History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 63

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 830

USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 63
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 63

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" Southwar there is a sinall village of about five or ax families which is commonly called the Duke's Farm Further np in a g na plantation In a neck of land almost an island, called Hobuck ; it did belong to a Dutch merchant, why formerly. in the Indian war, had Ina wife, children and servants muquered by the Indians, and his house, cattle and stock de- troyed by them. It is now settled again, and a mill erected there, by one dwelling at New York

" I'p Forth ward along the river aide are the landa near to Mr William Lawrence, which Is es of meyen miles further Opposite there is a plantation of Mr Eball, and above that tapt Bienfield's plantation, This Inst is almost opposite the north- west of Manhattan's Hand

"Near the month of the by, upon the atde uf Overpeck's Creek ad. Johning to Hackensack Ktiver, several df the rich valleys were settled hy the Dutch . and near snake Hill is a fine plantation owned by Pinh rne and Kickle, for half of which l'inhorne is antd to have paid five hundred

That portion of the ancient territory of Bergen known as New Barbadoes Neck was probably first settled by the Kingslands soon after the settle- ments above described. It is not certain that Judge William Sandford ever settled upon his patent in the northwest sertion of what is now Hudson County. Hle was presiding judge of the court at Bergen in 1673, and died some time prior to 1709, as in that year his widow, Sarah Sandford, conveyed to her friend, Katharina Van Ernburgh, a portion of the estate left her by her husband, between the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers.

1 This dood confirmed by Cartaret April Is, 1670. Adrianen was a freebooter, and attempted the life of Kieft in 1643, for which he was sent to Halland in irons. Ile returned 10 1647, when he made this purchase.

2 This land must have been very productive. Van Per Donck mays that Bout laid a wager that he could ratser a crop of barley ou a feld con- talning even morgens, which would grow so tall in every part of the field that the ears could ensily be tied together above his head. Van Dor Lunch went to see the field of barley, and found that the straw was from elx to aven feet high, and vory little of it shorter,-N. Y. His, Soc., I. 150. Winfield's " Hiat. Bud. Co.," 32.

*N. Y. Con. MSS. 1. 187.

926

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Nathaniel Kingsland, the ancestor of the Kings- farmer of duties on exports and imports to and from New England and Virginia, was admitted to the right of " Great Burgher," and appointed searcher, inspector and commissary of the West India Company stores, in 1600 was sent with Brian Newton as ambassador to the commissioners to agree upon terms of capitula- tion to the English, in 1665 was commissioned cap- land family of New Barbadoes, purchased a large tract from Judge Sandford. His son William was the first to settle upon it, about 1690. He emigrated from the Island of Barbadoes, and built a mansion- house on what is now the Hackensack road. near the Schuylkill copper mines. William Kingsland was the father of Edmond William Kingsland, and grand- tain of the militia of Bergen, Communipaw, Ahasimus father of the late Mrs. John Arent Schuyler, Mrs. Nesbit, Mrs. Adams, and the late Gen. Kingsland, of Newark.

Edmond W. Kingsland was taken prisoner by the British during the Revolutionary war, and carried down the Passaic in his own canoe, and conveyed to the Engar-House, in New York, where he was kept for some time. He said it was the only time in his life that he regretted having a new hat of such a kind as the one he wore; for it was a stiff beaver, and his captors amused themselves during the journey by heating him over the head with it. The Kingsland family plate was buried during the war at the foot of a pear tree near the mansion, A tankard that was hidden there is now in possession of the family. The British ouce made a visit to the house, and were kept out some time by the inmates who barricaded the doors and windows., At length the assaulting party threatened to break in a door where Elmond W. Kingsland was stationed. Hle had a pistol in each hand, and declared he would shoot the first man who attempted to enter the house. One of the party then picked up a young negro be- longing to the plantation, and placing him in front, challenged Mr. King-land to "fire away." Not wishing to hurt one of his own servants, he desisted but the faithful slave cried out, " Let'm shoot, massa never mind me!" This is supposed to have occurred at the time Mr. Kingsland was taken prisoner. The English and Hessians took possession of the house and occupied it for several months. Mr. Kingsland had previously hollowed out a board in the mantel- piece and secreted his money in it, put in a block and painted it over. He found it undisturbed on his re- turu from imprisonment.

