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.

In 1703 Rev. John Bartow commenced his services within this precinct. September 5, 1708, he writes to the society that he occasionally preached at Yonkers, where tlie population was then 250 souls. «!

a Acts of Assembly passed in the province of N. Y. from 1691 to 1725, p. 23.

b Ibid.

•^ From a collection of papers printed by order of tlie Society, 9.

d From tlie Westchester Records we talie the following extract, "John Archer,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 479

III 1713, the Propagation Society founded a charily school for the education of children in this town. The same year £5 per annum is granted to a schoolmaster at Yonkers, where there is a large congregation of Dutch and English, for instructing the younger sort in the catechism and liturgy, provided he can produce a certificate of his teaching thirty children. A. D. 1719, Mr. Jones was allowed fifty shillings for teacliiiig children to read at Mile Square.