege in ISOS and graduated Bachelor and Master of Arts in 1812.
In 1S16 he was ordained deacon, and the year following Priest
by the Right Rev. John H. Hoba.rt, and soon afterwards com-
menced his labors here. In 182], he relinquished the rector-
ship of this parish, and confined himself to the Chnrch a: New
Rochelle, to which benefice he was called in 1810. 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, Canandaigna, West New-York, and in
1828 look charge of St. Paul's Church, Red Hook, Duchess
County, of which he remained rector until the day of his death.
He diedSih of May, l^Ul. His remains were brought to New-
York and interred in the family vault at St. Mark's Chinch in
the Bowery.

Upon the resignation of Mr. Kearny, the ^

REV. LEWIS P. BAYARD,

from the Diocese of New Jersey, was elected rector of (he
parish. He continued faithfully to discharge the duties of his
office boili here and in New Rochelle, tmtil the Mth of October,
1826, when he was succeeded by the

REV.LAWSON CARTER,

for whose successors, see list of rectors.

382 HISTORY OF 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 previonsly shown that the present church edifice
was erected in 1765, by the inhabitants of this town. Situated
in a pleasant valley, bordering the Aqneanouncke, it jiresents
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, with
narrow lights, terminating in an octangular lantern, containing a
bell which bears the f)llowing inscription : — " Tke Gift of the
Rev. Thomas Standard, 1758. Lester i.^* Pack, fecit J''^

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, 17t35.
The whole edifice has recently undergone considerable repairs;
a new chancel arrangement made, the walls painted iti 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. In tlie 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 meinory of Mrs. Mary
Grigg,^ obt. Jan. 2d, 1844, JB' 71 years.

The chalices are inscribed as follows: — 1st. " The gift of ,

* During the Revolutionary War the bell and prayer book, formely used by
the Missionaries of the Ven. Prop. Soc, were buried for safe keeping, on the farm
known as the old Ross place, and now owned by E. C. Halsey, Esq.

'' This lady was the daughter of Joshua Pell, Esq., grandson of Thomas Pell,
second Lord of the Manor of Pelham.

St. Paul's Church Eastchestor— Erected A. D, 1765.

St. John's Church, Yonkors — Erected A. D. 1753.

[To lace page 389.]

AND CHURCH OP EASTCHESTER. 383

ederick Van Cortlandt,SL PauVs Church, Eastchester, A. D.
1829." 2d and 3d, marked "^.*S'."a 4tli,">S'/. Paul's Churchy
Eastchester, N. Y., from Mrs. John Quincy Adams, 1829." 'I'liis
chalice is not only rendered valuable by the distinguished lady
who gave it, but by the melancholy story associated therewith.''

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. TME. 70^
YEAR. OF. HIS. AGE.— HERE. LS. THE. BODY. OF.
THOMAS. PINCKNEY. DIED. Ye. 1. 1732. EG. 71— HERE.
LAYS. THE. BODY. OF. CAP. WILL. PINKNEY. DIOCES-
ED. 11. DAY. OF. MARCH. 1755. AG'D. ABOUT. 75. YEARS
—I. O. D. FEB, 1746—0. H. HOKREI). DECES. ID. Ye
YEAR. 1755—1. -i- O. DE. JULY. Ye 25. 175 —HERE LY-

» Anil, (laughter of James Smith, Esq., whose brother, Col. William Smith,
married a daughter of President Adams, and resided on the Ross place in this
town.

^ The SOD 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 iulerment.

384 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

ETH THE BODY OF WILLIAM CRAWFORD : WHO DE-
PARTED : THIS : LIFE THE 1 1. DAY : OF NOVEMBERjj^ >-e^
IN: THE: 51: YEAR: OF: HIS: AGE: 1747— E. VV. O.
NOVEllBER-M. A -h G. JAN 25. 17G4— F. O. DEC. 12—
MAJOR SAMUEL PELL, OB. 29. DECR. 1786, IN THE
32nd year of his age. THUS AFTER RETURNING
VICTORIOUS, FROM THE FIELD OF MARS, HE CHEER-
FULLY OBEYS THE SUMMONS OF ETERMTY FROM
WHENCE THERE IS NO RETURN. IN MEMORY OF
STEPHEN WARD, Esq. WHO DIEDS™ 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 ptire.
Mourn too, ye friends and relatives who knew
His worth, iiis kindness, and liis love to you ;
But duty bids us all resign, and say,
Thy will be done, who gave and took away.

Oil 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

^ ou the 15th of November, 1843,

in the 37th year of his age,

and the 8ih 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 werl 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. 335

" Neither is he that planteth auything. neither he tl.at watereth, but God that
giveth the increase."— l.s<. Cor. 3d Chap., 1th Verse.

RECTORES DE EASTCHESTER.

TEMP. INST. RECTORES. VACAT. PATRON.S.

19 Nov. 1702, Rev. John Bartow, CI. A. M. pr. moit. War. and Ves

8 July 1727, " Thos. Standard, CI. A.M. " "
12 June 1761, " John Mihier, CI. A. M. pr. resig., «

3 Dec. 1766, " Sam. Seabury, CI. A. M. " "

9 Mar. 1 799, '■ Isaac Wilkms, Presb. D. D. pr. mort, "
Apr. 1817, " Ravaud Kearny, Presb. pr. resig. «<

14 Oct. 1826, " Lavvson 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. 1852, " WiUiam S. Coffey, Presb., present incumbent.

NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS.

A. D. 1723, Baptisms, — , Communicants, 30,

1817, " 45, ^' 48,

1847, •' 15, « 35,

1853, " 16, " 46,

In 1710, the population of Eastchcster, was 314,
1840, « ■'■• 1,502,

1850, " " 1,680.

