USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > History of the county of Hudson, New Jersey : from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 2
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had not in their language a word to express " subjection," so, being a temper- ate people, unused to " hot and rebellious liquors," they had no word in their language to express " drunkenness." It was left to the pale face to name the monster they had brought to the red man.
1 N. Y. Hist. Col., N. S., i., 174. The upland which lay in the vicinity of the intersection of Grand street and Hudson avenne was known by the Dutch from the earliest times as Suanc Punt, i. e., Swan's Point. It is probable that the place received its name from the fact that it was the resort of the swans in the brooding season.
2 Watson, in his Historic Tales of the Olden Times, and Schoolcraft, Proc. N. Y. Hist. Soc., 1844, 94, say it is not known that pelicans ever visited the waters of New York. Van Der Donck speaks of them as common. The Mohegans who lived on the banks of the Hudson named the river Shutemuc, from Shaita, a pelican, and uc, denoting locality or place, hence the name showed it to be the place of the pelican. From the fact that they imposed their name upon the river which they frequented, I conclude that they must have been very numerous.
S
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
of which were nameless. Many of these have long since forsaken the neighboring waters. The river and bay were rich in many kinds of fish, among which were whales.1 Among the shell-fish were lobsters, some of them " being from five to six feet in length," and oysters, some of which were " fit to be eaten raw," others were "proper for roasting and stewing," each of which would " fill a spoon and make a good bite."2
It was natural that such an abundance and variety of food should have attracted to the neighboring shores numerous tribes of Indians. Many were settled in the vicinity at the time of Hudson's visit. Those inhabiting the present State of New Jersey and the neighboring parts of New York were of the general stock of the Delawares, or Lenni Lennape,3 but were divided into two branches, called by the English Mohegans and Mincees, or Mon- seys, and by the Dutch Manhikans and Sanhikans.4 The Mo- hegans dwelt on the east side of the river, and were the heredi- tary enemies of the Mincees or Sanhikans, who dwelt on the west side.5 These were divided into numerous tribes, and these again into clans. On New York Island dwelt the fierce Manhattans.6 De Laet says they were " a wicked nation," " a bad race of sav-
1 In 1647 two whales ascended the Hudson as far as Cohoh, N. Y. Hist. Soc., N. S., ¿. , 143, possibly, like their enterprising predecessor, seeking a northwest passage to the Indies ! In the Weekly Post Boy of Dec. 11, 1752, is the follow- ing item : " Last Saturday a whale 45 feet long run ashore at Van Buskirk's Point, at the entrance of the Kills from our Bay ; where, being discovered by people from Staten Island, a number of them went off and killed him, and may now be seen at Mr. John Watson's, at the ferry house on Staten Island."
2 Van Der Donck's " New Netherlands." N. Y. Hist. Col., N. S., i., 177.
3 Original or unmixed race ; manly men.
4 This word, according to Heckewelder, is derived from " sankhican," which signifies fire works, and means the fire workers, or fire work people.
5 Broadhead, i., 73. The Sanhikans were sometimes also known as the Wa- bingi, or Wappinges. This latter name is derived from the Delaware word Wa- ping, signifying Opossum. They inhabited the western shore from the mouth of the river to the Catskill. They were divided into tribes, which hereabouts were the Raritans. Hackingsacks, Pomptons, and Tappaens.
6 Mon-ah-tun-uk, place of the dangerous river, i. e., Hell Gate, and applied to the inhabitants of the adjoining island. They were the people of the whirlpool.
.
9
THE EFFECT OF HUDSON'S VOYAGE.
ages," " enemies of the Dutch." On Long Island1 were the savage Metouwack's, subdivided into numerous tribes. The Indians on the west side of the Hudson were a better people than the Man- hattans. They carried on considerable traffic with the Dutch, exchanging corn, beans and squashes? for trifles. Among the Sanhikans some have supposed Hudson landed.3 If he landed at all during his stay in the upper bay, of which, however, there is no record, it was, beyond a doubt, on the west shore. There the natives were friendly, while on the opposite shore they were positive enemies. Every inducement which could have per- suaded him to land existed in favor of the Jersey shore. The natives between Bergen Point and Weehawken had extended to him many acts of kindness, and were neighbors and relatives of those in the vicinity of Sandy Hook, with whom Hudson held intercourse for some days.
