USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Bergen > Annals of the classis of Bergen, of the Reformed Dutch Church, and of the churches under its care: including, the civil history of the ancient township of Bergen, in New Jersey > Part 1
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Presented to Rutgers College for the College Library By the Author
July 26th. d. D. 1859.
L
F
PRIOR'S MILL AND RESIDENCE. BERGEN. N. J. 1785.
-
1
ANNALS
OF THE CLASSIS OF BERGEN,
· OF THE
REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH,
AND OF
THE CHURCHES UNDER ITS CARE: INCLUDING,
THE CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT TOWNSHIP OF BERGEN, IN NEW JERSEY ;
.
BY BENJAMIN C. TAYLOR, D. D.
PASTOR OF THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH OF BERGEN, N. J.
THIRD EDITION.
NEW YORK: BOARD OF PUBLICATION OF THE REFORMED PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH, 887 BROADWAY 5
N. J. BX9519 B495 Ta Cop.1
ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, by
REV. THOMAS C. STRONG,
On behalf of the Board of Publication of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in North America, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York.
HOSFORD & CO., STATIONERS AND PRINTERS, - 57 and 59 William Street, N. Y.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CLASSIS OF BERGEN, IN REFERENCE TO THIS WORK.
At the Stated Session of the Classis of Bergen, in Septem- ber, 1856, it was announced that the work assigned by the Classis to the author was nearly completed.
The History of the two Classes of Hackensack and Bergen, was by request read. A resolution, expressive of the gratitude of the Classis, for the manner in which that portion of the work had been accomplished, was adopted. A committee, consisting of the Rev. Drs. James Scott, Gustavus Abeel and Alexander W. McClure, and the Elders Sebastian Duncan and William C. Morris was appointed, to whom it was requested, the entire work when completed, should be submitted, for examination.
On the 26th of January, 1857, the Classis adopted the following minute, a copy of which was furnished by the Stated Clerk.
"The committee appointed to consider the History of the Churches of this Classis, by Rev. Dr. Taylor, presented their report, which was accepted and adopted.
" Whereupon, it was Resolved, that the History of the several Churches in the Classis of Bergen, by Rev. B. C. Taylor, D. D., prepared at the request of the Classis, is a valuable and in- teresting contribution to the ecclesiastical and civil history of the State : that it illustrates the rise and progress of the Reformed Dutch Church, in this section of New Jersey, and commends itself, in a special manner, to the descendants of the early settlers.
(Signed), "ALEXANDER H. WARNER.
"Stated Clerk of the Classis of Bergen."
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NEW JERSEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
At the request of the Executive Committee of the New Jersey Historical Society, of which Archer Gifford, Esq., of Newark, is Chairman, the History of the "Ancient Township of Bergen," included in this work, was read before the Society, at their quarterly meeting held in the Lyceum, in Jersey City, on the 25th day of September, 1856, ex-Chief Justice Joseph C. Hornblower, President of the Society, in the chair.
The following is a copy of the action of the Society.
"NEW JERSEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
"Jersey City, Sept. 25th, 1856.
"At a meeting of the Society held this day, on motion of Mr. David A. Hayes, it was Resolved, that the thanks of the Society are eminently due to the Rev. Dr. Taylor, for the valuable and interesting paper read before the Society to day, and that he be requested to place a copy of it at the disposal of the Committee on Publications.
(Signed), " WM. A. WHITEHEAD, " Corresponding Secretary "
[4]
PREFACE.
THE circumstances under which this work has been writ- ten, are somewhat peculiar. At the very outset of his min- isterial career, the author was brought into frequent commu- nication with those venerable and long-tried servants of Christ, John Cornelison, James V. C. Romeyn, and Peter Stryker, then in the active duties of their respective charges, in the time- honored Churches of Bergen, Hackensack, Schraalenbergh, and Stone House Plains. His earliest movements in his min- isteral life, were under the counsels of these prudent men. Their attachment to their mother Church was strong and un- ceasing. They were familiar with her early history. They understood the character and labors of their companions and friends, and were striving together for the faith of the gospel. The first Churches in which it was the privilege of the writer to preach the gospel, after his licensure, were connected with the Classis of Bergen. In 1825, having become the pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church at Acquackanonck, in Essex County, N. J., two of the congregations of those holy men adjoined his own. Their personal intimacy was cultivated.
vi
PREFACE.
They often narrated past events in the history of these Churches, which left vivid impressions on the mind.