PEW HOLDERS IN 1787-8.
Charles Guion, James Morgan, Sen., Lewis Guion, Samuel
Webb, Stephen Ward, Philip Pell, Minister's seat, William
Pinkney, 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 Muesfice, Mo-
ses Fowler, William Stanton, Moses Hunt, Philip Rhinelander,
Benjamin Morgan, Elisha Shute, Daniel Townsend, Isaac

386

HISTORY OF THE PARISH

Ward, Daniel Williams, Israel Honeywell, William Fowler,
Rem Rapelye, William Crawford, Caleb Morgan, Benjamin
Drake, Theodosiiis Bartow.

WARDENS OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.
1795 to 1803.
William Popham, Lancaster Underbill.

1804.
Lancaster Underbill, Rem Rapelye.

1805-7.
Lancaster Underbill. Jeronemus Alstyne.

1808-9.
Lancaster Underbill, Lewis Guion.

1810-16.
Lancaster Underbill. Isaac Ward, Sen.

1817-24.

Lancaster Underbill, William Popbam.

1825-47.

Jobn Townsend,

Philemon Fowler.

1848-52.
Philemon Fowler, Robert Bartow.

1853.
Nathaniel Valentine, Samuel T. Carey.

St. Paul's Rectory, Eastchester.

HISTORY

OF THE

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 1040 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,) (fcc, " 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

3SS HISTORY OP THE PARISH

of the Manor of Pelham, and Rachel his wife, conveying to
Jacob Leislerj 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, (fee," (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.''^

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."b

The persecution which the Huguenots underwent has scarce
its parallel in the history of religion ; though they obtained a
peace from Henry HI, 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 proponiou towards its pur-
chase." — See Hist, of Westchester, vol. i. p. 376.

I* See Charter of Trinity Church.

AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 389

taste it. One while, edicts were published against those, who
foreseeing the calamities that threatened our clnirchos, 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 then- 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, 16S5, 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 liand, 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 that 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 plucked 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
waysof 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 loith-
in thy walls, and prospei'ity loithin thy palaces. For my breth-
ren and cmnpanions' sake I loill now 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 dehiged the earth, and which tliy reign hath
caused to be shed ! May God blot out of his bonk 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." ^

•' 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 arrns to receive them ; no less than five
hundred thousand thus escaped, and found homes in Germany,
Holland, and England.''^ •' King Charles H. 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 bo 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 Freiicli Protestants, who settled at Oxford, Mass., A. D., 1686,
&c., by A. Holmes, D. D., CorrespoudUig Secretary of Mas3. Hist. See, iu 1830.''
— See Collection of Mass., Hist. Soc, vol. ii. 3d series.

'■ Mr. Di.sosway'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 stale 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 1081, was the forerunner of the revoca-
tion of the Edict of Nantes.=>' The Huguenots were aided in
their escape from France, by the English vessels that lay for
some time off the Island of F\h6, opposite La Rochelle, in which
they were conveyed to England. ^ 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, (fcc.
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 coimtry 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.

'' Smedley's Hist, of the Reformed Religion, vol. iii. p. 217.

AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE.

393

{M>S'. 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 thmgs
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 Charily 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, <fcc.

Thauuet,

Elei Cothouneau."^
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 6Hy 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

» Doc. Hist, of New-York, vol. iii. p. 92C.

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, 1689. It was there declared
that Jolm 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 furtlier quantity of one hundred
acres of land for the use of the French Church, erected or to he
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 constnicted 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. ^
Near the same time, Louis Bongrand " Did give unto the inhab-
taints of New Rochelle a piece of land forty paces square, for a
churchyard to bury their dead."'' A house and about three acres
of land were subsequently given by the town to the church
forever.c

At this early period the inhabitants appear to have enjoyed
the ministrations of the

* Several aged inhabitants of this towu, still living, remember the old church
which was destroyed soon after the Revolutionary War.

*• "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, 1693, 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 wm to have a particular
lano 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 Towu Rec. page 20.

<= See Mr. Bartows letter to Sec. Nov. 15, 1723. See also Mr. Stouppe's letter to
the same, Dec. 11, 1727.

AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 395

REV. DAVID BONRRPOS, D. D.,

a French Protestant minister, who accompnnied 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 oflices 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 il,
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 youf 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. Gouverneur pour le
Roy d'Angleterre, du fort
William a la Nole York."^
Nothing is Icnown 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, describmg 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. &c."''

The following entry occurs in the Town Records : — " 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, (fee, and begin to pay the rent from the first to the last of
May of the year 1694. Signed. Thauvet Ecotonneau, Tmacher
TheroLide, Guillaume le Conte, Daniel Strang.''^

By an Act of General Assembly passed on the 24th of March.

» Doc. Hist, of N. Y. vol. ii. 304, 5.

b 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. X. C5. " Letters of administration were granted to Martha Bonrepos, wife
of David Bonrepos, 25th of Oct., 1711." — Surrogate's office, N. Y., Lib. viii. 61.

t 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 diptricts or precincts of Westches-
ter Parish. In 1702, New'Rochelle contributed towards the
rector's maintenance and poor of the parish, JC7 3s. In 1720
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, a 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 1686. '' For eight years he was employed by the Cor-
poration for Propagating the Christian Faith among the In-
diansc 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

* " Upoii 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 Introd.

*> " 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. 6'J. " In
1693, Cotton Mather speaks of Mr. Bondet, as a faithful minister ' to the French
congregation at New Oxford, in the Nipinug country.' " — Magnalia. B. VI. c. vi. ^ 2.
vol. ii. p. 382. 8vo. ed. Hart. 2 vols. 1820.

