wardens. a Confirmed the 11th of May, 1697. This act was further explained 3rd Q,ueen Anne.^
A. D. 1698. Lord Cornbury, Governor of the Province, issued orders to the magistrates of the several towns in Westchester County to build churches ; by virtue of this, several towns were enabled to build public houses (or the worship of Almighty God. St. Peter's Church, Westchester was thus built and became the parish church, inclusive of the precincts of Eastchester, Manor of Pelham and Yonkers.
The quota contributed by the precinct of Yonkers towards the support of the Rector and poor of the parish in 1702, was £7 6, in 1709, £8.
The first vestryman elected by the freeholders of this precinct was Mr. John Archer ; seven years later John Archer and Noah Barton, were vestrymen.
A. D. 1702, King William III. by Royal Charter incorporated the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. The principal object of ihis society was to send clergymen to the colonies; '-'and the society to earnestly request and beseech all persons concerned that they recommend no man out of favor or afTection or any other worldly consideration ; but with a sincere regard to the honor of Almighty God and our blessed Saviour, as they tender the interest of the Christian religion and the good of men's souls. ^
The first Rector of the parish of Westchester and precinct of Yonkers was the Rev. John Bartow, who received his license from the Bishop of London in 1702. The same year upon his arrival here, he was inducted by the commission of his Excellency Governor Cornbury.