THE TOWN OF CORTLANDT. 1 35 



Augustin, (Florida,) and Wadesborough, at Charleston, were planted by 

 him. The old parishes of St. Bartholomew's Edisto Island, and Christ 

 church, each of them for several years found the benefit of his ministra- 

 tions.' 



" Few more industrious men, physically, mentally and socially, have 

 ever lived. 'These hands' he could truly say, ' have . ministered to my 

 necessities, and those who were with me.' Into the garden, the field, 

 the orchard, the vineyard and the forest, he went — not for recreation, or 

 to gain wealth, but to supply the deficiency of an inadequate salary; for 

 he coveted no man's silver or gold, or apparel. 



"More contentment, with the allotments of Divine Providence ; more 

 cheerfulness in narrow circumstances ; more confidence in God, as re- 

 spected himself and family ; more meekness in his intercourse with men ; 

 more resignation in sickness, sightlessness, adversity, bereavement and 

 the last conflict, I have not witnessed. I might specify incidents known 

 to several present. To one only I will advert : — " He had a son in- 

 tended for Holy Orders, much care was bestowed and expense (in- 

 volving serious self-denial) incurred on his education. It was finished 

 with credit at one of our chief colleges. The youth was now com- 

 petent to provide for himself, and was just about to become a can- 

 didate for the ministry; but he (at that time the only son) died. It 

 was a trial, met by his aged father in the temper of faithful Abra- 

 ham, and with the resignation of holy Job. On the Feast of St. 

 Thomas the Holy Communion was administered to our friend, and 

 on the Sunday after Christmas he departed, as we trust, to be ever 

 with the Lord, aged ninety years and seven months." 



The Rev. Samuel Haskell succeeded Mr. Fowler, and continued minis- 

 ter of the parish until 1798. For two or three years the parish was again 

 vacant. During this period another attempt appears to have been made to 

 obtain possession of the church by a Mr. Palmer and others; for at 

 a vestry meeting held on the 6th of November, 1801, it was ordered: 

 — " That the doors of the churches (St. Peter's and St. Philip's) be shut 

 against Mr. Palmer for the future." In the year 1803, Mr. James 

 Mandeville paid the wardens and vestrymen for " one year's rent of 

 the parsonage farm, ending 15th of April, £$$; and to one year's 

 rent of the church land, situated round the church at Peekskill £i." a 

 The latter must refer to the cemetery which was confirmed to the church 

 by the royal charter of 1770. Occasional services were performed at 

 this time by the New York clergy; for on the 20th of May, 1804, 

 Mr. James Mandeville charges the vestry with the expenses, " paid 

 by him, for keeping of the Rev. Messrs. Cooper and Wilkins, £6 12.'' 



In 1806, the Rev. Joseph Warren was called to be rector of the 



a Vestry minutes. The Baptist meeting house must have stood near St. Peter's church, for 

 on the " 20th of March, 1S05. Joseph Ferris was appointed to put up the division fence be- 

 tween the church yards of the Episcopal and Baptist Churches." 