« 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 : lor 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 6^//, 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
more of him at New Oxford. i^ 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."c
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 [ 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 tlie 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 land, now known by the
name of Oxford." — Oxford Town Records.

*> His name does not occur in a list of the principal inhabitants in 1696, the yea''
the settlement was broken up by an incursion of the Indians.

<^ See Charter o"" Trinity Church.

AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. ^99

try to alter their resolutions and when he came they refused to
call him. "a

So that projection failing, (of inducting Mr. Bondet to the
Parish of Westchister) Colonel Hfeathcote 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 Heathcote, 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 aOd 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 Uie the continuation of that stipend that I had in
times past. But havin^ 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
good 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 aflfection 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 EOCHELLE. ' 401
person, of your illustrious family and the prosperity of vonv

" Order and Report on the above
^^A^ a Council held at ffort Wm. Henry, this 29th day of June,

Sa:Sh : Broughton, ]

Garrard Beekman, \ ggq^g ^^^eb Heathcote, Esq., John

Rip Van Dam, j Bi'idges, Doctor of Laws.

Rochelle had formerly a salary allowed him oat of the Revenue
which the late Earl of Bellamont depnved him of, it ishereby
ordered that the petition of the said Minister formerly Dd to
his Excellency be referred to the sd Coll : Heathcote, who is to
examine into the allegations and report (he same.

By order of His Excellency and Council,

^- CosENS, Cl'k Coiinciiy
" 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 lor propagating the Xtian ff-aith a.nongst the Indians at a
place ca led New Oxford, near Boston, with the allowance of a
salary of 42a a year, where heconsnmed the little he brought with
him from ifrance 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, vvhich 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 ^igj

402 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

his duty, both in reference to Xtians and Indians, and was of
an unblemished hfe and conversation. After his being called
to New Rochelle 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 until 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 lie 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 20ih 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 j) ay their proportion
to the minister of the place.^' <=

" 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 {he 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.
'' So styled iu 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 VeW for the church of ihis place,
the said one hundred acres shall be taken on the undivided
land, according to the choice of tlie 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 coniniend him to
your pious consideration as a person industrious in ye service o^
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 2Ath, 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 JiOrd Bishopof London j
concerning those things whereof 1 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 Lopdon and the Honorable Society 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 R-ecords, Lib. A, p. 5.
'' Westchester Vestry Book.

404 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

pened 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 1 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 sohciting 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 sball judge most proper for the payment of my arrears, and
if it be Her Majesty's good pleasure to confirm to me what two
Governours, by the advice of the Councilhave ordered as a nec-
essary provision for my subsistauce, 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 joy full tidii]gs 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 pleased 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 liis work
in your generation.

I am, Sir, (fcc, &.C.,

Daniel Bondet."*

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.]

" Mannor of iScarsdale, Dec. ISth, 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 this4rtime
about four years in arrear. As to what you mention of my Lord
of London recommenditig 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-fiflh 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, MGS. 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 their
French Reformed brethern in England, by conforming to the
English Church. This memorable event is thus recorded in
the fharter : " 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 lo 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 Fulhain, vol. i. pp. 167, 168, 169, (Hawks.)

AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 407

England as established by law, and by a solmn act or 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 iind 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 thougiit 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 o\u 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,

Honord Sir,
Your most humble and dutiful servants,

Elias Badeau,
Adrew Rkneau,
J. Levillaine.
[Signed by twenty-six others. "^^J

The services on this occasion were held in the old wooden

» New- York, MSS. from archives atFulham, vol. i. pp, 189-90. (Hawk's.)

408 HISTORY OP 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. Bondet's 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 Glueen's revenue is

discontinued,

" Tuesday, June \itJi.

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,"^

Colonel Heathcote, who was also present on the occasion,
thus writes: —

COL. HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY.

" Manor of Scarsdale, June I3th, 1709.
Worthy Sir,
After I had finished my other letters, Mr, Bondet gave me an

» And not on Sunday the 12th, as the charter declares. The lessons for the
day were the 19lh Chap, of Job and I3th of St. Mark,
^ New- York, MSB. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. pp. 194-5, (Hawks.)

AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 409

account by letter, that his people were in a very good tnmper to
receive and conform to the Liturgy of our Church, in their con-
gregation, whereupon I went to New llochello, being accom-
panied by Mr. Sharp, Chaplain to the flbrces, 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, an dhis congregation being desired to be at
church, after the service had been performed by Mr. Bartow,
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 setthng 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
to recoramend 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 fiVench con-
gregation in New- York likewise to conform and I am not with-
out hopes of effecting my desired end of having this country divi-
ded into three Parishes, by which means we should eflectually 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

was almost the only cause that uoae of your churches have
throve better in this Province. The ffleet are just upon saihng
and I am in a very great hurry in concluding my letters, but I
must beg leave to refer you to my next and remain, worthy sir,

Your affectionate humble servant,

Caleb Heathcote.''^

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 will
be pleased to take into your pious consideration the condition of
a poor company of refugees, inhabitants of the town of New-
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. 411

solved coiiclnsion. The Hon. Col. Francis Nicholson, Colonel
Heathcofe and Colonel Morris, have promised to nse iheir 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
an 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-
thema 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 Reformandse Ecclesioe.
" Talem si nobis exhibeant hierarchiam, in qua sic emineant
episcopi, ut Christo subesse non recusent — ut ab illo tanquam
unico Capite pendeant, et ad ipsum referentur — tum nuUo non
anathemate dignos fateor, si qui erunt qui non eam reverenter,
summaque obedientia 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."''

The Rev. Joseph Bingham, in that admirable discourse of

* Beza, Ep. xii, p. 105.

