THE TOWN OF POUNDRIDGE. IO9 



Majesties quit rents in the colony of New York, and for the partition of 

 lands in order thereto," <Scc. The principal purchasers under the act, 

 appear to have been the Lockwoods, Amblers, Forshers, Bishops, Fer- 

 rises, Hoyts, Hollys, Browns, Sillicks and Scofields, &c, &c. a In 1826, 

 the Legislature of this State claimed, as successor of the Crown, the sum 

 of $243.71, due as quit rent on the East Patent. b To satisfy this claim 

 nine hundred acres of land were sold in the southern part of the 

 Patent. 



The village of Poundridge occupies an elevated situation near the 

 centre of the town, and contains two churches, two stores, a school 

 house, a post office and 15 or 20 dwellings. As early as the year 1744, 

 a settlement was commenced on this spot by Captain Joseph Lock- 

 wood, and a few associatesd from Stamford Connecticut. At this early 

 period the surrounding country was one vast wilderness heavily cov- 

 ered with timber. Upon a commanding eminence which rises above 

 the rest of the village stands the Presbyterian church. This building 

 which was erected in 1786, occupies the site of the old church destroyed 

 by the British troops, A. D. 1779. The Presbyterian Society of Pound- 

 ridge was first organized in 1760/ The first church edifice, however, was 

 not erected till 1770. Its incorporation occurs on the 28th of April, 

 1788. Nathaniel Bouton, William Fancher, John Hoyt, Benaiah Brown, 

 Thaddeus Seymour and Ebenezer Seymour, trustees. " The said 

 church to be governed according to the Directory of the now Establish- 

 ed Church of Scotland. / From this date to 1822, it remained in con- 

 nection with the Westchester presbytery. Upon the 8th of May, 1822, 

 it was received into communion with the General Assembly. 



At a meeting of the congregation held the 22d of April, 1828, it was 

 resolved, that whereas "some doubt existed with regard to the due legal 

 organization of the Presbyterian church and congregation in Pound- 

 ridge, they hereby declare themselves to be a Presbyterian congregation 

 under the style of the " Presbyterian Congregation of Poundridge, be- 

 longing to the Presbytery of the North River, under the care of the 



a The Wetmores also appear to have been among the early proprietors ; for, at a late 

 period James Wetmore, attorney at law, (then residing in ?\ovia Scotia,) served a writ of 

 ejectment upon the Lockwood Family to recover certain lands in Poundridge. 



b Sjc Revised Statutes for 1S13. 



c " Soccage lands were not deemed discharged of any rents, certain or other services inci- 

 dent or belonging ro tenure in soccage, due to the people of the State, (who are considered to 

 Etand in the place of the Crown.) Therefore, on the 1st day of April, 178(3, the Legislature of 

 this State passed an Act, entitled an Act for the eollection and commutation of quit rents." 



d The descendants of the original settlers are numerous, and some of them still reside in 

 the village. 



e At the first meeting of the congregation, Captain Joseph Loctwood was unanimously 

 chosen chairman, and Mr. Jarvis, secretary. 



/ Co. Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. A. 21. 



