Then follow memorandum as to mortgages from Archer to Cornelius Steen-«yck, as given in the preceding pages of the main text.

In December, 1753, the Lieuteuant-Governor of his majesty's prov. ince of New York, with the Council and Assembly, passed an act entitled : --

" An act to enable the minister, elders, and deacons of the Reformed^ Protestant Dutch Church of the city of New York to sell and dispose of their lands, tenements, and hereditaments in tiie County of Westchester. commo!i!y called and known by the name of the 2i[anor of Fordhit^n^^c.

THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS.

An;1 be it farther enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that the moneys .ir-.sinij by such sale or sales shall not be disposed of to any secular use, hut the same shall be expended and used in purchasing or improving l.iruls and other real estate, in order to secure a better and more lan2;e revenue or income tov/ards supporting and maintaining of the said Dutch minister, or ministers, of the said Dutch churches and congregations, as near as may be agreeable to the will and intentions of the said donor, Cornelius Steen^yck, &c."

On the 25th of February, 1755, the above act was confirmed by the king in Council. **

The principal grantees of the manor under the Dutch Reformed Church were Charles Doughty, who held 230 acres ; John Vanholst, 13S acres; Daniel Sicard, loS acres, (of whom Benjamin Archer purchased;) Joseph and Bishop, 155 acres, the Dyckmans, &c. The residue, consisting of forty acres, was sold to the Hon. Lewis ]Morris and William Kelly in 1760. Upon the 2d of May, 1774, Lewis Morris and William Kelly conveyed no acres to Peter Valentine, in whose descendants this portion of the Manor is still vested.