'' 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 Church 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 OP

NEW ROCHELLE.

" Richard Ingoldesby, Esq., Lieut. Gov. and Commander in Chief of their Majes-
ties Province of New- York, New Jersey, &c. To Capt. Oliver Besly and his
Brethern, Gen. of ye Consistory of New Rochelle in ye County of Westchester,
greeting : —

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 London 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
Dui. 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. BONDET TO THK SECRETARY.

» New -York, Wh 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 hopa 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 Jmie, 32

Yours &,c.,

Daniel Bondet.^

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 the2()th of March. 1709, nearly three
months before the conformity, Governor Ingoldesby issued an or-
der or license, empowering the inhabitants to erect the same.''
The undertaking, however, met with such violent opposition
from the enemies of tlie 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.)
■' See County Records, Lib. D. p. 7"2.

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, «Sfc.
To the Hon'ble Coll. Caleb Heathcote, Coll. Lewis Morris. To the Rev. Mr.
Bondet, Minister of New Rochelle, to Capt. Oliver Besley, Dr. John Neville. Isaiah
Le Villain and the other Inhabitants of the town of New Rochelle iu the County
of Westchester, Communicants of the Church of England, as by Law Established.
Greeting : Whereas, I am informed of your pious design to build a Church for tho
- worship and Service of God according to the form and manner Prescribed in the
Liturgy of the Church of England, & am applyed to for Lycence to erect it iu the
Publick street. I have thought fitt and doe hereby give Leave and Lycence to you
to Erect such Building in such Convenient Place of the said street as you shall
think most Proper, Providing the Breadth of such Church do not Exceed thirty
foot, and further, I do authorize and Impower you to Receive and Collect such sum's
of money and other helps as Charitable People shall be disposed to Contribute to
this good work.

Given under my hand and seal at New- York, this second day of Afcgust, 1710.

ROBERT HUNTER.
By his Excellency's command, George Clarke."

" In pursuance of this Lj'cence, we, the within Nominated Trustees, appoynted
by his Excellency for the building of a Church for the worship of God, according to
ye Liturgy of the Church of England at New Rochelle, have agreed to Build it oh
the North side of ye high street in the said Town of New Rochelle, in ye County of
Westchester, the said Church forty foot iu length and thirty foot in breadth, between
the Dwelling houses of Francis LeConte and Zachary Anseuvaiu, as Judging it the
most Convenient Place.

Witness our hand this Eighth day of August, 1710, Newfville, Daniel giraud,
Isaac Quantin, Debonrepos, Andre Naudain, daniel beunet, Caleb Heathcote, Lewis
Morris, Daniel Bondet, Besley, E. Valleau, Pierre Valleau, F LeConte, ambroise
Sicart, J. Levillain." »

As soon as the site was determined upon, a subscription was
set on foot for the building of the church. The names of the
subscribers and the amount of their contributions are preserved
in the following document : —

" An account of the money collected by the reverend Mr.
Sharpe, Chaplain of the forces of her majesty at New- York,
and Mr. Elias Neau, from the members of the Church of En^-

» Documentary Hist, of N. Y. vol. iii. pp. 942, 943.

416 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

land, for building a Church at New Rochelle for the worship of
God according to the forme and manner prescribed in the Lit-
urgy of the Church of England :

His Excellency, Coll, Hunter, our Governour.

Coll. Nicholson,

The Reverend Mr. Evens,

The Reverend Mr. John Talbot,

The Reverend Mr. John Sharpe,

The Reverend Mr. Vesey,

The Reverend Doctor Innis,

The Reverend Mr. Vaughn,

The Reverend Mr. Bridge,

The Reverend Mr. Thomas,

The Reverend Mr. Henry Boys,

The Reverend Mr. Thomas Barclay,

The Reverend Mr. Holyday,

The Reverend Mr. Bartow,

Coll. Bayard,

Mr. Elias Romain,

Mad. Mackham, 3 dolars,

Mr. Jeremiah Colert 3 dolars,

Mrs. Mary Laurens

Mr. Nathaniel Marston,

Mr. Mosent,

Mr. John Meklany,

Mr. John Bayley, one dolar,

Doctor Letrice,

Mad. Weuham,

Mr. Suire, payed,

Cap. Thomas,

Coll. Moris,

Mr. Mastin,

Mr. Bartholemy LeRoux,

Mr. Reign ier,

Mr. Thomas Dutey,

Mr. James Neau,

Coll. Graham,

Alexander More,

Mr. Elias Nean,

Mr. Peak, purser, of the Kingsale, 2 dolars,

Mr. William HacKing,

Mr. George Clark,

Mr. John Creok,

Cap. Davis, commander of the Maidstone.

Master May Vickley,

£6

1 2

1 10

■0

1 2

(

1 2

1 6

3 5

1 2

1 6

1 10

1 2

.1 2

1 2

AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 417

Mr. Lawrence Read, 3 dolars,

Mr. Remison,

Mr. George Nethew, 2 dolars,

Cap. Cleyton, commander of the Kingsale,

Mr. Christopher Rougby,

Capt. Wilson, mayor of the city.

Cap. Lancaster Siraes,

Mr. Andrew Bornet,

Lieutenant Tathem,

Mr. Collector Bayesly,

Daniel Rouet,

The Commander of the Feversham,

Mr. Daniel Airauld,

Capt. Hamilton,

Mr. Robert, of Boston, Merchant,

Mr. John Read,

Capt. Gordon,

Coll. Partridge,

Cap. A. Chalwell,

Coll. Heathcote,

Dan. Cromelin,

On Board of the Ship Feversham's Company,

From the master of the Feversham's ship.

From the Purser of the same ship.

