USA > New York > Westchester County > A history of the county of Westchester, from its first settlement to the present time > Part 46
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
Francis Smith,
Samuel Lawrence,
Robert Brown,
Jordan Norris,
Thomas Merrit,
Daniel Dean,
Frederick Vermilyea,
Samuel Williams,
Stephen Bastine,
John Cartright,
Israel Underhill,
Henry Norris,
Edward Cartright,
Henry Brown,
John Gresinall,
Henry Taylor,
Benjamin Archer,
Fred. Brown.
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 12, 1776, the American army marched from King's 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 neatest in the county, having been
473
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
completely repaired and beautified within a few years. It owes its early foundation to the Philipses's, 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 Honorable Frederick Philipse, for some years speaker of the house of Assembly in the province of New York, 1721-8.
There is every reason to believe that this distinguished indi. vidual took some steps towards the erection of the church previous to his death, which happened in 1751 : (he 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 to him, from the manor of Philipsborough, the sum of £400 be by his executrix laid out in erecting a building or finishing a church of England as by law established, on the farm near and to the north ward of the house then in the tenure of William Jones, sen., unless he should build the said church in his lifetime ; and he de- vised all the said farm with all the buildings thereon, unto all his children, and their heirs, in trust, for the use of such minis- ters of the church of England as by law established, as should be from time to time admitted or instituted in the said church ; and so for ever to remain for a glebe to the said church."a That the building was commenced in 1752, there is no doubt, for among the family papers, occurs an account of the expenses on the church at Philipsborough to the estate of Frederick Philipse, debtor," commencing Nov. 1752, closing December, 1753, whole amount, £623 6s. 9d. This sum shows that his execntrix had exceeded the original bequest in the will, £223. The curious reader will not be displeased with one or two more of these accounts, showing the expenses attendant on building a church at that early period :
" Benjamin Fowler's account in full for ye church : May 11th, 1753, dito 61 days works at geting timber for the dors and the winder frams for the church, at 5 shillings per day, £1 12 6. September the 20th, to working and going to ask
* Surrogate's office, N. Y. No. xviii. 3.
VOL. II.
60
474
HISTORY OF THE
the peple to come to work at the church, 8 days, &c., &c. John Underhill's receipt for supplying the workmen at the church with beef, commencing August 31st. Madame Philipse dito, 69 pound of beef at 2s 3d per pound, £15 10 3.
Received of Beverly Robinson the above amount in full. JOHN UNDERHILL."
Nothing remains of the original structure, except the walls and tower, the roof and wood work having been destroyed by an accidental fire, May, 1791. When the ruins of the church came to be examined after this melancholy accident, the skeleton of a full sized man was discovered behind the remains of the pulpit. In 1792, it was again repaired, and on the 21st August of that year, consecrated to the service of Almighty God, under the name and title of St. John's Church, Philipsborough, by the Right Rev. Samuel Provoost, first Bishop of the State of New York. The present edifice consists of a square tower sur- mounted with a wooden cupola and spire, body and vestry room in the rear.
St. John's Church, Yonkers.
The principal entrance is by a circular headed door on the
475
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
south side. There are two monumental tablets in this church : the first placed against the south wall is inscribed ;
To perpetuate the memory of the REV. ELIAS COOPER, 27 years Rector of this church, who departed this life, Jan. 16, 1816, aged 58 years and 11 days. He laboured industriously to promote the happiness of MANKIND by advancing the influence of the Christian religion. Pious without superstition, and zealous without BIGOTRY ; a friend to the poor and an ornament to the church, exemplary in the discharge of every relation and professional duty, respected and honored through life by those who knew his virtues, and in his death universally lamented. This humble monument (not of his praise) is erected by his faithful flock, who knew him, loved him, and lament their loss,
and are desirous of recording in this inscription their esteem, affection and regret.
The second on the chancel wall is erected TO THE MEMORY OF THE REV. ALEXANDER HI. CROSBY, A. M., 10 years Rector of this church, who died at the Island of St. Croix, January 4, 1839, aged 35 years. In the General Theological Seminary, THE PIETY, VIRTUES AND TALENTS, were nurtured, which fitted him for the CHRISTIAN MINISTRY, sincerity of character, kindness of heart,
476
HISTORY OF THE
and purity of life, united with steady zeal, correct principles, patient labor and true devotedness to God, edified the church,
won for him the hearts of his flock, and were honored by his Divine master, with abundant fruits.
