SEABTJRY TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.]

"Westchester, Oct. 1st, 176S.

Rev. Sir: -- I am sorry the people of New Rochelle have deservedly fallen under the censure of the Society. They seem to keep things too much in the dark with regard to their glebe ; but as soon as I can get such an account of that matter as shall enable me to write intelligibly to the Society about it, I will lay it before them. In the mean time as there is a number of strolling teachers, especially of the sect of Anabaptists, who ramble through the country, preaching at private houses for the sake of making proselytes and collecting money, I have thought it best to visit them occasionally, as well to prevent any ill effects that might arise, as for the sake of a number of well disposed people who lived there. I shall, however, carefully attend to the caution you give not to neglect my particular cure of East and Westchester."*

During the American Revolution the church must have been closed, for the congregation was much scattered.

o New York MSS. from archives at Fiilham, vol. 11. p. 429. (Ilawks.) u New York, J1SS. from arcUives at Fulhaiii, vol. it p. 452. (Hawks.)

THE TOWN OF NEW ROCHELLE. 663

Shortly after the treaty of peace the parish was organized under Mr. Andrew Fowler, (afterwards the Rev. Mr. Fowler,) who read prayers and sermons from 1781 until 1786, and at the same time had the charge of a school in this place. Mr. Fowler was the eldest child of Andrew Fowler, of Guilford, Conn., (who was born there August 1728,) by his wife Martha Stone, (who was born August 1737, and died in 1794.) Andrew Fowler, sen., who was a lineal descendant of John Fowler, one of the original planters of Guilford in 1639-40, died Oct. 18, 1815.