The Kingslands were Episcopalians, and through their instrumentality the church of that faith at Belleville was founded.

A part of the Kingsland tract was purchased by Arent Schuyler about the year 1800, and contained the &.huyler copper mines, discovered by one of Capt. Schuyler & slaves. (See history of Kearny town- ship.)

Nicholas Varlet obtained a patent of the territory on which the city of Hoboken is situated, from Petrus Stuyvesant, Feb. 5, 1663, which was confirmed by C'arteret, May 12, 1668. Mr. Varlet was one of the noted men of the time in which he lived. His second wife was Anna, sister of Governor Stuyvesant, and widow of Samuel Bayard. In 1657 he was appointed commissary of imports and exports, and in 1658 became

and Hoboken, same day was made a member of the court at Bergen, and the year following a member of Governor Carteret's Council, and died in 1675. >

Ide Cornelison Van Vorst received of Governor Stuyvesant a grant of land at Ahasimus, April 5, 1664. confirmed with an additional grant by Philip Carteret, March 13, 1665. This property, by his only son, Cornelius and from hin, descended to Cornelins of the seventh generation, and is now the finest part of Jersey City.

Following is a copy of the deed of a tract of land at Communipaw, granted by the Governor and Council of New Netherlands to Jan Evertsen Bout, and sub- sequently sold by him to Michael Jansen :

" We, William Kieft, Governor-General and Council, under the high und mighty Lords States-tieneral of the United Netherlands, His Highness of Orange and the Honorable the Director of the anthorized West India Company, residing in New Netherlands, make known and declare, thet on this day underwritten we have given and granted Jun Evertson Bout a piece of land lying on the North River, westward from Fort Amsterdam, before then pastured and tilled by Jan Evertse, named Gumoenepaen and Jan De Lacher's Hoeck, with the meadows, as the same lay within the post and rail fence, containing eighty-four morgens.

"In testimony whereof is these by us signed, and with our seal con- firmed, in Fort Amsterdam, in New Netherlands, the which land Jan Evertse took possession of Anno 1638, and began then to plow and so it."

Casper Steinmets purchased of Philip Cartaret, May 12, 1668, two tracts of land and meadow near the town of Bergen. He resided at AAhasimus, and during the Indian troubles of 1655 retired to New Amsterdam. (See chapter on old Bergen town and township.)

Adrian Post obtained a patent from Governor Car- taret dated, May 12, 1668, for " sundry parcels of land lying in and about the town of Bergen." He was the ancestor of the Post family in Hudson County, and had numerous descendants. The first we hear of him he was agent for Bann Van der Campellen, and in charge of his colony on Staten Island when the place was destroyed by the Indians, in 1655. In October of that year he was appointed to treat with the Hack- ensack Indians for the release of prisoners. He was ensign of the Bergen militia in 1673, and was the keeper of the first prison in East Jersey, the home of John Berry, in Bergen, being used for that purpose. Mr. Post died Feb. 28, 1677.

Englebert Steinhuysen (mentioned elsewhere) re- eeived a deed of " sundry parcels of land in and about the town of Bergen" from Philip Carteret, July 22, 1670. This land comprised seven lots, amounting in all to about one hundred and tifty acres.1

I Winfield's "Land Titles," 91.

927

RECAPTURE OF NEW NETHERLAND BY THE DUTCHI.

