USA > New York > Westchester County > A history of the county of Westchester, from its first settlement to the present time > Part 7
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HISTORY OF THE
he or they is or are herein nominated and appointed, or whereunto he or they shall or may be so elected and chosen, then our royal will and pleasure is and we do hereby direct, ordain and require the rector and inhabitants of the par- ish of Rye in communion as aforesaid for the time being to meet at the said church, and choose other or others of their members in the place and stead of him or them so dying, removing or refusing to act within thirty days next after such contingency, and in this case for the more due and orderly con- ducting the said elections and to prevent any undue proceedings therein, we do hereby give full power and authority to, and ordain and require that the rector and the said churchwardens of the said church for the time being, or any two of them, shall appoint the time for such election and elections, and that the rector of the said church, or in his absence one of the said churchwardens for the time being, shall give public notice thereof by publishing the same at the said church, immediately after divine service on the Sunday next preceding the day appointed for such election, hereby giving and granting that such per- son or persons as shall be so chosen from time to time by the rector and in- habitants of the said parish of Rye in communion as aforesaid, or the majority of such of them as shall in such case meet in manner hereby directed, shall have, hold, exercise and enjoy such the office or offices to which he or they shall be so elected and chosen from the time of such election until the Tues- day in Easter week thence next ensuing, and until other or others be legally chosen in his or their place or stead, as fully and amply as the person or per- sons in whose place he or they shall be chosen might or could have done by virtue of these presents, and we do hereby will and direct that this method shall for ever hereafter be used for the filling up all vacancies that shall hap- pen in either the said offices between the annual elections above directed ; and our royal will and pleasure further is, and we do hereby for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant that as well the churchwardens and vestrymen in these presents nominated and appointed, as such as shall from time to time be hereafter elected and chosen as is herein directed, shall have and they are hereby invested with full power and authority to execute their several and respective offices in as full and ample manner as any churchwardens or ves- trymen in that part of our kingdom of Great Britain called England, or in this our province of New York, can or lawfully may execute their said respective offices ; and further our royal will and pleasure is, and we do by these pre- sents, for us, our heirs and successors, give, grant, ordain and appoint that the rector and the said churchwardens of the said church for the time being, or any two of them, shall and may from time to time as occasion shall require, summon and call together, at such day and place as they shall think proper, the said rector, churchwardens and vestrymen for the time being, to meet in vestry, giving them at the least one day's notice thereof, and we hereby re- quire them to meet accordingly ; and we do hereby give, grant and ordain, that the said rector and one of the said churchwardens for the time being at least, together with the majority of the said vestrymen of the said church for
73
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
the time being, being met in vestry as above directed, shall for ever hereafter have, and they are hereby invested with full power and authority by majority of their voices, to do and execute in the name of the rector and inhabitants of the parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law estab- lished, all and singular the powers and authorities hereinbefore given and granted to the said rector and inhabitants of the parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law established, any wise touching or relat- ing to such lands, messuages and tenements, real and personal estate whatso- ever, as they the said rector and inhabitants of the parish of Rye in cominu- nion as aforesaid, shall or may acquire for the use of the said church, and also in like manner to order, direct, manage and transact the general interest, business and affairs of our said corporation, and also shall have full power and authority in like manner to make and ordain such rules, orders and or- dinances as they shall judge convenient for the good government and discip- line of the members of the said church, provided such rules, orders and ordi- nances he not repugnant to the laws of that part of our kingdom of Great Britain called England, or of this our province of New York, but as near as may be agreeable thereto, and that the same be fairly entered in a book or books to be kept for that purpose. And also in like manner to appoint the form of the common seal hereinbefore granted and the same to alter, break and new make at their discretion ; and also in like manner to appoint such of- ficer or officers as they shall stand in need of ; always provided that the rector of the said church for the time being shall have the sole power of nominating and appointing the clerk to assist him in performing divine service, as also the sexton, any thing hereinbefore contained to the contrary in any wise not- withstanding, which clerk and sexton shall hold and enjoy their respective offices during the will and pleasure of the rector of the said church for the time being. And whereas by the death of the late minister of the said church the same is now in avoidance, our royal will and pleasure is that in this case, and also in case of every future avoidance of the said church, either by the death of the rector thereof or otherwise, that the powers and authorities here- by vested in the rector, churchwardens and vestrymen in vestry met as above mentioned, shall until the said church be legally supplied with another incumbent vest in and be executed by the said churchwardens of the said church for the time being ; provided always they have the concurrence and consent of the major number of the whole vestrymen of the said church ap- pointed by these presents, or chosen by virtue hereof, for the time being, in every thing they shall in such case do by virtue hereof. And further we do by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant unto the rector and inhabitants of the parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law established, and their successors for ever, that this our present grant shall be deemed, adjudged and construed in all cases most fa- vorably and for the best benefit and advantage of the said rector and inhabi- tants of the parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law VOL, II. 10
