Beneath the shade of the venerable locusts (which still adorn the green,) stood the village stocks, erected in 1720. ^ Embedded in the bark of one of the trees may be seen the iron staple to which culprits were formerly attached and publicly whipped. Upon the green, between the locust trees and the present church yard, stood the old parish church, built by the Independents, about 1699. This edifice was destroyed by fire at an early period of the Revolution. e

The first settlers of Eastchester, like the people in general of that day, paid early attention to religion, to the support of the gospel, and the institutions of the church to which they belonged. The Congregational church in this place was gathered in 1665 ; for, in that year it was ordered : "That all and every one of us, or that shall be of us, do pay unto the minister according to his mead," also, " that we give new encouragement to Mr. Brewster each other week, to give us a word of exhortation."^ A. D. 1670,

a Nev7 York Weekly Journal, 1733, No, viii.

b Assize Rec. Alb.

c Bridgman's Hort. Rep. 1846.

d The stocks consisted of a rude wooden instrument, firmly secured in the ground, into which the offenders' hands and feet were locked. It was once a common mode of punishment, but since the Revolution has fallen into disuse. -- Editor.

^ The fact that the old church once stood upon the green is conclusive evidence that this property is still vested in the church.