In the contest concerning the substitution of the English for the Dutch preaching cir. 1764, the members of this church took an active part, some supposing that by the suppression of the last it would necessarily involve in course of time the loss of the doctrines, the mode of worship, the government, nay even the very name of the church itself. The Rev. Mr. Johannes Ritzema, at this time the stated supply at Sleepy Hollow, uniformly acted throughout this trying period, as the friend of the English party. Upon the formation of the General Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church in North America, in 177], this church was decreed to belong to the Assembly

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of New York, now called the Classis of New York. The articles of union agreed upon by the Synod of 1771 were subscribed (among others) by Johannes Ritzema and Pierre van Cortlandt of Westchester county. The Dutch Reformed Church at Tarrytown is attached to the mother church, its pastor having the charge of both congregations. The first minister of the church, A. D. 1697, was the Rev. AVilliam Barthoti', styled in the church records, the well learned and Godly Dominus Guilliaume Barthoff.

This individual resided at Hackinsack, New Jersey, but performed services here three or four times a year ; he continued liis ministrations with great acceptance until tjie year 1715.

The following item occurs in the church books, (relating to the expense of bringing and returning the abovesaid minister.) " We have paid Thomas van Houtten, who has fetched said minister and brought him over and taken him back again, whom we have satisfied according to our bounden duty, and with that, it may please the Almighty and merciful God to grant him to come for a long time."