Old Bergen: History and Reminiscences with Maps and Illustrations, Part 3

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 3


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17


.


35


"OLD BERGEN."


find in the " Breeden Raet," printed in 1649, at Antwerp, as a result of the investigation instituted on account of the complaints against Kieft, the following : " They" (the natives) "asked why they should supply us with maize for nothing, since they paid as much as we asked, for everything they came to pur- chase of us. If, they said, we have ceded to you the country you are living in, we yet remain masters of what we have retained for ourselves. Ilave we not supplied you, Swannakens (or Dutchmen), on your first arrival here, and when you had no Mochols (or ships), with provisions for two whole winters? And had we not, you would have died of hunger. The delegates from all the savage tribes, such as the Rari- tans, the Hacquinnas, the Tappanders, and others had got as many objections to make as there were points to discuss.


"They however separated peaceably, contenting themselves with giving us no contributions, nor ask- ing any from us. Director Kieft, seeing himself de- prived of this contribution, which he was very greedy of by so many reasons, and also because it would dis- grace him in the eyes of his countrymen, invented other means to satisfy his insatiable, avaricious soul."


The Indians positively refused to supply " maize for nothing," and showed their resentment by harass- ing the settlers in every possible way. Their hostility assumed an active form, and as opportunity offered, they carried off and killed the cattle found wander- ing through the woods. They secured fire-arms from some of the unscrupulous traders, who, incited


36


" OLD BERGEN."


by greed of gain, disregarded the positive commands of the West India Company, not to barter fire-arms, and " traded enough guns, bullets, and fire-arms, to furnish four hundred warriors." The Indians soon became proficient in the use of these, and conse- quently more to be dreaded.


Chapter X.


DISSATISFACTION WITHI KIEFT AND CAUSES THEREFOR.


THE people were anxious to maintain peace with the savages, and were indignant with Kieft for his harshness. He thereupon called them together for consultation, and chose twelve select men to consult and advise with the Director and Council. They coun; selled moderation, and were to be notified by the Governor before any action should be taken. Not- withstanding this, Kieft became more decided and exacting in his demands, and determined to enforce them at any cost. As a preparation, he ordered the residents of Manhatta and the vicinity to arm them- selves, and at the firing of three guns to repair to the place appointed for service.


Shortly after this, some of the Company's men landed on Staten Island, which had been settled by De Vries, and stole some hogs belonging to him. For this theft, the Raritan Indians were blamed, and Governor Kieft sent a party of fifty soldiers and twenty sailors to attack them and destroy their corn, unless they should make reparation. This was refused, several of the Indians were killed, and their crops were destroyed. In retaliation, the Indians attacked De Vries' plantation on Staten Island ; where-


38


"OLD BERGEN."


upon Kieft issued a proclamation offering ten fathoms of wampum for every head of that tribe, and twenty fathoms for heads of actual murderers. This offer excited the cupidity of the other tribes, and intensi- fied the strife among them. To obtain this reward, much innocent blood was shed and ill feeling engen- dered.


The Indians were divided into different tribes and languages, each tribe living separate and apart by itself, and having a chief to whom it was subject. These tribes differed greatly in characteristics, some of them being naturally of a friendly disposition, while others were quite the reverse. These differences often led to feuds and strife among theni, and there was a natural enmity between the Indians inhabiting the upper Hudson (the Iroquois and Mohawks), who were by nature fierce and warlike, and those who were located about the mouth of the Hudson, (the Delawares), who were more pacific in their nature.


In 1643, one of these periodical outbreaks occurred, and the fierce Mohawks made an attack upon the lower tribes, on the west side of the river. Many of these were slain and made prisoners, and many fled to Manhatta, and afterwards to Pavonia, where they en- camped on the 22nd of February, 1643, at Jan de Lacher Hoeck, behind the settlement of Egbert Wouterson, and near Jan Evertsen Bout's bouerie ( near the inter- section of Pine Street with New Jersey Central R. R. ) Kieft thought this afforded him a favorable opportunity to punish the Indians for their rebellion, and at the same time enforce his demands to their fullest extent.


39


"OLD BERGEN."


He thereupon issued the following order: "Sergeant Rudolf is commanded and authorized to take under his command a troop of soldiers, and lead them to Pavonia, and drive away and destroy the savages lying behind Jan Evertsen Bout, to spare as is possible their wives and children. The exploit should be executed at night, with the greatest caution and prudence."


-


MILL CREEK.


In pursuance of this order, the sergeant and eighty soldiers embarked in boats, crossed to the shores of Pavonia, and, rounding the southerly point of Paulus Hook, pulled for the high bank at the mouth of the


40


"OLD BERGEN."


