640 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER 



grown persons, indifferently well instructed in the fundamentals of our Holy- 

 Religion. 



I assure you, sir, that they shall always have a convenient share in my assist- 

 ance and care, and as far as will be necessary to make them good and religious 

 persons, without the least prejudice to the rest of my flock. These, Sir, are the 

 sentiments which I entertain, and of which I shall endeavor to give to the 

 Honorable Society the most convincing proofs. 



I am, Reverend Sir, your most Obedient Servant, 



Peter Stouppe."* 



In 1729 he writes: "That he continues his diligence in all parts of 

 duty : that besides the white, he hath baptized ten negro children and 

 one grown person, and hath thirty-four communicants." The next year 

 he informs the Society, "That the French and English prayer-books 

 sent there by the Society have been of great use, and even thankfully 

 received by the people. His congregation improves, the number of com- 

 municants increases, and in the space of six months he baptized fifteen 

 white children and three negroes.' Upon the 7th of April, 1733, he 

 acquaints them, " That his congregation increases, that he had thirty- 

 three communicants last Easter, and hath within six months baptized 

 eleven white and five negro children."' The next communication from 

 Mr. Stouppe is the following : 



MR. STOUPPE TO THE SECTETARY. 



New Rochelle, Aug. 10th, 1733. 



Rev. Sir. — In my last, April 10th, 1793, by Capt. Saml. Bourdet, bound for 

 Bristol, there being then no ship besides in this town bound for England. I 

 informed you how I had heard of the Rev. Mr. Vesey, our Commissary, that 

 the last 4 doz. of Common Prayer Books sent by the Honorable Society to be 

 given to the people, who desire them, were in his hands. Now, Sir, I must in. 

 form you that I have received the same some time ago, and distributed some to 

 the people as they made application for them. I say as they made application 

 for them, for these people being none of my parishioners, but Dr. Standard's, I 

 cannot sufficiently discern those that deserve to have them from those that do 

 not ; as my intentions are sincere, I am apt to think every man's so. Sure it is, 

 the Honorable Society receive a" great deal of praise and blessings of them on 

 that account, which I doubt not will have one day a good effect ; and beget in 

 time, not only love and respect, but a thorough conformity and willing adherence 

 to the Church. 



As for my particular church, Sir, I have had 35 communicants last July 

 communion, and since my last, of the 7th of April, I have baptized five white 

 children. I have always a constant good number of hearers ; and when divine 



a New York MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i, 678-9-80-1-2. (Hawks.) 



b Printed abstracts of Ven. Society. 



clbid. 



