During the entire period extending from the first settlement which was made by Europeans, within that portion of New Netherland which, subsequent to the first of November, 1683, was known as the " County " of Westchester," in New York, until within the memory of living men, the inhabitants of that portion of the country, with rare exceptions, were either cultivators of its soil or employed in other occupations which were, then, necessary for the comfort and well-being of such a purely agricultural community. 1

1 "The Inhabitants indeed live all upon their own ; but are generally "poor." -- Rev. John Bartow to the Venerable Society, "Westchester in "New York Province, 4th Nov., 1702."

" The people of thiB County, having generally land of their own, although they dont want, few or none of them much abound." -- Colonel Caleb Heathcote to the Venerable Society, "Manor of Scarsdale, Nov. "9, 1705."

In 1711, Rev. John Bartow wrote to the Venerable Society, from Westchester, which was, then, the County-seat and principal Village : " The "Inhabitants of our Parish live scattered and dispersed up and down in " the Woods, so that many cannot repair constantly to the Church, by "reason of their great distance from it." Quoted by Mr. Bolton, History of Westchester County, Second edition, i., 340. The "Parish" referred to, included, then, the more recent Towns of Westchester, West Farms, Morrisania, Kingsbridge, Yonkers, East Chester, Pelham, and New Eochelle.

See, also, the letters of Rev. Robert Jenney to the Venerable Society, ' ' Eye, Dec. 15, 1722 ; ' ' Rev. John Bartow to the Bishop of London, ' ( West-