At this early period the surrounding country was one vast wilderness heavily covered with timber. Upon a commanding eminence which rises above the rest of the village stands the Presbyterian church. This building, which was

» The Wetmores also appear to have been among the early proprietors, for at a late period James Wetmore, attorney at law, (then residing in Nova Scotia,) served a writ of ejectment upon the Lockwood family to recover certain lands in Poundridge.

b See Revised Statutes for 1813.

« " Soccage lands were not deemed discharged of any rents, certain or other services, incident or belonging to tenure in soccage, due to the people of the state, (who were considered to stand in the place of the Crown.) Therefore on the first day of April, 178G, the Legislature of this state passed an act, entitled an act for the collection and commutation of quit rents."

d The descendants of the original settlers are numerous, and some of them still reside in the village.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 9

erected in 1785, occupies the site of the old church destroyed by tlie British troops, A. D. 1779. The Presbyterian Society of Poundridgo was first organized in 1700. ^^ Tiie first church edifice however was not erected until 1770. Its incorporation occurs on the 28th of April, 1788. Nathaniel Bouton, William Fancher, John Hoyt, Benaiah Brown, Thaddeus Seymour and Ebenczer Seymour, trustees. " The said church to be governed according to the Directory of the now establislied Church of ScotJand."b From this date to 1822, it remained in connection with the Westchester presbytery. Upon the Sih of May, 1822, it was received into communion with the General Assembly.