Jacobus van Cortlandt to present theyr desire e pertision to the genaraU asembly e ye town is willing to satisfie sd Cortland for his trouble. &

In a summary account of the state of the Chinch in the Province of New York, as it was laid before the clergy convened at New York, Oct. 5th, 1704, it is therein stated that: -- "There is an Independent church at Bedford, where the minister designs to leave them ; they are well affected to the Church, and it is hoped when he is gone they will be in communion with her."

It appears, however, that although many of the inhabitants might have been well disposed towards the Church yet the ubiquitous Zacha In ItisO the proprietors of Bedford laid out a town lot or parsonage land to be set apart for a minister (without naming to what particular denomination he should belong) of said town : contrary to law, this land which of right belonged to a minister settled by thr oommi in law, was given at a town meeting in 1704 to one John Jones a violent Dissenting minister "to encourage him to settle and preach among them.'' The parsonage land seems t>> have embraced 40 acres in 1099.

b 1st Boot of Bedford Rec, p. 10.

6o

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

ariah Roberts, Justice of the Peace and keeper of the town records, was determined otherwise, and stirred up the Dissenters to oppose the newly inducted rector, Thomas Pitchard ; so that when Joseph Morgan resigned, they called One John Jones -- so determined were they to free themselves from New York in the ministry.