Harman Elewartse purchased from l'etrus Stuy- vesant " sundry parcels of land in and about the town of Bergen," Sept. 14, 1662. He was one of the com" missioners to fortify Bergen in 1663 ; and, with Joseph Van der Linde, Hendrick Jans Spier, and Hendrick de Backer, June 15, 1674, petitioned the government for land on Staten Island at the mouth of the Kill Van Kull 1

Balthazar Bayard obtained, with Nicholas Varlett. a grant of land from Philip Carteret, dated Ang. 10 1671, "lying in and about the town of Bergen." Bayard was a brewer, and a brother of Nicholas. He was appointed schepen, Dec. 17, 1663, and March 17, 1664; represented Bergen in the first and second treneral Assembly of New Jersey in Jis. Shortly atter th's he became a resident of New York, where he was schepen under the Dutch (New Orange) in 1673, and alderman in 1691. The lands in Bergen these patentees held as joint tenants. Varlett died before any division was made, whereupon Bayard took the land by right of survivorship. ?

Tiohman Van Vleck obtained a patent from Phihp Carteret, dated March 25, 1670. for a grant of "suntry parcels of land near the town of Bergen." Van Vleck was a lawyer. He studied under the notary of Am- sterdam, came to this country in 1658, and was ad- mitted to practice the same year." He has the honor of having been the founder of Bergen, and was made the first Schout (sheriff') and president of the court, Lone mare and two colts, eight oxen, ten cows, one Sept. 5, 1661.

Hans Diedrick was granted by Philip Carteret "Eundry parcels of land lying in and around the town of Bergen," May 12, 1668. Hans kept the second tavern in Bergen, he having been licensed Feb. 13, 1671, and was appointed lieutenant of the Bergen militia Sept. 4, 1673. He was also one of the pat- entees of Aquackanonck, May 28, 1679, and died Sept. 30. 1698. He probably left his lands to his son Wan- der, who died intestate Aug. 30, 1732. His children- Johannes, Garret, Cornelius, Abraham, Antje (wife of Johannes Vreeland) and Margaret Van Ruypen (widows) sold to their brother Daniel, Feb. 13, 1764, a lot called "Smith's land," seven morgens ; also a lot of meadow, also the steenhuysen lot, and lot No. 114. They partitioned in 1755.4

Gerrit Gerritse was granted by Philip Carteret n patent for sundry parcels of land lying in and about the town of Bergen, May 12, 1668.

This patentee was the ancestor of the Van Wagenen family. By his will, dated Oct. 13, 170%, he gave all the laud included in this patent and a preceding patent to his ellest son, Johannes. By the will of Johannes, July 21, 1752, proved Nov. 8, 1759, he gave all his lands in Bergen to his son Johannes, who was the owner in 1764.

1 (',lt ITist. N Y , li. 721, Winfield's " Lam] Titlen, " 95

" Winfield's " Land Titles, " 1in).

#N Y. Coll. MSS, viii. 9312 note to Winfield's " Land Titles, " 114. 4 WIDAphl' " " laml Titles, " 118

The Secaucus patent was granted by Petrus Stuy- ressant to Nicholas Varlett and Nicholas Bayard, D.c. 10, 1663, and confirmed by Philip Carteret, Oct. 30, 1667. In the deed of Carteret it recited. " The said plantation or parcel of land is esteemed or valued, ac- cording to the survey and agreement made, to con- tam, both of upland and meadow, the sum of two thousand acres, English measure." It comprised all the land between Pinhorne's Creek and the t'romakill treck on the east and the Hackensack River on the west. The Indians, in 1674, claimed that their right to this land was not me ndel in their deed to stuyve- sant of 1658; that the said deed included only " Es- patingh and its dependencies," and that they were still the ownors of Secaucus. The Dutch council a Fort Willem Hendrick settled the controversy with the Indians by making them a present of an " anker of rum." Nicholas Varlett died while the tract was in possession of the patentees, and his administrators- Mr. Edsall and Peter Stoutenburg-joined Bayard in selling it to Failward Earl, Jr., of Maryland, April 24, 1676. Earl soll to Judge William Pinhorne, March 26, 1679, for five hundred pounds, one individual half of the tract, also one half of all the stock, " Christian and negro servants." The following schedule of prop- erty was annexed to the deed: One dwelling-room containing two lower rooms and a lean-to below stairs and a loft above, five tobacco-houses, one horse,

bull, four yearling and seven ealves, between thirty and forty hogs, four negro men, five Christian ser- vants." This was the Pinhorne plantation referred to by George Brott in his " Model of the Government of East Jersey."5

CHAPTER IX.

