Old Bergen: History and Reminiscences with Maps and Illustrations, Part 2

Author: Trust company of New Jersey (Jersey City)
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Jersey City, N.J. : Trust Company of New Jersey
Number of Pages: 350


USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Bergen > Old Bergen: History and Reminiscences with Maps and Illustrations > Part 2


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"OLD BERGEN."


" That they readily granted this request ; whereupon the whites took a knife and beginning at one place on this hide, cut it up into a rope not thicker than the finger of a little child, so that by the time this hide was cut up, there was a great heap. That this rope was drawn out to a great distance, and then brought round again, so that both ends might meet. That they carefully encompassed a large piece of ground. . . . That they and the whites lived for a long time contentedly together, although they asked from time to time, for more land of them ; and proceeding higher up the Mahicanituck (Hudson) River, they believed they would want all their country, which was at this time, already the case."


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Chapter IV.


SETTLEMENT OF NEW NETHERLANDS.


ALTHOUGH the East India Company did not take any immediate steps to develop or occupy the terri- tory discovered by Hudson, some of the merchants of Amsterdam, feeling that a hitherto unknown country had been opened up to the mercantile world that bade fair to rival even the Indies in the magnitude of its commercial possibilities, became deeply interested.


Hudson's Report stated that he found the soil fruit- ful, the rivers teeming with fish, and the immeasur- able forests and numerous swamps the abode of wild beasts, whose skins were greatly valued as articles of trade; in short, "that it was the most beautiful country on which you could tread with your feet. . . . The natives are good natured and the climate very nearly to ours."


This favorable account of the country aroused their enthusiasm to such an extent that, in the following year, 1610, they freighted a vessel with a variety of goods suitable for traffic with the native tribes that dwelt about the Hudson River and its vicinity. On its arrival, so great was their encouragement that a trading post was established on Manhattan Island, to facilitate trade with the Indians occupying the country round about.


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"OLD BERGEN."


In 1613, Capt. Samuel Argalls, returning to Virginia from his expedition against Acadia, discovered the small settlement of Dutch merchants on Manhattan Island-as he reported, " four houses built, and a pre- tended Dutch Governor under the West India Com- pany of Amsterdam, share or part, who kept trading boats and trucking with the Indians." He claimed the ownership of the whole territory for His Majesty of England " as part of Virginia." Hendrick Christaen, who was the opperkoopman, or superintendent of trade on the river, submitted to this asserted authority.


After the departure of Argalls, the Dutch merchants sent information to Holland of his interference, and Christaen was removed and a new superintendent sent over. The latter not only refused to pay tribute, but erected forts and " put himself in a posture of defence," and it is added "that the claim of the English being either wholly waived for the present, or but faintly pursued, they " (the Dutch) "the same year, made a firm settlement, which soon became very flourishing and populous." Fort Amsterdam was then erected, near the ground now known as the Battery, on the southern extremity of Manhattan Island.


To encourage trade, the States General issued an edict March 27, 1614, by which, "all and every, of the inhabitants who should discover any courses, havens, countries or places, should have the right to frequent them for four voyages." Under this edict five ships were fitted out by a number of merchants, and de- spatched under the direction of Adrian Block, Hen- drick Cortstiansen and Cornelius Jacobus May. They


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"OLD BERGEN."


established small trading-posts, and from them small vessels explored the neighboring bays and creeks. The prospect of trade with the new territory being encouraging, the early pioneers united themselves into a trading company, and made application to the States General for a charter which would give them a monopoly of traffic in that region. This was granted under the name of the United New Netherlands Com- pany, October 11, 1614, and the unoccupied region of America lying between Virginia and Canada, was designated as the New Netherlands. They thus be- came possessed of the right to trade exclusively in this territory, including the region along the Hudson. They at once despatched vessels suitably laden for the purpose of trading with the Indians, and built forts and established trading posts at New Amster- dam and up the Hudson.


Block and May appear to have returned shortly after to Holland, to render an account of their discov- eries, and obtain if possible the privilege of exclusive trade. Christansen, who remained in this country, determined to secure any advantage that might be obtained. He went up the Hudson and erected a rude fortification on an island near the west bank below Albany, which was called Fort Orange ; and leaving some of the company here, he returned with the remainder to Fort Amsterdam, which, as stated, was situated near the mouth of the river on the Island of Manhattan.