In all things he was an example and a pattern for the people to follow ; and with this testimony he has entered into his rest. A BELOVED BROTHER and faithful minister in the Lord. The flock for whose sakes he gladly spent himself, have erected this tablet to attest their sense of his excellence, and their grief for his loss.
The bella was presented to the church, by the late Joseph Howland, Esq., and contains the following inscription : "B. Hanks, Mansfield, Con., 1818."
It is much to be regretted, that the old communion service of this church was carried off during the war of the Revolution for safe keeping, to the city of New York. Some years after the close of the war, the altar cloth was discovered in an old dusty box, where it had lain through the whole period of the Revolu- tion : this is now in use at St. John's chapel, Tuckahoe. The silver now used at the administration of the holy sacrament, consists of one large silver flagon, 2 silver chalices, a silver ba- son or font ; the latter presented by a member of the Van Cort- landt family ; and a silver plate bearing the following in- scription :
" Presented to the Episcopal Church of the town of Yonkers 1795."
& Bells were used by the ancient Romans to signify the time of bathing, and naturally applied by the early Christians to denote the hours of devotion.
477
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
During the troubles of the Revolution, an American soldier killed in this neighbourhood is known to have been interred be- neath the floor of this church, but there is no tradition of the cause of so unusual a place of sepulture being chosen.
" Here the warrior rests in peace, And holy church his tomb doth grace."
The church-yard has been long since abandoned on account of its rocky situation. The one now used is located on the old parsonage property, and formed once a portion of the glebe. It is beautifully situated on a rising knoll in the valley of the Saw Mill. The first interment on record occurs 1783, Richard Ar- cher. Among other memorials in this yard are those of
LEMUEL WELLS, EsQ. born in the city of Hartford, mar. Eliza H. died Feb. 11, 1842, aged 82.
MISS SUSANNAH HOWLAND born in Boston, 1753, died in Greenburgh, 1823, aged 73 years.
The first mention of the parish of Yonkers occurs in an act passed during the first session of the third Assembly, 5th of King Wil- liam and Queen Mary, September, 1693, entitled an act for sett- ling a ministry and raising a maintenance for them in the city of New York, counties of Richmond, Westchester and Queens ; " Wherein it was enacted by General Assembly, and by the authority of the same, that in each county there shall be called and inducted two clergymen for the county of Westchester, one to have the cure of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers and the manor of Pelham ; the other to have the cure of Rye, Mamaro- neck and Bedford; and allowed £100 each, to each £50 to be paid in country produce. In raising the respective maintenances for the ministers, the respective justices of every city and county aforesaid, or any two of them are required to issue out warrants to the constables to summon the freeholders of every city, town and precinct, for the chosing two vestrymen and two
478
HISTORY OF THE
wardens.a Confirmed the 11th of May, 1697. This act was further explained 3rd Queen Anne.b
A. D. 1698. Lord Cornbury, Governor of the Province, issued orders to the magistrates of the several towns in Westchester County to build churches ; by virtue of this, several towns were enabled to build public houses for the worship of Almighty God. St. Peter's Church, Westchester was thus built and became the parish church, inclusive of the precincts of Eastchester, Manor of Pelham and Yonkers.
The quota contributed by the precinct of Yonkers towards the support of the Rector and poor of the parish in 1702, was £7 6, in 1709, £8.
The first vestryman elected by the freeholders of this precinct was Mr. John Archer ; seven years later John Archer and Noah Barton, were vestrymen.
A. D. 1702, King William III. by Royal Charter incorporated the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. The principal object of this society was to send clergymen to the colonies ; "and the society to earnestly request and beseech all persons concerned that they recommend no man out of favor or affection or any other worldly consideration ; but with a sincere regard to the honor of Almighty God and our blessed Saviour, as they tender the interest of the Christian religion and the good of men's souls.c
The first Rector of the parish of Westchester and precinct of Yonkers was the Rev. John Bartow, who received his license from the Bishop of London in 1702. The same year upon his arrival here, he was inducted by the commission of his Excel- lency Governor Cornbury.
