Mitchell was conducted to a sofa, and seated beside the chief justice, before whom on a table, was a large bundle of papers. Mr. Smith resumed the subject of American politics, and noticed his papers. After searching among them awhile, he unfolded a certain one, which he said was written about the time the colonial commotions grew violent, in 1775, and contained a plan, or system of government, sketched out by himself then, and which nearly resembled the constitution after-

366 HISTORY OF THE

ble Isaac Lsvvis, of Horseneck, was ordained pastor of the united churches of White Plains and New Rochelle, by the Presbytery of Dutchess county. About 12 o'clock at night, on the 5th of November, 1776, the Presbyterian church, together with a quantity of timber designed for its enlargement, besides a number of other buildings, were set on fire by Major Osborne, of the Massachusetts line, (under General Glover,) for the purpose of preventing them from being used by the British troops, then in the neighb-^rhood, during the ensuing winter. These facts are fully proved by affidavits of witnesses now in possession of the trustees. After the burning of the church, the congregation gradually declined ; for the members, being mostly staunch Whigs, were obliged to retire north to avoid the depredations and assaults of British troops from New York. The Rev. Ichabod Lewis removed to Bedford, but similar circumstances constrained him to leave that place also for Salem, where he spent the remainder of his days, and lies interred. He left a legacy to the church at South Salem of one thousand dollars, the interest of which at present assists in supporting the pastor of that church. * From 1784 to 1821, the congregation enjoyed the privilege of occasional preaching. Upon the 13th of February, 1788, the church was incorporated under the title of the "Presbyterian Church in the White Plains," Jonathan G.