In 1828, having entered on pastoral duty in Bergen, he was prompted to gather up such facts as were accessible to him, appertaining to the history of the Church in whose service he is to this day engaged.
In March, 1835, he published a very brief history of that Church, in the columns of the Christian Intelligencer.
Subsequently, historical matter was obtained respecting some of the other Churches of this Classis, and after the death of the Rev. James V. C. Romeyn, many of his papers came into the author's possession. In these there were references, serving in some degree as an index to sources of information, which, after diligent search and effort, were ascertained and resorted to.
An allusion to these facts, at a meeting of the Classis, in April, 1848, was followed by a request to embody in a Sermon, to be delivered on the 23d of May, ensuing, a succinct history of the older Churches of the Classis. The occasion was deemed appropriate, as the Classis were then to be in session, in the First Church in Newark, and to act on applications for constituting the Second and Third Reformed Dutch Churches, in that city. The request was complied with, but the bare outlines of the history of these Churches was all that could be presented, in the brief period of the delivery of a single dis- course.
Since then there has been no cessation of effort to ascertain facts, and search into the trials, controversies and successes of the Churches. Several manuscript volumes, in the Dutch lan-
vii
PREFACE.
guage, have been brought from their hiding places. Every known accessible source of information has been resorted to.
In April, 1851, the attention of the Classis was called to the fact of having completed the fiftieth year of its existence, and the following resolution was adopted:
"Inasmuch as the Classis of Bergen has just entered on the second half century of its existence, and as its past history is one of much enlargement, and thrilling interest, therefore,
" Resolved, That the Rev. Dr. B. C. Taylor be and hereby is requested, to prepare a brief yet comprehensive sketch of its eventful history, during the aforesaid period, and that it be recorded in the book of Classis, as a permanent document, for future reference."
Vigorous efforts have been made to obtain information shedding light upon the early history of the Classis, and if the document requested, be viewed separately from the history of the respective Churches, it is believed to contain matter well worthy of a permanent record. It sets forth the spirit and manner of that reverend judicatory, in watching over and fostering the Churches under its jurisdiction. In it God's hand will be discerned, in the way in which he has led his ministers, and the Churches, through many trials and conflicts, as well as through scenes of holy gladness.
After long continued labors in gathering the documents, the author could not be content with a mere detail of classical action. Many papers of interest, pertaining to the Churches, and to the civil history of the ancient Township of Bergen, came under review. Some of these shed such light upon the habits, manners, customs, and usages of the Dutch settlers, and
viii
PREFACE.
their offspring, that he was constrained to include in this work a history of that Township; the more so, as in several particu- lars, the religious and ecclesiastical operations of the communi- ty were interwoven with those of their civil relations. The often expressed desire of some of the best citizens of Hudson County, for such a history, to be blended with the ecclesiastical narrative, could not be disregarded.
In the preparation of this work, O'Callaghan's, Smith's, and Brodhead's Histories of New York, and William White- head's History of East New Jersey, have been consulted. The sketches of the History of the Reformed Dutch Churches in the United States, from the pen of the late John B. Romeyn, D. D., published in the "Christian Magazine," the "Magazine of the Reformed Dutch Church," and the "Minutes of the General Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church," from 1800 to 1856, have been examined.
Thirty manuscript volumes, several of them very large, have been searched. So much of those in the Dutch language, as was necessary, have been translated for this purpose, by the Rev. Giles Van de Wall, of East Millstone, N. J. To him, as well as to the clerical brethren, and Stated Clerk of the Classis, the Rev. Alexander H. Warner, and the Consistories of the Churches, who have placed at his disposal their books of min- utes, and a mass of ancient manuscripts, which have been of great service, the most grateful acknowledgements are made by the author.
To Messrs. Hartman Van Wagenen, and John I. Van Horne, of Bergen, he is indebted for the use of valuable documents in their possession.
ix
PREFACE.
The history of the Churches constituted by the Classis, since 1828, has been more readily gathered, as the author has for nearly twenty-nine years, shared in the duties and responsi- bilities of that body, and become familiar with the Churches and their pastors. Memorials of these Churches are added. to extend the chain of ecclesiastical action, and perpetuate the memory of events now passing, and especially to testify the goodness and the grace of God, in the enlargement of our Churches in number and usefulness.
Trusting to the candor and kindness of the community, and to the generosity of the public, to favor this attempt to rescue from oblivion the facts herein narrated, the book is issued with a consciousness of many imperfections, but not without hope of usefulness.