The report of Hudson's voyage, on his return in the summer of 1610, awakened among the merchants of Holland a great de-
1 Called by the natives Sewan-hacky, i. e., " the land of shells"-the place where the Indians coined their money.
Astutasquash, i. e.,"vine apple." N. Y. Ilist. Soc., N. S., i., 186. Van Der Donck speaking of the pumpkin, says: " It grows here with little or no labor, and need not yield to the apple for sweetness, so that the English, who generally love whatever tastes sweet, use it in their pies."
3 Rev. Mr. Abeel, whose MS. is quoted in Moulton, i., 218, says that on the point where New York is now built, Hudson found "a very hostile people. But those living on the western shore from the Kills upward came daily on board the vessel while she lay at anchor in the river, bringing with them to barter, furs, the largest and finest oysters, Indian corn, beans, pumpkins, squashes, grapes, and some apples, all which they exchanged for trifles : Here Hudson landed."
At the time of Hudson's visit there were four islands near the Jersey shore, viz. : Ellis Island, or Bucking Island, called by the Indians Kioshk, "Gull Island ;" Bedlow's or Kennedy's Island (from its owners, Isaac Bedlow and Archibald Kennedy, also known as Love Island before its conveyance to Bed- low, N. Y. Hist. Soc. Proc., 1844, 98), named by the Indians Minnisais, " The Lesser Island" (from which it would appear that at one time it was smaller than Ellis Island) ; Oyster Island, which lay a short distance southwest, and Robin's Reef, or Robyn's Rift, that is, " seal reef," for in the Dutch robyn signifies a seal. In 1669, by request of Mr. Bedlow, the island now bearing his name was made a place of privilege from warrant of arrest. Dunlap's N. Y., ii., crvii.
10
IIISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
sire to engage in and even to secure a monopoly of the trade thus suddenly opened to their enterprise. A new vessel was fitted ont and freighted for De Groote Rivier. The venture was suc- cessful, but whether any settlement was made is not known. It has been said, however, on the authority of Heckewelder, that the Dutch made a settlement on the Jersey shore in that year.1 Of this fact there does not exist the slightest proof, and it may well be doubted, when we reflect that there were but four huts on Manhattan Island in 1614. In that year Sir Samuel Argall, of Virginia, sailed into the harbor, subjugated the " settlement," and placed it under tribute to the Governor of Virginia .? This sub- jection was, however, soon thrown off, fortifications were pro- jected, and the Dutch were supreme for the next half century.
The merchants who had sent out vessels had been so successful that they sought, and in October, 1614, obtained from the States General of the United Netherlands a monopoly of the trade of the country between New France and (now for the first time called) New Netherland for four voyages within three years from January 1, 1615.3 This monopoly was protected by threats of confiscation of vessel and cargo, " besides a fine of fifty thousand Netherland ducats," upon any intruder. The merchants thus secured for three years assumed the name of " The United New Netherland Company,""4 and made preparations to reap all the advantages now placed exclusively in their hands. Ealkins established a trading post near Albany ; Block, in the " Restless," explored the coast of Scheyichbis and the Lennapewihittucks as far as the Schuylkill. Treaties were made with the Indians, trading posts established at several points, and wealth poured into the treasury of the Company.
2 I bid, 335.
1 ()'Cal., N. N., ¿. , 68, n.
3 Col. Ilist. of N. Y., ¿. , 10.
4 Beekman's address, N. Y. Ilist. Soc. Proc., 1847, 88 ; Broadhead, i., 137.
5 The Indian name of what is now New Jersey.
6 Signifying the Indian River, now Delaware.
7 There is no evidence that at this time a trading post was established with- in this county. Such probably was the fact, for two reasons : First, the Indians on this side of the river were friendly ; Second, Harsimus was looked upon as the natural outlet for the commerce of the interior. The subsequent purchase
11
FIRST SETTLEMENT ATTEMPTED.