It must be remembered that these early settlements were the result of private enterprise, and instituted by


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"OLD BERGEN."


a private corporation, organized under the auspices of the home government, but only nominally protected by it. The Company's headquarters was established at New Amsterdam, and the records relating to the territory were kept there. These early records re- lated mostly to trading operations in general, and con- sequently detailed accounts concerning any particular territory are not to be found. It is safe to assume, however, that the territory on the west bank of the Hudson opposite the trading center, was just as important in its relation to the traffic of that day as it is at present, when the bulk of the wealth of this vast country is poured out at its wharves.


Chapter V.


SETTLEMENT OF NEW NETHERLANDS CONTINUED.


IN the spring of 1623, the first permanent coloniza- tion of the New Netherlands was attempted, under the authority of the Dutch West India Company, the successor of the New Netherlands Company. They sent a company of thirty families of Walloons under the superintendence of Cornelius May, before spoken of, who arrived at the mouth of the Hudson in May, 1623. Some of . them were located on Manhattan Island, to take possession there on behalf of the West India Company. Several families were sent for a like service to Long Island, and the balance to Fort Orange.


Manhattan Island, from its location, soon became the chief shipping port, and on the opposite or west bank of the river a small redoubt was thrown up, the immediate object in view being to secure the safe prosecution of traffic with the native tribes. This is the first positive evidence of any attempt at settle- ment in what is now Hudson County, although there is a belief that there was some kind of a trading post here contemporary with, or about the time of, the Dutch settlement in New York, in 1613. Whether it became permanent, or was only resorted to from time to time for the purpose of bartering with the Indians,


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"OLD BERGEN."


is not positively known, although O'Callaghan's " Doc- umentary Ilistory of New York" alludes to a settle- ment about this time. In a few years the trade with the natives was greatly extended, covering the whole country, even to the lakes.


On February 12, 1620, application was made on be- half of the "Brownists" for permission to found a colony in the New Netherlands. These were the Puritans who. were driven from England by religious persecution during the reign of Elizabeth, and who reached Amsterdam in 1608. The next year they went to Leyden, and remained there eleven years. Having flourished and increased in numbers, they desired to teach the faith of the Cross to the savages, and to colonize a new empire on the shores of the Hudson under the auspices and protection of the Prince of Orange.


The statesmen of Holland were more ambitious in their designs, and rejected the petition of the Brown- ists, preferring that a great and powerful monopoly should grow up, whose concentrated wealth and energy should not only assist in the colonization of the New World, but be a powerful ally in any con- troversy with outside nations. The Brownists there- upon directed their course to the New England shores instead of the New Netherlands, landing at . Plymouth Rock, December 21, 1620. The " Pilgrims," by this refusal, became the founders of New England, instead of, as was their intention, imparting their sturdy qualities to the territory about the Hudson.


May was made the first Director of the infant


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"OLD BERGEN."


colony, and his administration continued throughout the year 1624. The advantages of the country being now favorably known, other vessels with settlers arrived ; and in 1625 the colony had increased to two hundred souls. May was succeeded by William Van Hulst as second Director. His administration, like- wise, lasted only one year, and at the expiration of his time he returned to Holland. The West India Com- pany now despatched Peter Minuit, of Wesel, to assume the chief command, as their third Director.


Up to 1626 the Dutch held their possessions only by right of occupation and discovery, but after many controversies with the Indians, the rights of the origi- nal owners were recognized, and they determined to purchase the territory from them. Shortly after Minuit's arrival, he opened negotiations with the sav- ages, and concluded a treaty which conveyed the whole Island of Manhattan, about 22,000 acres of land, to the Dutch for the sum of sixty guilders, about $24 in our money. A fort was staked out at the southern end of the island, and houses were built, among them a stone building with thatched roof, for the Company's counting-house.


The States General, recognizing the great danger arising from controversies among the different bodies of settlers, determined early upon a fixed and uniform government, and consequently in 1629 established articles of order and government, that should be gener- ally recognized in the different settlements. They authorized the various departments of the West India Company to appoint a Council of nine persons, who


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" OLD BERGEN."


should have general authority and command over all the settlements in the New Netherlands. Local gov- ernments were formed under the Schout and Schepens, and Krankbesoechers, or "Comforters of the Sick," who on Sundays read to the people portions of the Scriptures, and the Creed.


