USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Narratives of Newark (in New Jersey) from the days of its founding > Part 8
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Seventy-five names were recorded at the roll call; eleven were absent and no one answered for them. Resisting to the very last the substitution of Dutch Government for that of Puritanism, the "dyed-in-the-wool" adherents of the faith found sudden business errands up the river or back in the mountains. They were all known and would eventually acknowledge Dutch authority or suffer loss of their property. Military officials also subscribed to the oath of their office as follows:
Captain, Samuel Swaine; Lieutenant, John Ward; Ensign, Samuel Kitchell. They were placed in charge of town sol- diers for the protection of local property. The religion of the Established Church was superseded by "that of the Reformed Christian Church, to be maintained in conformity to the Synod of Dodrecht, without permitting any other sects at- tempting anything contrary thereto." It was also decreed by the Dutch Commissioners that "the Sheriff shall be pres- ent, as often as possible at all the town meetings and preside over the same." The affairs of Newark were soon adjusted, but not altogether in a spirit of sincere relationship to the new government.
Another trying situation (and there were many) in which our settlers became enmeshed was over the purchase of the New Barbadoes Neck, the story of which will be exploited in
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NEWARK UNDER DUTCH RULE
another chapter. Anthony Colve, selected Governor by the Dutch authorities, issued a "Proclamation for a day of Humiliation and Thanksgiving" on November 15, 1673, to his "Trusty and Well Beloved Concidering the Manifold Blessings & Favours wch the Bountifull & Merciful god hath bene pleazed graciously to Bestow upon this Province and the Inhabitants thereof amongst wch is to be Esteemed be- yond all others the free & pure worship of god wch Blessing together wth all others ought Not to drawe & oblidge us to dutifull thanckfulnesse but also to meeknesse & Rependance because of our Manifold sins and Transgressions to the End the sd Blessings & favours of our god may be Continued to- ward us & the People & Country be free from this weldeserved Wroth & Indignation."
It was ordered that the thanksgiving and fast must be held on "the first Wesnesday of the next ensuing month of December, being Second day of the sd Month & soo Alsoe uppon every first wenesday of ye month thereunto Ensuing. Wee do hereby strictly prohibite & forbid on the sd day of humiliation Thanksgiving all manner of Labour & exercizings of hunting ffisshing gaming, Excess in Drincking, and the lyke & all Inkeepers & ordinaris not to retayle any Licquors or drincke uppon penalty of Corperall Punishment."
Thomas Johnson's supplies at the ordinary were nearly ex- hausted in the winter of 1673, and he applied for permission to bring in his vessel from New England. The pass was granted in the following form:
Thomas Johnson, inhabitant of New Worke, at Aghter Coll, is hereby permitted to proceed hence, in person, to New England, and to remove thence and bring here his vessel and some goods lawfully belonging to him, on condition that he do not carry hence nor bring in here any letters contrary to the placard, and be bound, on his return, to surrender this permit and to report himself to the governor-General here; and all Captains, Commanders, and other officers of this province are hereby required to allow said Thomas Johnson to pass and repass this time. Done Fort Wilhelm Hen- drick, this 2d March, Ao. 1674.
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The Dutch-Puritans were about to be relieved of their hyphen on November 7, 1674. At the town meeting "Mr. Ward and Mr. Kitchell are chosen to go over to Bergen to hear what the Governor hath to read according to his Warrant." Before this, on October 31, "Mr. Ward, Mr. Kitchell, Mr. Freeman, Mr. Pierson, Deacon Tompkins, Deacon Law- rence, Sargent Harrison, Stephen Davis, and Thomas Richards are chosen a Committee to consider of such Things as may tend for the Good of the Town; also they have Liberty to debate of such Things with any they shall see Occasion so to do, without calling a Town Meeting."
These nine men, tried and true, were the reconstructionists of returned Puritanism, and well they performed their labors. The treaty of peace was signed February 9, 1674.
Built about 1690 by wealthy Barbadoes planter. Isaac Kingsland, nephew of Nathaniel Kingsland, at Kingsland, New Jersey, part of Newark in the early days-Stairway is of solid mahogany-In cellar are huge iron rings to which slaves were fastened when whipped-Interior woods imported from the Barbadoes
Governor Edmund Andros
CHAPTER XIX
GOVERNOR CARTERET RESUMES CONTROL OVER NEW JERSEY
A DJUSTMENT of town affairs after English restoration was speedily made. From the date of Governor Car- teret's resumption of office on November 6, 1674, the people continued under English dominion nearly 102 years, till July 4, 1776. Though all who attended the meeting on December 11, 1674, experienced more or less discomfort in the chilly at- mosphere, yet the Governor's overtures for a reorganization of the Provincial Government were not hastily considered.
