In them are found the leaders of thought and action in religion, in the State and in society. The judicial, executive and legislative functions ot government were being exercised by members of these families during the colonial period. How largely the production of its ])rosperity is to be attributed to the thoughtfulness and energy of the original Patentees of Westchester County may readily be conceived when the faithfulness whicii they displayed and the high respect continually accorded to them is considered. If to their successful exertions for the common material advantage be added the example afforded in the whole range of moral excellences, no portion of the province of New York was more favored.

The first member of the Pell family in the county was Thomas, to whom several patents from the English crown and sales by the Indians were made. Dying without issue, in his will he made his nephew, John Pell, his heir, who then resided in England, but removed to this country in 1670. He became a Judge of the county and was returned for the first session of the Colonial Assembly of the province of New York. He married" Rachel Pinckney" and died about the year 1700, leaving a number of children and grandchilintention to ignore his determined opjioBition to all efforts beyond those of remonstrance ; and yet we read those papers amiss, and his speeches, and his vote, with all his earnestness of diction, if we are not juslified in saying that, beneath, is all the wounded spirit of one who feels the wrongs of his brethren, whom a selfish and impnideut jmrent has provoked to wrath. < Journal of Gen. Assembly of New York-, February 24, 1775.