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169.

* There is a tradition in the Pinckney family, that one of its early members presented the land to the church, embracing the present green, church-yard and adjoining property, for which they enjoy the privilege of free interment.

144 HISTORY OF THE

By an act of Provincial Assembly, passed 1 llh of May, 1697, the parish of Westchester was divided into four several districts, viz. Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and the manor of Pelham.a

In August, 1699, we find the inhabitants of the precinct of Eastchester petitioning the Governor, Council and General Assembly, in behalf of themselves, and for their neighbors in Yonkers and the Mile Square, to be taken off from the parish of Westchester, and to have liberty to call a minister of their own."

On the 26th of December, 1699, it was resolved, at a public meeting b.eld in Eastchester, " to haste and erect the said meeting house, and that it shall be finished at or before the 3lst of Ma}^ in the year of our Lord 1700, and in case the said work be not finished, that then John Drake and Jeremiah Fowler shall set men at work and finish the said work on the town account.

The same year a lot was provided for the minister, and £30 appropriated annually for his salary, which sum was ordered to be raised upon all rateable estates. Mr. Henry Fowler at the same time was directed to " write a letter unto Mr. Morgan containing our proceedings."