White Plains was at the time of its purchase the planting-ground of the natives, and derived its name from the white balsam, a plant then covering its surface, which, although not level, presented the appearance of a plain when seen from the surrounding hills.

churches.

Church of England and Protestant Episcopal Church in White Plains. -- The history of the Protestant Episcopal Church in White Plains has been carefully written by Robert Bolton, in his "History of the Church in Westchester County," and much that follows is derived from his very interesting work.

From the time of the conquest of New Netharland by the English (in 1664) down to the arrival of Governor Fletcher (in 1692) the inhabitants of the town of Rye (which then, and until 1784, included the White Plains) were Presbyterians or Dissenters, and there existed " no trace of the Church of England in the Colony."

Through the efforts of Governor Fletcher, the Colonial Assembly, which was composed almost entirely of Dissenters, was induced to j)ass a bill " For the maintenance of a Ministry." A similar law existed in Connecticut, under whose ecclesiastical jurisdiction Rye was at this time. After the passage of this bill the Governor declared that there was no ministry but of the Church of England ; and through his power, with the aid of the '' Society for Propagating

the Gospel in Foreign Parts," a minister of the Church of England was inducted into the church at Rye in the year 1704, but Episcopal services were not introduced into White Plains until 1724, when the Rev. Mr, Jenny preached there three or four times a year ; and such services were held down to the time of the Revolution, which utterly ruined the mission.