The name of Stephentown was changed to Somers April 6, 1808. We?t Farms was formed from Westchpster May 13, 1846. Morrisania was formed from West Farms December 7, 1855. King's Bridge was formed from Yonkers December 16, 1872. By an act of the Legislature passed May 23, 1873, the towns of Morrisania, West Farms and King's Bridge were annexed to the county of New York, to take effect on the 1st day of January, 1874.^

From 1784 to 1788 the supervisors met in different places, usually, however, at White Plains, once in the Presbyterian meeting-house at Bedford ; after the latter date they met alternately at the court-houses, at Bedford and White Plains until 1870; since the latter date the court-house at White Plains has been their place of meeting.

CIVIL LLST. '

Colonial Assembly. -- The history of the various assemblies and conventions of the colonial period is a very important part of that of the struggle which ended in the independence of the colonies. It began in the conflict between the people and the directorgeneral and Council in the Dutch colonial period, in which the former claimed a voice in the government, and the " Twelve Selectmen" of 1641, "The Eight Men " of 1643 and 1645, and " The nine men " of 1647, '49, '50 and '52, which necessity wrung from the latter, are really the later Assembly in embryo. Our interest begins with the English period. March 1, 1665, a convention met at the summons of Governor Nicolls, at Hempstead, L. I., simply for the promulgation of the " Duke's Laws," which had been framed by the Governor under the authority of James, Duke of Y^ork and Albany. Westchester (later the borough and town of Westchester) was represented by Edward Jessup and John Quinby. The tyranny and the customs law of the Duke of York so exasperated the people that the Duke, fearing lest the expenses of the colony should become a charge on his private purpose, sent out Governor Dongan with authority to convene a General Assembly.