<^ A singular circumstance (illustrative of the strong fainily likeness which still exists between the English and American branches,) occurred in tlie village of Westchester a few years since. Oliver Cromwell, a resident blacksmith of that pldce. was accosted by a friend, who at the same moment presented him a likeness of tiie Protector ; the former (unable to read) invohinlarlly exclaimed as he gazed upon the portrait, " why there is our old tjlacksm;th himself." For a portrait of the Protector see the Hon. John Hunter's collections of painting, Pelham : and for A further account of this family see genealogy.

254 HISTORY OF THE

and Mary his wife, selling lands to Thomas Hunt, sen., of the West Farms. These la:ids v/ere situated upon Long Neck, afterwards known as Cromwell's Neck.^

John Cromwell (the supposed son of Col. John Cromwell,) left issue by his wife Mary, John, from whom tiie present Oliver Cromwell and Jeremiah of West Farms are descended, and James Cromwell, who was living in 17 17. The latter by his wife Anne Godfrey had two sons, John and James. The oldest son John Cromwell was residing upon the property in Harrison at the commencement of the revolutionary war, for his name occurs in General Washington's military map of the county, dated 1778, as the occupant of the homestead.^ The present Wilh'am Cromwell of Harrison is the grandson of the above named John Cromwell.^

From an early period, the Thomas family iiave resided in the eastern part of this town. The Jirst member who purchased land here, was the Hon. John Thomas, son of ihe Rev. Jolin Thomas, for many years Rector of St. George's Church, Hempstead, Long Island. Concerning the latter individual, Dr. Carmichael in his history of St. George's Church, observes. " that he commenced his ministrations there, in the spring of 1705, under the auspices of the society for propagating the gospel in foreign parts.