I, John Thomas, E. Coll. Jesu. Oxon, was Inducted Rector of Hamstead, on Nassaw Island In the Province of New York the 27th of December in the year 1704, and baptized the Persons and Children underwritten since my induction in 1704 to this present 13th of July, 1707. The distinct time of their initiation into the Church by Baptism I cannot particularly and precisely notice, this Register Book being lately bought and delivered into my hands, but all Christnings hereafter, shall (God Willingly) be duly & precisely Registred.
Asa Gildersleeve, born March ye 19th, 1685, was baptized in the year 1705, the son of Thomas and Mary Gildersleeve of Hamstead.
George, the son of Thomas and Mary Gildersleeve, born May y 16th, 1690, was baptized at the same time. {1705}
Mary, the Daughter of Thomas & Mary Gildersleeve, born March y 12, 1693, was baptized at the same time. {1705}
Dorithy, the wife of Samuel Smith, about 35 years of age, baptized Aug. 18, 1707.
Dorithy, the Daughter of Samuel and Dorithy Smith, born in Octo., aged 13 years, baptized the same time. {Probably Aug. 18, 1707}
Samuel, son of the sd Samuel and Dorithy Smith, born in June, aged 12 years, baptized the same time. {Probably Aug. 18, 1707.}
Jonas, son of the sd Samuel and Dorithy Smith, born in Octo., aged nine years, baptized the same time. {Probably Aug. 18, 1707.}
Abraham, son of the sd Samuel and Dorithy Smith, aged 7 years, born in June, baptized the same time. {Probably Aug. 18, 1707.} {End of page one.}
Richard, the son of Thomas & Mary Gildersleeve, born Aprill y 7th, 1695, was baptized att the same time. {Probably Aug. 18, 1707.}
Elisha, the son of Thomas & Mary Gildersleeve, born May the 7th, 1697, was baptized att the same time. {Probably Aug. 18, 1707.}<
Elizabeth, the Daughter of Thomas & Mary Gildersleeve, born Aprill ye 4th, 1701, was baptized att the same time. {Probably Aug. 18, 1707}
Dorcas, ye Daughter of Thomas and Mary Gildersleeve, born May 17th, 1704, was baptized att the same time. {Probably Aug. 18, 1707.}
James Syrret, the son of James Syrret, born Sept. 23, 1708.
Daniel Syrret, son of the sd. James Syrret, born the 10 of June, 1706.
John Syrret, born Nov. 23, 1707.
John, the son of John and Margaret Thomas, born Octo. 23d in the year of our Lord 1708 and baptized the 29th day of November following.
John, the Son of the sd. Samuel and Dorithy Smith, born in febuary, aged 5 years, baptized the same time. {Probably Nov. 29, 1708.}
Isaak, Son of the sd Samuel and Dorithy Smith, born in December, aged 4 years, baptized at the same time. {Probably Nov. 29, 1708.}
Josies, son of the sd Samuel and Dorithy Smith, born in January, aged two years, baptized at the same time. {Probably Nov. 29, 1708.}
{End of page two.}
John, son of Asa Gildersleeve, born May 23d, 1706.
Hannah Flower, aged about 19 years.
Mary, the Daughter of Samuel Williams, born March 26, 1703.
Miriam, Daughter to the sd Samuel Williams, born Dec. 17, 1705.
Micah Smith, born in the Second Day of July, 1709.
Phebe Smith, born the Sixth Day of March, 1705-6.
Elizabeth Smith, Daughter to y above said, born 11th of Aprill, 1733.
Micah Smith, Son to ye Above Said, born ye 20th of Decem. 1734.
Isaac Smith, Son to ye Above Said, born ye Seventh of January, 1735.
Richard Smith, son to ye Above Said, born ye Eighteenth day of July, 1740.
Phebe Smith, Daughter to ye Above Said, Born 29th day of October, 1742.
Valentine Hewlett Peters was born the 10th day of August, 1716.
Ruth Peters was born the 18th day of November, 1720.
Miriam Peters, Daughter to the abovesd, born on Munday the 18 April, 1742.
Anne Peters, Daughter to the abovesd, born on Tueday ye 28th August, 1744.
James Peters, Son of the abovesd, born on Sunday the 9th febuary, 1746.
Rebaca Peters, Daughter to the abovesd, born on fryday the 17 November, 1748.
Sarah Peters, Daughter to the abovesd, born on fryday the 17 November, 1748.
Henry Peters, Son of the abovesd, born on thusday the 22d of Nobr., 1753.
Cathrin Peters, Daughter to the abovesd, born on Wondsday the 25 of Feb. 1756.
Mary Peters was Borne the 13th day of January, 1758.
A son born the 17th Day of November, 17(60?).
The page is torn off here, taking part of the date of the last entry. There was evidently at least one more entry of the Peters family as the word Peters shows clearly on the torn part of the page remaining.
The above are all of the birth and baptismal records contained in the book. The old book continues with minutes of the meetings of the Justices and Vestry, accounts of Churchwardens for moneys expended on the poor, lists of vestryment, etc., from 1709 to 1784.
__________________________________ *While searching in the Town Clerk�s office at Hempstead, L.I., for data regarding my family, I came across an old book of the minutes of the meetings of the Town Justices and Vestry, beginning 1704 and continuing to 1784. In the front of this book there were several dates and names of baptisms of the early Episcopal Church (St. George�s) which I have copied as nearly verbatim as possible on a typewriter, and enclose the same herewith. I believe the existence of this book is not generally known. I am certain that the people of St. George�s knew nothing of it, as I went to the Rector and gave him a duplicate of the enclosed, and he told me that the dates of the enclosed were prior to the date at which his church record started. This matter is also missing from the printed edition of the records of the Towns of North and South Hempstead, as published and I therefore believe that it may prove of value to genealogists, especially concerning the Gildersleeve and Smith families. The enclosed comprise all of the baptismal and birth records in the book, but the minutes of the vestry meetings are very interesting, in all about 150 to 200 pages, and are in fine condition, considering their age. Trusting that the enclosed may be of service to you, I am,

Yours very respectfully,
George D. A. Combs

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