2l8 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



" I shall begin the history of the church from the time I first came 

 among them, which was about twelve years ago. I found it the most 

 rude and heathenish country I ever saw in my whole life, which called 

 themselves Christians — there not being so much as the least marks or 

 footsteps of religion of any sort. Sundays were only the times set apart 

 by them for all manner of vain sports and lewd diversion, and they were 

 grown to such a degree cf rudeness, that it was intolerable. I having then 

 command of the militia, sent an order to all the captains, requiring them 

 to call their men under arms, and to acquaint them, that in case they would 

 not in every town agree among themselves to appoint readers, and to 

 pass the Sabbath in the best manner they could, till such times as they 

 should be better provided, that the captains should, every Sunday, call 

 their companies under arms, and spend the day in exercise. Whereupon, 

 it was unanimously agreed on throughout the country, to make choice 

 of readers ; which they accordingly did, and continued in those methods 

 for some time." 



The following letter is extracted from the MSS. of the Venerable So- 

 ciety for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts. 



COLONEL HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY. 



Manor of ScarsdaU, Nov. 9, 1705. 



Sir : — I am indebted to ycu for yours of the 11th Jan. and 9th of April, and am 

 wonderfully surprised that the Society should make choice of me for one of their 

 members. It was a very great satisfaction to me, that any thing 1 could offer was 

 acceptable to them ; and should very joyfully embrace any opportunity of doing 

 service to the Church, and I bless God for it, I am not conscious to myself of ever 

 having slipt one fair occasion therein, when goverment would give me leave. I 

 beg of you, sir, to present my most humble duty to that honorable body, and 

 thank them for the honor they have been pleased to do me ; and may assure them 

 that I shall not only endeavor to give them satisfaction as to any thing they shall 

 desire of me, but if any new matter occurs, which I believe may be of service to 

 the Church, I will not fail laying it before them for their consideration. If I mis- 

 take not, the several heads you desire satisfaction of in both your letters now be- 

 fore me, are, first, an exact and impartial account of all your Ministers, Second- 

 ly, what fruit may be expected from Mr. Moor's mission. Thirdly, what my 

 thoughts are of sending Mr. Dellius into those parts again. Fourthly, my opin- 

 ion of the Society's having appointed that good man, Mr. Elias Neau, as Cate- 

 chist to the Negroes and Indians, and the cause of misunderstanding betwixt him 

 and Mr. Yesey. 



As to the first, I must do all the gentlemen which you have sent to this Prov- 

 ince that justice as to declare that a better clergy were never in any place— there 

 being not one amongst them that has the least stain or blemish as to his life or 

 conversation; and though I am not an eye witness to the actions of any, save those 

 in this county, yet I omit no opportunity of inquiring into their behavior, both 

 of the friends and enemies of the Church, and they all agree as to the character 

 of the gentlemen : and that they use their best endeavors to gain over the people. 

 And as to their diligence in the faithful discharge of their trust, the Society, I 



