THE TOWN OF EAST CHESTER. 223 



olutionary war, it was destroyed by fire. The foundation stones upon 

 which the building rested, were visible in part, as late as 1793." There 

 is a tradition in the Pinckney family that one of its early members pre- 

 sented the land to the church, embracing the present green, church-yard 

 and adjoining property, for which they enjoy the privilege of free inter- 

 ment. 



At a town meeting held 2 2d July, 1697, "It was agreed by vote to 

 meet at the meeting-house on the 10th day of August, next ensuing, at 

 sun half an hour high in the morning, in order to the cutting brush about 

 the common in Eastchester woods, and to appear at the beat of the 

 drum." 



On the 2d of January, 1698, the inhabitants agreed by vote, "That 

 the address which is drawn up to be presented to His Excellency, con- 

 cerning indockin (inducting) a minister, the said inhabitants have and 

 do agree that the officers of said town shall asign (sign) the said address 

 in behalf of themselves and the rest of the inhabitants, or any of our ad- 

 jacent neighbors." 



The Governour, however, refused to induct a dissenting minister, on 

 the ground that such a one was not qualified to accept, and that the law 

 intended no other than an orthodox minister, for if otherwise, nothing 

 but confusion would ensue about the disposal even amongst the Dissent- 

 ers themselves. 



The inhabitants of East Chester finding the Governour bent upon the 

 settlement of a national ministry, next attempted to annul the act of 

 1693, by making themselves a distinct parish from Westchester. This 

 appears by the following extract from the town records : 



"April nth, 1699, it was agreed upon, by a full and free vote, to 

 petition unto His Excellency and Honorable Council and General 

 Assembly, in behalf of ourselves and the rest of our neighbors in the 

 Yonkers and Mile Square, to desire that we may be taken from West- 

 chester and have liberty to call a minister of our own." 



On the 26th of December, 1699, it was resolved at a public meeting 

 held in East Chester, " To haste and erect the meeting-house, and that 

 it shall be finished at or before the 31st of May, in the year of our Lord, 

 1700, and in case the said work be not finished, that then John Drake 

 and Jeremiah Fowler shall set men at work and finish the said work on 

 the town account." 6 



a Rev. William S. Coffey's Commemorative Discourse, 1865, at Centennial Anniversary of 

 St. Paul's church. 



b Town Records. " By an act of Assembly passed this year, the trustees of each town were 

 to make a yearly rate for building a church where wanting, &c" 2 Will. III. A. D. 1699. 

 Laws of N. Y. vol. 1. Chap. 83, p. 37. 



