At this early period, a portion of the judicial power appears to have been lodged in the hands of the constable, for in the town records this entry occurs.
Westchester, Sept 3, 1665. At a town court holden by the constable and the commissioners appointed. Thomas Hunt complained against an Indian called Pomoqucee, that the said Indian took his canoe from the shore, where it w'as safe, and carried it quite away. Upon examination, the Indian confessed that he took the canoe from the sliore, but said it was not secured, ^
» Alb. Rec. Gen. Entries, 1664-65, page 96. See Dunlap Hist. N. Y.
b The inhabitants of Westchester (like their New England forefathers) appear to have been greatly troubled with the plague of witchcraft, for, in 1670, Katharine Harryson of England who had lived nineteen years at Weathersfield in Connecticut, where she had been tried for witclicraft, found guilty by the jury, ac quitted by the bench, and released out of prison, on consideration that she would remove. Appeared before the council on the accusation of Thomas Hunt and Edward Waters, in behalf of the town of Westchester, they praying that she might be driven from the town. This alTuir was adjourned _to the 4th of Au-
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 181
The subjoined document would appear to be the first tavern license granted in this county.
" At a town meeting in Westchester, the 27th of Jane, 1681, Justice Pell present. The town made choice of John Hunt for an ordinary keeper, for one year ensuing, for the town of Westchester, and desired him the said John Hunt, may be licensed by the justices of the riding. The said Hunt is to sell his biere at two pence per quart, and rum at three pence per gill, which he shall not exceed, and to take his come at price current, according to the current rate, and that none else to retaile againe in rum in the said towne of Westchester, during the said tcarme of one year, without the approbation of the said Hunt.""