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 3
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This Classis has licensed to preach the Gospel as candidates for the ministry :
Jacob Ennis, September 16th, 1835. William V. V. Mabon, July 22d, 1844.
William J. R. Taylor, July 22d, 1844.
Jacob N. Voorhees, July 18th, 1845.
Aaron Lloyd, July 18th, 1845. Daniel Lord, August 3d, 1847. F. M. Serenbetz, June 1st, 1848. Theodore B. Romeyn, August 1st, 1849. J. Romeyn Berry, July 19th, 1850. Calvin Case, July 29th, 1851.
A. P. Van Gieson, July 23d, 1852.
John S. Joralemon, July 19th 1855.
Edward Tanjore Corwin, May 27th, 1856 .- 13.
38
THE CLASSIS OF BERGEN.
It is worthy of note that three of these, Messrs. Taylor, Romeyn and Berry, are grand-sons of the ven- erable man who presided at the first session of the Classis, and two of them are sons of clergymen, pastors of churches, under the care of the Classis, and one other is a son of another venerable servant of God, in the ministry of the Gospel, Mr. Mabon. All of them, save one, are graduates of the Theological Semi- nary, at New Brunswick. The following is
A TABULAR VIEW
Of the Reception, Suspension, Dismission, and Death of the Ordained Ministers of the Gospel, who have been or are members of the Classis of Bergen.
Names
Received
Suspended
Dismissed
Died
James V. C. Romeyn ...
Sept. 2, 1800
June 27, 1840
John Cornelison
At the organiza-
1809 or 1810
Stephen Ostrander
tion of the Classis.
April 25, 1809
M'ch 6, 1847
William P. Kuypers
April 2S, 1801
April 80, 1805
John Duryea.
Nov. 17, 1801
Henry Polhemus
April 25, 1809
April 27, 1813
· 1815
Peter Stryker
Dec. 20, 1S10
Oct. 11, 1831
M'ch 6, 1847
John Demarcst.
April 23, 1812 |Sept. - 1824
Cornelius T. Demarest.
April 26, 1814 Feb. 18, 1824
Jacob T. Field.
April 26, 1S14
April 15, 1828
Staats Van Santvoord
April 25, 1S15
Sept. 8, 1S29
Ava Nealt
Feb. 9, 1817 Sept. 29, 1829
Sept. 17, 1833
James G. Brinkerhoff.
June 10, 1820 M'ch 30, 1824
April 15, 182S
Gustavus Abeel.
April 19, 1825
Oct. 81, 1834
Zechariah H. Kuypers
April 19, 1S25
May, - 1839*
Aug. 5, 1832
John G. Tarbell.
Feb. 17, 182S
Oct. 20, 1830
Benjamin C. Taylor.
July 1, 182S
Richard C. Shimeall
Oct. 7, 1S2S
Sept. 29, 1829
Philip Durfee.
Nov. 25, 1826
Feb. 24, 1850
Abraham Messler
April 21, 1829
Oct. 18, 1S32
Ira C. Boice.
Sept. 8, 1829
Jan. 22, 1844
Stephen H. Meeker Aug. 5, 1830
Oct. 20, 1830
Isaac S. Demund.
Aug. 5, 1830
May, - 1839*
* This mark denotes that those to whose names it is annexed, were set off from the Classis of Bergen, by the Particular Synod of New York, to constitute the Classis of Passaic.
+ Restored Sept. 17, 1838.
..
M'ch 20, 1828
Peter De Witt .. .
June 1S, 1810
Peter Stryker.
Sept. - - 1886
Herman B. Stryker
Dec. 27, 1822
Oct. - 1850
James G. Ogilvie
Aug. 15, 1S26
39
THE CLASSIS OF BERGEN.
(Tabular View Continued ).
Names
Received
Suspended
Dismissed
Died
James R. Talmage.
Feb. S, 1831
Nov. 18, 1836
Henry A. Raymond
Jan. 23, 1933
Nov. 17, 1835
Ransford Wells.
