We whose names are subscribed doe testifie that the inhabitants and ifreeholders of Jemaica at a publick meeting call to treat with M»" John Prudden to be their minister June ye IQt^ 1676 did (after he had declared his judgment and proposed his terms) by a town act freely and firmly promis and engage to give unto M'^ prudden the accomodations wliich he now possesseth and a yearly sallary of fourty pounds to be paid to him or his order so long as he should continue in y® Town imployed in ye work of ye ministry and his fire-wood brought home free as specified in ye town registry. Furthemore we doe testifie that M^' John prudden hatli continued in this towne discharging the work of a minister according to the way of ye churches in New England the ffull term of ten years and more since the Town caled him & covenanted with him for his labour in y° ministry.

Nehemiah Smith.

John Carpenter.

PAPERS RELATING TO CHURCHES IN QUEENS COUNTY.

RETURN OF MARRIAGES CHRISTENINS & BURIALS IN

THE TOWN OF JAMAICA F 7 YEARS PRECEDING 1688.

Whereas ye Sheriff by warrant ffrom ye Governor & Councell

did demand off vs y^ inhabitants off Jamaica to give an account

off ye number off Marriages Christenings & burialls & what are

ye names off all such as hold land ffrom ye crown by pate' or

otherwise or what Rent may bee Standing out in Areers &c : To

Satisffie his excellency wee give an account as ffoUoweth (viz)