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.

The village of Westchester is situated at the head of navigation, on Westchester creek, ^ twelve miles from the city of New York; it contains about four liundred inhabitants, fifty dwellings, an Episcopal, a Roman Catholic, a Methodist church and two Friends' meeting houses, three taverns, a post office and four stores. Here is a convenient landing, fiom which ply three

" Town Rec. fol, ix. 120, 121. -- At a court of common council held 1740, it was ordained that no person not belonging to this corporation do take and carry away our clams or oysters, but that all boats, canoes, or other craft belonging to persons who shall presume to take the same, not inhabiting witliin this county, shall be seized, and further no person belonging to this corporation shall have power to give eave to any person not living in this corporation to get oysters or clams.