USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Bergen > Old Bergen: History and Reminiscences with Maps and Illustrations > Part 11
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Dr. Taylor says that in 1828 he heard some of his parishioners "speaking of their school days, when they and their mates were busied with their lessons in Dutch and English, using principally the Psalter and New Testament, and rather dreading the day for the good old Dominie's catechise." The sermons were di- vided into heads with mathematical precision, and each head again subdivided into as many parts as the analytical mind of the old dominie suggested.
The music, no inconsiderable part of the service, at least in volume of sound, was just as vexatious a prob-
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"OLD BERGEN."
lem to determine as at the present time. The choir, unlimited as to numbers, grouped about the leader, and pitched their voices to the sound of his tuning fork; and the strains of "Dundee," "China," " An- tioch," and " Coronation " echoed and reechoed, with no uncertain sound. At the suggestion of some un- regenerate one, it was decided to add some instru- ment as an aid to the music. Whereupon a melodeon was procured and surreptitiously placed in the church. So flagrant was the offence, that it was deemed a proper subject for consistorial action ; and after proper deliberation, the following resolution was adopted : " Whereas at the instance of some un- known Person or Persons, a Melodeon was placed in the Church without the consent of the Consistory ; now, therefore, Be it Resolved, that such Melodeon be allowed to remain."
The communion service was always a specially solemn occasion. A long table, covered with a snow- white cloth, was spread across the end of the church, and around this the communicants in turn seated themselves, to partake of the sacred elements, and listen to the words of encouragement and admonition from their loved pastor.
Up to about 1830, the Reformed Dutch Church at Bergen was the only building used for religious wor- ship in the township, and was resorted to by the wor- shippers from the outlying farms, from Bergen Point to New Durham ; even after the growth of population de- manded additional accommodation for church services in other sections, many of the older residents con-
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"OLD BERGEN."
tinued their connection with the old congregation, and their attendance upon the services in the old church ; and on summer mornings could be seen the sturdy burghers trudging to service, with coat on arm, and smoking the consolatory pipe. As they met, both before and after services, neighborhood matters were talked over, and the results of the season's plant- ing predicted. Questions of Church and State were sometimes so vigorously discussed, especially just be- fore a change of administration, that no little effort was required to curb their earnestness. However, at the tolling of the bell, all wrangling ceased, and with devout mien, they filed into the church, and taking their accustomed places, adjusted themselves in the most comfortable position, ready to receive the spirit- ual food prepared for their needs.
Chapter XLI.
OTHER CHURCHES.
EPISCOPAL.
CONSIDERABLE space has been devoted to matters connected with the old Dutch church at Bergen, not only because it was the first church organized, but likewise for the reason that under the old order of things it was so closely connected with the civic and social as well as religious conditions then existing. As has been stated, with the growth of the commun- ity came demands for other church accommodations, and to meet these, churches were established in rapid succession.
Probably the first church organization in old Jersey City was St. Matthew's Protestant Episcopal Society. The first service was held in the upper room of the old Town Hall in 1809 or '10, and on invitation New York clergymen occasionally officiated there. Dr. E. D. Barry afterward became rector, and the worship was continued regularly until the completion of their church building-which is still standing-on Sussex Street near Warren.
The opportunity for the erection of this building came when the Jersey Associates offered a plot of ground 100 feet square, to such religious denomina-
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"OLD BERGEN."
tions as would erect a building thereon within a given time. This offer was taken advantage of by the Episcopal, Presbyterian, Catholic and Methodist per- suasions, and if the map of Jersey City be examined, it will be seen that a strip of land extending from Sussex to York Streets was donated in accordance with such offer, and is still so occupied by the respective denominations, with the exception of the Presbyteri- ans, whose church passed into the hands of the Dutch Reformed, as related elsewhere.
St. Matthew's Society, having received a bequest of $500, was enabled to commence building, and on the 22d of October, 1831, Dr. Barry laid the corner-stone. Through all the changes that have occurred in lower Jersey City, St. Matthew's still survives, and services are regularly held in the venerable edifice.
