We have seen thoroughly He was in a previous chapter that when the great issue of the abuse of the governor's prerogative arose, and a test of popular sentiment was instituted by causing the deposed Chief Justice Morris to stand for the assembly, William Willett resigned his seat in that body to afford opportunity for the desired test; and also that he was one of the most zealous of Morris's partisans at the DUTCH CHCKCII, FOKOIIAM. famous electoral cont e s t on the Eastchester Green. In addition to his distinguished career in the assembly, he was the successor of Caleb Heathcote (1721) as county judge of Westchester County and colonel of the AVestchester County militia. His eldest son, William Willett, 3d, also sat in the assembly for the county (173S), and was appointed colonel of the militia. This third William's brother, Gilbert Willett, was sheriff of the county from 1723 to 1727, and represented Westchester Borough in the assembly from 1728 to his death, in 1732. The two brothers were joint proprietors of Cornell's Neck, which in the next generation became the exclusive property of Gilbert's son, Isaac Willett, after whose death it was owned by his widow, finally being distributed amongst various heirs.

CHAPTEK FROM

THE STAMP

ACT TO THE LAST SESSION OF THE

COLONIAL

ASSEMBLY

jpB^SfHE theory and practice of colonial self-government were of •%|M*i no sudden development in the Province of New York. Still Jtg^jl;, iess were they the result of mere observation and imitation ' of bold examples set by the people of other British colonies in America. In the earliest days of English rule, the people of New York were not only ready for any measure of self-government that might be granted to them, but were eager and aggressive in demanding the privileges of free men.