History of Westchester County, New York, from its Earliest Settlement to the Year 1900
They agreed that, if permitted to continue on their lands, they would subject themselves to the government and laws of New Netherland, only requesting the privilege of choosing their own officers for the This petition was granted by Stuyenforcement of their local laws. of magistrates should be subchoice vesant, on condition that their to be made council, selections Under and ject to'the approval of the director this from a double list of names sent in by the settlers. by (called ter Westches at amicable arrangement, Toll's settlement the Dutch Oostdorp), while retaining its existence, was brought under it the recognized sovereignty of New Netherland, in which position remained until the English conquest. The history of this first organized community in Westchester On County is fortunately traceable throughout its early years.their ant Stuyves Director to ed submitt citizens the 1656, March
SETTLEMENT
WESTCHESTER
TOWN
nominations of magistrates, the persons recommended for these offices being Lieutenant Thomas Wheeler, Thomas Newman, John Lord, Josiah Gilbert, William Ward, and Nicholas Bayley. From this list the director appointed Thomas Wheeler, Thomas Newman, and John Lord. Annually thereafter double nominations were made, and three magistrates were regularly chosen. There is no indication in the records of New Netherland of any willful acts of insubordination by the settlers, or of any further delinquencies by them in the way of harboring bad characters. The Dutch authorities, on their part, manifested a moderate and considerate disposition in their supervisory government of the place. At the end of 165(3 Stuyvesant sent three of his subordinates to Westchester, to administer the oath of office to the newly appointed magistrates and the oath of allegiance to the other inhabitants. But the latter objected to the form of oath, and would promise obedience to the law only, provided it was conformable to the law of God; and allegiance only " so long as they remained in the province." This modified form of oath was generously consented to.