Hucapture of the New Netherland by the Dutch Commanders, Everton and Benckes-Ordering the various Towns, through their Delegaten, to Surrender-The Name of Now Amsterdam Changed to that of New Orange-Burgomasters, Schauts and shegens Elected and I informed The Dutch egaln Capitulate, and leave he English in Powermion- Sketches of Everte and Bearkes-Capt. J hs Berry Fined One Hundred Guilders.

THE war which naturally followed the unauthorized seizure of New Netherland by the English in 1604, ended in a treaty of peace at Breda, 31st July, 1667, and by the protocol entered into, each power was to remain in peaceable possession of the territory captured by each respectively, which loft New Netherland in possession of the English. However, this peace agreement was short-lived, as war was again declared, in March, 1672, between the States and England. The Dutch, no doubt, had at least one eye on their much-prized New Netherland, therefore dispatched a small squadron under command of Cor-

& Winfielil's " Tand Titlen, ' 1:00

928

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

nelis Evertsen, Jr., and Jacob Benekes, to cruise along the American coast for the purpose of destroying English shipping and doing what other damage they inight. The forces of the two commanders were joined at Martinico, from whence they sailed with their five vessels for the Chesapeake, capturing a few vessels at or near there, and obtaining valuable information in relation to the condition of the defenses in and around what is now New York, for which place they set sail, and arrived there July 29, 1673, with a fleet of twenty-three vessel- (ineluding what they picked up on the way), and anchored in the bay. The land forces, consisting of sixteen linndred men, were under com- mand of Capt. Anthony Colve, who took possession of the town on the day following their arrival in the bay.

Council Organized and Orders Issued .- Com- manders Evertsen and Benekes, with their subordinate officers, at once organized a Council, and in a legal or military way promulgated their orders, not only to the citizens of New Amsterdam, but to those of the outlying towns, to report through their proper officers, and surrender to their High Mightinesses the Lords States-General of the United Netherlands, and his Serene Highness. the Prince of Orange.

New Orange .- The following are extracts from the proceedings of the Council, and the responses given them:

" At a Meeting of the Honorable Commanders. Cornelis Evertse and Jacob Benckrs and their adjoined Council of War, in the City Hall ofthe City of New Orange, This 12th day of August, Now Style, Ao 1673. Present Commander Corn. Everter, Commander Jacob Benches. Capt" Anthony Colve Capta Mentes Boas, Cupt" Abram : Zyll ; John Baker, Jacob Melwyn, John Ogden, cum socies, Deputies from the village of Elizabeth- town. Niew-worke, Woodbridge and l'iscatteway, situate in the Province heretofore called New-Yursey, praying that they may be allowed to send some Delegates from their said villages to treat with the Admirals and ana- ciate Council of War respecting the purtender of their towns under the obedien ; of their High Mightinves, the lords State of the United Nether- lands, and his Serene Highnie, the Prince of Orange, and that no audience he granted to their late Governor, Capt. John Berry, before and until the same be granted to the said Delegates, etr.

" Ordered. The Petitu ners, namely the inhabitants of the villages of Elizabeth Towne, Niework, Woodbridge and l'iscattaway, are hereby allowed to send their Delegates hither on next Tuesday morning to treat with us. Dated at the City Hall of the City of New Orange, this 12th August, If~3.

"' CORNELIS EVEATSE, JUN" " JACOB BENCKES.

" By their order, (Sigued) N. BAYARD, Secretary "

". It is furthermore resolved by the Admirals and Council of War, and the following order is dispatched to the three remaining villages situate In said Province of New Yarey .