From the Cap. Mostenan, 3 dolars.

From Mr. Lisau,

From Mr. Livingston, a mayor of Albany,

From Lieutenant Jay,

From Leftenant More,

Mr. Watts,

Mr. Sharpes,

Mr. Reggs,

Mad. Hamilton

The Col. Morris,

Mr. George Willack,

By a Legacy from Mr. Zaraain,

By Cap. Wims,

By Mr. Broeck, one dolar,

The subscriptions, though not very large, must be regarded
in reference to the relative value of money at that period and
the present. The new church which was begun in the Au-
tumn of 1710, and completed by November of the same year,
stood a little east of the present Episcopal church, at the
entrance of the lane leading to Mr. Elias Guion's former resi-

ROCHELLE.

418 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

dence. The building, whicli was constrnctftd of stone, form-
ed nearly a square, being perfectly plain within and with-
out. So anxious were all to contribute something towards
its completion, that even fen)ales carried stones in their hands,
and mortar in their aprons, to complete the sacred work.

'Upon the erection of the church, measures were immedi-
ately taken to secure a Royal Patent for the same, as appears
from the following , —

PETITION FOR A PATENT FOR THE CHURCH AT NEW ROCHELLE.

";To his Excellency Robert Hunter, Esq., Captain Greneral and

Governeur in Chief of her Majesties Provinces of new-yorck,

New Jersey, and Territories Depending thereon in aMerica,

&c., vice admiral of the same, &c.

The Petition of Daniel Eondet, minister, olmer Besley, and other Inhabitantc

of New Rochelle. of the communion of the Church of England, in behalf of

themselves and others,

Humbly Sheweth :

That whereas they have been favoured with your Excellency's license Bearing
date the 2d of August, 1710, Empowering them to collect and Receive the chari-
table contributions of piously disposed christians and apply them towards build-
ing a house for the worship and service of God, according to the form and man-
ner of the Church of England as by Law established, and further Granting unto
them the priviledge to build and Erect such church in such place of the publick
Street as to them should seem most convenient and proper. That by virtue Of
the said Licence and Encouragement and the contributions Thereby collected,

AND CHURCH OP NEW ROCHELLE. 41^9

They have proceeded to build, and have now finished a convenient building for
■use lorsaid according to the diieclioua, liinitaiiuuh, and Restiiclioni Therein
mentioned.

Mav it Therefore please your Excellency to grant them a patent for the said
"Church, and the ground whereon it stands, that it may be secured for the use of
the Church of England to them and their posterity for Ever, against all attemptsj
•claims, and pretensions that hereafter may be made, and your petitioners as ia
•duty bound, ahall Ever pray, &c.

Damel Bondet,
F. Ai/i.EAn,
Besley,
P. Valleau,
El.IE DEBoNREros."
New Roclielle, the lltk of Novemher.

REPORT THEREON.
May it please Your Excellency,
" lu obedience to your Excellencie's order in Councill, of 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 whereoa
it stands, wee have fully Examined into ye matter of th« said petition, and are
liumbly 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
Tsubmitted to your Excellency, by

Your Excellencie's Most Obedient,

humble Servants,

A. D. Peyster,
S. Staat»,
Rip Van Dam,
Caleb Heathcote,
T. Byerley.*

^ead 3lst 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 : — •»

• Documentary Hist, of N. Y., vol. iii. p. 948.

' " Governor Hunter was aa devoted a member of the Church of Engfland as aay
of the early Governors."— Macdouald's Hist, of the Presbyterian Church ia Jsmai-
ca, Long Island, |>. 51.

420 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

COLONEL HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY.

[extract.]

" New- York, January 30th, ITU.
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 GoTernor,
who, without giving us the least stop or delay, did every thing
we desired of him."*

COL. LEWIS MORRIS TO THE SECRETARY.

" NeiD- 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
adissenter,)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,'' 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.)
•" 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. v., 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 1711-12, the Venerable Propagation Society pr€"
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 and faithful discharge
of his office, they have augmented his salary from £30 to £50
per annum.*" 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 of 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, " 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.)
•> 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."

« New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol i. pp. 2l6, 217. (Hawks.)

422 HISTORY 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, dueen 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 POR THE CHURCH AND GROimD AT NEW
ROCHELLE.

" Anne, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Qjueen^
Defender of the Faith, &c., &c., to all whom these presents may come or in any
wise coneerne, 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 aud 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 I>aniel Bondet, now minister at
New Rochelle aforesaid, fsaias Valleau, Oliver Besley, Peter Valleau, Elie De-
bonrepos, in behalf 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 — Knaw>je, that of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere
Estotion, 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 assignees^ 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 ways, easements, emoluments, profits, benefits, privileges,
Mbertyes, advantages, hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever to the same
belonging, or in any wise ot right appertaining, to the estate, right, title, in-
terest, benefits, advantages, claims and demands in any way of, in, or to the said
ckurch or chapel, ground and premises, with appurtenances or any part or par-
cel theueof, and the reversion and raversioas, 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 Besley, Peter Valleau and Elia Debonrepos, their heirs
and assignees for ever, to the only proper use and behoof of them, the said Daniel
Bondet, Isaias Valleau, Oliver Besley, Peter Valleau and Elie Debonrepos, their
heira and assignees, for ever in trust, nevertheless and to the intent, the aforesaid
church or chapel with the appurtenances, may and shall forever hcreauer, con-
tinue, remain, and be unto all and singular the inliabitants, rcsideuts 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 and for no other service, use, intent or purpose whatso-
ever, to be holden of us, our heirs and suacessors, 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 an^^. successgrs, at or upon the feast of the Nativity of
our Lord, commonly called Christmas, the yearly rent of one pepper corne only,
(if the same shall be lawfully demanded,) in lieu and stead of all other rents, dues,
duties, services, and demands whatsoever; provided nevertheless, that nothing
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 ot and from the performances or execution of
any parochial ofiice or duty in tiie 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 contayncd to the
contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding. In testimony whereof we have
caused these our letters to be mide patent, and the scale 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 oHice of our said province. Witness oar trusty and well beloved
Robert Hunter, Esq., captain-general and goveruor-in-chief, in and os'er 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 jin the year of our
Lord God, 1714."»

