In 1695 the Assemblymen from Westchester County were Joseph Purdy, of Rye, and Humphrey Underbill; but in April, 1697, Underbill, for non-attendance, was expelled, and Joseph Theale returned in his stead. In 1698 the Earl of Bellamont succeeded Fletcher in the Governorship, and in the new Assembly Joseph Purdy, and John Drake of East Chester, appear for Westchester County. A complaint of undue election was made to the House by Henry Fowler, of East Chester, and Josiah Hunt, of Westchester ; but after thorough consideration Purdy and Drake were unanimously declared to have been duly elected. Mr. Drake was chosen again in 1699, with John Hunt, of Westchester, as his associate. From a table of the different regiments in the province of New York, it would seem that that of Westchester County had greatly diminished in strength by 1700. It is reported as consisting of only the three companies in Eastchester, New Rochelle and Mamaroneck, and of not more than one hundred and fiftyfive men.^ In 1701, at the election in midsummer, while Mr. Drake was again chosen, the other seat for the county was in dispute between Joseph Purdy and Henry Fowler, of East Chester. The matter having been referred to a committee on the petition of Fowler, David Provoost, from this committee, reported that it had sent for several persons and papers and had found that Henry Fowler was elected a member of the House. The report was ai)proved, and the clerk of the crown was ordered before the House to amend the returns by putting out the name of Joseph Purdy and putting in that of Henry Fowler, who, by direction, went then before the Governor and took the oath of office.*