2S0 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



In 1662, Governor Stuyvesant granted to the English towns the right 

 to nominate their own magistrates, and to have their own courts, '-but in 

 dark and dubious matters, especially in witchcraft, the party aggrieved 

 might appeal to the Governor and council."' 1 



Upon the nomination of town officers, the same year, the inhabitants 

 addressed the Governor, as follows : — 



Right Hon'ble Lord Governor of the New Netherlands, Lord Stevensone : — 

 We, the inhabitants of the towne, do heare present our choice unto j r our honor, 

 for the establishing of magistrates for the ensuing yeare ; these may give your 

 honor for to understand what the towne choyce is, as followeth, namely: 

 William Betts. Robert Hiestis, John Quimby, 



Edward Waters, Nicolas Bayly, Thomas Vaille. 



East Towne, Feb. 11, 1662.* 



About this period Connecticut claimed Westchester as lying within 

 her jurisdiction; in support of which she issued the following orders: — 



A1 a court of general assembly, held at Hartford, October 9th, 1G62, "This as- 

 sembly doth hereby declare and inform the inhabitants of Westchester, that the 

 plantation is included in ye bounds of our charter, granted to this colony of Con- 

 necticut.' 1 ^ 



Hartford, this 13th of Oct., 1552. 



To the. Inhabitants of Westchester : 



You are required in his majesties name to appear (or by your deputies), at 

 Hartford, the second Thursday in May next, to attend your duty according to 

 his majesties grants. By letters patent hereof. You may not fail at your peril. 



JOHN MASON, Deputy Governor. 



To the Inhabitants of Westchester : 



[Connecticut seal.] 25Tn of Oct., 1662. 



Mr. Gold, Mr. Clark, chairman, Mr. Campfield, and Jehu Burr are hereby ap- 

 pointed to keep a court at Fairfield, when they see cause for the issuing and de- 

 termining such causes and cases as shall then be presented. Stamford, Greenwich 

 and Westchester, have hereby liberty to take the benefit of the Court of Fairfield, 

 as shall be in controversy amongst them for the future. 



This is a true copy of the order of the Hon. Genl. Assembly held at Hartford 

 the 9th of October last past, under the seal of the colony, and under the hand of 



DANIEL CLARK, Clerk. 

 Transcribed for me, Will Hill, 

 Clerk of the courts to be held at Fairfield. 



Copia scriptum per me, The absolute seal came not to the 



Richard Mills. inhabitants of Westchester, only the 



sign as above, with the word seal 

 above it. Richard Mills, e 



a Alb. Hoc. vol. xxi. 233-S. 



b Alb Kec. vol. xx. 51. 



e Jolj ' 'onnecticut now laid claim to Westchester (says Trumbull), and sent one 



of her i i" bend the Inhabitants to the choice of their officers, and to administer 



the proper oaths to rach as they mi^ht elect. — Ti Hist, 0/ Conn. '16S. 



■i Hartford Rec Boundary Letters, vol. ii. 168. 

 1. ttec. vol. XXI. VJ. 



