At Middleburgh, called alias, Newtown tliey aj-e mostly Independants, and have a man of tlie same persuasion t'.iere named Johannes Moor, who preaches there well, but administers no sacraments, because (as lie says) he was permitted in New England to preach but not authorized to administer sacraments, and he has thus continued now for many years. In this village are also many other Inhabitants, presbyterians, but they are not able to maintain a Presbyterian Preacher, whilst we know not that any of this sect are to be found among the Englisli in NEngi'J, among whom there are preachers.
At Heemstede, about 7 Dutc'.i miles from here tliere are some Independants ; also many of our persuasion and Presbyteri'ins They have also a Presbyterian Preacher named Eichard Denton, an honest, pious a'ud learned man. He hath in all things conformed to our Churcli. Tlie Independants of the place listen attentively to his preaching, but when he began to baptise the children of such parents as are not members of the church, they sometimes bui'st out of the Church.
On the West side of the East river about one mile through Hellgate (as we call it) opposite Flushing on tlie main another English village has been begun over two years. It was named Oostdorp. The Inhabitants of this place are also Puritans a/ww Independants. They also have no Preaciier. They liold Sunday meetings reading from an Englisli book a sermon and making a prayer. '
About 18 miles up the Nortli liiver, lialfvvay between the Manhattans & Renselaer or Beverv»'yck lies a place called by the Dutcli Esopus or Sypous ; by tlie Indians Aikarkarton. It is an exceedingly beautiful Land. There some Dutch Inhabitants have settled themselves, and prosper" especially v^^ell. They hold Sunday meetings and then one among them reads something out for a postille.