Abtut this Deriod, "the town gave a house and three acres of

» Alb. Rec. Lib. viii. pp. 1, 2, 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.

" Ne\D- 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 reliefof 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 OP NEW EOCHELLE. 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 tiis mind among the contending parties, and with a con-
slant 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 number of 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 sensiblepersonsof 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 1 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 OP 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-
le^arripnt, for the most Hnnourahlpi 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. BOJNDET TO THE SECRETARY.

" New Rochelle, Oct. Utk, 1716.

Honored Sir,
Concerning the present state of our church I have nothing
thank God to acquaint you with, which discourage inv service
nor the favour of the Honorable Society. We stand orderly and
peaceably under the protection and favour of our worthy Gover-
nor. The numbftv of onr 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 7lh of July, fifty ; the 7ih 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
gcnerousiy moved towards me, 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
1 was remitting my pretension to the gift to procure glass to our
church v/hioh Mr. Vese^' likf^d v^t"' ^vell "*

The following year Mr. Bondet informs the Society of the
death of Jane Bondet his wife. The subjoined was probably his
last letter to that Venerable Body, although he continued faith-
fully at his post more than three years afterwards.

MR. BONDET TO THE SECRETARY.

" New Rochelle, Nov. I2th, 1717.
Honored Sir,

That I be not wanting in duty to the Honorable Society and
their orders, I inform you that I am alive and thank God in
good health, considering my age, having lost this year my wife,
God having crowned the hardships of her pilgrimage with a
honorable end. I keep and rule my house, as I ought to be ex-
emplary in house ruling as in church ministering. My congre-
gation continue in the same terms that you have been informed
by my precedents, forty, fifty and sij^ty communicants. I have
of late admitted to the communion two negroes to the sat-
isfaction of the Church, who heard them often before giving
promise of their christian instruction, and having good report
among our people. There is nothing wanting in respect of the

• New- York, MSS. from archives at Falham, vol. i. pp. 512, 513. (Hawks.)

428 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

outward order, but as I have represented before that our town
might have the privilege of Church, and enjoy the benefit of the
law for to contribute towards the support of the minister who
serveth them. I pray not on that point by ambition nor as com-
plaining of any indigence, but it does not look well that a min-
ister who hath served past twenty years in this province,
founded a church and put it in the order where it appears to the
public approbation, be left to voluntary contribution, and the
contribution raised by law be applied to another place. I
leave that to your wise consideration, depending entirely on
the favour and approbation of the Honorable Society for
which I pray daily, as I am bound in duty, that their good
works may continue and prosper, to the confirmation and
propagation of ever truth and godliness.

I remain,

Reverend Sir,

Your very humble servant,

Daniel Bondet."*

The latter period of this good man's ministry, (whose age
and infirmities, at least, should have entitled him to some
degree of respect,) was embittered by the outrageous conduct
of the seceders from their own Church, aided by one Mouli-
nars, and the Consistory of the French Church of New-
York. It appears that Monsieur Lewis Roux, a man of
learning and the lawful pastor of the French Church in
New- York, absolutely refused to abet these seceders, at New
Rochelle, which ultimately led to his unjust dismissal from
the pastoral charge, and the usurpation of the above men-
tioned Moulinars. The whole matter is thus represented by
Governor Hunter to the Venerable Society : —

» New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham vol. i. 535-6. (Hawks.)

AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 429

COL. HUNTER TO THE SECRETARY.

''Bath, Sept.2\st, 1720,
Sir,
I had the honour of yours with Mr. Bondet's enclosed.
Monsieur Roux's moderation procured him the chagrin of a
colleague of a different disposition, who was not so easy to
hearken to advice, which was all that was in my power. The
case stands thus : part of the inhabitants of New Rochelle
separated from the rest from the time that Mr. Bondet owned his
Episcopal ordination, and being without a pastor of their own
they met on Sundays, at Mr. Alard's house, where they con-
tinued their religious exercise after their own manner. Mon-
sieur Roux, refused to go thither either to preach or administer
sacraments, being persuaded that they were not without a law-
ful pastor of their own, on whom he would not intrude, which
got him enemies amongst the most zealous and considerable of
his congregation, which ended in their calling an assistant
tractable to their warm disposition. I foresaw what has hap-
pened, and begged of Mr. Bondet to enter into no discussions
with the Consistory at New- York, where his enemies would
be his judges, but to bear all with patience and to represent it to
the Society. If the chief of the ministers of the French Con-
gregational Churches could be persuaded to write to Monsieur
Molinar to forbare intruding where he has no lawful call, as
his colleague has hitherto done, I believe that would answer all
the ends Monsieur Bondet has in \iQVT, and keep things quiet
there.

I am with respect. Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

Robert Hunter."*

Monsieur Roux, in a memorial to the Governor, dated New
York, Feb. 18, 1724-25, says : — " In opposition to this National

'i^ • New-York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. pp. 564-5. (Hawks.)

