43° HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



In 1853, a neat stone edifice thirty feet by forty-eight, was erected 

 with a tower thirty-six feet high, at a cost of twenty-five hundred and 

 fifty dollars ; prior to its erection services had been held in the open air, 

 as no building could be obtained, (and anyone who offered to furnish a 

 room for services was prescribed for so doing, a ) with a congregation of 

 about two hundred persons. 



St. John's church was consecrated and set apart to the service of Al- 

 mighty God, by the Right Rev. Horatio Potter, D.D., LL. D., D.C. L., 

 the Bishop of the Diocese, on the 18th of September, 1855. The tower 

 contains a fine toned bell weighing six hundred and ninety-seven pounds, 

 which was presented by the late Benj. F. Loder, Esq., a native of this 

 parish. The communion plate — consisting of a flagon, two chalices and 

 paten — was a gift of Mrs. Nancy Weed ; and the service books were pre- 

 sented by Mrs. Benj. Williamson, of New Jersey. The chandelier was 

 the gift of Gould Rockwell, Esq , of Ridgefield, Conn. The following 

 inscription occurs on a slab in the chancel : 



In Menioriam 



REV. EPENETUS TOWNSEND, A. M., 



Missionary of 



The Ven ble Prop. Society, A. D. 1766. 



And First Hector of Salem. 



Inducted May 29, 1768. 



Born, April, 1742. 



Lost at sea with his family Sept., 1779. 



"His Exemplary Life, sober conversation and devout 



Performance of Religious Offices, Highly Recommended Him to the Love 



and esteem of His People." 



Peace. 



Hoyt, of Stamford, was born December 9, 1671, married Elizabeth Jaggar, June 10, 1697, and 

 tli- <1 in 1747. He was selectman of Stamford four years, in 1719 and later. His second son, 

 David Hoyt, of Stamford, was born June 23d 1702 ; married Hannah Halt June 22d, 1727, and 

 died 1761-2, leaving a third son, Jacob Hoyt, who was born at Stamford about 1735, he married 

 Sarah— lived in South Salem near Hoyt's mill. He and his wife connected themselves with 

 the Presbyterian church there, June 30, 1765, and had children baptized there in 1765, 1767. 

 We find his ear-mark at Salem, Dec. 22d, 1755. He was overseer of the poor there 1766, 1779, 

 1784, 1794, etc. ; a trustee of the South Salem Presbyterian church 1784, 1788 and 1799. He was 

 First Lieutenant, Salem, Southern District 1775. His wife, Sarah died Oct. 7th, 1803, aged 

 eighty. His oldest son, Jacob Hoyt, was born November 10, 1761 ; baptized June 30th, 1765, 

 married Ellen, daughter of Gould Bouton, April 26, 1787; lived in South Salem and died there 

 December 28th, 1844. He was constable and collector at Salem in 1794. His wife, Ellen, was 

 born June 22, 1769. His third brother was the Rev. Stephen Hoyt, formerly of Sunbury, 

 Georgia, who was baptized at Salem, Aug. 16th, 1767. The eldest son of Jacob was Stephen 

 Hoyt, who was born Oct. 2d, 1789, and baptized Dec. 2, 1792. He married Sally, daughter of 

 Elnathan Weed, Esq., of Poundridge, January 9th, 1811, He resided in South Salem, and 

 was the generous donor of the church lot and one of the founders of St. John's church in that 

 place. He died July 15th, 1867, and was buried in the Cemetery opposite to the church. His 

 wife, Sally, died Sept. 1st, 1867. His brother Harvey Hoyt was born April 26th, 1792, baptized 

 Dec. 2. 1792, married Laura, daughter of William Clark, of Waterbury, Connecticut, and is 

 BtiU living in South Salnn. His wife, Laura, died Nov. 19th, 1848, aged sixty-one. The 

 children of Stephen and Sally are first, William W. born about 1811, baptized Sept. 12th, 1819; 

 second, Stephen Lewis baptized s-pt. 12th, 1819; married first, Hobby, of Bedford and second 

 daughter of Aaron Tyler of of Bedford, by whom he has three daughters. Mr. Hoyt is junior 

 warden of St. John's church. South Salem ; third, Mary Ann, baptized Sept, 12th, 1819, 

 married Lewis Hoyt of South Salem. 



a On the very day it, was proposed to erect the church, the late Sidney R. Lockwood noti- 

 fied Mr. Dorchy Keeler thai if Episcopal services were continued any longer in his house 

 he would withdraw his custom. Col. Isaac Hayes then applied for the use of the school 



