There Avere very few among them, during the latter days of the Colony, who were not temperate, industrious, and prudent in the management of their farms and their business affairs; they were commonly very mindful of their duties to their families and of those to their neighbors ; and they were generally diligent in the discharge of at least their outward duties to God. During the period last referred to, not many among them were not in comfortable circumstances : many of them were what is called " well- " to-do : " some of them, particularly those who were members of the older families, in those days of simple habits, were considered wealthy. All of them were

" distances his neighbor from him." -- Rev. Thomas Stannard to the Vmei nble Society, " Westcuester, Nov. 5, 17'29."

8 Mrs. Anne Hutchinson, of Pelhera, Adriaen Van der Donck, of Tonkers, and Colonel Caleb Heathcote, of Mamaroneck, may be referred to, in this connection.

THE AMERICAN REV

k^OLUTION, 1774-1783.

noted for their open-handed hospitality ; but, among the older and more wealthy families, whose fields, and barnyards, and granaries, and storerooms were generally teeming with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, the sturdy farmer and his tidy wife, his healthful children and his faithful negroes, vied in their efforts to secure to the acceptable guests of the family, a hearty welcome; to make the stay of those sojourners agreeable ; and, when the time for their dejmrture had come, to induce them to regret the shortness of their visit. Where the necessaries and comforts of life were so abundant and so generally enjoyed. Pauperism was comparatively unknown; and where Pauperism and Intemperance were so uncommon, there was a minimum of Crime.'