Chapter VI.


DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED.


IT is interesting to note, as illustrative of the char- acteristics of the early Dutch settlers, an extract from a letter of George Bradford, Governor of New Ply- mouth. He says: "About Midmarch we received message from the Governor of the Dutch plantation, dated from the Manhattas, in the Fort Amsterdam, March 9, 1627. They " (the Dutch) "had traded in these northern parts, divers years after our coming. In their letter, they congratulate us on our prosperous, and praiseworthy undertaking, and government of our colony, with the presentation of their good will, and service to us, in all friendly kindness and good neigh- borhood ; offer us any of their goods, that may be ser- viceable to us, declare they shall take themselves, bound to accommodate, and help us with them for any wares we are pleased to deal for."


In response, Governor Bradford sent a letter of appreciation of the kindly offers, and signified his graceful acceptance ; "alluding likewise to the hospi- table asylum, afforded to the Pilgrimns in Holland, when compelled to fly from the intolerant bigotry of their native land." The harmonious relations of the two colonies, thus amicably established, continued for many years, to their mutual advantage.


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"OLD BERGEN."


Notwithstanding these seemingly amicable relations, the fact remains that the growing prosperity of the Dutch excited a fear in the minds of their English neighbors lest their shrewd business tact and enter- prise should overshadow them, and in time the Dutch become the recognized masters of the New World. As will be seen afterward, this led to the forcible attempt of the English government to displace and drive out the intruders, as they were considered from the English standpoint.


The previous occupation by the English of Virginia, and their successful development of its territory, in connection with their efforts from time to time to effect settlements within the jurisdiction of the New Netherlands, led the States General to make overtures to the British government to join with them and unite the trade of the two countries. These were rejected for the reason, as stated by an English statesman, " that in case of joining, if it be upon equal terms, the art and industry of their people, will wear out ours," a commentary upon the esteem in which the early Dutch settlers were held even at this date.


Previous to 1629, the Company did not secure much profit, on account of the heavy expenditures incurred in establishing and maintaining the settle- ments. In order, therefore, to incite private enterprise, and effect the more rapid development of the country, they offered special privileges to such of their own number as should within four years plant a colony of fifty adults in any part of New Netherlands, other than Manhattan Island. They should be recognized


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"OLD BERGEN."


and acknowledged as Patroons, and have full control of and right to the territory assigned to them. This offer occasioned considerable strife and competition among the members of the Company, and the game of " freeze out" was played with as much shrewdness and vigor as at the present day. Some of the members thus secured possession of the choicest sections of land, to the detriment and loss of their less fortunate fellows. According to the complaints made, " some of the Directors helped themselves by the cunning tricks of the merchants, and made most advantageous selections, to the exclusion of others." This caused much dissatisfaction and jealousy, and led to fierce and open discussion. Through the pressure of public opinion, the fortunate Directors were compelled to relinquish their ill-gotten holdings, and re-convey their selections to the Company.


Chapter VII.


SETTLEMENT OF OLD BERGEN.


AMONG those who secured allotments under these privileges was Michael Pauw, Burgomaster of Amster- dam, and Lord of Achtienhoven, near Utrecht. By patent dated November 22, 1630, he obtained, with other lands, the plots "Aharsimus and Arresick, extending along the River Mauritius " (one of the early names of the Hudson), "and Island Manhatta on the east side, and the Island Hoboken Hacking on the north, and surrounded by marshes serving sufficiently for distinct boundaries." Pauw thus became invested with the title to the greater part of the territory now known as Hudson County, which was called Pavonia after him. Pauw never complied with the conditions of his grant, yet he assumed ownership, and held on to the property with grim determination. He must have energetically and successfully developed his holdings, for but two years later, in 1632, when Minuit was recalled, we find in the Reports, "that the Boueries and Plantations on the west side of the River, were in a prosperous condition."


Jan Evertsen Bout, who arrived June 17, 1634, became superintendent for Pauw, and settled at Communipau. He continued as his representative, bartering and trafficking with the Indians, etc., until


"OLD BERGEN." . 27


he was succeeded by Cornelis Van Vorst, in 1636, who took up his residence at Aharsimus. He became of considerable importance during the early history of the colony. In 1641 he was one of the twelve selected to consult and advise with the Governor and Council, to effect a settlement of the


K


VAN VORST'S BOVERIE.