In 1703 Rev. John Bartow commenced his services within this precinct. September 5, 1708, he writes to the society that he occasionally preached at Yonkers, where the population was then 250 souls.d
a Acts of Assembly passed in the province of N. Y. from 1691 to 1725, p. 23.
b Ibid.
c From a collection of papers printed by order of the Society, 9.
a From the Westchester Records we take the following extract, "John Archer,
479
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
In 1713, the Propagation Society founded a charity school for the education of children in this town. The same year £5 per annum is granted to a schoolmaster at Yonkers, where there is a large congregation of Dutch and English, for instructing the younger sort in the catechism and liturgy, provided he can pro- duce a certificate of his teaching thirty children. A. D. 1719, Mr. Jones was allowed fifty shillings for teaching children to read at Mile Square.
In 1761, the Rev. Mr. Milner, Rector of the parish, informs the Propagation Society that one of the edifices he preaches in at Yonkers was a new one, raised by the generosity of Colonel Frederick Philipse of Philipsborough, who has given to its service a fine farm as a glebe, consisting of two hundred acres, upon which he purposes to build a good house for a minister. In 1764 the society report that they have received a letter from Colonel Frederick Philipse of Philipsborough within the Province of New York, dated October 23, 1764, representing
" That at the expense of himself and family there is now erected on the Manor of Philipsborough a handsome stone church completely finished, and every thing necessary for the decent performance of divine service prepared, that about three quarters of a mile from the church he has laid out and appro- priated two hundred and fifty acres of excellent arable and wood land for a glebe for the minister for ever, and that he fully intends as soon as they are happy to have a worthy clergyman of the Church of England settled among them, to build him a genteel and handsome house upon said glebe, the ma- terials for which are now providing, and which will cost at least £400. He therefore earnestly requests the society to send them a missionary, that he and his tenants, nearly one hundred and fifty families, may be no longer des- titute of the worship of the Church of England."
The board taking this letter into consideration have appointed the Rev. Harry Munro,a a gentleman recommended to them by all the clergy of New Jersey and the Rev. Messrs. Charlton and Auchmuty at Perth Amboy, September 20th, 1764, and by other
constable of the Yonkers appears, with a receipt from Mr. Bartow, bearing date ye 21 May, 1714-15 since the year 1702, as the minister's rate with the collection allowed, &c.
a Vol. i. 315.
480
HISTORY OF THE
very ample testimonials to be the society's missionary at Philips- borough, with a salary of £30 per annum.
June 8th, 1765, Mr. Munro himself, writes, " that on his ar- rival at his mission, he found everything promising and agreea- ble, a neat church (always kept in good repair by Col. Frederick Philipse and family) and a decent congregation, materials al- ready for a parsonage, the glebe well fenced, plenty of wood, and a sufficient quantity of arable land.
In 1771, the Rev. Luke Babcock was recommended by the clergy of New York, "being lately ordained by the bishop of London, as a proper person for a missionary. And Colonel Philipse having requested that the mission of Philipsborough formerly filled by the Rev. Harry Munro, should be renewed ; and the Colonel having made a proper provision for the mainten- ance of a minister, with the assistance of the society, they have accordingly appointed the Rev. Luke Babcock to the mis- sion with a salary of £30.
The youngest son of Doctor Joshua Babcock, of Westerly Narragansett (observes Mr. Updike) was the Rev. Luke, "an Episcopal clergyman at Philips's Manor, on the Hudson, where he died, leaving a wife and several children. Hawkins, in his historical notices of the missions of the Church of England, says : "another victim of ill treatment already mentioned, was the Rev. Luke Babcock, missionary at Philipsborough. He was seized by the insurgents, his papers were examined, and because he answered affirmatively to the question, whether he considered himself bound by his oath of allegiance to the king, he was deemed an enemy to the liberties of America, and ordered to be kept in custody.ª After four month's confinement, his health gave way, and he was then dismissed with a written order to remove within the lines of the king's army. "He got home, (says Mr. Seabury.) " with difficulty, in a raging fever and deli- rious, and there died, extremely regretted.b Indeed, I know not
& He was seized and carried off a prisoner to Hartford, Conn. Here he was detained in custody, from October, 1776, to February of 1777 .- Editor.
b His remains were deposited in the family vault of the Van Cortlandt's .- Editor.
481
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
a more excellent man, and I fear his loss, especially in that mis- sion, will scarcely be made up."a
His wife was Grace Isaacs, a cousin of Judge Isaacs of New Haven. His children were Cortlandt, Frederick, the father of Mrs. W. L. Morris, of Wave Hill, Yonkers, and Henrietta, who married a Mr. Richard Saltonstal of New York.
