Andrew Fowler, in the year 1793, we learn: -- "That three or four years ago the Presbyterians made an attempt to take -the church and glebe by force; they called the church by a new name ' Union Church' and in order to carry their schemes they chose one half of the trustees as they said, out of the church. The truth is they had once professed themselves Episcopalians; but most of them have since proved themselves to be rank Dissenters, which the Presbyterians no doubt knew." These facts were recorded in consequence of Mr. Silas Constant (a Presbyterian minister) having applied to the vestry for liberty to preach in the church. The latter, however, referred the matter to Mr. Fowler, who very improperly granted the request. It appears that only a short time previous to this Mr. Fowler had obtained the use of Mr. Constant's pulpit at Yorktown. Fourteen

a Entitled an act to enable all Religious Denominations in the State to appoint trustees.

THE TOWN OF CORTLANDT.

r33

years afterwards, however, when the latter again applied for the same object, the vestry took a much firmer stand, voting as follows: -- "That leave cannot be granted to the Rev. Mr. Constant to preach in the church of St. Peter's consistent, with the canons of the Church."0

According to notice given on Monday, 5th of April, 1790, being Monday in Easter week, (the day appointed by charter for choosing officers for St. Peter's church, in the Manor of Cortlandt and St. Philip's chapel in the Highlands,) the following persons were elected for the ensuing year, viz: Wm. Dunning and Caleb Ward, church-wardens; Joshua Nelson, James Spock, Richard A. Arnold, Caleb Morgan, Silvanus Haight and Jarvis Dusenbury, vestrymen. Upon the 24th of November, 1791, the vestry "agreed to pay the sum of £20 for the support of David Lamson, to read service in St.