640 



HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



The commanding eminence rising above the village directly east of 

 the Philipse Mansion, is called Locust Hill. Here the American army 

 were encamped during a part of the war, while the enemy lay in the 

 lower grounds. 



October 12th, 1776, the American army marched from Kings Bridge, 

 along the heights above Yonkers towards Dobb's Ferry. 



St. John's church, Yonkers, together with its gothic parsonage, stands 

 pleasantly situated on the south bank of the Saw mill. This church is 

 one of the handsomest in the county, having been recently repaired and 



BWs* 



St. John's Rectory. 



beautified at a heavy cost. It owes its early foundation to the Philipses, 

 who, as lords of the Manor at that time enjoyed the advowson or right 

 of patronage to all and every church erected therein. Its first founder 

 and patron was the Hon. Frederick Philipse, for some years speaker of 

 the house of the Assembly in the province of New York, 1721-8. 



There is every reason to believe that this distinguished individual took 

 some steps towards the erection of the church previous to his death, 

 which happened in 1751 : (lie died of consumption at the age of 53.) 

 In his will, which is dated the 6th of June, of the same year, he directs, 



"That out of the rents that were, or should thereafter be due him, 

 from the manor of Phillipsborough, the sum of ^400 be by his execu- 

 trix laid out in erecting a building or finishing a church of England as 



