440 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



The twelve lots into which the West Farms was originally divided, 

 have been long since distributed among numerous proprietors. 



The village of West Farms is pleasantly situated at the head of the 

 •navigable waters of the Bronx, three miles from the East river, and 

 twelve from New York. This place, from its close vicinity to the city, 

 and its valuable water privileges, is rapidly increasing in importance. 

 It contains an Episcopal, a Dutch Reformed, a Presbyterian, and a 

 Methodist church ; several taverns, stores of different kinds, and a post 

 office ; also, several extensive manufactories. 



Near the centre of the village is situated the Episcopal church ; a 

 beautiful Gothic structure, of wood. The bell-tower is attached to the 

 north-eastern corner. Over the principal entrance, is a neat porch. 

 The corner-stone of this edifice was laid on Tuesday, November ioth, 

 1S46, by the Rev. Hugh Smith, D.D., rector of St. Peter's church, 

 New York ; on which occasion, an address was delivered by the Rev. 

 J. T. Cushing, minister in charge of the parish. Besides the officiating 

 clergy, there were present, the Rev. William Powell, rector of St. 

 Peter's church, Westchester, and the Rev. Robert Bolton, rector of 

 Christ's church, Pelham. 



On the 28th of June, 1847, it was consecrated and set apart to the 

 worship and service of Almighty God, under the title of Grace church, 

 by the Right Reverend William Heathcote de Lancey, Bishop of the 

 Diocese of Western New York. The consecration sermon being 

 preached by the Rev. Kingston Goddard, of Staten Island. 



Grace church, West Farms, was incorporated upon the 13th of 

 December, 1844. William A. Spencer and Philip M. Lydig, church- 

 wardens; Peter Lorillard, Richard Crowther, Dr. William Bayard, 

 Charles S. Valentine, Benjamin Lea, Jacob M. Van Winkle and Wil- 

 liam B. Hoffman, vestrymen." 



On June 3d, 1847, the Rev. Washington Rodman was unanimously 

 called to be rector of the parish. The credit of first attempting the 

 establishment of an Episcopal church in this village, is due, under God, 

 to Miss Margaret Hunt, 6 a lady whose intelligent zeal, kindly sympathy 

 and untiring benevolence, deserve especial mention. The work was 

 undertaken by this lady; and, although the number of Episcopalians 

 in the immediate neighborhood was then comparatively small, still a 

 considerable interest was awakened by her endeavors. The amount of 

 $2,061.00 was collected, to which the sum of $1,000.00 was added by 

 the munificent donation of Mrs. C. L. Spencer. 



a Co. !■'• ■-. Ri lurtons Boa, Lib. B.. p. 93. 



b Daughter of Thomas Hunt, fourth In descent from Edward Jessup, one of the first pat- 

 entees of the West Farms. 