This parish suffered greatly during the war of the Revolution. The church was used at intervals by both armies as an hospital ; and its pulpit occupied by ministers of different denominations, who made some strong efforts to retain possession.
At the close of the war, May 1, the State of New York passed an act vesting the church two acres of land, and the glebe in the corporation of the Episcopal church, Yonkers.
This was confirmed by another act of the Legislature, passed April 3, 1792, wherein it is specified : " that all the estate, right, title, interest, claim and demand of the people of the State of New York, in and to the said church, and two acres of land, and in and to the said parsonage or glebe, shall be, and hereby are granted to, and vested in the corporation of the Episcopal church in the town of Yonkers, in the County of Westchester and State of New York, and their successors forever, for the use of the said corporation."
This church had been previously incorporated under the act of 1784. Sept. 15, 1787, Augustus van Cortlandt and John War- ner, trustees.
In accordance with the act passed for the relief of the Episco- pal church, passed March 17, 1795, it was again incorporated, Sept. 7, 1795. Augustus van Cortlandt and William Constable, wardens, John Warner, Thomas Valentine, Isaac Vermilyea, Frederick Underhill, Shadrach Taylor, Isaac Lawrence, Stephen Oakley and Jacob Post, vestrymen. In the first Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the diocese of New York, held in the city of New York, June 22d, 1785, this church does not appear to have been represented.
& Updike's Hist. of the Narragansett Church, 310.
VOL. II.
61
482
HISTORY OF THE
To the Convention of 1787, she sent her first delegates, Augus- tus van Cortlandt and Israel Honeywell, Esqrs.
The principal benefactors to this parish, have been, the Hon. Frederick Philipse, Mark Noble, Esq., Augustus van Cortlandt, Esq.,a and the wardens and vestry of Trinity Church, New York.b
In 1845, owing to the large increase of families within this parish, and the numerous calls made upon its officiating clergy, it was deemed advisable, after mature deliberation, to erect a par- sonage within the village of Yonkers. For this purpose, an or- der was obtained the same year from the Court of Chancery, to dispose of the old parsonage and glebe. These were finally sold for $6,500. With part of these funds, the present Rectory was built. The corporation reserving to themselves the burying ground in the Saw Mill valley.
A part of Philipse's point in the rear of the present rectory, appears to have been used as a grave yard for strangers.
The following table extracted from the reports of the venera- ble Propagation Society and the Church records, deduce the catalogue of incumbents to the present time.
LIST OF MINISTERS AND RECTORS.
Instituted or called.
Sep. 20, 1764,
Incumbents. Vacated by. Rev. Harry Munro, A. M. Clericus, per resig.
1770, Rev. Luke Babcock, Clericus, per death
1777, 1786,
Rev. George Panton, Clericus, per resig Rev. Andrew Fowler, Presb. do. per death
Sep. 10, 1788, Rev. Elias Cooper, Presb.
Mar. 14, 1816,
Rev. William Powell, Presb. per resig.
Mar. 20, 1820,
Rev. John Grigg, Presb. do.
Oct. 17, 1823, Rev. John West, Presb. do.
a This individual, by his will dated Dec. 20, 1823, bequeathed " the sum of $500 to the Rector, warders and vestry of St. John's church, at Yonkers, being the Protestant Episcopal church of that town, to be put and kept out at interest by them, upon good real security, within the County of Westchester."
b In 18-, Trinity Church contributed $ - for a parsonage at Yonkers, to which was added in 18-, the sum of $
483
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
Instituted or called. Incumbents. Vacated by.
Dec. 15, 1828, Rev. Alex. H. Crosby, A. M. Presb. per death May 4, 1839, Rev. Smith Pyne, A. M. Presb. per resig. Mar. 20, 1811, Rev. Henry L. Storrs, Presb. present incumbent.
Notitia Parochialis.
In 1703 there appear to have been 250 families attached to this precinct.
A. D. 1761, -- communicants. 47 baptisms.
1775, - do. 15 do 1806, - do. 16 do. 18IS, - do. 17 do. 1844, 94 do 31 do.
There is also a Reformed Dutch Church standing directly south of St. John's, situated upon rising ground. This church was erected on a portion of the estate of the late Lemuel Wells, Esq., which was given by his heirs in 1844. The building is a neat edifice of brick. The interior arrangements and fittings up are peculiarly appropriate, being neat and simple. A chaste pul- pit and communion table occupy the west end, while a gallery extends across the eastern. .
