The Presbyterian Church is handsomely located on the highest ground of the village, commanding a fine view of the surrounding country ; it was built in 1799, on the site of an older edifice erected cir. 1738, and destroyed by fire in July, 1779. At the time of its destruction the old church appears to have been used as a store house by the Continental troops ; for, during the year 1839, a select committee appointed by Congress to investigate Revolutionary claims, reported " That Congress pay the Yorktown congregation the sum of three thousand five hundred dollars out of the first unappropriated funds, the government having occupied the church and parsonage as barracks and

3B0:- " ' HISTORY OF THE

store houses during the Revolutionary war." This appropriation, however, was never made by Congress.

The present edifice^ is constructed of wood, presenting in front a lofty colonnade, above which rises a neat tower, finished ■with a rich cornice and pinnacles, in which is a large bell weighing over 6001bs., inscribed as follows : " Cast by J. H. Thompson, New York, 1833."

The Presbyterian church in this town, appears to have been first organized under the ministry of the Rev. Samuel Sackett, about 1740. Upon the 2nd of January, 1739, we find a deed for three acres of land given by Joseph Lane, Henry Beeckman and Gertrude his wife, unto John Hyatt, John Haight and David Travis, trustees for the first Presbyterian church, on which land tlie meeting house was erected (said three acres being part of two hundred and twenty acres leased to Joseph Lane for three lives, 25th March, 1737,) dated 2nd of January, 1739, according to the act of 1784 and the act of 1801."b