Isaac Wilkins, D.D., was born at Withywood in the Island of Jamaica, December 17, 1742, and was the son of Martin Wilkins, an eminent lawyer and judge, who came to New Y'ork in order to educate his son. His parents died when he was a child and his care and education devolved on his aunt, Mrs. Mary Macey, his mother's sister. He graduated at King's College in 1760, and was married, November 7, 1762, to Isabella, daughter of Hon. Lewis Morris. They resided at Morrisania for a year or two, when Mr. Wilkins purchased an estate known as Castle

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

Hill Neck, in Westchester County. In 1772 he was sent to the Colonial Legislature from the borough of Westchester and took an active part in its proceedings until April, 1775, on the side of the Loyalists. As the reputed author of the "Westchester Farmer" pamphlets, he became obnoxious to the Whigs and was forced to leave for England, where he remained about a year, making eveiy effort to reconcile the dispute between the colonies and the mother country. He then returned to his family, whom he removed from Castle Hill, which had been laid waste and made desolate, to Long Island, where, at Newtown and Flatbush, he resided until the peace. He sold his farm in 1784 and took his family to Nova Scotia, where he purchased a farm and returned to his agricultural pursuits. He was sent to the Assembly of the province, and soon after placed at the head of a committee for the distribution of lands to the American refugee Loyalists. In 1798 he returned to New York, and while preparing for the ministry was called to the partial rectorship of St. Peter's, Westchester. As soon as he was ordained deacon he entered upon the discharge of his duties.