In 1729, the proprietors of the undivided land lying in Rye, between Byram and Blind brook streams, within a certain patent that was granted unto Daniel Purdy, son of John Purdy deceased, Samuel Brown, Benjamin Brown and others, grant unto the Presbijterian Society for ever, one-half acre of land lying on the Plains near unto the house that was the late deceased Thomas Merritt's jun., (fee. In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, the 15th day of May, in the second year of the reign of King George the second, A. D. IT29A Robert Bloomer, Cfiarles Leish, Thomas Brown,

Daniel Purdy, sen., James Roosevelt, Jonathan Brown, Joseph Kniffen, Hachaliah Brown, Thomas Purdy,

a John Purdy was residing at Fairfield, in 1658.

b The cost of this edifice, including certain improvements around the church was $6000.

e The land was the gift of Mr. Jesse Park. i Rye Rec. Lib. C.

Vol. II. ■' ■■ r > ' "

Abram van Wyck, Nalhan Kniffen. Samuel Lane, sen., John Disbrow, Benjamin Brown, John Roosevelt, Joseph Sherwood, George Kniffen,

Joseph Pnrdy, John Carhart,

Andrew Merritt, Timothy Knapp,

Nathaniel Sherwood, Jonathan Haight,

Thomas Howell, Ebenezer Kniffen, Daniel Purdy, John Lyon, jun., James Brown,

Justus Bush, John Coe, Joseph Lyon, Joseph Stedwell.

The first ordained pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Rye, was the Rev. John Smith, who appears to have commenced his labors here cir. 1753. He is said to have been an able and useful minister ; he died February 26th, 1771, aged 08 years. In 1793, the Rev. Isaac Lewis, D. D., officiated here statedly for three month's. His son and successor in the church at Greenwich, continued for a short time after. Subsequently at irregular intervals clergymen visited the church of whom no record remains. On the 4th of March, 1829, this church was regularly organized by a commission of the New York presbytery.