The office was filled by appointment of the Council of Appointmeni ; later by the Governor and Senate. Under the Constitution of 1846 it became elective. The term was at first during the pleasure of the appointing power. From 1821 to 1846 they were appointed for four years. Since the office became elective the term has been six years.

Colonial Sutrogates of Westchester County. Name. Appointed.

Gilbert Willet 1730.

John Barton February 9, 1754.

Caleb Fowler June 10, 1761.

David Daton June 9, 1766.

Suj-rogates of Westchester Countij under the ConstitulionB of 1777 and 1821.

Name. Appointed.

Richard Hatfield March 23, 1778.

Philip Pell. Jr March 13, 1787.

Samuel Youngs October 31, 1800.

Edward Thomas January 28, 1802.

Samuel Youngs February 19, 1807.

Ezra Lockwood March 10, 1808.

Samuel Y'oungs February 16, 1810.

Ezra Lockwood February 12, 1811.

Samuel Youngs March 19, 1813.

Henry White March 16, 1815.

Samuel Youngs July 8, 1819.

Ebenezer White, Jr February 17, 1821.

Jonathan Ward March 28, 1828.

Alexander H. Wells February 7, 1840.

Frederick J. Coffin Jlay 1, 1844.

Surrogates of Westchester County under the Constitution o/1846.

Name. Elected.

Lewid C. Piatt June, 1847.

Kobert U. Coles November, 1855.

Silas D. Gifford February 5, 1862.

John W. Mills November, 1862.

Owen T. Coffin 3 November, 1870.

- Present incumbent. 3 Present incumbent.

CIVIL HISTORY.

District Attorneys. -- By the act of February 12, 1790, the State was divided into seven districts, each of which had an attorney, called assistant attorney-general. The Assistant Attorney-General became, in 1801, district attorney. By the act of April 1818, each county became a district, and had its own district attorney. Under the Constitution of 1777 the Council of Appointment filled the office during pleasure ; that of 1821 vested the appointment in the Court of Sessions, while under the present one the oflSce is elective.