Nov. 18, 1833
Feb. 6, 1844
John Garretson.
Nov. 19, 1933
Sept. 20, 1836
Matthias Lusk.
Nov. 1S, 1833
James Romeyn ..
Sept. 16, 1S34
Nov. 1S, 1836
Abraham H. Meyers.
Nov. 17, 1835
Oct. 16, 1837
Jacob Ennis.
April 27, 1836
Dec 15, 1840+
Asahel Bronson
July 27, 1836
July 3, 1838
Alexander H. Warner
Feb.
1, 1837
Oct. 29, 1841
Garret C. Schanck.
Sept. 10, 1837
May, - 1839*
John Woods ..
Dec.
5, 1837
Jan. 25, 1839
Alexander C. Hillman.
Dec. 5, 1837
May, - 1839*
John Garretson.
Dec. 25, 1837
Joseph Wilson
Nov. 21, 183S
May, - 1839*
John A. Staats.
Jan. 19, 1841
April 19, 1842
John L. Chapman.
Nov. 16, 1842
Cornelius I. Blauvelt
Nov. 16, 1842
James Scott.
M'ch 14, 1843
Peter S. Williamson.
Sept. 19, 1843
April 20, 1847
James Romeyn ...
July 22, 1844
William J. R. Taylor.
Sept. 17, 1844
Oct. 9, 1849
William V. V. Mabon.
Sept. 17, 1844
Dec. 10, 1849
Sept. 4, 1852+
F. M. Serenbetz
June 27, 184S
Dec. 10, 1849
Jacob Bookstaver
Sept. 19, 1848
James McFarlane.
M'ch 20, 1549
April 18, 1955
Aug. 26, 1849
Paul D. Van Cleef.
Dec. 10, 1949
Isaac S. Demund.
April 16, 1850
M'ch 26, 1856
James McWhorter Bruen
April 17, 1850
Thomas B. Gregory
May 15, 1850
July 19, 1855
Daniel Lord ..
July 19, 1850
May 5, 1851
Frederick A. Lehlback.
Dec. 10, 1850
Jacob C. Dutcher
April 15, 1851
Gustavus Abeel.
April 15, 1851
William J. R. Taylor.
July 23, 1852
Alexander W. McClure.
May 19, 1S52
Hollis Read ..
April 19, 1853
Andrew B. Taylor
Sept. 20, 1853
Aaron Lloyd
Sept. 20, 1853
July 19, 1855
Leopold Mohn
Oct. 4, 1854
Aaron L. Stillwell
Oct. 4, 1854
J. Paschal Strong
Jan. 2, 1855
Charles Parker.
M'ch 23, 1855
John Sansom Joralmon
Oct. 2, 1S55
Frederick L. King.
Oct. 16, 1855
James Demarest, Jr.
July 8, 1556
Thomas De Witt Talmage.
July 29, 1856
Charles Doppenschmidt ..
Sept. 17, 1856
David H. Riddle
April 2, 1857
Calvin Selden
April 21, 1857
Abraham Polhemus.
April 22, 1857
t Deposed, April, 1842. # By explosion of Steamer Reindeer.
Dec. 11, 1848
John Austin Yates.
July 31, 1819
George R. Williamson
May 23, 1848
Nov. 14, 1854
Sept. 18, 1S55
Nov. 25, 1856
Michael Osborne.
June 20, 1837
40
THE CLASSIS OF BERGEN.