Sept. 10, 1851, the Church of the Holy Trinity was organized in old Hudson City, in the school build- ing then standing at St. Paul's and Central Avenues. Gen. E. R. Wright was one of the moving spirits of this enterprise, and associated with him were Thomas Aldridge, Thomas Harrison, David H. Griffith, William Thomas, Jared W. Graves, John Aldridge and James Montgomery. Oct. 8th the first public service was held in the school-house above alluded to, and on Dec. Ioth the same year, the corner-stone of the present building was laid by Rt. Rev. Bishop Doane. In July, 1853, the building was duly consecrated, and Rev. W. R. Guis became temporary rector. At the present writing (1902) a modern and substantial edifice is being erected for this congregation on the corner of
"OLD BERGEN." 197
Summit and Pavonia Avenues, the present property having been disposed of.
A number of the communicants of Holy Trinity residing in what was known as South Bergen, that is, the region south of Montgomery Street, because of the increase of population in that territory, saw a favorable opportunity for the organization of a new church. Accordingly services were instituted in a small school- house on Gardner Avenue, and in 1860 the congrega- tion was organized as St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church. Jno. S. Sutphen and Elizur Ward were elected wardens, and S. D. Harrison, John M. Cor- nelison, Barberie Throckmorton, Thomas James, Chris- topher H. Fash, John Rudderow, William P. Bleecker, and Edmund Baldwin, vestrymen.
Rev. F. C. Putnam entered upon his duties as rec- tor, October, 1860. In 1861 a building was erected in Duncan Avenue, followed by the present enlarged and commodious church, which is still occupied by the congregation.
CATHOLIC.
Although there were but few Catholics in old Jersey City at the time of the offer of the Jersey Associates, they determined if possible to secure the advantage of it. After obtaining pledges from the greater number of those residing there, they secured the ground and appealed to their brother Catholics in New York for assistance. Bishop Dubois, at a service held in St. Patrick's Cathedral in that city, urged that assistance be given to the "poor Catholics of Paulus
-
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"OLD BERGEN."
Hook," and closed his appeal with the following words : " Now all you that will go over there, and aid them to prepare the ground, and help them to begin in the erection of their church, hold up your right hands." Instantly the hand of every male member in the church was raised. The ferry company had promised to convey over without charge all those who would help in the work, and the next day between two and three hundred horses and carts and a large number of men with picks and shovels, wended their way over the ferry, and the filling in of the ground for old St. Peter's (now Aloysius Hall) was enthusiastically begun.
The corner-stone was laid by Bishop Dubois in 1831, but the difficulties encountered were so great that the first mass was not celebrated until 1837. The build- ing was dedicated in 1839, and Rev. William Mahan was the first pastor, followed at short intervals by others until 1844, when Rev. Father Kelly was duly installed as pastor of St. Peter's, and continued as such up to the time of his death, April 28, 1866.
Father Kelly was very closely identified with the early growth of old Jersey City. Quiet and indus- trious in his habits, modest and unassuming in manner, and yet firm in his adherence to right, and at all times inculcating an honest, upright line of conduct, his name became a household word, and his memory is still fragrant in the minds of those who knew him.
METHODIST,
The Methodist persuasion likewise initiated pro-
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"OLD BERGEN."
ceedings to secure their share of the offered gift of the Associates.
At this time the whole territory now known as Ber- gen and Hudson Counties was included in one circuit, and as was customary, missionary work was done by " circuit riders," faithful men who were ready to endure any privation in order to advance the interests of their faith. The old hymn aptly describes their condition.
" No foot of land do I possess, No cottage in the wilderness: A poor wayfaring man, I lodge awhile in tents below, And gladly wander to and fro, Till I my Canaan gain."
A nucleus was gathered, and the property on the south side of York Street adjoining in the rear the plot mentioned above as occupied by the Catholics, was secured. A building was erected in 1835, and Dr. Mc- Clintock became the first pastor. Like its neighbor, St. Matthew's, it has withstood all the changes in its neighborhood, and continues regular services at this date.
Elder George Banghart, long a presiding elder of the Philadelphia Conference, was the first to promulgate the doctrines of Methodism in old Hudson City. He is described as a "short, broad-shouldered and deep- chested man, with a loud, clear voice," and was well calculated from a physical standpoint to withstand the persecution and opposition to which he was subjected. He preached at stated times in the old school-house
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" OLD BERGEN."
on Bergenwood Avenue, and the first class was formed in 1841, with James Jacobus as leader. The Simpson Methodist Episcopal Church was organized, and meet- ings continued in this place for three years, when a plot of ground on Cook Street was purchased, and a building erected, which was used until the present building in Central Avenue was finished in 1857. This was then occupied, and still remains the church home of the congregation. The property on Cook Street was sold to the city, and was for some time occupied as a City Hall.