74
HISTORY OF THE
established, and that this our present grant being entered on record as is here- inafter particularly expressed, shall be good and effectual in the law to all in- tents, constructions and purposes whatsoever, against us, our heirs and suc- cessors, according to our true intent and meaning herein before declared, not- withstanding the not reciting or misreciting, not naming or misnaming of any of the aforesaid franchises, privileges, immunities, offices or other the pre- mises, or any of them, and although no writ of ad quod damnum, or other writs, inquisitions or precepts hath or have been upon this account had, made, issued or prosecuted, to have and to hold all and singular the privileges, lib- erties, advantages and immunities hereby granted or meant, mentioned or in- tended so to be, unto them the said rector and inhabitants of the parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law established, and to their successors for ever. In testimony whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent and the great seal of our said province to be hereunto affixed, and the same to be entered on record in our secretary's office in our city of New York, in one of the books of patents there remaining. Witness our trusty and well beloved Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, our Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-chief of our Province of New York, and terri- tories thereon in America, at our Fort in our city of New York, by and with the advice and consent of our Council for our said province, the nineteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand, seven hundred and sixty four, and of our reign the fifth. First skin, line the fortieth, the words or with and second skin, line the twenty-seventh, the word is are interlined.
CLARKE.
August 27, 1765. The Rev. Ephraim Avery was appointed to the mission of Rye.
1n 1773, Mr. Avery's notitia parochialis stood thus: baptized 90 infants, adults 6, colored infants 5 ; marriages 5; burials 10.
On the 5th of June, 1776, he informs the Society, " that he has lost the use of his right hand, and therefore is incapable of writing and sending an account of his parish.
"'The persecutions and privations to which the clergy were exposed (says Dr. Hawkins,) in the war, whether from the Royalist or American armies proved fatal to several of them. At Rye, Mr. Avery was a principal sufferer ; his horses were seized, his cattle driven off, and his property plundered. His death, by some supposed to have been occasioned by these losses, happened soon afterwards."a
. Hawkins' Hist. Not. Col. Church, 281. Mr. Avery was a step-son of the cele- brated General Putnam .- Editor.
75
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
The Rev. Isaac Hunt succeeded Mr. Avery in the. rectorship, having been appointed by the Propagation Society in 1777, with a salary of £40.
During the subsequent years the parish of Rye suffered con- siderably from the confusion that attended the Revolutionary war. 'The church was burned, the glebe lands hired out on terms which produced but a small income, and the parishioners scattered.
After the close of the war, the congregation received a letter from the Rev. Samuel Provoost, rector of Trinity Church, New York, Abraham Beach and Benjamin Moore, dated April 17, 1786, inclosing the journals of the convention of the Protestant Epis- copal Church, held in Philadelphia, September, 1785. Upon the reception of this letter, a meeting of the congregation was called, which assembled at the house of Mrs. Haviland, in Rye, on the 5th of May, 1786.
Mr. Joshua Purdy was unanimously elected president of the meeting. On motion it was resolved to take the sense of the congregation, whether they would comply with the request of the letter, and send delegates to meet in convention at St. Paul's Church in New York, upon the third Tuesday in May next.
The sense being taken, it was unanimously agreed to send delegates. William Miller and Alexander Hunt, Esqs., were chosen delegates to the general convention.
September, 1787. The Rev. Richard Channing Moore (after- wards Bishop of Virginia) was elected to the rectorship, the first since the close of the war.
At a vestry meeting held 5th March, 1788, it was determined by that body to erect a new church on or near the place where the old ruins stood.
Upon the resignation of Mr. Moore in 1788, the Rev. David Foote accepted an invitation to the rectorship. This individual was called away whilst in the morning of life from the field of his earthly labors to reap an eternal reward, A. D. 1793.
His tombstone bears the following simple inscription.
76
HISTORY OF THE
In Memory of. the REV. MR. DAVID FOOTE, late Pastor of Rye and White Plains, who departed this life the first of August, 1793, aged 32 years. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
The Rev. John J. Sands was called to and accepted the rec- forship in 1793. For the successors of Mr. Sands, see the list of rectors.
At a meeting of the rector, wardens and vestrymen, held in 1794, it was resolved to substitute the title Christ instead of Grace, by which the church had heretofore been distinguished.