With a ministry, nearly all of whom have been educated in the very best literary institutions of our country, and fifty-four of whom have received their theological instruction from the lips of the theologi- cal professors of the Reformed Dutch Church, and eighteen others trained under those of other able theo- logical instructors, the Classis has maintained its ecclesiastical position with good repute, and had am- ple testimony of the divine favor upon its action in fostering the interests of the churches, maintaining the discipline of God's house, cherishing the active energies of the churches, and largely promoting the exercise of a holy liberality among the congregations. The various institutions of the Reformed Dutch Church have been watched with anxiety. While the efficient labors, of those ministers who first constituted the Classis, were put forth in laying the foundations deep and broad, the subsequent pastors have co-operated in advancing the good work. The time has come when the fruits of these labors are telling largely upon the growth of the churches. The Boards of Foreign and Domestic Missions, of Education and Publication, the Widows' Fund, and Sabbath School Union, have a strong hold upon the affections of both the clergy and laity, and are producing blessed results.
The labors of the ministry, in advancing the welfare of Rutgers College and our Theological Seminary, were prosecuted perseveringly until both institutions were standing on a firm foundation, and sending forth holy influences to the great joy of the church.
In the commencement of my ministry in Bergen
41
THE CLASSIS OF BERGEN.
in July, 1828, there were only three churches in what is now the County of Hudson. They were-the Re- formed Dutch Church in Bergen, a Presbyterian Church in Jersey City, and a small Methodist Church at the Five Corners, (now Hudson). The last two of which buildings have been appropriated to other uses, and the then congregations worshiping in them ceased to exist as such. The Episcopal congregation of St. Matthew's, in Jersey City, then worshiped in a school- room, near their present site.
There are now in the same territory forty-four re- gularly constituted churches; of which, twelve are Re- formed Dutch ; six are Presbyterian, (one O. S., three N. S., two Scotch Presbyterian) ; four are Baptist ; ten are Methodist, (one African) ; six are Protestant Episcopal ; four are Catholic ; one is Unitarian .- Total, forty-four.
In Jersey City and Hoboken, there are two places open every Sabbath for the worship of God, for Pro- testant Germans, in their native language. The popu- lation of the territory, (in 1840, less than 10,000), is now at least 43,000.
In later times, when God largely multiplied the population of the Counties of Bergen, Hudson, and Essex, the Classis heard the voice of his Providence, and has been attent ever since to his appeals. As late as the year 1832, the Classis had only one of her present churches in the County of Essex, that of Second River, or Belville.
In 1828, only one in the present County of Hud- son, that of Bergen. In Essex County there are now
42
THE CLASSIS OF BERGEN.
seven churches :- Belville, Franklin, Clintonville, (now Irvington), and four in the city of Newark. In Hudson County there are twelve :- Bergen, Bergen Neck, Bergen Point, Hudson, New Durham, German Evangelical of North Bergen, Hoboken, German Evangelical Hoboken, Van Vorst, (or Wayne Street, Jersey City), First, Third, and Fourth, of Jersey City. In Bergen County there are four :- Hackensack, Schraalenbergh, English Neighborhood, and Second, at Hackensack. In all twenty-three churches.
The following is the Annual Statistical Table of the Classis of Bergen, for the year ending in April, A. D., 1857 :-
CLASSIS OF BERGEN.
CHURCHES
PASTORS
No. of Families
Total Congre-
In Communion
per last report
Confession
| Certificate
Dismissed
Suspended
Total in Com-
Infants
Adults
Number of Cate-
Number in Bib.
Instruction
| No. of Schools
Total Number
Average No. of
For Benevolent
Church Ex-
penses
Bergen
Benj. C. Taylor ....
280
1400
333
12
14
*39
4
316
83
140
20
1
216
140 $1574
$1865
N. J.
Eng. Neighborhood Andw. B. Taylor ...
88
875
81
1
..
. .
..
6
115
9
25
20
70
55
306
..
Hackensack.
A. H. Warner, S. C. 100
500
122
3
4
.
4
5
4
148
14
120
40
200
150
225
·
302
Belleville, Essex Co.,
Belleville
T. D. W. Talmage ..
167
725
185
17
1
1
206
4 3
140
100
2
180
65
439
13775 800
Jersey City, Hud. Co., Salterville,
Bergen Neck.
A. L. Stillwell ..
75
337
66
'2
1
2
11
1
25
12
2
99
106
1219
14800
Newark, Essex Co., Irvington, 46
Irvington . .