More cheerful we would prefer to depict the scene, with a blazing fire roaring on the hearthstone, but this was con- sidered a sacrilege. Living coals in the House of the Lord, declared the Puritan fathers and their descendants for more than a century, were mockery to the Most High. John Brown, Jr., who was the recorder and scrivener, prepared a document for the Governor's perusal, declaring that submis- sion would be made to the Proprietary Government if the people's rights were restored. Several of the leaders were in favor of conservative action. It would, they argued, be too presumptuous to dictate terms; therefore, it was ordered that:
Mr. Ward, Mr. Kitchell, Mr. Freeman, Captain Swaine, Ser- geant Harrison, Thomas Richards, Deacon Lawrence, and Thomas Johnson are chosen to go down to Elizabeth Town to treat with the Governor upon the particulars written and if they cannot agree without, not to deliver that writing; but in Case he will not hear them, then they are to present this Writing to him, and leave it with him. John Brown, Jun'r is chosen to subscribe this Writing in the Inhabitants' Name.
The commissioners were true and tried and their faith in Newark was unshaken. The town had a soul, illumined by
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the sacrifices of its leaders. Governor Carteret and his Council, consisting of Captain John Berry, William Sanford, John Pike, John Bishop, Sr., Robert Vauquellin and James Bollen, secretary, met with the commissioners at the Gov- ernor's house in Elizabeth Town a few days later. Cordial spirit marked the conference at the beginning.
"Directions, Instructions and Orders," given by Rt. Hon. Sir George Carteret, knight and baronet, vice chamberlain of His Majesty's Household and one of His Majesty's Privy Council, Lord Proprietor of the County or Province of Nova Caesarea or New Jersey, were there read. It was ordered that all land possessed by the planters before the war with Holland should revert to them without reservation.
"Then we lose the Neck purchased from the Dutch Gov- ernment?" inquired Captain Swaine, as he and his fellow townsmen glanced at each other in consternation.
"No way to help you," replied the Governor. "The land belongs to Major Kingsland."
Intently did our Newark committee listen to the "fifthly clause," of the directions:
That if any person refuse or omitt to pay or Deliver his Rent due to us & arrear since the twenty-fifth Day of March one thousand six hundred & Seaventy to the Constable of the respec- tive town or Jurisdiction where the Land for which the Said Rent is Due Doth Lye at Such Tyme & place as the said Constable shall ap'oint or if any p'son shall refuse or omitt to pay or Deliver his Rent which shall hereafter become Due to us at Such Tyme as the Same Shall become Due & at Such Place as the Constable of Such towne or Jurisdiction shall ap'oint that then it shall & May bee Lawfull for the Said Constable or his Successors to Distrayne the goods & Chattles of such p'son Soe refusing or omitting to Sell the Same, rendering the overplus besides the rent arrear of the Cost & Charges of Distrayning to the party.
And wee direct that the Constable shall pay the Rent hee shall receive or raise to our Receiver General. And although our Con- cessions Say it shall be pay'd in currant or lawfull Monney of England yet at the request of our Governor & Council Wee will
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accept of it Such M'chantable pay as the Countrey doth produce at M'chants price to the value of Monney Sterling.
And if by this meanes wee cannot obtaine our Rent, then the Marshall of the Province shall be impowered as above said, to collect & raise the Same at the Charge of Such the Inhabitants as Doe refuse or omitt to pay at the tyme & place as aforesaid.
This was a concession not expected, coupled though it was with a most drastic alternative. Twice had the Governor
Hugh Robert's will. First one made in Newark
before the war refused farm produce offered in payment for quit-rents. Now he was ready, following the orders of his superiors, to receive this in lieu of "money currant." Our committee took exceptions to the sixth clause, the part re- ferring to Newark being:
That the Land to bee purchased from tyme to tyme as there shall bee occasion by the Governor & Councill from the Indians in the name of the Lord Proprietors and then every individual person is to reimburse the Lord Proprietor at the Same Rate as it was
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purchased together with the charges-That wee the Lord Pro- prietors will build a Prisson & a house for the Keeper at our own p'per cost and Charge out of the p'duct of the quitt Rents, where the Governor & Councill shall thinke fitt; and wee will Send over guns & am'unition as a Magazin.