This exclusive charter expired by its own limitation on the first of January, 1618. Its renewal was refused, and on the third of June, 1621, the " great armed commercial association," the Dutch West India Company, was chartered.1 The charter gave them exclusive jurisdiction over New Netherland for twenty-one years, power to make contraets with the native princes, build forts, ad- minister justice and appoint Governors. The government of the Company was vested in five chambers, and the executive powers in a board of nineteen delegates from the five chambers, including one to represent the States General. The nineteen gave to the Amsterdam chamber the management of the affairs of New Netherland, which, in June, 1623, was ereeted into a province.2 Among the members of that chamber was Michael Pauw.
In the spring of this year an expedition was fitted out and thirty families sent over in the ship "New Netherland," to begin a permanent settlement. It was placed in charge of Cornelis Jacobsen May (or Mey), who was to be the first direct- or of the colony. His administration over this infant colony was a very simple affair, and lasted but one year. He was succeeded by William Verhulst, as the second Director of New Netherland, in 1624, and he by Peter Minuit, in 1626.
It having been determined to establish the colonial head- quarters on Manhattan Island, Minuit purchased it of the natives for sixty guilders,3 and staked out a fort.+ While this fort was being built a crime was committed, the result of which a few years afterward bore heavily on the settlements within the territory now comprising Hudson County. A Weekquaes- geek5 Indian, with his nephew, then a small boy, and another
of Pauw was opposed by his associates, on the ground that to this point came all the native commerce, which ought not to be controlled by one man. The high commercial importance of our shore put upon it thus early has not in the least depreciated.
1 A copy of this charter, in extenso, may be found in O'Cul., N. N., ¿. , 399.
2 Broadhead, i., 148.
3 Ibid, 164.
A Valentine's list. of N. Y., 25.
5 Now Westchester County in the State of New York.
12
IIISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
relative, came from his home to sell beaver skins to the Dutch. Before he reached the fort he was met by three of Minuit's servants, who robbed him of his peltries and murdered him. The nephew, who witnessed the outrage, swore to revenge his unele's murder, and most terribly did he keep his word.1
In 1629 the condition of New Netherland did not meet the expectations of the Company. The population around Fort Amsterdam was small and dependent; the trading at Fort Orange and on the South River was very insignificant. No land was cultivated, save enough to supply the seanty wants of those attached to the Forts, and the only exports were furs and peltries. Plans were now devised to improve the condition of the Province. The Assembly of the XIX, on the 7th of June, 1629, granted " to all such as should plant any colonies in New Netherland " certain " freedoms and exemptions," con- sisting of thirty-one articles. Concerning them Mr. Broadhead remarks : " Reserving to themselves the Island of Manhattan, which the Company declared it was their intention to people first, they designated it as the emporium of their trade, and required all fruits and wares ' that arise on the North River and lands lying thereabouts,' should be first brought there. To pri- vate persons, disposed to settle themselves in any other part of New Netherland, the Company offered the absolute property of as much land as the emigrants might be able 'properly to im- prove.' To tempt the ambition of capitalists, peculiar privileges were offered to them. These privileges, nevertheless, were care- fully confined to members of the West India Company."? Any member who should, within four years, plant a colony of fifty adults, in any part of New Netherland, excepting the Island of Manhattan, should be acknowledged as a " Patroon," or feudal chief of the territory thus colonized. Each colony might have lands sixteen miles in length on one side of a navigable river, or, if both banks were occupied, eight miles on each side, extending as far back into the country " as the situation of the occupiers will permit." Each patroon was promised a full title, upon con-
' O'Cal., N. N., i., 105.
