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. In a letter addressed to the secretary of that society, Oct. 18th, 1724, lie says, "Good sir, give my humble duty to the Honorable Society, and assure them of my utmost fidelity, as far as lame limbs and a decrepid state of health will permit. My heart is warm and sound, though lodged, God knows, in a crazy, broken

"^ SomPtimes styled Castle Hil! N^eck.

b John Cromwell was taken prisoner by the British and conveyed to New York.

c A singular circumstance (illustrative of the strong fa:nily 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 place, was accosted by a friend, who at the same moment presented hiin a likeness of the Protector ; the former (unable to read) involmitarily exclaimed as he gazed upon the portrait, " wliy there is our old blacksmith himself." For a portrait of the Protector see the Hon. John Hunter's collections of painting, Peiham ; and for ft further account of this family see genealogy.