Tompkins, of Scarsdale, father of Vice- President Daniel D. Tompkins, was first judge from 1794 to 1797. " He was a member of the State Convention which adopted the Declaration of Independence and the first Constitution of the State. He was elected to the Legislature and remained in that capacity during the whole period of the Revolution, and on the institution of the University was appointed one of the regents, which situation he held until his resignation of it, in 1808." '

Judge Tompkins was the son of Stephen Tompkins, whose ancestors emigrated originally from the north of England and landed at Plymouth, Mass. Jonathan was adopted by Jonathan Griffin, from whom he received bis middle name, Griffin. Judge Tompkins died in 1823, aged eighty-seven years.

Ebenezer Purdy, of North Salem, sat on the county bench 1797-1802 (the Purdys are numerous and the only Ebenezer we find among them is put down by Bolton as the son of Abraham Purdy, of Yonkers ; born 1754.)

John Watts, who was " first judge " of Court of Common Pleas in Westchester County from 1802 to 1807, was born in New York, of which city his father (also named John) was a prominent citizen and a member of the King's Council. Judge Watts received a legal education and was eminently qualified for the bench. At twenty-five years of age he was appointed royal recorder of the city of New York, 1774. and was the last to hold the position. From 1791 to 1794 he was Speaker of the Assembly of New York, and afterwards he became a member of Congress. His home was at No. 3 Broadway, New York. He was one of the wealthiest men in New York City, and owned much property not only there, but also throughout the State.