"To the Inhabitants of the village of Bergen and Hamlets and Boucheries thereon depending.

" You are hereby ordered aml instructed to dispatch Delegates from y'mor village here to ws, to treat with us on next Toemlny respecting the surrender of your town to the obedience of their High Mightines, the Lords stater-General of the United Netherlands, his Serene Highness, the Prin's of things iron profuma to to do, we shall be obliged to constrain Jon thereunto by the force of arms."

" Dated at the City Hall of the city of New Grange, the 12th Angnet, Aanu 1673.

.CORNELIS EVERTER, JUNIOR.

" JACOB BENCK ES.

" Is their order, Signed N. HAVARD, Secrety." !

trol. list, of %. Y., vol. i. p. 571.

Similar notices were served on officers of the city of New Amsterdam and outlying towns, in the follow- ing language :

"The Commanders and Council of War have smanioned the under- written towns, and ordered them to submit to their lligh Mightiness, the Lord States-General of the United Netherlands and his Serene Highness, the Prince of Orange, &e., and to send hither immediately their demtica, together with their constables, slaves, and English flags, when they would, as circumstances permit, be furnished with Prince's flags instead) of those of the English."

Previous to the issuance of these orders some of the towns had anticipated such a move, sent their deputies, and thus cheerfully, to all appearances, at least, submitted to the second Dutch régime.

Orders were at the same time issued to cause the in- habitants of the several towns to nominate three per- sons for schout, three for secretary and six for schepens, and to present them on the first opportunity to the Council, when a selection from them would be made.

"On the petition of several of the inhabitants of the respective towna who appeared before the Council, requesting that they and their planta- tions may be confirmed in the privileges which they obtained from their previous patrons, and furthermore possess unobstructed their houses, lands and goods, and enjoy such further privileges as are granted and ac- corded to all other the inhabitants of Achter Coll," lately called New Jarsey.

"Ordered thereupon :

" The petitioners shall enjoy their lawfully acquired honses, lands and goods, together with such privileges as are granted and accorded to their neighboring towns of Lichter Coll. What regards the privileges obtained from their previous patrons, the sune is denied the petitioners."

From the nominations or names sent in by the inhabitants of the town of Bergen, the following were by the Conneil of War elected for the ensuing year :

As Schout and Secretary, Claes Arentse ; as Schep- ens, Gerritt Gerritts, Thomas Fredericks, Elias Mich- ielse, Peter Marcelissen, Cornelius Abramse.

Oath of Office .- The following is a copy of the oath of office to be subscribed to by the burgomasters, schouts and schepens within the jurisdiction of Council of War, of commanding officer of New Orange, now New York.

"We, the schout, Burgomasters, Schepens and Secretary of the city of New Orange (or Bergen, as the care might be), qualified by the llonble Council of War, do promise and swear, in the presence of Almighty God, that we, cuch in his quality, will, according to the best of our knowledge and without passion, administer goud law and justice between parties in cases brought before us : that we will promote the welfare of this city (or town and its Inhabitants . in all things defend the upright and true Christian Religion agreeably to the Word of God and the order of tha Synod of Donlrecht taught in the Netherland church ; in all cireninstancea obey, maintain and help to maintain the Supreme government placed, or hereafter yet to be appointed, over us in the name of their High Might- ineras the Lord State-General of the United Netherlands and has High- nere of Orange, and prevent, as far as in our power lies, everything that may conflict with it. So truly help us, God."

" At a Meeting of the Commanders and Honble Council of War of Now Netherland, holden in Fort Willem Hendrik, 21st Angust, 1673.

"+ P'rueeut -- "COMMANDER JAPON BENCHES,

" COMMANDER CORNELIUS EVERTSEN, JUN., "CAPTAIN ANTHONY COLVE."

2 Tha name formerly given to East Jersey, from the fact of its laviug bark of the Kills hence Achter ( ull or Kill.

020

NEW NETHERLAND AGAIN POSSESSED BY THE ENGLISH.