The principal benefactors to this parish have been the Hon. Caleb Heathcote, St. George Talbot, Esq., Ann Jay,a sister of the Hon. John Jay, and the wardens and vestry of Trinity Church, New York.b
Christ Church, Rye, was incorporated on the 12th of March, 1796. Peter Jay and John Barker, churchwardens, Joshua Pur- dy, Sen., Roger Purdy, John Haight, Thomas Carhart, Gilbert Hatfield, Roger Purdy, Jonathan Horton and Jonathan Purdy, vestrymen.c A second incorporation occurs on the 18th of June following.
The present glebe was purchased by the vestry in 1794. Up- on it a neat parsonage has been erected. To Christ Church, Rye, is attached St. Peter's chapel at Portchester.
The first delegates from this parish to the diocesan conven- tion in 1785, were Mr. William Miller and Mr. Alexander Hunt.
a This lady left a legacy of $250 to the church.
b In 1800 Trinity Church contributed $750 for a parsonage at Rye, to which was added in 1813, the sum of $500.
Co. Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. A.
77
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. LIST OF RECTORS.
Instituted or called, Rectors, vacated by
A. D. 1702, Rev. Thomas Pritchard, Clericus,
deatlı. the same.
A. D. 1704, Rev. George Muirson, Clericus, January, 1709, Rev. Christopher Bridge, M. A. Cler.ª the same. 1719, Rev. Mr. Barclay, Clericus, 1720, Rev. Thomas Poyer, Clericus,
resig. the same. the same.
4 June, 1722, Rev. Robert Jenney, Clericus,b 1726, Rev. James Wetmore, Clericus, 1746, Rev. Joseph Lamson, Clericus,
death. resig.
death.
1 July, 1763, Rev. Ebenezer Punderson, Clericus, c 27 Aug. 1765, Rev. Ephraim Avery, Clericus, 1777, Rev. Isaac Hunt, Clericus, Sept. 1787, Rev. Richard C. Moore, Presb.,
the same.
resig.
the same.
death.
Nov. 1790, Rev. David Foote, Presb., 1793, Rev. Jolin J. Sands, Presb.,
resig.
Nov. 1796, Rev. George Ogilvie, Presb.,
death.
a The following obituary notice of Mr. Bridge, is from the Boston newspaper of June 1st to 8th, 1719 : " we have an account from Rye, in the government of New York, of the death of the Rev. Mr. Bridge, M. A., a presbyter of the church of En- gland, and minister of the gospel at that place, who died on Saturday, the 23d of May, last. He was formerly, for many years together, one of the ministers of the Church of England, in Boston, a religious and worthy man, a very good scholar, and a fine grave preacher. His performances in the pulpit were solid, judicious and profitable, his conversation was agreeable and improving, and though a strict churchman in his principles, yet of great respect and charity to dissenters, and much esteemed by them. He was bred at the University of Cambridge, in England, and was about forty-eight years of age when he died, very much lamented." Extracted from Greenwood's History of King's Chapel.
b This gentleman was the son of Archdeacon Jenny of Wanney town, in the north of Ireland. See Hist. of Narragansett church by Wilkins Updike.
Mr. Punderson graduated at Yale College in 1726, and was afterwards ordained a Congregational minister over the second church in Groton. In 1732, he came into the Episcopal church, and crossed the Atlantic to be ordained. On his return, he re- organized a church at the village of Poquetannuc, in North Groton, in 1738, which has ever since existed," &c. Mr. Punderson was for some years an itinerant mission- ary of the " Society for the Propagation of the Gospel," from 1740 to 1750. In 1753-4 he was settled missionary in the towns of Guilford, New Haven and Branford." Ibid.
78
HISTORY OF THE
Aug. 1797, Rev. Samuel Haskell, Presb., resig.
April, 1801, Rev. Evan Rogers, Presb., death. 1809, Rev. Samuel Haskell, Presb., resig.
1822, Rev. William Thompson, Presb., death.
1830, Rev. John M. Forbes, Presb., resig.
1832, Rev. William M. Carmichal, Presb., the same.
Aug., 1834, Rev. Peter S. Chauncey, Presb.,
the same.
NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS.
A. D. 1722, Communicants 25
Baptisms
1739.
ditto 50
ditto
138
1816,
ditto
60
ditto
25
1847,
ditto
112
ditto
22
The Methodist Episcopal church of Rye, was erected A. D. 1831. The whole structure is valued at $2150.