. .
P. D. Van Cleef .... 145
675
180
6
19
11
2
192
9
2
53
30
1 247
132
1536
Jers. City, Hud. Co.,
New Durham
W. V. V. Mabon. .. |118
587
84
13
6
89|
1
75
25
1
150
90
300
1430
New Durham, "
2d Newark.
Gustavus Abeel .... 105
525
162
8| 8|12
166
10
2
60
60
1
160
120
353
1850
Newark, Essex Co., 66
3d Newark.
F. A. Lehlback .....
103
520
273
110
8|115
6 270 344
35
35
1
115
90
10
Newark,
Hoboken, Hudson Co.,
Hoboken ....
50
200
42
5
8
6
6
30
12
1
92
60
150
3d Jersey City. ..
42
210
66
5
14
1.
4
7
1
100
13
1
140
100
Jersey City,
וי
Ger. Ev., N. Berg. .
Vacant. .. ·
...
40
200
39
2
5
5
40
6
85
5
1
45
35
18
Hudson,
Hudson
Jacob C. Dutcher ..
54
280
13
3
48
9
40
20
1
60
50
149
.
54
300
40
2
. . .
.
·
5
69
42
1
63
50
195
Hackensack, Berg. Co.,
2d Hackensack ...
40
200
14
10
. ..
..
. .
.
8
14
1
45
35
100
Hoboken, Hudson Co.,
Ger. Ev., Hoboken.
30
70
26
. ..
·
. .
.
8
1
45
35
Jersey City
Ger. Ev., Jers. City |C. Doppenschmidt§ North, Newark .... [A. Polhemus ... .
40
200
'38
35
40
40
1
90
70
37
293 | Newark, Essex Co.,
.
.
82
40
50
3
125
100
151
Hudson, Hud. Co., English Neighborhood, “ Hackensack,
Schraalenbergh ....
Corn's Blauvelt .. . . |160
700
151
2
·
. .
.
:
·
12
+43
2
505
17 1
250
100
1
. ..
1
45
36
54
Vacant ...
42
210
42
:
.
..
. .
. . .
.....
.
..
·
2
1
S5
55
4
38
1
150
110
14
New Durham,
.
..
.
.
·
. .
.
·
40
9
168
25
1
168
133
233
·
* Twenty-one to constitute the First Presbyterian Church of Bergen, and ten subsequently to the same Church.
S. Talmage, of Classis of Passaic, suppies this Church. § Missionaries.
Mininers without Charge .- Rev. James Romeyn, (Emeritus), -John Garretson, Cor. Sec. Board of Dom. Missions, -John L. Chapman, Teacher, - Matthias Lusk, - James M. Bruen, - Alexander W. McCiure, Cor. See. Am. and For. Cinistian Union.
·
.
32
2
·
.
. .
34
36
.
. ..
..
72 65
52
1
80
1st Jersey City. ..
David H. Riddle ...
60
300
72
3
4
7
1st Newark ..
James Scott ...
315 1550
526
12
. .
42
...
Van Vorst.
Charles Parker .... Calvin Selden .....
65
320
62
22
. . .
...
1
·
·
6
1
29
26
10
. .
.
60
300
Communicants
Bap. |C. & B. C. Sab. Schools Contribution
Census
Rec'd
POST OFFICE ADDRESS
| Died
munion
chumens
of Scholars
Scholars
Purposes
Schraalenbergb,
130
65
105
·
1
63 58
·
.
Bergen Point “
Bergen Polnt .. Franklin ;.
F. L. King § ..
3
Franklin, Essex Co.,
Jas. Demarest, Jr .. L. Mchn. .
t Most of these to constitute the North Church of Newark. ¿ Peter
gation
4
2
19
istory of the Township of Bergen.
