That the Petitioners are members of the French Church at new Rochell aforesaid, and principally, decendants from French protestants, who fled from the Religious persecution in France in the Year one thousand six hundred and eighty one and shortly thereafter settled a Tract of six tliousand acres of Land, now known by the said name of the Township of New RocheU, which was granted to Jacob Leislerfrom w^hom your Petitioners' said Ancestors purchased by John Pell then Proprietor of tlie said Manor of Pelham, in the year of our Lord one Thousand Six hundred and eiglity nine. That the said John PeU at the

956 PAPERS RELATING TO WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

same time, did also give aud grant to the said Jacob Leisler, the further Quantity of one hundred acres of Land, for tlie use of the French Church Erected, or to be Erected, by the Inhabitants of the said Tract of Land, or Township, or by their Assigns. That the Petitioners' Ancestors, have long since built a decent Church within the said Township, and dedicated tlie same to the service of Almighty God; and they and your Petitioners have Enjoyed the same, with the said Tract of one hundred acres of Land as a Glebe thereto, to this day. That on tlie twelfth day of June, in tlie Year of our Lord one Thousand seven liundred and nine, all the then Inhabitants of the said Township, wlio were Members of the said Frencli Church, excepting two, unanimously agreed & Consented to Conform themselves, in the Religious worship of their said Church, to the Liturgy and Rites of the Church of England as Established by Law, and by a Solemn Act or Agreement, did submit to and put themselves under tlie protection of, the same.