As the laws of this Government have made no provision for the establishment and support of religion in general, and the Lord's Day is too little regarded ; in tender regard to ourselves and families, and to prevent our children falling a prey to one or more of the numerous sects, which abound among us-- such as Quakers, New Light Independents, Baptists, Antinomians, &c, whose principles, both civil and religious, we think destructive of all religion, peace and good order -- wc formerly united with our brethren of the Church at Ridgeneld and Ridgebury, on the borders of Cona Richard Clarke- was the fifth son of Samuel Clarke, of West Haven, Conn., where he was born A.D. 1T3T. He was graduated A.M. at Yale, In 1762. He received also the degree of B.A. from Kings (now Columbia) college, New York, the same year, and that of A.M. in 1766. In 1776, went to England for Holy orders, aud was licensed February 25, 1767. He was Oral appointed to Guilford, Conn., where he remained uutll 1786: then went to New Brunswick and was settled at Gnzetorid, in that Pioviuce. A son of Ms is the present minister of tint parish, He died at St. Stephen's, on the St. Croix, In 1824.

746 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

uecticut Colony, and engaged the Rev. Mr. Clark to read divine service and serine ins to us 00 Sundays. Since Mr. Clark left us. by the advice of the Rev. Mr. Dibblee and Mr. Learning, we have employed the worthy Mr. Epenctus Townsend, who hath for some time alternately read to us, and the people of Ridgefield and Ridgebury ; whose exemplary life, sober conversation and devout performance of religious offices, highly recommend him to our esteem ; and as we have advice, that he hath leave from the Society to go for Holy Orders, we humbly beg the Venerable Society in compassion to our unhappy state, would be pleased to appoint him their missionary to us at Salem, in the Province of New York, and to itinerate among such poor people as stand in need of his instruction, with such a salary as in their wisdom they think proper.