FROM various historical sources, we learn that the first village on the Western shore of Hudson's River, was Bergen, probably commenced as early as 1618, but for several years subsequently, a mere place for trading with the Indians. The houses of the inhabit- ants were placed near each other to afford common protection-they cultivating lands adjacent, or near to the town. A few Norwegians or Danes, are thought by Smith, in his History of New Jersey, to have par- ticipated in this settlement, and the name is said to have been derived from the Capital of Norway. It is, however, more probably from the name of a small town in Holland.
We have heretofore referred to the other early vil- lages, or plantations in this vicinity-Pavonia, Com- munipau, Ahasimus and Hobuk. It appears that the plantations, at and close by Communipau, then called " Gemoenepan," were abandoned about the close of 1651, and were not re-peopled until 1661. But on
46
THE HISTORY OF BERGEN.
the 20th of January, A. D., 1658, the Indians exe- cuted a conveyance to the noble Lord Director Gene- ral, Pieter Stuyvesant, and Council of New Nether- landt, for a tract of land lying on the West side of Hudson's River, of which the following is a copy :-
(Translated from the Dutch.)
" This day, the date here underwritten, appeared be- fore the Honorable Director General, Petrus Stuyve- sant, and the gentlemen of the Council of New Netherlandt, at the Council Chamber in the Fort Amsterdam, in New Netherlandt, Therincques, Wa- wapehack, Saghkius, Kogkhennigh, Bomokan, Memi- wokan, Sames, Wewenatokwee, for themselves and in the name of Moikopes, Pepoghon, Parsoihques, and others, partners of the lands hereafter mentioned. Who declare to be right owners of the lands lying on the West side of the North River in New Netherlandt, beginning by the great Rock above Wiehacken, and from thence cross through the lands, till above the Islandt Siskakes, and from thence along the Channel side till Constable's Hook. And from Constable's Hook again, till the aforementioned Rock, above Wiehacken, with all the lands, islands, channels, val- leys, therein comprehended, in such manner as the aforementioned parcel of lands are surrounded and encompassed by the North River, the Kill Van Koll, and the aforesaid direct line from the Rock above Wiehacken, till above Siskakes, where it is divided by the channel. Which lands they offer absolutely, to sell unto the Director General and Council, upon which the General and Council on the one side, and
47
THE HISTORY OF BERGEN.
the aforesaid Indians, for themselves and them that are absent, have accorded and agreed in the manner following, in the presence of the hereafter mentioned Christian and Indian witnesses. The aforesaid Indians do acknowledge to have sold, resigned and transport- ed, as they do, by these presents, all the lands hereto- fore mentioned, to the aforesaid Director General and Council and their successors, for eighty fathom of wampum, twenty fathom of cloth, twelve kettles, six guns, two blankets, one double kettle, and one half barrel of strong beer. Which effects they hereby ac- knowledge to have enjoyed and received before the passing and signing of this.
" Wherefore they do declare, for themselves and them which are absent, to resign and transport the lands before mentioned, to the above mentioned Gene- ral and Council, in a full, free, and perfect propriety, desisting of all actions and claims, which they could or might pretend, to the lands before mentioned -- the transporters promise now or hereafter, not to make any pretensions thereon ; but to keep and hold this transport, firm, sure and inviolable. Promising also, to the said Director and Council, to free and warrant the said lands, against all claims any other Indians might pretend to, and if it should happen that in future times, any of the Dutch, by any Indians, should be damaged on pretension they were not fully paid for the lands aforesaid, they the sellers do pro- mise to repair and satisfy the damages. It is also stipulated and agreed, the aforesaid Indians shall de- part and remove by the first convenient opportunity, off the lands aforesaid ; and that none of their nation
48
THE HISTORY OF BERGEN.
shall come and continue to dwell upon it, without knowledge and consent of the Director General and Council. Thus done at the fort Amsterdam, and signed with the marks of the Indians after the cargoes were delivered to their hands, the 30th day of Janu- ary, Anno Domino, 1658.