430 HISTORY OF THE PARISH

Church, they (Moulinars and friends) have entertained and fo-
mented for several years a scandalous schism at New Rochelle^
where the incapacity of providing for a minister, obhged the
inhabitants to establish an Episcopal Church, through the boun-
ty and protection of the Society in England, and they would
still support this schism if their M . . . . was not taken up in
the custody of our church, of which he keeps the keys, in
order to keep me out unjustly."* Wonderful to say, throughout
this dispute, Moulinars and his party not only undertook to
defend their independence/ liom the discipline of the French
Church, but labored to prove their attachnienf to the Church of
England. In answer to the first, Mr. Roux very justly observes,
(in the above mentioned memorial) " that if he is not mistaken,
the true principles of the Independent are expressly condemned
in our discipline." As to the second, he says : — '•' They have al-
ways been enemies of the Church of England as by law estab-
lished; they have always railed at her liturgy, her service, her
Church government, and her ceremonies." This strife contin-
ued for some time, until at length, the New- York seceders " be-
ing fearful of a decree, that might expose their own estates to
the payment of Mr. Roux's salary, thought it advisable to
drop their debates, xeinstate the minister and leave th€
Church."b

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 thfiir own founders, prescribed the Church
of England in her doctrine, discipline, ordinances, usages, rites
and ceremonies, as popish, rotten and unscriptural. How dif- •
fer«nt this from the views of their great reformer Beza, who
addressing dueen Elizabeth, says: — "But you, O Queen, and

■*> Smith's Hist, of N. Y., pp. 16fi, 167. " About the middle of the last century,"
the Historian of N. Y. say* " the French Church of N. Y. by the contentions, in
1724, and the disuse of the French Language is now reduced to an inconsiderable
Jiandful.

AND CHURCH OF 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 f^ood 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.^ As the poet Cov.'per v.'ell 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, "T 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 *o 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.
' Mr. Skinner, the grand-father of the late Primus of Scotland, somewhere
■observes, that Subter-stition is quite as^bad as Super-stition. .

432 HISTORY OF TEE PARISH

there ought to be a stated catechism, a stated form of prayer and
administration of the sacraments."*

"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 admmistration 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 OF DANIEL BONDET, CLERK.

" In the Name op 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 but of good and perfect memory, thanks

• Calvin Ep. ad. Protector. Angl. p. 41C9. Bingham's Antiq. of Ch. Ch. vol. viii.
B. viii. p. 87.
'' Bingham's Antiq. of Ch. Ch. vol. viii. B, iii. p. 88.

AND CHUECn OF NEW EOCHELLE. 433

bs 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 declare, 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 Testanaent, 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
' hrough 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 ot 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 ordaine'd 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 NevvRochellc ; 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 Tolnetta, 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
time 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.
Inwilness I have put my hand and seal, this twenty fourth day oi March, 1721-2.

Daniel Bondet, (p. s.)

Sealed and signed in presence of us, Isaac Mercier, Araan Guyons, Ceasar F.
Suize."*

During the interval between the death of Mr. Daniel Bondet
and the appointment of his successor, services were performed

• Rec. of Wills, Surrogate's Office, N. Y., vol. ix. p. 332, 333.

434 ' HISTOEY 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.

''New York, Nov. I5th, 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 eiglit 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 uad about tuica acres of land adjoirf-
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 vita^, 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 ihem 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 EOCHELLE. 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. Boadet whs 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 1654 to Geneva, to negociate in affairs relating to the French
Protestants.'^ 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. Edmimd 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
YeneraDle Society's missionary to New Rochelle, with a salary
of P.nO rtp.r annum, in Jnly^ iJ2i, 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, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 582-3. (Hawks.)

* Dr Vaughan's Protectorate of Cromwell, vol. i. p. 12.

436 HISTORY OP THE PARISH

say: — •■That Mr. Stouppe's congregation is much increased since
his arrival, and that the number of his communicants is thirty-
eight."

REV. PETER STOUPPE'S ANSWERS TO THE QUERIES OF THE
BISHOP OF LONDON.

[queries to be answeeed by eteey mnistek.]

Nm Rochelle, 1724, the l-ith October.

Q. How long is it since you n'ent over to the plantations as a missionary ■?

A. Your Lordship knows that I went over as a missionary but since the last
Spring.

CL. 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 re-
moved 1

A. I had the French church of Charleston, in South Carolina, and left it about
eighteen months ago.

d. Have you been duly licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a mis-
sionary in the Government where you now are 1

A. I have been licensed by your Lordship liimself.

Q,. How long have you been inducted into your living 1

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-
d-jcted 1

A. I reside constantly 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 ia
reckoned to contain seventy families, among whom are eome Presbyterians.

Q. Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your parish, and what means are
used for their conversion 1

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 parishioiiers 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 of 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 sacraaient 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 parish I

AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 437

A. The youth is catechised all the Summer long, six or seven months iu the year.

Q. Are 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 the 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
one 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
distance, which land is let by the year for four pen^e sterling an acre.

Q. Is care taken to preserve your house in good repair and at whose expense is it
done ?

A. There is but indifferent care taken to preserve the parish house in good repair,
and as for the expenses, they are taken npon 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 the 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 Rochelle — 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 and orders for the preserving of
them ; are these rules and orders duly observed ?

A. My predecessor, Mr Bondet, has left four hundred volumes for the use of the
church for ever ; they ara kept in pretty good condition, but I know no particu-
lar rules of preserving them.

My Lord, &c.,

,.^/Py^^

At the date of Mr. Stoup's arrival, the elders or ancients (as
they are sometimes styled,) of this church, were Isaac Q,uaii-

» New- York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 673. (Hawks.^

438 HISTORY OP THE PARISH

tein and Isaac Guion. The following extract is taken from
Mr. Stouppe's first letter to theS ociety : —

MR. STOUPPE TO THE SECRETARY.