2 Broadhead, i., 194.
13
PAUW PURCHASES HOBOKEN.
dition that he should satisfy the Indians for the land taken by him. If he established a city, he was to have "power and authority to establish officers and magistrates there." The Com- pany were to protect and defend the colonists, finish the fort on Manhattan, and import " as many blacks as they conveniently could."1
The members of the Company were not slow to avail them- selves of the "privileges." Godyn and Blommaert took a tract of land on the "Sonth corner of the Bay of South River," and Van Rensselaer seized upon the regions adjacent to Fort Orange, called by the Indians, SEMMESSECK. Michael Pauw, Burgo- master of Amsterdam, and Lord of Achtienhoven, near Utrecht, finding the region on the west shore, opposite Manhattan Island, yet unappropriated, obtained, through the Director and Council- lors of New Netherland, on the 12th of July and 22d of No- vember, 1630, the following deeds from the Indians for land lying within this county. They are the first conveyances, by deed, of any land in East Jersey, and the following deed is the first of record in New Netherland :
"It's, Director and Council of New netherland, residing on the Usland of attanahatas and the Fort Amsterdam, under the author- ity of their high gtlightinesses the Lords States-General of this United Netherlands and the Incorporated West Undia Company, at their Chambers at Amsterdam, do hereby witness and declare that on this day, the date hereof underwritten, before us in their proper persons appeared and showed themselves, to wit : Arom- meauw, Tekwappo, and Sackwomerk, inhabitants and joint own- ers of the land called Robocan Hackingh, lying over against (opposite) the aforesaid Afstand ghanahatas, who both for them- selves and, rato cavern, for the remaining joint owners of the same land, declared that for and in consideration of a certain quantity of merchandize, which they acknowledged to have received into their own hands, power and possession, before the passing of these presents in a right, true, and free ownership, have sold, transported, ceded, conveyed, and made over, and by
1 Vide Charter of Freedom and Exemptions at length in O'Cal., V. N., i., 112.
14
HISTORY OF IIUDSON COUNTY.
these presents they do transport, cede, and convey to and for the behoof of Er. Michiel D'auw, absent, and for whom we, ex- officio, accept under suitable stipulations, viz. : the aforesaid lands by ns named Roboran Hackingh, extending on the South side, Ahasimus ; Eastward, the River Mauritius, and on the West side surrounded by a valley (marsh) and morass, through which the boundaries of said land can be seen with sufficient clearness, and be distinguished; and that, with all the jurisdic- tion, right, and equity, to them, the grantors, in their quality aforesaid, belonging: Constituting and putting in their place and stead the already mentioned attr. gauw, in the real and actual possession thereof, and at the same time giving full and irrevocable power, authority, and special command to the said Mr. Panw peaceably to enjoy, occupy, cultivate, have and hold the aforesaid land tanquam actor et procurator in rem suam acpropriam ; and also to do with and dispose of the same as he might do with his own lands to which he has a good and lawful title ; without their, the grantors, in their quality aforesaid, saving or reserving any part, right, action, or anthority thereto in the least, either of ownership or jurisdiction ; but altogether to the behoof as aforesaid, henceforth, forever, wholly and finally desisting, renouncing, and quit-elaiming; promising here- by, moreover, not only to keep, maintain, and fulfill this, their grant, and whatever shall be done by virtue thereof, inviolable and irrevocable forever, but also to keep and maintain the same land against all persons free from any claim, challenge, or in- cumbrance to be made thereon by any person ; as also to cause this sale and grant to be approved of and held valid by the re- maining joint owners as they are by right obligated to do; all in good faith withont fraud or deceit.
In witness whereof these presents are confirmed with our usual signature and with our seal thereto affixed.