"The n wly chusen schuut, Secretary and Schopen of the Tun ns uf Midw mt, Henkel B. Smafort, Itright, Bmwyork and Gracemel pear before the (' maril to take the cath of allegiance, w ih they have suis silent in from as her iniofore taken by Burgonmaster and & hepwenn.

"The Schont and Magistrales of the Town of Bergen in Hkr manner tool that the Commander shull visit their town on 'Su lay after the sermon,' in order to administer the oath ffallegiance ted thir people

" On the petition of the schout of the Town of Bergen he in permitted And allowed by the Hende tonneil of W i henceforth tenHl and execute the office of auctioneer "

At a meeting of the commanders and honorable Council of War held Sept. s, 1673, the following re- quest of two of the inhabitants of Bergen was granted :

"Captain Berry and William Sandford, entering and requesting in substitute that the Records and Papers of the late l'e vince of Now Yaray may, for divers reais, be delivered to send ressurs in the office of the Secretary of this lavernment, and not with Mr Hopkinel imli- vidually, the same is provisionally allow d them until further Inquiry De mutule herein."

At a meeting of commanders and honorable Coun- cil of War, holden at Fort Willem Hendrik, Sept. 4. 1673, the following nomination- for militia officers for the town of Bergen were presented and confirmed. For Captain, Caspaer Stymmets; Lieutenant, Hans Diederichs ; Ensign, Adrian Post.

"Purmant to a tre tution of the Commander and Honth Council of War part d Angust 21, 1673, proceeded on the 25th f the same month to the Town of Bergen, where the Hurghery of that town and dependencies were bull to amount to is in number, ry f whom appeared at drum- beat and took the oath of allegiance in like form as herember re inserted under date of Inth instant ; the remainder were alment, whose with the magistrates A .fr ordered to forward. '

It seems that from the multiplicity of business trans- actions between John Berry and William Sandford, who were large land-owners in what is now the north part of Hudson County, whether as copartners or adjoining landlords does not at this time appear, became involved in some differences of opinion, and instead of using harsher means, referred the matter as follows :

" Whereas, M.m . difference has arisen Irtwren Mr John Berry and MI William Sandf .pl, both of whom requested that it may lu ref rred to the Court of the Schout and Magistrados of the Town of Bergen, which re- guest being considered by the G wernor, the same is for the prewent granted and allowedl.

' Done at Fort Willem Hendrik this 13th Duer, 1674. "N Birsen, Secretary "

At a meeting of the honorable Council of War, holden in Fort Willem Hendrik, on the 18th of August, Anno 1673, (present Commander Jacob Benekes, Commander Cornelis Evertsen, Jr., t'apt. Anthony Colve, Capt. Nicolaes Bors, Capt. A. F. Van Zyll), the following order was made :

" Captain John Berry,ª Willinn Sandford, Samuel Filanti and Lourena

An Ihren, appearing before the dome, request that they and their plantsth s may In. onfrinel in the privilèges whit h they tin di fini their previ un Patroona, aml furthermore |n spre mbolt tter mil ne order to all uther the inhabitants of Achter toll, Inte ly alle] Now Janey. 3

Capt. John Berry Fined One Hundred Guilders.“

". AVT JURY MERKY PLAINTIFF IN A] PF LL, A4.LEAST WILLIAM PANE.

him before the Court at Bergen for carrying of some hoge with him Plaine to let own projects, and have the room chained julgonut, as if he had obstante these hogy as a enn lalour menu r ly stealing , re- for igual that judgment of mil Court, promotion I get heil,

ant Ou th . Court below) Ix ordered to prove that they were his hoks, ways further, that the Court aformaid have a te ande sard the plaintiff of thedit. but of inconsiderate removal of the hugs, withont tone nwent ef

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 63

Author: Shaw, William H Publication date: 1884 Publisher: [United States :] Number of Pages: 830

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 830