Indian difficulties ; and he was one of the "Eight men " in 1643, and one of the " Nine men " in 1647 and 1650.


It is related that on one occasion Dominie Bogardus, Governor Van Twiller and Captain De Vries came to Pavonia, and were entertained by Van Vorst with old-fashioned Dutch hospitality. After


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"OLD BERGEN."


indulging freely in the good things offered by their host, they took leave of him, full of enthusiasm by reason of their generous entertainment. As they embarked, Van Vorst, wishing to show his appreciation of their kindly feeling, ordered a parting salute to be fired. The wadding of the gun, falling on the thatched roof of his house, set it on fire, and not- withstanding his vigorous efforts, it was burned to the ground.


Complaints against Pauw, as one of the original officers of the Company who had taken advantage of his position, to secure the most valuable of the Company's holdings, continued to be brought forward. He was charged with having usurped the rights of others, and claiming ownership of his property without a shadow of right, for he had never complied with the requirements of the Company's grant. Pauw, however, positively refused to surrender his holdings. He seems to have been proof against all criticism and attack, and held on to his claim with Dutch tenacity. Finally, the feeling against him became so intense that on December 17, the Assembly of the Nine (the governing power) called him to account, and after much bargaining purchased his colony for 26,000 florins, or about $10,000.


Chapter VIII.


SETTLEMENT OF OLD BERGEN CONTINUED.


ON the recall of Minuit, in 1632, Wouter Van Twiller was appointed Director General, and arrived at New Amsterdam in the spring of 1633. His administration seems to have been singularly unfor- tunate ; he was wanting in executive ability, being unable to control or direct others. He was finally removed, and was succeeded by William Kieft, in 1637.


Kieft was a politician of the more advanced type, whose peculiar talents would have received instant recognition in this present century. He was very energetic, with unbounded confidence in his own opinion and judgment, and but little respect for the advice of others. On his arrival he found matters in an unsatisfactory state, a general demoralization prevailing. He at once organized a Council, of which he retained entire control, and granted many favors, in the shape of offices and lands, by this means surrounding himself with obsequious and unscrupulous advisers, who were not only willing but eager, to support and advocate any measures that were pleasing to him. He was thus enabled to govern the colonies in an arbitrary manner, and ruled


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" OLD BERGEN."


all with an iron hand. Being authorized to make all necessary expenditures and improvements at the fur-trading centers, he built extensive works at Manhatta, and ordered two houses to be built at Pavonia. One was built at Aharsimus (near Hender- son and 5th streets), and occupied by Cornelis Van Vorst, and the other at Communipau by Jan Evertsen Bout.


The property occupied by Bout, when he was superintendent of Pauw, was, on the acquisition of the same by the Company, leased to him for six years from June 20, 1638, "at a yearly rent of one- fourth of the crops, whether of corn or produce, and every year two tuns of strong Beer, and twelve Capons free of expense." The property was described as follows: "A piece of land lying on the North River westward from Fort Amsterdam, before there pastured, and tilled by Jan Evertsen, named Gamoenapoeu, and Jan de Lacher's Hoeck " (so named from the occupant who was called John the Laugher, because of his mirth-loving propensities), " with the meadows as the same lay without the post and rail fence, containing 84 morgens." This is the property known as Communipaw, signifying Pauw's community, or settlement, comprising the territory south of the Mill Creek Point. Bout leased the land near Mill Creek Point to Egbert Wouterson, who resided there with his family.


Kieft's first conveyance of land in what is now Hud- son County, was to Abraham Isaacsen Verplanck, dated May 1, 1638, of a tract at Paulus Hoeck, situa-


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" OLD BERGEN."


ted westward of the Island of Manhatta, and eastward of Aharsimus, extending from the North River into the valley, which runs around it there. The plot of ground now known as Hoboken was leased by Kieft to Aert Teunisen Van Putten, for twelve years from January 1, 1641, at a rental of the " fourth sheaf with which God Almighty shall favor the field." He formed here a bouerie, and erected a brew house. Thus was established an industry that has been successfully prosecuted at this place down to the present time.


