From an early period, the Thomas family have resided in the eastern part of this town. The first member who purchased land here, was the Hon. John Thomas, son of the Rev. John Thomas, for many years Rector of St. George's church, Hempstead, Long Island (wjio was ordained deacon and priest by the Bishop of London in 1704 and inducted rector Dec. 27, 1704, and had resided in Philadelphia three years as second minister and school master of Christ church in that city

a Noble's Life of Oliver Cromwell, vol. L 584-8.

b John Cromwell (the supposed son of Col. John,) is said to have emigrated from Holland during the time the Dutch held the province.

c John Cromwell was taken prisoner by the British and conveyed to New York.

d A singular circumstances (illustrative of the stroug family likeness which still exists between the English and American branches.) occurred in the village of Westchester a few years since. Oliver Cromwell, a resident blacksmith of that place, was accosted by a friend, who at the same moment presented him a likeness of the Protector; the former (unable to read) Involuntarily exclaimed as he gazed upon the portrait, " why there is our old blacksmth himself."

THE TOWN OF HARRISON.

whence he returned to England.) Concerning this individual, Dr. Carmichael in his history of St. George's church, observes, " that he commenced his ministrations there, in the spring of 1705, under the auspices of the society for propagating the gospel in foreign parts. In a letter addressed to the secretary of that society, Oct. 18th, 1724, he says, "Good sir, give my humble duty to the Honorable Society, and assure them of my utmost fidelity, as far as lame limbs and a decrepit state of health will permit. My heart is warm and sound, though lodged, God knows, in a crazy, broken carcase; nay, more, pray tell them that Epaminondas like, I shall fight upon the stumps for that purest and best of Churches, as long as God indulges me with the least ability do it." "After this," continues Dr.