"WAS SUBSCRIBED:
the mark of Therincques, made by himself.
the mark of Bomokan.
the mark of Saghkow.
t.
the mark of Wewenatokwee.
the mark of Sames.
the mark of Koghkenningh Wairimus Couwee.
the mark of Memiwokan. L the mark of Sames, as Witness, otherwise called Job.
the mark of Wawapehack."
UNDER WAS :
"We, the Subscribers, witnesses hereunto, desired by the Director General and Council, do certifye and declare, by this present, that the above bargain for the land before mentioned, is so made before us, and the lands, by the sellers transported to the Director Gen- eral and Council ; on the conditions and terms com- prehended in the bill of sale, the conditions and substance plainly told, acquainted and declared to the sellers by the interpreters Govert Loocquermans, Pe- ter Wolphertson van Cowenhoven and Class Carstense, and also by Wharimes van Couwe, formerly an owner
49
THE HISTORY OF BERGEN.
of the lands aforesaid; and whereupon, the sellers have consented to the bargain, transported the lands, and received the mentioned cargoes and wampens, signed the conditions, with the above marks.
" In witness hereof, have we subscribed this, the day and year aforesaid, at the fort Amsterdam, in New Netherlandt in the Council Chamber.
Joh. Megapolensis,
Petrus Stuyvesant,
Samuel Drisius,
Nicasius de Sille,
Oloff Herensin,
Piter Touneman.
Govert Loocquermans,
LOWER, WAS:
Pieter Cowenhoven,
T. Present,
Machiel Yansen,
and was signed
Yan Evertsen Bout,
Cornelius Van Ruyven,
the mark of Claas
Secr.
Carstensen Noorman.
Entered upon record by me, J. Bollen, Secret'y."
This tract, subsequently known as " The Township of Bergen," has been recognized as such, until within the last seventeen years, (excepting only a small district incorporated in 1829, as the city of Jersey, and which was formerly known as Paulus Hook). Within this territory is the town or village of Bergen. In A. D., 1661, as appears from the document following, also translated from the Dutch, was given or granted to the inhabitants of the village, (or county town), the same tract of land "in Pavonia," as the whole district was called, and they who had lands in occupancy were obliged to place their dwellings within the village or town of Bergen, or about the neighborhood of Gemoe- nepan.
3
50
THE HISTORY OF BERGEN.
(Translation.)
" We, underwritten, the late Director General and Council of New Netherland, hereby certify and de- clare, that in the year one thousand six hundred and sixty-one, by us underwritten, in quality, as aforesaid, was given and granted to the inhabitants of the village, (or county town), of Bergen, the lands, with the meadows thereunto annexed, situate on the West side of the North River, in Pavonia, in the same manner as the same was by us underwritten, purchased of the Indians, and as the same was to us delivered, by the said Indians, pursuant to an instrument of sale and delivery thereof, being under date of the 30th of January, A. D., one thousand six hundred and fifty-eight; with this express condition and promise, that the aforesaid in- habitants of the before named village, shall not be prejudiced in their outdrift, by means of any private collective dwellings, (saving only the right of the then already cultivated farms at Gemoenepan). But that all such who have any lands within the district of the before named village, and especially at Pemrepogh, and Mingackque, all such owners shall be obliged to remove their dwellings and place them in the village or town of Bergen, or by or about the neighborhood of Gemoenepan before named. Conditioned, however, that the aforesaid owners, (in case they should desire the same), should be permitted to share, and divide with the inhabitants of the before named village or town, in the common lands of the said town, and in the place and stead of their lands lying at Pemrepogh, and Mingackquie before named. (And especially that the meadows laying near the village or town of
51
THE HISTORY OF BERGEN.
Bergen, where the same begins, at the West side along Kill Van Kol, should be and belong to and for the use of the before named inhabitants of Bergen).