PRESBYTERIAN.
In 1809 a Presbyterian Society was formed in old Jersey City, and held services in the Town Hall alter- nately with the Episcopal congregation for some years. A Presbyterian church was organized Dec. 15, 1825, and in 1828 a frame building was erected on the plot of ground on the south side of Grand Street, allotted to them by the Associates under the terms before mentioned, which was occupied by them until it became the property of the Dutch Reformed Church as already stated.
Presbyterianism appears to have languished in this section for some years, for there seems to have been no movement in this direction until about 1840. April 22, 1844, the "First Presbyterian Church of Jersey City " was organized, and the first services held in the First Reformed Church building above alluded to. Shortly afterward the First Presbyterian Church was erected on the corner of Sussex and Washington
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"OLD BERGEN."
Streets. This building was composed of the identical stone taken from the " stone steepled meeting house " that stood on the north side of Wall Street, New York City. The material of this building was so carefully marked and removed, that, when brought over; it was replaced so that the church was rebuilt on the exact model of, and presented the same appearance as, the original building. The Rev. Jno. Johnston was the first pastor. The old congregation has long since dis- persed ; many have died, others moved away, and those remaining in the vicinity have united with other churches, the majority of those remaining with the First Presbyterian Church on Emory Street. In 1885 the building was torn down to make room for modern improvements, so that all traces have been obliterated.
In 1855 the need was felt for a Presbyterian church on what is now Jersey City Heights, which, through the energy of John G. Parker and those associated with him, soon crystallized into a movement for the organization of a new society. A number gathered in response to Mr. Parker's invitation, and the first meeting was held in a school building on Storm Avenue. Sept. 16, 1856, Rev. Jas. B. Bonar preached. Oct. 13, 1856, John G. Parker and Orrin H. Crosby applied to the Presbytery of New York for permission to organize a Presbyterian church. Their request was granted, and Oct. 24th the congregation met in the school-house, when twenty-four persons were duly constituted the "First Presbyterian Church of Ber- gen." Rev. J. G. Craighead, Alexander Bonnell,
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"OLD BERGEN."
Henry Dusenberry, and Orrin H. Crosby, were the in- corporators.
Rev. J. G. Craighead, John G. Parker, Jacob M. Merseles, John Raymond, Alexander Bonnell, James C. McBirney, and Elisha Bliss, Jr., constituted the board of trustees, and Messrs. Parker and Crosby were elected elders, and Richard H. Westervelt and Robert D. Wynkoop, deacons.
Edward W. French preached as a supply from Sept. 28, 1856, to Nov. 19, 1856, when he accepted a call as regular pastor and was installed by the Presby- tery in the school-house Jan. 15, 1857. Sept. 16, 1857, the corner stone of the building was laid on property acquired on Emory Street east of Bergen Avenue, and Oct. 28, 1858, the church was dedicated.
Owing to the growth of the congregation through the disbandment of the old church in lower Jersey City, and increase of population, the need of greater ac- commodation was felt, and the building was enlarged ; it has recently been redecorated and improved, and is to-day one of the most attractive church buildings in the city.
Chapter XLII.
SCHOOLS.
As has been stated, the education of the young was considered by the early settlers as of equal importance with instruction in and observance of their religious doctrines. Accordingly, in very early times efforts were made to secure suitable instructors.
The first schoolmaster was Engelbert Stuynhuysen, who was licensed October 6, 1662. He was engaged as voorleser, or clerk, with the express stipulation that he, besides this function, was to act as school- master. He was a tailor by trade, and came from Soest, the second city in Westphalia, arriving at New Amsterdam April 25, 1659, in the Moesman, Capt. Jacob Jansen. He also represented Bergen in the Landtag, in 1664, and signed the oath of allegiance to Charles II., with other inhabitants of Bergen, on November 22, 1665.
