" Whereas since the passing of said act, (that of 1699,) it has been found inconvenient, to the great discouragement of religion and the public worship of God, for the inhabitants of Eastchester to travel to Westchester aforesaid at the preaching of God's word. Wherefore the said inhabitants and freeholders of the town of Eastchester have by their humble petition to the House of Representatives, now convened in General Assembly, most humbly prayed that it might be declared and enacted, and it was enacted, 1st. That the said town of Eastchester in the county of Westchester be henceforth and for ever here-

» Acts of Assembly, from 1691 to 1725.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 145

after separated from the parish of West and Eastchester, lower Yonkers and the manor of Pelham.

" 2d. It was further enacted (by the authority aforesaid) that the said town of Eastchester, &c. be and hereby is declared to be and remain for ever a distinct parish from the parish of Westchester, &c. by the name and style of the parish of Eastchester in the county of VA^estchester, provided that the freeholders and inhabitants thereof do maintain a good orthodox Protestant minister in the said town of Eastchester, &c.''a

June the 12th, 1700, "the town exchanged land with Mr. Joseph Morgan, pastor of the church in Eastchester."

"At a public town meeting called by order of the inhabitants, Oct. 4th, 1700, the said inhabitants directed Mr. Henry Fowler and Richard ^hute, (with the rest of the intended church,) to write nnto the reverend ministers in New England concerning the ordination ; they having the assistance of the Rev. Mr. Morgan. Also, that Mr. John Pinckney, Henry Fowler and Richard Shute, shall write unto his Excellency for his approbation, that he will be pleased to induct our minister the Rev.