[extract.]

" Nevj Rochelle, Province of Neiv - York,

May 12th, 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 otVier 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 OP NEW ROCHELLE. 439

Rochelle. The said Moulinars and his party in revenge, have
pretended to depose Mr, Roiix, and suspend him accordingly
of all 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
hands, and which will justify in general the matters I here
acquaint them with. They will find that one of the chicfest
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 scrui)Ie 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. Monlinars
by some gent of this country, and also by the late Lord Bisliop of
London, of which Master Aufere, one of the Society members,
iqay 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 mtrude 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

iheir 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."

Writino- 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.

" Neiv Rochclle, Dec. 1 Itk. 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 Fulhaiu, 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 whitewashed, 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 England or well wishers to it, set*
tied 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 laud, 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 provmce, 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, 5'J, 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 OP 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 al^
improved in their fortunes, and a few tailors and shoe makers
excepted, ihey 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 m 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 meetinghouse,
built by his persuasion, are the sole dissenting teacher, people

AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCTIELLE. 443

and meeting house, within New Rochelle bounds. The said
MouHnars 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 now?
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 6,0n0 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 ar>d
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 consideration 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 leasi 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."^

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.''^ 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.*^"

The next communication from Mr. Stouppe is the following : —

MR. STOUPPE TO THE SECRETARY.

" New Rochelle, Aug. lOth, 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.)

* Printed abstracts of Ven. Society.

• Ibid.

AND CHURCH OP 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 r.nd 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
iheir 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 lor the
Church and diligence in discharging my duty, for either of thetfi
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."*

June 1st, 1735, he acquaints the Society : — "That the mem-
bers oi the Church increase at New Rocbelle, 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."^*

In his letter of November 16th, he v.'rites : "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
the 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.)
» Printed abstracts of Ven. Society.

AND CHURGE OP NEW ROCHELLE. 447

Other inhabitants of New Rochclle to the Reverend Mr. Orem, da-
ted New Rochelle, December 1st, 1742, shows that some of the
former were disaffected to Mr. Stouppc. But whether its au-
thors were members of the Church or not, is very uncertain : —

" I went to Mr. Lispcnaid's wiiu lives in ye place to enquire con-
cerning the inhabitants of it, who reckoned up with 80 families
in tlie boundaries of the place, 34 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 we
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 trulj'-, 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."*

In the year 1743, we find the members of the Church address-
ing the Venerable Society on behalf of their minister as fol-
lows : —

UATf,„n P^^h^lJn Tt,v,n 1 o/ t 7/1 ^

Dr. Bearcroft t
Rev. Sir, — Our minister, ye bearer hereof, having communi-
cated to us his letter to you of ye ninth of Oct., 1742, wherein
desire of revisiting his native country, and asked

L>AV>t.^k>^^%A Cv V.+ ^^wAil-' "^ a. *w ^A-^iL^UQ

ye Honorable Society's leave for that purpose ; we took that

• New York, MSS. from archives at 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
RO 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 doctrme 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 NewHochelle 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,

PfeTER SiCARD."

(Signed by 56 others.)
In 1743, Aman Guiongave 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 Province 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 in 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, iu
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, fi"reely 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^trouble 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, la witness whereof, he the said Amaa Guioa

450 HISTOEY 0? THE PARISH

has hereunto set his hand 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 G01ON."*

From this time until 1750, nothing particular occurs with
regard to the parish in the reports of the Society.

MR. STOUPPE TO THE SECRETARY.

" Neio Rochelle, June Sth, 1750.
Rev. Sir,

In my former of ye 25th Oct., 1749, I informed you of the
rehgious 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, ruBning 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.''^

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 Fulham, vol. ii. pp. 153, 154. (Hawks.)

' Printed abstracts of Yen. Prop. Soc. from 20th Feb., 1756, to ISth Feb., 1757.

• Printed abstracts of Yen. Prop. Soc. from 2-lth 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, (fcc,

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.)
>> 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 1786, 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."^

Mr. Stouppe was succeeded by the

REV. 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.i' Disgusted with the monastic life, he left Can-

» Rev. A. Fowlor's MS. Biog. of the Clergy, vol. ii. p. 130.

•* 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 OP 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 Chnrch 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 feOO men, as soon as the provision ships from Fra\ice 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 nothing to get
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 ceme 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 Liste Chronol-
ogique of the Clergy of Canada, we find the name of Poteutien 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.''^

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 PAEISH

lies of Anabaptists, during the last summer, jomed 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 : — *>

" The Rev. Mr. Houdin, the Society's itinerant missionary in
New Jersey, intreats the Society in his letter, dated duebeck,
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 Q,uebeck, he asked leave to return to his mission, but General
Murray ordered him to stay, telhng 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,*= 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."^

Dr. Barclay, writing to the Secretary of the Venerable So-

* Printed abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. for 1753.

*■ The Rev. Michael Houdin preached to the provincial troops destined for the ex-
pedition against Canada, hi 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.

^ Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc, 15th_Feb., 1759, to 15tb 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." °-

It appears from the following notice in the New- York Post-
Boy for June the 4th, 1701, 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.''^

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.)
^ Printed abstracts of Ven. Prop. See. for 1761.

458 HISTORY OP THE PARISH

the 3d of October of that year, says : — " he was obliged to at-
tend three chnrches, and till Mr. Houdin came to NewRochelle
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 : —

PETITIOIT FOR LEAVE TO COLLECT TUXDS FOR BUILDING A
NEW MINISTER'S HOUSE AT NEW ROCHELLE,

" To the Honourable Cadwallader Golden, 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 coasideratioa 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 Parsouage House in good repair. We are
ready and willing to e.Kert 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 s