E. Stuynhuysen received a deed of sundry parceis of land in and about the town of Bergen, from Philip Carteret, July 22, 1670. The land comprised seven lots, amounting to about one hundred and fifty acres. So that we may rightly understand what was required of the clerk, it may be well to refer to a resolution passed by consistory in later years. Disputes having arisen concerning the duties of the clerk, it was de-
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"OLD BERGEN."
cided : " He is to perform the services in the congre- gation both in the church and at funerals, as has been usual among us. That is to say, he is to read a chap- ter in the Holy Bible, the Law, and the Creed, and to sing on the Sabbath, and also when divine service is performed on week days ; also, in case of any death in the congregation, he is to deliver the invitations, and shall also provide the gauze at the expense of the consistory, and put it on the chandelier, as soon as the evening service is discontinued every year. (For which he is to be paid fifteen guilders yearly and to charge F4.50 for funeral of each grown person, and proportionately for children.)"
As Stuynhuysen owned his house and lot and double farm, he was required " to act well in his capac- ity as clerk, not only, but even to look out, and pro- cure himself, a proper and convenient place in which to keep school." To this he objected, and likewise to paying tax of any kind, on the ground that, as schoolmaster and clerk, he was exempt, and that the community should provide a place suitable for such purpose. The matter was submitted to the Schout and Schepens, constituting the government of Bergen, who decreed that he should serve out his contract.
A memorial dated December 17, 1663, was presented to the Governor General and Council at New Nether- lands as follows : "Shew reverently, the Sheriff and your Commission of the Village of Bergen, which they presume is known to your Honors, that before the election of the new Commissioners, ye were solicited by Michael Jansen, deceased, to be favored with the
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" OLD BERGEN."
appointment of a clerk (voorleser), who should at the same time keep school to instruct the youth, the per- son of Engelbert Stuynhuysen, who possessed the required abilities, so is, that the Sheriff and Commis- sion now a year past proposed it to the Community ; who then approved it, and resolved to engage him, not only as Clerk, but with the express stipulation, that he besides this function, was to keep school, which the aforesaid Stuynhuysen agreed to do, and did so, during five quarters of a year, for which, was allowed him two hundred and fifty florins in seawant annually, besides some other stipulation, the school money so as reason and equity shall demand.
" Now so is, that the aforesaid E. Stuynhuysen, whereas he has a lot and house and a double farm, situated in the jurisdiction of the Village of Bergen, is, by which the aforesaid E. Stuynhuysen considers himself highly aggrieved, and so resigned his office, pretending that a Schoolmaster and Clerk ought to be exempt from all taxes and burthens of the Village, which he says is the common practice through the whole Christian world, which by the Sheriff and Com- mission, is understood, that only can take place when such clerk, or schoolmaster, does not possess anything else but the school warf, but by no means, when the schoolmaster is in possession of a house and lot and double farm ; that he in such a case, should pay notli- ing from his lot and lands, and the Community at large is of the same opinion, as he receives his salary as Clerk, and not only is obliged to act well in his capacity as Clerk, but even to look out and procure a
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"OLD BERGEN."
convenient place to keep school, which he has thus far neglected, and pretends that the Community must effect this, so that he may keep his school in it.
" They cannot perceive how E. Stuynhuysen can be permitted to resign his office, when he neglected to notify his intention one-half year before. Where- fore the supplicants address themselves to your Hon- ors, humbly soliciting them to insinuate to the aforesaid Engelbert Stuynhuysen, to continue in the service the second year, and to declare if the afore- said Engelbert Stuynhuysen is not obliged by his possession of lot and farm, to provide for the mainte- nance of a soldier as well as other inhabitants." The petition was granted and Stuynhuysen admonished to continue to the end of his term. As his term of engagement was for two years, it is safe to say that the first school-house was built shortly after its ter- mination, in 1664.
It is evident that Stuynhuysen ceased to act as voorleser about the same time, for the old records of later years state that " B. Van Giesen was buried May 15, 1707, after having filled the office of voorleser at Bergen, for about forty-two years." According to this, Van Giesen entered upon the duties of his office in 1665.
In Carteret's Charter, dated September 22, 1668, is this stipulation : " The Freeholders shall have power to choose their own minister, for the preaching of the Word of God, and being so chosen, all persons as well as the inhabitants, are to contribute according to their estates and for the maintenance, or lay out such a
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"OLD BERGEN."
proportion of land, for the minister, and the keeping of a free school, for the education of youth, as they shall think fit, which land being once laid out, is not to be alienated, but to remain and continue, from one in- cumbent to another, free from paying any rent, or any other rate, or taxes whatsoever."
