In the spring of 1762, the precincts of Bedford and North Castle were visited by the Rev. George Dibble and St. George Talbot, Esq. The latter gentleman, (says Mr. HuQ)phreys,) willing to know the religious state of the people, desired Mr. Dibble to accompany him to Bedford, Crumpond and Peekskill, and to return by way of Croton and White Plains, which he did, and preached

* The earliest meeting of the Presbytery in America, is supposed to have taken place in 1705. , a

b See Rye. ' ' ?

24 HISTORY OF THE

in each of those places, and baptized ten children; he found no person of any denomination in any of these places except at Bedford, in each of them he met with several families professors of the Cluirch of Enghtnd.

St. George Talbot subsequently devised in trust, " certain sums of money,'' "for the use and benefit of the churches of North Castle and Bedford."'^

" From letters received by Dr. Auchmuty, Rector of Trinity Church, and jMr. Livingston (executor of the late Mr. St. George Talbot,) dated December 8th, 1769, it appears that the heirs at law leave no method untried to defeat the purposes of Mr. Talbot's will and that by evasive practices in law, the cause is still undetermined. "t>

In 1771, Mr. John Livingston informs the Propogation Society, that with regard to Mr. Talbot's will the attorneys have judged it expedient to come to an agreement with the heirs of Mr. Talbot, by which the executors should pay them £1300, in full for their claim and demand on the real and personal estate. It will be seen, however, that the Church did not receive the legacy until the year 1803.