Done at the aforesaid Island of Manahatas, in Fort Am- sterdam, this 12th July, 1630."1
"Ate, the Director and Council of new netherland, residing on
Land Papers (Albany), G. G., 1; Winfield's Land Titles, 3. This is the
15
PURCHASE OF ALLASIMUS AND ARESSICK.
the Usland of ganahatas, under the jurisdiction of their High Mightinesses the Lords, the States-General of the United nether- lands, and the General Incorporated West Undia Company, do, by these presents, publish and declare, that on this day, the date underwritten, before ns in their own proper persons, came and ap- peared, Hihitoauwr and Diarouw, Virginians, Inhabitants and joint owners of the land named Ahasimus and the peninsula Aressich, as well for themselves as, rato enverende, for attingm, Wathkath and Cauwins, joint proprietors of the same parcels of land, and declared in the same quality that for and in consideration of cer- tain parcels of goods, which they, the appearers, acknowledged before the passing of these presents to their full gratitude and satisfaction to have received into their possession, hands, and power in their right and free (unincumbered) ownership, and by virtue of the title and article of sale, they have sold, transported, ceded, and delivered, and by these preseuts they do transport, cede, and deliver to and for the behoof of the noble Ford gtichiel Pauw (absent), and for whom we, ex-officio, accept the same with suitable stipulations, namely, the aforesaid land Ahasimus1
first time the name of Hoboken is met with. It is au Indian word, and is said to mean tobacco pipe. The name, as given in the above deed, with its suffix, " Hackingh," signifying lund, gives us the land of the tobacco pipe. Here the natives were accustomed to procure a stone, out of which they carved pipes. " As tobacco was a natural production of the country, the natives were great smokers. Tobacco pouches hung at their backs, and pipes were their insepara- ble companions." Trumbull's Hist. U. S., i., 24. Judge Benson thought that Hoboken was a Dutch name. N. Y. Ilist. Soc., 2d Series, ii., 112. The name is spelled in various ways, as: Hobocan-Hacking, Hobocan, Hoboken, Hobocken. Hobucken, Hobokina, Hoboquin, Hobuk, Hoebuck, Hobock, Howbuck, Hoobock, Hoobook, Hooboocken.
1 This name is probably Indian. It was applied to that portion of the upland of Jersey City which lies east of the hill, excepting Paulus Hoeck, which was separated from Ahasimus by the salt marsh extending from Communi- paw Cove to Harsimus Cove, and generally from Warren to neir Grove street. The name has received many spellings, viz. : Ahasemus, Ahasymus, Ahar si- mus, Ahasymes, Ahsymes, Achassemes, Harsimus, Horsemus, Horsimus, Hor- sumus, Hassems, Hasimus, Hassimis, Hassemes, Haussemus, Hoxsemus, Horressi- mese.
16
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
and Aressick,1 by us named the Whores Corner,2 extending along the river Mauritius and the Usland of the @Hauahatas on the east side, and the Ustand Hoboken Backingh on the north side, surrounded by swamps, which are sufficiently distinct boundaries, and that with all the action, right, and equity to them in their quality aforesaid appertaining, constituting and substituting the said grantee as the attorney for the said attr. Pauw, in their stead and state, in the real and actual possession of the same, and at the same time giving him full and irrevocable power, authority, and special license, to the said attr. gauw ; and to his successors, tanquam in rem suum, the aforesaid land and its appurtenances peaceably to enter upon, possess, inhabit, farm, occupy, use, and to do therewith and thereon, trade and dispose as he the cedentee may do with his own lands and domains honestly and legally obtained, without their, the Grantors, in their aforesaid quality, having thereto or any part thereof, any part, right, action, or jurisdiction in the least, without reserving or saving any ownership, command, or jurisdiction, but to the behoof aforesaid from henceforth and forever, wholly and abso- lutely desisting, relinquishing, and renouncing by these Presents. Promoting, moreover, not only this their conveyance, and all that may be done by virtue thereof, to keep forever firm, invio- lable, and irrevocable, but also the said land to deliver and keep from all demands, challenge, or incumbranees, any and every one that may thereto make any pretense ; and, moreover, this purchase and conveyance to cause to be approved and made valid by the other joint owners, as in equity they are bound to do, standing thereto in all good faith without frand or deceit. Witness our several signatures and confirmed by our seal ap- pended thereto.
1 This was the Indian name of Paulus Hoeck, and is said to signify burying ground. It was applied to the circular piece of upland lying east of Warren street, on which Jersey City had its beginning in 1804.