It was intended to include in this volume memorials of deceased ministers of the Classis of Bergen, for which there are good materials, but it would have extended the work be- yond proper limits. A separate volume of such memorials, it is purposed ere long to issue.
CONTENTS.
HISTORIES OF
I. Classes of Hackensack and Bergen.
15
II. Town and Township of Bergen
45
III. Churches of Bergen
109
IV.
„
Hackensack and Schraalenbergh.
170
V.
English Neighborhood.
249
VI.
Second River, now Belleville.
294
VII.
Bergen Neck
327
VIII.
First Jersey City
343
IX.
First Newark. 356
X. _
Clintonville, or Irvington
368
XI.
New Durham
374
XII. =
Van Vorst. 386
XIII.
Second Newark.
394
XIV.
Third Newark, (German).
399
XV.
First Hoboken 409
XVI.
Third Jersey City.
420
XVII.
German Evangelical of North Bergen
428
XVIII.
Hudson 435
XIX.
Bergen Point 442
XX.
Franklin 445
XXI.
Second Hackensack 450
XXII. „
German Evangelical at Hoboken
453
XXIII.
German Evangelical of Jersey City
456
XXIV.
North Church of Newark.
459
XXV. H Concluding Remarks 465
[xi]
LIST OF ENGRAVINGS.
Prior's Mill and Residence.
Frontispiece.
Hudson County Court House and Prison
Page 81
Residence of Matthew Armstrong 96
"
Matthew Armstrong, Jun
96
John Armstrong
96
"
H. D. Van Nostrand.
96
George Gifford
96
"
Garrit Sip
96
Hudson County Bank.
98
Jersey City Insurance Company, Gregory's Building
99
Bergen Columbia Academy.
102
Rev. G. Du Bois
114
R. P. Dutch Church, Bergen, erected 1773
123
R. P. Dutch Church, Bergen, erected 1841
146
Parsonages of R. P. Dutch Church, Bergen
165
R. P. Dutch Church, Hackensack
193
Rev. J. V. C. Romeyn
237
Rev. P. Duryee, D. D
291
Rev. P. Stryker
308
R. P. Dutch Church, Belleville.
316
First R. P. Dutch Church, Jersey City
351
[xii ]
INTRODUCTION.
THIS volume, giving the History of the Churches formerly belonging to the original Classis of Hackensack, and now at- tached to the present Classis of Bergen, is prepared at the request of the Classis of Bergen. Brother Taylor has indus- triously performed the work assigned to him. I have glanced over the manuscript, and every where observe evidence of tlie care and accuracy with which he has collected the materials necessary to furnish the details of the historical narrative. In pursuing this object, he has thoroughly investigated the min- utes of the Classes of Hackensack and Bergen, also occasion- ly the minutes of the higher judicatories of our Church. He has also made full research into the minutes of the Consistories of nearly all the Churches, and sought to obtain further infor- mation, from collateral sources of undoubted authenticity and safety. They who have been engaged in like researches for similar objects, know from experience, the patient labor and care required. It is believed that all the materials which can now be procured, have been obtained, and digested in the preparation of this History. There are some events in the History of these Churches, involving important principles bearing upon the interests of the Church at large, which are here clearly unfolded, and concerning which it would have
INTRODUCTION.
been difficult for any individual to have gained access to the sources of information. Connected with the detailed History of the Churches, the author has given an account of the secu- lar and civil History of the Township of Bergen, (the place of his residence), tracing it from its first, and early settlement by the Hollanders, and giving us a view of the olden times. This is an interesting portion of the volume, and it is hoped that it will lead to like investigations in other places of our early Dutch settlements. Years since, unquestionable tradi- tionary information might have been gathered in addition to written documents. But time has passed on, and either these traditions have been lost, or are involved in comparative ob- scurity. Thus, like the fabled leaves of the sybil, as the materials of information have become fewer, they are propor- tionally more valuable and precious, and call for permanent preservation. It is known that valuable manuscripts in the Dutch language, in the hands of individuals, with the disuse of that language, became lost or destroyed.
Dr. Taylor has performed the office assigned to him well; while this volume is of special interest to the Churches, whose History is recorded in it, it is at the same time valuable to the Church at large, and deserves to be circulated throughout its bounds.
THOMAS DE WITT
New York, March 23d, 1857.
History of the Classes of hackensack und Bergen.