Although Van Putten was killed by Indians in 1643, and his bouerie destroyed, the brew house remained standing. February 5, 1663, this property was granted by Gov. Stuyvesant to Nicholas Verlett, who settled before 1656 on a tract called Hobuck. His title was confirmed by Gov. Carteret by a new grant, May 12, 1 668.


In 1641, Myndert Meyndertson was Patroon over a colony from Newark Bay to Tappan. With the ex- ception of a bouerie west of Cavan Point, occupied by Dirck Straatmaker, these seem to have been the only settlements in what was the territory of Bergen, in 1643. What is now known as Jersey City Heights was covered with dense forests and frequented by native tribes and wild beasts, with possibly one or two clear- ings used for the cultivation of maize by the Indians ; while in place of the crowded tenements and teeming industries of lower Jersey City, there were three islands or mounds, surrounded by lagoons and marshes, which at high tide, were covered with the water of the bay. One of these mounds was located in the territory south


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"OLD BERGEN."


of York Street and east of Warren, and contained the trading post and fort of early days, already alluded to, and was afterward, in the Revolutionary times, the site of the battle of Paulus Hook. Another was located west of Barrow Street and between York Street and Railroad Avenue, extending to about the present line of Monmouth Street ; while the third was the site in early days of Van Vorst's bouerie, where Dominie Bogardus and his friends were entertained, extending from about the present 6th Street to above Hamilton Square, and east of Cole Street to about Henderson.


Paulus Hook (hook meaning point) was the name by which in early days the southeasternmost section of Jersey City was known. Its name was due to the fact that one Michael Paulaz was stationed there by the West India Company to protect its interests.


De Vries states in his account of his voyages that, as he was about to return to Amsterdam (May, 1633), " coming to the boat on Long Island, night came on and the tide began to turn, so that we rowed to Pavonia; we were there well received by Michael Paulaz, an officer in the service of the Company."


Chapter IX.


THE NATIVE INHABITANTS.


THE native tribes found here by the early settlers were originally of very simple habits, but dominated greatly by their animal instincts. They were faithful to their friends, but vindictive and treacherous to any whom they regarded as enemies, and quick to resent any real or fancied injustice. They were a roving people, and their chief support came from hunting and fishing. They quickly perceived the advantage of trading with the whites, and had their treatment been more in accord with the requirements of civilization, much of the subsequent bloodshed might have been avoided. Free as the air they breathed, and accus- tomed to look upon the forests and rivers as means of furnishing themselves with food and traffic, they felt an ownership in them that would not brook outside interference. So when they saw the intruders gradually absorbing their territory and restricting their accus- tomed freedom, they felt a natural resentment, which was increased, not only by the unreasonableness of Governor Kieft's demands, but also by their unjust treatment in the matter of traffic. It is said that in bargaining with the Indians, a Dutchman's hand weighed one pound and his foot two, so that in some mysterious way it was made to appear that, no matter


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"OLD BERGEN."


what the size of the Indian's bundle of peltry, its weight never exceeded the latter figure.


In the main, the desire of the carly settlers seems to have been to treat the Indians with fairness and con- sideration, recompensing them for their property, and treating with them on an honorable footing. But un- fortunately, as is always the case when new enterprises of the kind are attempted, unscrupulous men and adventurers were among the number, who, actuated and controlled simply by the desire of gain, disre- garded the rights of the Indians, and by their unjust dealing awakened within them all their savage in- stincts. The unscrupulous treatment of them by Governor Kieft was for the greater part, if not entirely, the cause of the general outbreaks. Individual instan- ces of injustice no doubt there were, that deserved summary treatment ; but that whole tribes should unite in a war of extermination, was doubtless directly traceable to his unjust demands and double dealing.


Thus Kieft, by his injudicious treatment of the Indians, soon incurred their hostility. Although their savage nature and close proximity should have suggested constant watchfulness on the part of the settlers, Kieft, blinded by an undue sense of his own importance, treated them as if in fact they were his own subjects. He demanded of them a tribute of maize, furs and wampum, and when they demurred, threatened to employ all the force at his command to enforce his demands. This harsh treatment exaspera- ted them, and henceforth the whole region was the scene of frequent outbreaks and difficulties. We




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