At t'.ie jame time tliere is a town called Jamaica on Long Island under the Governnjent afbrtsaid a Town consisting of considerably above an hundred iamil'.es, and exemplary for all christian knowledge & goodness & a church with a worthy Pastor in it, about half a scoi-e families (and of a meaner character) in tiie Town declared for the Church of England & thereupon a Minister of tlieir profession was sent to tliem (one Urquhart) who is maintained by the af »resaid Society ; but this little company having the advantage (right or wrong) to be uppermost, took away from the Dissenters (if it be proper to call such a disproportionate number so) their meeting house computed to be worth six hundred pounds, and compelled them to build another. They also seized the Parsonage wliich had been until now enjoyed by the Town and is esteemed worth Fifteen hundred pounds. The good people there do adorn the doctrine
224 PAPERS RELATING TO CHURCHES IN QUEENS CUUNTY
of God their Saviour by a most laudable silence & wonderful patience under these things. But if such things proceed that noble Society for the propagation of Religion in America will greatly wound religion & their own reputation also which ought to be for ever venerable.
This was dated 14t'' Oct 1706.
* MEMORIAL OF THE CLERGY &c.
RELATING TO MR POYER AND THE CHURCH OF JAMAICA.
To the Right Horfi^^ ^ Right Reve)'end Fathe)- in God Henry, Lord Bishop of London.
The memorial of the Clergy of the Colonies of New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia in America. Humbly Sheweth