By one of the acts passed by the assembly of 1683, entitled tk An act for the more orderly hearing and determining matters of controversy," courts of session for Westchester County were directed to be held on the first Tuesdays of June and December, one at Westchester and the other at Eastchester; and on the first >Vednesday of December a Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Jail Delivery was to be held. The County Court of Westchester County did not begin its existence until 1688, when John Pell was appointed its first judge. The first high sheriff of the county, Benjamin Collier, was, however, appointed almost immediately (November 9, 1683), and in 1684 a county clerk, John Rider, was appointed.
From the beginning, all the principal officers were appointive, and held their places during the pleasure of the governor, excepting only representatives in the general assembly, who were chosen by the people. One of the chief enactments of the assembly of 1683 was a proposed "Charter of Liberties and Priviledges, granted by his Royal Highness to the Inhabitants of New York and its dependencies,"* which, however, was disapproved when transmitted to England. Indeed, before the time for the convening of the second general assembly arrived, this representative body was abolished altogether, the Duke of York having mounted the throne as James II. and having come to the conclusion that it was not expedient for the people of It was not until 1691, the province to participate in its government. embraced County 1 Duke's Vineyard, ' Elizabeth tha's