IN undertaking the preparation of the History of the Reformed Dutch Churches, now under the ecclesias- tical jurisdiction of the Classis of Bergen, the writer is aware of the difficulty attending it. The facts must be gathered from local annals; and just in proportion as they are ascertained must be the measure of the historian's success. That the materials for this work are scanty, is too true, and many defects must there- fore appear. Nevertheless, after long and patient ef- fort, it is believed facts have been ascertained which will give some interest to this attempt to rescue from oblivion, the memorials of the past, and which will aid us in understanding the spirit, the feeling, and the energy of those, from whom have been transmitted to us the ecclesiastical constitution and faith of the Re- formed Church of Holland.
The early history of these Churches, carries us back to the settlement of the State of New Jersey, and that
16
HISTORY OF THE CLASSES OF
portion of it is blended with the very earliest move- ments in securing and occupying the territory over which geographically they extend. Some important civil facts are therefore necessarily to be referred to. It is not our purpose, however, to attempt to do that which has been so well done by others, especially as we find it in J. Romeyn Broadhead's recent work, and William A. Whitehead's volume, entitled East Jersey, under the Proprietors, so fully accomplished. Our at- tention is to be directed more particularly to the ecclesiastical affairs of these early settlements and churches. Preparatory to which we refer to the fol- lowing facts :
It is well known that Sir Henry Hudson, under the direction and in the employ of the Dutch East India Company, in the year 1609, entered and explored, in the Half-Moon, the noble bay and river bearing his name, and now forming the broad watery line between the States of New York and New Jersey, on the shores of which the country was visited, for several succes- sive years, by trading ships of merchants of Amster- dam. The first landing is believed to have been at Communipaugh, in September.
At the time of Hudson's exploration, what is now New Jersey was called by its possessors, the Lenope Indians, Scheyichby. In 1614, by virtue of an edict of the States General, exclusive rights were granted for trading purposes to a trading company for four years. They constituted a purely commercial estab- lishment. Not a family or female had yet emigrated. But the way to colonization was preparing. In 1621, the Dutch West India Company was constituted in
17
HACKENSACK AND BERGEN.
Holland. They were empowered to traffic and plant colonies on the coast of Africa and on that of America, from the Straits of Magellan to the remotest North.
In 1623, this company commenced operations, and in 1626 set up the ensigns of their authority by erect- ing a fort at the confluence of the North and East Rivers, at New York, (Fort Amsterdam), which was completed in 1628 ; another, at the head of navigation at Albany, had been erected in 1614, (Fort Orange). From this time colonization advanced. With the pub- lishing of the resources of the country and the pros- pects of temporal gain, many in Holland were induced to emigrate to this promising land.
In 1630, several colonists were sent out ; and with those already here, they brought with them the reli- gion of their fathers, and did not lose sight of the com- forts and blessings of their churches and schools. They paid early attention to the public worship of God, and when their numbers warranted, they organ- ised and established churches, modeled after those of the fatherland. The Calvinistic religion of Holland was thus transplanted to the New Netherlands.
The settlers soon sought the aid of the Dutch West India Company, in procuring ministers. Their cause on this behalf was furthered by the reverend clergy of the Classis of Amsterdam, and ministers were sent forth by that judicature under advice from the Synod of North Holland. This mode of obtaining ministers seems to have continued in full operation until 1664, when the British became possessed of the Colony of New Amsterdam.
During this period churches were established at
18
HISTORY OF THE CLASSES OF
New Amsterdam, (now New York), Albany, Esopus, (now Kingston), and Flatbush .* And in 1660, Rev. Henry Selyns, in a letter addressed to the Classis of Amsterdam, says, "Besides me there are in New Netherland, the Dominies Joannes Megapolensis, and Samuel Drisius in New Amsterdam, Gideon Schaats, at Fort Orange, and Joannes Polhemus at Midelwout and New Amersfort, and Hermanus Blom at the Eso- pus +-in all six."
In 1662, the inhabitants of Bergen taxed themselves for the erection of a church, and 417 guilders were thus raised for that purpose. Until 1664 the religion of the Reformed Dutch Church was the established religion of the country. It ceased to be such with the change which then took place in political affairs. Yet, at the surrender, and afterwards by treaty of peace in 1676, " Rights of conscience with regard to worship and discipline were secured to the Dutch inhabitants." It was, however, for years the most respectable denom- ination in the colony. This period extended from 1664 to 1693, when an act was passed by the Assem- bly of the colony of New York, whereby the Protes- tant Episcopal Church became the religion known to the law, and from 1693 to 1776, besides supporting their own ministers, all non-episcopal inhabitants were forced to contribute to the support of the Episcopal Church. During this period many defections from the Reformed Dutch Church occurred, many transfer- ring their church relation to the established Church.