This church was incorporated under the act of 1813, dated Ju- ly 13, 1844. Lemuel W. Wells and Ducan McFarland, elders ; Frederick Nodine and Ralph Shipman, deacons. The first in- stalled pastor was the Rev. V. M. Hurlbert, present minister.
There appears to have been a Dutch Reformed congregation in this town as early as 1781, "called the Reformed Dutch Church at the Lower Mills, in the Manor of Philipsborough," incor- porated under the act of 1784, dated September 8, 1786 ; William Warner, Abraham Odell, Isaac Vermilyea, James McChain, Ja- cobus Dyckman, trustees.
Minutes from the records of the Reformed Dutch Church, Yonkers, 1845.
No. of Communicants. Baptisms. 10.
45.
The Methodist Episcopal Church is located on the edge of
484
HISTORY OF THE
Locust Hill,a north of the village, from its elevated position over- looking the splendid scenery of the Hudson. The present edifice is a neat structure of wood. Adjoining it on the east is a small parsonage. The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized March 1, 1828, under the name and title of Christ Church ; first trustees Joseph Oakley, Frederick Shonnard, Thomas Griffen, and David Oakley.
In the immediate vicinity of the village are located two well- known seminaries, viz the Oak Grove Female Seminary, Mr. and Mrs. Foote, principals ; and a large boarding school for boys, G. W. Francis, principal. Both of these institutions are delight- fully situated upon high ground, overlooking the magnificent scenery of the river. A new building for the district school has recently been erected at an expense of nearly $3000. It is of brick 32 feet by 42, and one of the best arranged in the county.
North-west of the village is Wild Boar Hill,b so called from the animal that once frequented the solitudes of its ancient for- es:s. So troublesome and numerous had this animal become at one period that the Provincial Government was compelled to pass laws for its destruction.
Up to a late era, Indians occupied this hill in great numbers. From here they are all said to have taken their departure in one night. The scarcity of the wild game, together with the en- croachments of the white man, may in some measure account for this sudden removal.
During one period of the Revolution it was the site of the American encampment. Its summit commands fine views of the surrounding country and the noble Hudson, stretching in one long reach to Jersey City.
Somewhere near this spot there formerly stood a peculiar shaped tree, as if adapted by nature to receive the body of a man. In this rustic couch the illustrious Washington, wearied with his toils, slept for two hours ; his trusty guide Martin Post watchinge
. Upon land the gift of Mr. Frederick Shonnard.
b This hill is laid down in General Washington's surveyed map of the county as Boar hill.
+ Post was at this time altached to Col. Schammel's regiment.
485
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
by his side. Augustus Gregier, a nephew of the guide now living in the town, relates the incident.
In the summer of 1780, the famous spy Huddlestone was dis- covered concealed in the woods upon this hill, and was after- wards hung at Poughkeepsie. For a long time it was frequent- ed by the American water guards, whose business it was to in- tercept all traders passing to the British lines.
On the south side of this hill fell the brave Captain Rowe of Pruschank's yagers. This individual appears to have been in the habit of making a daily tour from Kingsbridge, round by Mile Square, for the purpose of reconnoitering. On the morning of the melancholy accident which terminated his career, he was on his last tour of military duty, having already resigned his commission for the purpose of marrying the accomplished Eli- zabeth Fowler of Haarlem; when passing with a company of light dragoons he was suddenly fired upon by three Americans of the, water guard of Captain Pray's company, who had am- buscaded themselves in the cedars near the site of the present residence of Mr. Bangalore. Their shot took deadly effect, for the Captain fell from his horse mortally wounded. The yagers instantly made prisoners of the undisciplined water guards, and a messenger was immediately dispatched to Mrs. Babcock, then living below in the parsonage, for a vehicle to remove the wounded officer. The use of her gig and horse was soon ob- tained, and a neighbour, Anthony Archer, pressed to drive. In this they conveyed the dying man to Col. Van Cortlandt's. They appear to have taken the route of Tippett's valley, as the party stopped at Mr. Frederick Post's to obtain a drink of water. In the mean time an express had been forwarded to Miss Fowler, his affianced bride, to hasten without delay to the side of her dying lover. On her arrival, accompanied by her mother, the expiring soldier had just strength enough left to articulate a few words, when he sunk exhausted with the effort.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.