But all other are to bee Defrayed by the Countrey and that all writts be issued in His Majesties Name, except the Sum'oning of Burgesses, which is to be in our Name.
That in case of appeales for England the appealant be bound to pay all cost & Charges if Cost, and upon ap'eale shall pay as a fyne to the Judge twelve pounds, besides all Cost & Dam'ges adjudged against him in the Province & to give in Security of a hundred pounds there for p'secuting the Same within Eight Months.
That all strays of beast at Land & Wrecks att Sea belong to Us, the Lord Proprietor, and that all p'sons that shall Discover any Such thing shall have Such Sattisfaction for their paynes & care as the Governor & Councill shall think fitt.
That the arrears of the Quitt Rents of Newark & all other Plantations that have not been pay'd since one thousand six hundred & seaventy bee paid to our Receiver General at the Rate of half pen'y a yeare for every acre besides the growing Rent till the arrears be satisfyed.
Sir George Carteret desired it distinctly understood that absolute power was vested in the Governor and his council to admit all persons desiring residence in the province, but who were not to have a voice in town government unless actually holding lands by patent from the Governor.
Power was also vested in them to convene and dissolve the Assembly, but the Courts of Assize and Session were to be created by the entire body-Governor, council and deputies- each town having two representatives in the latter house.
Ceremoniously the conference continued and ended. The Newark committee disappointed, returned home and re- ported the proceedings to the settlers. Deliberating on the situation, Thomas Richards and Thomas Johnson were finally chosen on February 20, 1674, to interview the Gover- nor over some possible lessening of the restrictions upon Newark's local government, but their efforts were unsuccess-
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ful. A stronger committee was chosen on March 8, 1674, as we read from the proceedings:
Being, it is thought fit we should send in Writing our Minds about pattenting to the Governor, Mr. Ward, Deacon Lawrence and Thomas Johnson are chosen to go down to Elizabeth Town and present it, and also to debate with him about that Matter. Both Mr. Piersons are desired, together with Mr. Kitchell, to draw up Matters in Short for that End.
They also were met with a rebuff. Committees were sent, however, two or three times each year, seeking redress from commands entirely out of the Puritan range of fair dealing. On March 30, 1677, "it was thought needful and agreed upon by Vote to send a Petition to the Governor and Council for a Charter, with as good Privileges as our Neigh- bors at Woodbridge have." The second purchase of land ex- tending from the foot to top of the mountain was contem- plated. "Deacon Tompkins, Mr. Kitchell and Stephen Davis are chosen (with Mr. Pierson's help) to draw up a Petition to the Governor and Council," reads another note of insistence.
When plans were completed "Mr. Ward, Mr. Johnson, Deacon Tompkins and Stephen Davis, or some of them, are chosen to present the Petition to the Governor and Council." Not waiting for official sanction, the settlers with determina- tion characteristic of their way of taking hold of problems more or less intricate, designated at the same meeting- March 30, 1677-"John Curtis and John Treat to run the West Line with the Indians, and to meet with Edward Ball and Daniel Dodd, who are chosen to run the North Line with the Indians, and to meet with others on the Mountain." Ball and Dodd, who were the town surveyors, carefully laid the lines without the aid of the surveyor-general of Elizabeth Town.
Friendly relations between town and Proprietary Govern- ments outwardly continued, however. Deputies were chosen each recurring year to attend the Assembly and the people conscientiously pursued their daily course. Problems of civil
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and religious interests in the province were hopelessly en- tangled while the government locally was strengthened. Quit- rents-produce and grain-were paid as often as the year ended. The Carteret government was, however, doomed to an early disintegration.
CHAPTER XX
UNPROFITABLE LAND SPECULATION
"THE Puritans' success in purchasing land of the In- dians may have been the lure into another acquisition of territory which, unfortunately, proved a humiliating financial loss. If they had been more thoughtful when se- curing this title to upland and meadow from the Dutch Government, ten years of worriment would have been avoided. This was the well-known New Barbadoes Neck. Captain William Sanford bought the property from the Hackensack Indians on July 4, 1668, when "all the meadows and upland," is the official description given, "lying south of a line drawn from the Hackensack to the Pesayak, seven miles north from their intersection, comprising 3,508 acres of upland and 10,000 acres of meadow, were granted to Captain William Sanford, of Newark, for twenty pounds sterling per annum in lieu of the half penny per acre."