* Christian Magazine, vol. 1, pp. 868, 369.
+ Whitehead's E. New Jersey. Note p. 16.
+ O'Callaghan's Doc. Hist. of N. Y., vol. 8, p. 109.
19
HACKENSACK AND BERGEN.
This state of things continued until the close of the war of the Revolution.
A far more serious difficulty arose within the Re- formed Dutch Church. The obtaining a ministry from Holland, which continued to be alınost univer- sal until 1737, occasioning delay, and in many instan- ces accompanied by severe trials, at length became oppressive. Many could see no good reason why ministers might not be educated, qualified, ordained and sent forth in this as well as in the old country. Many others took the opposite side of the question. The controversy became fierce. The peace of Zion was broken, and until 1771 all was unhappiness. Desolation pervaded many of the churches, whereas prior to 1737 good order was maintained in the churches, and peace and a good degree of prosperity were enjoyed. The doctrines of grace were faithfully preached, the ordinances purely administered, and the churches, generally, were attached to the mother Church in Holland. In 1737-'38, meetings of min- isters and elders were held, and the plan of a Cœtus formed. The object was to secure the ordination of ministers in this country .* It was subsequently ap- proved by the Classis of Amsterdam, and in 1746, or 1747, the approval was received. This was opposed by several.
But in 1754, the Cœtus of the previous year, having recommended the changing of the Cœtus into a Clas- sis with full powers, the opposition became violent, and the opponents were known as Conferentie. The
*Christian Magazine, vol. 2, p. 4.
20
HISTORY OF THE CLASSES OF
weight of learning was acknowledged to be with the Conferentie. But practical preaching, zeal and in- dustry distinguished the Cœtus, and their numbers and influence increased. The contest was bitter and unfavorable to true religion, and ruin to the Church, as a distinct denomination, was anticipated by not a few.
The Cœtus moreover took measures to provide a succession of ministers, by educating them at home. They obtained a Royal Charter in 1770, for Queen's, now Rutger's College, and the healing of the breach appeared to human vision almost impossible.
The following succinct account of this matter from the pen of Dr. Thomas De Witt, preceding the trans- lation of a most interesting letter from the Classis of Amsterdam, together with that translated letter, sheds great light upon the mode of reconciliation. Its re- sults have been blessed ever since.
ARTICLES OF UNION, 1771.
It is known that the dissensions which had continu- ed for a number of years in our Reformed Dutch Churches in America, arising from questions connect- ed with the organization of independent judicatories, having original and final jurisdiction without appeal to the Classis of Amsterdam, and forming parties known as Cætus and Conferentie, were healed and ad- justed by a Convention called and assembled in 1771. The late Dr. Livingston, when a student in Holland, obtained the advice and suggestions of the Classis of Amsterdam for the attainment of this end. On his re- turn to and settlement in New York, the Consistory of the church here, sent letters of invitation to all the min- isters and churches to meet in convention in October,
21
HACKENSACK AND BERGEN.
to consider the subject of full reconciliation and union. The meeting was a pleasant and harmonious one, lead- ing to the cordially adopted Articles of Union, which have been translated and published in the documents published by our General Synod. The proceedings of the Convention were at once transmitted to the Classis of Amsterdam for their approbation and ratifi- cation of the Articles. The following letter, in their name, shows their action in the case. It breathes a most excellent spirit, and deserves preservation. I have translated it from the original document.
T. D. W.
To the Convention of the United Brethren, Ministers and El- ders of the Reformed Dutch Churches in New York and New Jersey.
REVEREND AND MUCH-RESPECTED BRETHREN :- We received your friendly letter with the accompanying documents, dated 18th October, just previous to the close of the year, and in season to present them at the first classical meeting in the New Year, that they might take them into consideration, and communicate the result of their deliberations as speedily as practi- cable. We have learned from the documents you have sent to us, with great joy, that the God of peace has inclined the hearts of the brethren, long divided by unhappy contention, to seek delightful peace and reunion in brotherly love, so that, by the friendly in- vitation of the Consistory of the Church of New York, most of them assembled in that city, and after a ses- sion of four days were reconciled and united to each other. We also learn that the absent brethren, mostly prevented by circumstances of a domestic nature, have given the assured hope that they will be satis- fied with the plan of union. We have not, for a long time, been so greatly rejoiced by gratifying intelli- gence from our churches in foreign lands, as by that now received from you, which is " good tidings from
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