He was mayor ( AI.KIi IIKATHCOTK of New York at the same time that his brother Gilbert was Lord Mayor of London. lie was firmly attached to the Church of England, and probably did more than any other man of his times to promote its dominance in New York, being one of the founders of the parish of Trinity Church in New York City, and the leading person in establishing the parishes of Westchester, Eastchester, and Bye in Westchester County. As lord of Scarsdale Manor he caused that manor to be constituted one of the precincts of the parish of Bye, of which he was" chosen warden and vestryman. He is described by a contemporary writer as " a gentleman of rare qualities, excellent temper, and virtuous life and conversation." At an early period of his residence in New York, Heathcote began to take a decided interest in the advantages offered by this county,

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

and bought property both in the Town of Westchester and Eastchester patent. In 1696, through his influence, Westchester was created a "borough town," patterned in all particulars after the old English borough towns. It is noteworthy that only two borough towns were ever established in New York Province, one being Westchester and the other Schenectady. Westchester's town charter, dated April 16, 1696, conferred the " municipal privileges of a mayor and aldermen and assistants, and the additional one of a representative ofits own in the assembly of the province"; and Colonel Heathcote was appointed its first mayor. It was in this same year, as we have seen, that he took the steps which led to the creation of the Manor of Searsdale and to the great purchases by him and associates of the vacant and unappropriated lands in the central part of Westchester County which comprised the " Three Patents." By the terms of Mrs.