and have broke up our ground, and taken away ye oysters from within ye limits of our patent, in an unlawful manner, therefore, it is voted and agreed upon by the trustees aforesaid, that any person or persons who shall at any time hereafter trespass upon us by fithing, breaking our ground, and taking cur oysters in ye manner aforesaid, shall be immediately prosecuted according to law for such trespass or trespasses, and it is also voted and agreed upon by ye trustees aforesaid, that John Ferris, Thomas Baxter, Joshua Hunt, of Westchester, Capt. Joseph Drake, Nathaniel Tompkins, and Moses Fowler, of Eastchester, do immediately put this into execution ; and it is also agreed that if any freeholder of Westchester do take any oysters to transport out of our township to make sale thereof, such freeholder or freholders shall be esteemed as trespassers, &c. Provided that the fieeholders in general of Eastchester shall not be esteemed trespassers according to this act, excepting such of theiTi as shall take oysters within ye limits of West and Eastchester to transport them out of ye said townships to make sale thereof,"^ &c.

Ill the reign of Goorge tlie first, a charter was granted to tlie trustees of this town, entitled, "an act to prevent the fencing in or enclosing the sheep pasture, or any part thereof, in the borough town of Westchester," &c. Dated 28th February, in the eighth year of his reign, and of our Lord God, 1721.

The sheep pasture embraced what was subsequently known as the coriimons. Upon this extensive waste, tlie freeholders of the town enjoyed the free use of pasturage. The commons were purchased by Martin Wilkins, of the trustees, in 1825, and are now owned by his son, Governeur M. Wilkins, Esq.. of Castle hill neck.