The Indians received, in return, "170 fathoms of black wam- pum, nineteen watch coats, sixteen guns, sixty double hands of powder, ten paire breeches, sixty knives, sixty-seven barres of lead, one ankor of Brandy, three half fats of beere, eleven Blan- kets, thirty axes, twenty howes and twenty coats of duffils."
Nathaniel Kingsland, Sergeant-Major in the Island of the New Barbadoes, was later granted two-thirds of the upper part of the tract. He and his wife, Mary, were identified with the town, forsaking it, however, during the Dutch occupancy. Newark planters in 1671 cast covetous glances at this attractive property. In fact, they were overwhelmed with its acquirement and negotiations with Kingsland were in progress when the Dutch confiscated the entire estate, in the summer of 1673. The town people then grasped the oppor- tunity for bargaining with the new owners.
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It was ordered on September 6, 1673, "That a Petition should be sent to the Generals at New Orange that if it might be, We might have the Neck. Mr. Crane and Mr. Johnson are chosen to carry this Petition and treat with the Generals about the Neck."
Oh, that this resolution had not been adopted! The settlers were unconsciously drawing a net about themselves, in which they floundered in misery for a decade. Governor Anthony Colve paused in his repast of sausage and waffles when the committee visited him and expressed a desire that the Kingsland purchase be transferred to Newark. The prospects of substantial addition to the Dutch treasury placed the Gov- ernor in an affable mood. Confidentially, he informed Mr. Crane, who acted as chairman, that formal possession of the estate would be assumed in the name of the Holland Govern- ment and the sale would soon be consummated.
The Governor (also confidentially) remarked that he in- tended asking assistance of the Newark committee in dis- posing of Kingsland's livestock and other movable property. The Dutchmen were indeed most friendly and promising were the prospects for the "Neck" becoming part of town terri- tory. A proclamation was issued on October 1, 1673, accord- ing to promise, ordering the sale. This was quickly accom- plished, for the choice assortment of stock found ready pur- chasers at nominal prices. When the tract was cleared of everything portable an order of October 20, 1673, offered the real estate to the highest bidder. In its efforts to secure the prize, and aware of the forthcoming sale, Newark pledged 310 pounds (about $1,500) on October 13, 1673, one week be- fore the Dutch Commissioners' announcement.
The committee was hastily sent to New Orange upon re- ceipt of favorable reply, clothed with authority to perfect the deal, though it was hoped that an abatement in the price would be made. John Catlin and John Ward, Turner, were "chosen to go over to New Orange to buy Kingsland's Part of the Neck as Cheap as they can," was the order of town meeting. The commissioners would not dicker over terms,
4
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UNPROFITABLE LAND SPECULATION
however, the original offer was accepted, and the Kingsland estate became a part of Newark.
"It is unanimously voted and agreed by the Town" on October 25, "that every Individual Man or Planter in the Town shall by Way of proportion in Rate be engaged for the purchase of that part of the Neck which formerly belonged to Major Kingsland." The contract was to be ful- filled in three equal payments of $500 each.
"It is voted," at the meeting on Novem- ber 17, 1673, "and agreed that this Day Fortnight every Man shall bring a List of their Estate to the Meeting as is then ap- pointed for that End and there be read."
Philip Carteret's official seal
The purchase money was being paid on February 4, and twenty days later Edward Ball, John Catlin, Nathaniel Wheeler and John Baldwin, Sr., were authorized to close the deal, the first clause of town agreement reading:
That in Case Their Part shall be lost by any Claim of Kingsland or any in his Right within the space of Two Years, the Town shall be liable to return them so much of the Money as shall by that time be paid by them; they themselves bearing their Part to- gether with the Town, unless those who receive it shall repay it them.
Delivery of the deed was withheld. Rumors were per- sistent a few months later, in the spring of 1674, that the war was ending. Positive alarm was expressed on June 29, of that year, when this item was adopted:
It is voted that there shall be a Petition sent to the Governor (and Council) for the obtaining a Confirmation of our bought and paid for Lands, according to the General's promise.
Magistrate Crane and Rev. Abraham Pierson, Jr., visited the commission but obtained no satisfaction. John Brown
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was sent over on July 3, 1674, but he, too, received scant courtesy at the Dutch Headquarters.
There is a time we know not when A point we know not where, That turns the destiny of men To glory or despair.