In the immediate neighborhood of the village, is the Chres- tomathic Institute, a select English, commercial and classical boarding school for young gentlemen. Samuel U. Berrian, A. M., principal, and proprietor. " This establishment is situated on the Boston post road, twenty six and a half miles from the city of New York, and is of casy access therefrom, by land or water. It possesses many attractions to render it a favorite place of re- sort for the young. The buildings are spacious and con- veniently planned, and the internal arrangements perfect and complete. Ample play grounds furnish every opportunity for healthful exercise and recreation. The situation of the premi- ses is such, that the pupils are entirely free from any vicious or foreign contact from without," and is well suited to encourage them in studious and domestic habits.
South of the village lies Poningoe neck, commonly called Brown's Point, one mile and a half in extent. The extremity of the point in the neighborhood of the Scotch caps, has been con- siderably undermined by the constant action of the waves. The eastern shore of the neck, has also receded before the same destruc- tive element. The beach on Rye flats is a well known and fa- vorite bathing place. It also commands an extensive view of the
79
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
Sound. The name of Parsonage Point, has been conferred on the south east projection. At present, the principal proprietors are Gideon Reynolds and Hachaliah Brown Esq. The latter in- dividual holds 250 acres of the lower portion.
Upon the western shore of Poningoe neck or Brown's Point stands, the small hamlet of Milton, overlooking the mouth of the Blind brook, (Mockquams) the beautiful scenery of the Mill creek and the wooded shores of Budd's neck. Here are seve- ral stores and the tide mill of Henry Sandford and company ; the latter is situated at the head of the navigable waters of Mill creek. In the immediate vicinity of Milton, is the residence of Newberry Halstead, Esq., which from its elevated position, commands splendid prospects of the river and surrounding coun- try. The Halsteads have been long residents of Rye, and de- scend from a common ancestor of that name, who originally came from Huntingdon, Long Island. The adjoining proprie- tors are Underhill Halstead, Joseph Parker and Gideon Rey- nolds.
Near the entrance of the Neck Proper, is located the ancient village burying ground. Here the frail memorials
With uncouth rhymes and shapeless sculpture decked,
Implore the passing tribute of a sigh .- Gray's Elegy. :
The following inscription is taken from one of the oldest tomt- stones : Mary, daughter to Samuel and Mary Kniffen, deceased January ye 12, 1707. Upon another richly carved stone sur- mounted by a winged cherub, are these words : In memory of Mr. Joseph Lyon, who deceased February the 21st, A. D. 1761, in the 84th year of his age. Here are also interred the bodies of the Rev. William Thompsona and the Rev. Evan Rogers. The tombstone of the latter is inscribed as follows :
'The Masonic Society in the town of Rye,
& The inscription on the tombstone of Mr Thompson, is an exact copy of that upon his tablet in the church.
80
HISTORY OF THE
have erected this monument sacred to the memory of their beloved brother, the REV. EVAN ROGERS, Pastor of Christ Church in this town, who departed this life January 25th, 1809, in the 42d year, of his life, extremely lamented. My flesh shall slumber in the ground, Till the last trumpet's joyful sound, Then burst these chains with sweet surprise, And in my Saviour's image rise.
Also memorials to Stephen Roe, M. D., and Dr. Charles Mc Donald a soldier of the Revolution. The Unionville Ceme- tery belonging to the Episcopal church, is situated in North street. It contains monuments to the families of Budd, Nelson, Kniffen, Osborne, Bulkley, Brooks, Merritt, Yeoman, Halstead, Barker, Brown, Prevoost, Andrews, Berrian, Haviland, Russel, Mount, Fisher and Ferguson, &c.
On the west shore of the Mill creek, extends the ancient terri- tory of Apawquammis, afterwards named Budd's neck,a from John Budd, the first grantee of these lands under the Indians, A. D. 1661. In 1639, the name of Jolin Budd occurs in the New Haven records, as one of the first planters of that place.b He subsequently removed to Southhold, Long Island, from whence he came to Rye in 1661. In 1663, John Budd was deputy from Rye to the general court of Connecticut.c
a Sometimes called Rye neck.
b New Haven Col. Rec. vol. i. 7.
€ New Haven Col. Rec. vol. i. 425.
To face page 81, vol. il.
PEDI(
Arms borne by the Huguenot. D'azur, au chevron d'or, en chef demi soleil splendal unsed
Francis Jay, died during the v from France to England.
Peter Jay, of Rye,=Mary, da. of Jacobus
Judith
van Cortlandt, of Au
Au
the old Yonkers, ob. 17th April, 1777.
1 Augustus, nat. 15th April, 1730, ob. 23d Dec. 1801, S. D.
James, nat. 27th April, 1731, ob. 16th Oct. 1751, s. p.
Sir James, Knight,
1 Peter, nat .= Mary Duyck- F
nat 27th Oct.