" And further, we the underwritten, certify and de- clare that Michael Jansen, deceased, (before or about the time that the aforesaid village or town was laid out), for himself, as also for and in behalf of his brother-in-law, Nicholas Jansen Barker, did, in our presence, renounce all the right they had to the pas- ture ground, laying behind Gemoenepan, for a common out-drift and pasture between the aforesaid village or town, and the neighborhood of Gemoenepan, before named.
" And lastly, that no more lands were given or grant- ed to Dirck Clausen, than Rightpocques, with the meadows thereunto belonging, as by the ground-brief thereof may further appear.
"In testimony of the truth, we have signed these with our own hands, in New York, the 26th of Octo- ber, A. D., *
(Signed), P. STUYVESANT, Nicasius de Sille."
In 1661, a Court was established, " back of Gamoe- nepan," where there was now a thriving settlement. The name given to the new village was " Bergen," after that of a small town in North Holland, and
* " The year when this certificate was given, is not intelligible in the original instru- ment. But as they certify as former Governor and Conncil, it must have been after Angust, 1664, when the English conquered the country.
New York, February 20th, 1764. Translated
from the Dutch, by ABM. LOTT, Jun'r."
52
THE HISTORY OF BERGEN.
Tielman Van Vleck, a notary in New Amsterdam, was appointed the first Schout, and Michael Jansen, one of the former "Nine Men," Hermanus Smeeman, and Casparus Steymets, the first Magistrates of the earliest organized municipal government within the present State of New Jersey .*
Steps were also taken for the erection of a saw-mill. In 1662, a well was ordered to be dug for the com- mon use of the villagers, and is at present, as for many years past, the holder of a large " liberty pole," serving for a flag staff. This well was in the center of the town or public square. In 1664, a block house was ordered to be erected. On the 10th of Septem- ber, 1663, Nicholas Varlet and Nicholas Beyaerd, received from Governor Stuyvesant and Council, a deed for a tract lying in the Kill Van Koll, in the Indian language called Sickakus, in such manner as in the year 1658, January the 30th, was bought of the natives and paid for, together with the meadows round about annexed. (See copy of deed recorded in New York Secretary's Office.)
The surrender of New Netherlands to the Crown of Great Britain, in 1664, was followed by a Charter from Charles II., to his brother James, Duke of York, . from the Western side of the Connecticut River to the Eastern side of Delaware River-of course covering the whole territory of New Jersey. And in the same year, said James, by indenture of lease and release, granted, bargained and sold unto John, Lord Berk- ley, Baron of Stratton, and Sir George Carteret, of Sal-
* Brodhead's History of New York, p. 691.
53
THE HISTORY OF BERGEN.
trum, the territory of New Cosarea or New Jersey. On the 1st of July, 1676, partition by deed was made, so that the Eastern part of said territory was allotted to Sir George Carteret, known as East Jer- sey. And Sir George by his last will and testa- ment dated December 5th, 1678, devised the same to John, Earl of Bath, and others, as trustees, to sell the same, and appointed Lady Elizabeth Carteret sole executrix-and she with the other trustees, by deed of lease and release, dated first and second days of February, 1680, sold and conveyed all East New Jersey unto William Penn and eleven others, which twelve persons were called and known by the name of the "Twelve Proprietors, of East New Jersey." These twelve proprietors by twelve separate deeds, in 1682, separately conveyed each one half of their re- spective interests in East New Jersey, to James, Earl of Perth, and eleven others, whereby East New Jer- sey became held by twenty-four general proprietors ; each holding in fee one twenty-fourth part or proprie- ty of the same. Thus, from these proprietors have issued from time to time their deeds for the portions of said territory sold by them; most, if not all of these sales, being subjected to a rent of an half-penny per acre, per annum. And these quit rents being in some cases, if not in all, fully satisfied, and deeds in fee or quit claim executed therefor. Such was the case with so much of this territory as is embraced in the ancient township of Bergen, as appears by deed to the freeholders of the township, dated October 5th, 1809, for the consideration of fifteen hundred dollars, accepted in liquidation of such annual rent.
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