" " 1740.

Rev.

Robert Sturgeon.

- - 1743.

" " 1743.

Rev.

Samuel Sacket.

Dismissed, Apl. 1, 1760.

Dec 31, 1754.

Rev.

Eliphalet Ball.

" Dec. 21. 175S.

Dec. 13, 1769.

Rev.

Samuel Mills.

MaylS, 1786.

May 18, 1786.

Rev.

JonN Davenport.

Resigned. - - 1795.

June, 1792.

Rev.

Isaac Foster

" " "

June, 1795-

Rev.

Samuel Blatcuford.

- - 1796.

Nov. 15, 1798.

Rev.

Josiaii Henderson.

Dismissed, Nov. 3, 1S03.

Sept 13, 1804.

Rev.

Ebexezer Grant.

By death, Sept. 6. 1S21.

April 16, 1822.

Rev.

Jacob Greene.

Dismissed June 25. 184S-

May 1, 1848.

Rev.

David Inglis.

Resigned, - - ISol.

May, 1857.

Rev.

Peter B. Heroy.

By death.

1880.

Rev.

J. H. Hott.

Present Pastor.

Bedford, in the Colonial times, constituted one of the three precincts of Rye parish. This was brought about by the act of the New York Assembly, passed 24th of March, 1693, (confirmed, A.D., 1697,) which annexed Bedford to the parish of Rye. It appears, however, that both Rye and Bedford endeavored for a time to avoid its provisions, by declaring themselves separate from New York, notwithstanding the agreement of 16S3. by which they had been surrendered to that Province. Accordingly, in January. 1697, they applied to be admitted to Connecticut; upon which that Colony concluded to receive them. But in 1700, King William the Third gave his approbation and confirmation to the settlement of 16S3, whereby they were ever included in New York.

THE TOWN OF BF.DFORD.

Under the act of 1693, the Church of England (which had been guaranteed her freedom under Magna Charta, upon which the common law is founded,) was settled throughout the Province and became therefore entitled to the public encouragement, leaving the Dissenters at liberty to maintain a minister of their own persuasion, but obliging them to support the clergyman settled by law.