19th Oct
inck, mar-
Tov
1732, ob. 20ch
1734, ob.
ried 1789
18th
Oct. 1815 Bu-
8th July,
ried at Rye
1813
1
Peter Augustus Jay_Mary Rutherford, of Rye Neck, nat. da. of Gen. Mat- 24th Jan. 1777, ob. thew Clark: on 20th Feb. 1843
Susan, nat. 9th July, 17 Ang. 1780. in the van! Flemish C Madrid
1
John Clarkson_ Laura Peter Augustus=
Mary _Frederick Sarah __ Wm Daw- Prime
son
Eleanor
gutec. bos
Rye Neck
son
da. of Nath'l Prime
-
I
1 John Clarkson
1 Mary
1 Cornelia
1
John, ob. 1840.
Angus- Peter tus, ob Augustus
Anna
Laura
1 Catharine_He
Jay, M D of |Prime,
Josephine Pear-
nat. 3d Nov. 1701, ob 17th April, 1782 ; mar. 20th Jan. 1728. Buried at Rye.
81
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
John Budd, proprietor of Budd's neck, by his last will dated the 13th of October, 1669, bequeathed to his son John, all his part of the Mill on Blind brook, and to his son Joseph, the Epawquammis lands. Joseph Budd was the first patentee of Budd's or Rye neck, under the crown, in 1720.ª From the Budds, the neck went by purchase, into the families of the Purdys, Gedneys, Gui- ons and Jays, &c. The property of the latter family, covers a large proportion of the old patent.
We have previously shown, that John Budd released this por- tion of his patrimonial estate, including Pine Island, Marees neck and Hen Island, to Peter Jay, A. D. 1745.
The Jay family who have been seated here for four genera- tions, are of French origin, and descendants of Pierre Jay, Ecuyer, a wealthy merchant of La Rochelle, in 1684. Pierre Jay is presumed to have been of the house of Le Jay, of Poitou. There was also an ancient French family in Paris of the name of Le Jay, which formerly distinguished itself in the civil department of the state, many of whom bore the same christian name, as many of the Jays have since done, amongst whom is found, a John le Jay in the early part of the sixteenth century; a Nicolas le Jay, Baron de Tilley de la Maison Rouge, et de St. Fargeau, Seigneur de Villiers, was first Presi- dent to the Parliament of Paris, in 1636. This individual was the son of Nicolas le Jay, styled "correcteur des Comptes à Paris."b
Of Pierre Jay, Mr. Renwick in his life of John Jay, remarks :
a In the town records of Westchester, occurs the following entry : " Baptised by Mr. John Bartow, rector of Westchester parish, in the parish church in the town aforesaid, the eighth of August, 1703, Sarah Budd, the wife of Joseph Budd of Rye, in the county of Westchester, and their son Joseph Budd, aged eleven months, also.
৳ Hist. Généalogique et Chronologique par le P. Anselme, 1731, vol. ix. 304. The arms borne by Nicolas le Jay, were " D'azur au chevron d'or, accompagné en chef de deux étoiles de même en point, d'un mouton passant d'argent. The arms of Pierre le Jay the Huguenot, closely resemble the former, viz. : " d'azur au chev- ron d'or, en chef demi soleil splendant, entre deux étoiles de même en point, a roc propre surmonté par oiseaux. Crest. deux cœurs unis.
VOL. II. 11
To face page 81, vol. IL.
PEDIGREE OF JAY OF RYE AND BEDFORD.
Arma borne by the Huguenot. D'azur, au chevron d'or, en chef demi soled splendaut, entre deux étoiles de même en peint, a roc propre surmonté par oiseaux. Crest-Deux cours unis. Present crest -A cress mounted upon three graces or steps. Motto .- Den Duce Perseverandum.
Pierre Jay, Ecuyer Judith Frangoine, da. of Mons. of the house of | Frangolse, of La Bochelle. La Jay, of Putc-
Francia Jay, died during the voyage from France to England.
Isaac Tay. 1690. Died of wounds received st the bat nf ibe Boyne
Augustus Jay, nat at La Ro -__ Anna Mana Bayord, chelle, 13 March, 1665, ob 10 March, 1751 ; came to New -11 York, 1697
I ense of marriage doted 27th Oct. 1097
Frances __ Hon. Mr. Poloquin, Mayor ob 1742.
of Bristol, England
Peter Jay, of Rye,Mary, da of Jacobna nat 3d Nov. van Cortlandt, of the old Yonkers, ob. 17th April, 1777. 1701, ob 1itb April. 1722 ; mar 20th JaD. 1728 Buried at Rye
Judith, nat. 20th __ Cornelius van Horne, Aug 1698, ob. Aug 1757.
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