Jonathan Griffin Tompkins, father of the Governor, though not as distinguished in the history of the nation, was more identified than his son with the history of the town. But besides holding very many town offices, he was a member of the State Convention which adopted the Declaration of Independence and the first Constitution of the State. Mr. Tompkins was one of the inspectors of the first town meeting held under the national government, and was chosen first supervisor of the town. This oflSce he

1 a full sketch of Vice-President Tompkins and his father and hrothere will be found in the first volume, in the chapter on the Bench and Bar.

SCAllSDALE.

held for ten years, from 1783 to 1792, by annual reelection, besides other minor town offices. After the death of his adojjted father jNIr. Tompkins removed from the house where his son Daniel was born to the Griffin homestead, now known as the Sedgwick house, on the northern crest of Dobb's Hill, and the old mansion was afterwards torn down.

The Tompkins fiimily were of English extraction, and emigrated from the north of England to Plymouth, Mass., during the times of religious persecution. According to Bolton's narrative, from Plymouth they went in turn to Concord, Mass., Fairfield, Conn., and East Chester, N. Y., and thence finally to Scarsdale. It is probable that the family was represented in the town as early as the beginning of the last century, for as many as six generations have lived here. Of the sons of Jonathan G. Tompkins, several settled j)ermanenth' within the town, and proved useful and worthy citizens. The first of these was Caleb, the oldest of the Governor's brothers, who was born in 175ii, and he left a son, J. G. Tompkins, Jr. The former held the offices of poor master, town clerk and supervisor in the town, being chosen to the last-named office at three different times, while his son was twice elected supervisor.