As the population increased, new settlements were formed at inconvenient distances from Bergen, and their people rebelled against paying any taxes for the support of the school, when they were too far away to be benefited. Whereupon "The Schout and Magistrates of the Town of Bergen, requesting that the inhabitants of all the settlements dependent upon them, of what religious persuasion soever they may be, shall be bound to pay their share toward the sup- port of the Precentor and Schoolmaster, and which, being taken into consideration by the Governor and Council, it is ordered, that all the said inhabitants, without any exception, shall, pursuant to the Resolu- tion of the Magistrates of the Town of Bergen, dated December 18, 1672, and subsequent confirmation, pay their share for the support of said Precentor and Schoolmaster." Dated December 24, 1673.
May 24, 1674, the Schouts complaining that some of the inhabitants still obstinately refused to pay quota for the support of the precentor and school- master, the Governor General and Council ordered the Schout to proceed to immediate execution against all unwilling debtors.
Although supported by direct tax, the school was · under the direct supervision and control of the church.
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" OLD BERGEN."
The consistory appointed the schoolmaster, who was required, in addition to ordinary instruction in the elementary branches of education, to hear the cate- chism, and at stated times to receive the pastor and elders of the church, when all the pupils were to be catechised and instructed in the truths of religion ; and no person could be appointed to this office, unless he solemnly promised to instruct the children com- mitted to his care in the Principles contained in the Church Standard. It is probable, in the very early days, that the same building served for both church and school, and was likely the one referred to before as having been erected at Tuers Avenue and Vroom Street ; but it is well settled that in after years, at least one, or perhaps two, buildings were erected on the present school plot at Bergen Square.
When disputes arose concerning the titles to lands, a commission was appointed to determine the matter, who reported in 1764, that they had regard to the right and allotment due the church and free school, " as in said Charter specified and confirmed, and set off and allotted the sundry lots of land hereinafter described." One of the confirmations and allotments made as stated, was the plot located on Bergen Square where School No. II now stands. It would seem from the recent translation of Veerstag, that the second schoolhouse was located on this plot as early as May 11, 1708.
The Records state : "On Tuesday, May 11, 1708, Matheus Bensum has made a beginning with the new schoolhouse, and commenced with the foundation, and
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" OLD BERGEN."
Andrien Vermeulen laid the corner stone ; " and the following entry would indicate that many of the citizens of Bergen aided the good work by donating materials :
" Johannis Michielse, Io loads stone,
Cornelis Blinkerhof, IO
Maritje Hartmans, 10
Johannis Thomasse, 5
Fredrick Thomasse,
I
clay,
Uldrich Brouwer,
4
stone,
Johannis Pouwelsie, 8
3
clay,
Matheus De Mott,
I
stone,
66
IO
66
clay,
Jacob Jacobse Van Winkle, 5 66
..
5
stone,
Robert Seggelse,
I
clay,
Jan Lubberse, 5
sand,
I
clay,
66
I
6
lime."
This building was probably occupied until the ercc- tion of the Columbian Academy, in 1790.
On October 30, 1793, an act was passed called, “ An Act for the establishing of Schoolmasters within the Province." Its preamble recites, that " the cultivation of learning and good manners tends greatly to the good and benefit of mankind." The act authorized the inhab- itants of each township to meet together and choose three men, whose duty it should be to make a rate for the salary and maintaining of a schoolmaster with- in the said township, for as long a time as they should
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" OLD BERGEN."
think fit ; and it provided that the consent and agree- ment of the major part of the inhabitants should bind and oblige the remaining part to satisfy and pay their share of said rate, and that the goods and chattels of persons refusing or neglecting to pay were to be dis- trained and sold. This seems to have been the begin- ning of the school trustee system, and it may mark the time when the School passed from under the government of the Church.
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Chapter XLIII.
COLUMBIAN ACADEMY.
ABOUT 1790, by virtue of an act of incorporation, " The Trustees of the Bergen Columbian Academy " took possession of the school lot, and erected thereon the building that in those days attained great promi- nence. It was a noted institution, and many prominent men of bygone days received instruction within its walls.
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