Several months passed, war between Holland and England- France had ceased and the town was responsible for the debt of 310 pounds invested in the Kingsland estate. Desire for redress was expressed by more than one settler attending the meeting on February 20, 1674, and a proposition to lay hands upon Nicholas Bayard, Secretary of the Dutch Com- mission, was unanimously approved. Demand for restitution upon the official produced not a farthing. Dissenting voice was not heard when this was adopted:
Stephen Freeman, John Ward, and John Catlin are chosen to go over to New York and the Town doth empower these Men upon good Advice to lay an Arrest upon person and Estate of Nicholas Bayard.
Though duly placed under restraint, the official offered no recompense to the committee. Few persons have been heckled more persistently than was he, derisively spoken of as "Nick" Bayard. Another effort was made to secure the payment when it was "agreed that Mr. Bayard should be sued in Respect of recovering the Money which was paid upon account of ye Neck. Sarjant Thomas Johnson and John Ward, Turner, are chosen to prosecute this Suit upon Mr. Bayard." But there was no liquidation of accounts.
Despairingly did the planters assemble at the Meeting House on January 21, 1675, when "The Town did Volun- tarily by Vote oblige themselves to pay that money de- manded upon account of the Neck, in a Rate made according to Proportion, as they put in their Estates at the first to take up Land by." Like Banquo's Ghost, the Neck Purchase
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UNPROFITABLE LAND SPECULATION
would not down. On October 5, 1677, "it is Voted that this Money due upon the Neck Account shall be made into a Rate." Seeking the court of last resort, and with "due preparation and solemnization for it," "after lecture, 1st May, 1678, it was thought meet to send two Letters to Hol- land, one to Anthony Colve and the other to the Court of Admiralty, to seek for Reparation for our Expense about the Neck."
Failing again to secure satisfaction, and weary of the long- continued effort to rid the town of the burden, on December 19, 1681, it was "agreed that there shall be a committee of four Men from among ourselves chosen to join with four Farmers, both joining together as a Committee, to end the long Difference between the Town and them concerning the Neck Money; which eight Men shall have Liberty finally to end that Difference if they can; and if they cannot agree themselves they have Liberty mutually to choose an Umpire to be the casting Voice: and both the Town and the Farmers are engaged together, to stand what they shall do."
Kingsland was again in possession of his property, minus his livestock and other confiscated articles, and on January 1, 1681, it was "agreed by vote that the Difference between the Town and Farmers shall be ended by the Committee already chosen."
And in this way was the famous Neck purchase settled. In Newark homes on New Year's Day, March 25, 1682, fervent prayers were sent up to Almighty God that the "Neck Account" was no more.
CHAPTER XXI
THE FIRST SCHOOL
T' THE education of children greatly concerned the people in 1676. Parents noted the lack of mental equipment in their own lives, which served as an incentive for the open- ing of a school, not for the public, but at the disposal only of those households willing and able to contribute toward its maintenance. From the crude beginning, the highly organ- ized educational system of to-day has evolved. A notable procession of men and women engaged in its upholding and upbuilding has passed through the decades and centuries.
The provincial authorities granted Newark a warrant on October 31, 1676, "to lay out for the Benefit & Use of the Town of Newark land for a schoolhouse." The location, however, is not written in the town records nor is mention made of a building. The first school opened probably at the Meeting House, in 1676. Just 100 years later the boys and girls attending the old Market Street School were singing praises of liberty, the birth of the United States having been announced on July 4.
Boys and girls, six and seven years of age, pored labor- iously over the Books of Isaiah, Job, the Psalms and other parts of the Old Testament. Commendable indeed was the diligence of the child when the Bible was first read "in course," from cover to cover. Religion was taught from the earliest age. With the lisping of first prayers was also the memorizing of Scripture passages and the study of the cate- chism. Close communion with the Great Jehovah was the admonishment of parent to offspring. It was not the God of love worshipped by the Puritan, but the God of fear. Much of the natural blithesomeness of the child life was repressed in the sternness of the age.
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THE FIRST SCHOOL
Despite this fact playgrounds spread in every direction, and healthy, vigorous bodies were formed in the physical exercise of the outdoor life while the constant association with flowers, trees, birds and insect life, produced a marked influence upon the child training. Puritanism demanded, health permit- ting, that the mother rear her children. Every sign indicating an evil influence CORINTHIANS was carefully noted and corrected by parents or town minister.
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