John Doty, A.M., the first rector of this parish, was the son of Joseph Doty of New York, where he was borncirc. 1750. 6 In 1768 he was entered at Kings College, where he was admitted B. A. pro forma in 1770. During the Summer of that year he officiated in this parish as a lay reader, and in the fall went to England for holy orders. His license from the Bishop of London, to officiate in this Province, bears date Tuesday, the 1st of January, 1771. Soon after his return he accepted the call of the vestry, and was thereupon inducted, as appears from the following documents: -- "On the 8th of June, 177 1, it was unanimously agreed by the wardens and vestry, that the Rev. John Doty be presented to the rectory of St. Peter's church, in the Manor of Cortlandt, near PeekskilL, and ordered that the wardens do deliver him the key of the said church and give him possession according to law." Agreeable to the above resolution the church wardens did on the same day deliver the key to the said Rev. John Doty, and possession of the said church.

a New York, MSS. from archives at Fnlham, vol. 11, pp. 526-T. (ITawKs.)

6 Joseph Doty was a member of the ancient family of the Doughty's or Donteys of Esher, Surrey and Boston, Lincolnshire, England. There was a Samuel Doty graduated at Vale College in 1733. The arms of this family are :-- ar, two bars, between three mullets of six points sa. pierced or. " The Rev Samuel Doghty, rector of Sibleston, was a younger brother of the polite and ]>olitic Mr. Thomas Doughty of Midburn who conformed, and probably the son of ilr. Samuel Doughty rector of BringUurst." Nonconformist memorial, voL ll, p. 401.