2 Hoeren Hoeck, so called from a well-known custom of the natives in enter- taining strangers, and with which they welcomed the Dutch when they first came to this vicinity. N. Y. Hist. Soc., 2d Series, ii., 281, n. ; Col. Hist. of N. Y., iii., 342.
17
PAUW'S PURCHASE UNPOPULAR.
Done at @anahattas in the fort Amsterdam this 22d day of Nov., in the year 1630."1
Preceding this last deed, and on August 10th, 1630, Pauw obtained a deed from the Indians for Staten Island, "on the west shore of Hamel's Hooftden."""
The purchase of November 22d, 1630, was one of vast im- portance. Then, as now, the shore between Communipaw and Weehawken was of great commercial value. The Indians held it in high estimation as a place of resort, from which they con- veyed their peltries directly across to the fort. Pauw, latinizing his name, bestowed it upon the district, and thenceforth it was called Pavonia.3 The purchase was unpopular with the Com- pany. Pauw's ownership of the tract " occasioned muchi quarrel- ing and jealousy, and prevented the colonies prospering as they would have done." Those of the Directors of the Dutch West India Company who had failed to obtain a share of the newly acquired spoils looked with a jealous eye upon those who, by reason of their large and well selected possessions, had become patroons. This strife between the " ins and outs " waxed warm and warmer, until finally the fortunate Directors (except the patroon of Pavonia), preferring peace to their wild acres in New Netherland, divided with their clamorous associates.
Up to this time there is no evidence that a settlement had been made on the west side of the river. Some writers have supposed that buildings were erected within this county as early as 1618.4 It is, however, mere supposition. It will be borne in mind that in 1623 there were only a few bark huts erected on the lower end of Manhattan Island, and it is not at all likely that the very few whites then in the country would have weakened their power of defence by separate settlements.
1 Land Papers (Albany), G. G., 8; Winfield's Land Titles, 8.
2 Land Papers (Albany), G. G., 6. Thus the first civilized ownership of Staten Island connects it with New Jersey. Carteret once made an unsuccess- ful claim for it.
3 Pauwonia. N. Y. Hist. Soc., N. S., i., 264 ; Broadhead, i., 202. Pauw in the Dutch, as pavo in the Latin, signifies a peacock.
+ Broadhead, i, 89; Whitehead's East Jersey, 16.
2
18
HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
After the arrival of the immigrants, consisting of thirty families, possessed of domestic animals and other conveniences for a per- manent settlement, who in this year eame out from the father- land with Captain May, it is very probable that the inviting shore on this side of " De Groote Rivier " would not long escape the eye of such practical agriculturists.1 The attention of traders being attracted to our shore by its many advantages for traffic with the Indians, and the farmer invited hither by the fertility of the soil, it may well be, when the number of the colonists permitted, that some venturesome pioneer erected his cabin within the bounds of this county. But where, when, and by whom such first cabin was erected it is now impossible to tell. Yet it is certain that before 1633 some sort of settlement had been made in Pavonia. How much of a settlement this may have been is not known. Pauw made his purchase in the summer and fall of 1630. By the third article of the " Freedoms and Exemptions" he was obliged, within four years next after he gave notice to any Chamber of the Company in Holland, or to the Commander or Council here, that he had taken up any land, to plant a Colony of fifty souls, upward of fifteen years old, within the bounds of his purchase, one fourth part within one year, and the balance within the three remaining years .? If the patroon of Pavonia complied with this requirement, there must have been within the bounds of this county, in 1633, at least thirteen persons above the age of fifteen years. But the patroon did not comply with the law respecting the settlement of his colonie, and this, as will be shown hereafter, was one of the causes of difference between him and the Directors, and finally forced him to transfer to the Company all of his interest in Pavonia.3 Whether he failed to comply with the conditions the first year or afterward is not known. Hence the impossi- bility of ascertaining the extent of the settlement. But whatever it was, and whether established by himself in pursuance of some regular plan in compliance with the "Freedoms and Exemp-
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