Pritchard (who was inducted into the rectory of Rye, in April, 1704) thus alludes in a letter to the Secretary: -- "I perceive by the account of the Society, that one Mr. Stuart is recommended to Bedford, and ^50 per annum allowed him; whereas Bedford is a part of my parish, as settled by an act of Assembly, so that he can't be inducted there. Hoping, therefore, that the Society will be so condescendingly pleased to allow it me, as also to send per next conveniency, the ^£15 worth of books, of which mention is made in the account. The Society would do very well, if in their great wisdom they think it fit. to recommend Mr. Stuart to Hempstead, upon Long Island, where they stand very much in need of a minister."

The following extracts from affidavits, (in the Secretary of State's office) show very plainly however, that every effort, stratagem and threat was made by the Dissenters, to prevent Mr. Pitchard's taking possession to this portion of his benefice : --

"Benjamin Wright of Bedford in the County of Westchester, yeoman, aged 22 years or thereabouts, being sworn before Thomas Wenham, Esq., one of the gents of her Majesties Council for ye Province of New York, and one of ye Judges of the Supreme Court of Judicature for the said Province, saith, that since Mr. Pitchard has been appointed minister of ye towns of Rye and Bedford in the County of Westchester, this deponent has endeavored to prevaile with the inhabit ants of Bedford to encourage the said Mr. Pritchard to preach and perform the duties of divine worship as used in the Chinch of England among them, whereupon the inhabitants of ye said town of Bedford became so incensed, that by their ill-treatment and threats, they have forced this deponent to remove with his family from thence, and deterred the members of ye said Church from speaking anything in its favor.