Mill Creek (near Jersey Avenue and Phillip Street). Cautiously climbing over this bank, they came sud- denly on the unsuspecting Indians, and slaughtered many of them, sparing neither the old, the women nor the children. So thoroughly were the survivors de- ceived as to the origin of this attack, that they fled for protection to the Dutch at Fort Amsterdam, believing that they had been surprised and attacked by the Mo- hawks. They were, however, soon undeceived, and then commenced-a relentless war.


All the tribes between the Raritan and the Connecti- cut now buried their individual resentments, and com- bined in a war for the extermination of the whites ; and all those not in the immediate vicinity of Fort Amsterdam, were in constant danger from the toma- hawk and scalping-knife. So general was the uprising, and so energetic and relentless was the attack of the Indians, that in a short time the whole country was wrested from the whites, and the savages again roamed unmolested over the soil.


Peace was finally concluded, but being on unsatis- factory terms to the Indians, it was not of long dura- tion. They could not so readily forget the wrongs they had suffered, and felt that they were unavenged. They therefore broke out into open hostility again, determined to obtain full and complete satisfaction. Kieft, now thoroughly alarmed, sought the assistance of the people, whom he had hitherto slighted. Eight men were selected, instead of twelve, for conference with the Council.


Self-preservation compelled them to active measures,


4I


"OLD BERGEN."


and war was determined upon ; the people were armed, and so stationed as to protect the outlying settlements. But the savages, by means of their peculiar, stealthy manner of warfare, were enabled to greatly harass the settlers, and we find the four boueries in Pavonia laid waste-Bout's, Wouterson's, Stofflesen's and Teuni- sen's. Every bouerie and plantation was destroyed, and the cattle killed or driven away.


These troubles produced much discontent among the colonists, and, recognizing that their great misfortunes had been brought upon them by the inordinate ambi- tion and misgovernment of Kieft, the people were aroused, and sent protests to the home government, again demanding his removal.


Chapter XI.


CONTINUANCE OF INDIAN TROUBLES.


KIEFT was superseded July 28, 1646, by Peter Stuy- · vesant, who arrived at Fort Amsterdam May 11, 1647. He found the situation somewhat alarming, for crime was rampant, and anarchy prevailed. By the exer- cise of his administrative ability, he succeeded in restoring confidence among the colonists. The In- dians, however, claiming that the conditions of the treaty of peace were not complied with, again became dissatisfied and aggressive. In order to effect a satis- factory arrangement and avoid the disasters of another war, nine men were selected by the Directors to ad- vise the government when requested. Michael Jansen of Pavonia, and Cornelis Van Vorst, were of this num- ber. Through the exercise of diplomacy, and a con- ciliatory policy, the settlers had no special difficulty with the Indians for some years, and until 1655 they gave their full attention to the improvement and de- velopment of their holdings.


The West India Company having relinquished its monopoly of the Indian trade on payment of a small duty by individual traders, the enterprise of the latter made itself felt. The colonists spread themselves throughout the country, and many came from the


43


"OLD BERGEN."


Fatherland to engage in what now promised to be a profitable occupation. Each sought to advance his own interest, and many lived among the Indians in order to trade advantageously with them,


Houses were hastily constructed of stone or logs, as either material was the more easily obtainable when a settlement was made. They were usually covered with branches, thatched over with reeds or grass collected from the surrounding marshes, and large stone fire- places were built, connected with an outside chimney or flue made of scantling or the bark of trees.


Being thus conveniently located, the settlers were enabled the more easily to gather in from their savage neighbors large quantities of skins and furs, for which a ready market was found at the Company's trading post on Manhattan Island. Soon, however, competi- tion became so fierce that deception and underhand practices were indulged in, and this unjust treatment again excited the natural jealousy and distrust of the savages. Notwithstanding their protests, the greed for gain blinded the settlers as to their danger, and their unjust exactions and oppressions continued.


The Indians, recognizing the advantage of the market brought to their doors by the adventurous whites, sul- lenly submitted to the injustice of their treatment, rather than, by the exercise of their superior force, destroy such market by the extermination of their oppressors. However, frequent outbreaks occurred, and a feeling of unrest and insecurity was excited. Constant watchfulness on the part of the settlers was required to prevent surprise by the Indians, who were


44


" OLD BERGEN."


ready, on the slightest pretext and at the first favorable opportunity, to avenge their wrongs. The houses of the whites became their fortresses, and the common danger allayed to a great extent the bitter feeling among them engendered by their rivalry in trade.


In spite of the unsettled state of affairs during this interval, numerous grants of land had been made in Pavonia. Maryn Adriaensen, who was one of the Twelve, secured a grant of fifty morgens at Weehaw- ken : Dirck Zieken, a plantation below Communipau, back of Cavan Point ; Jacob Jacobson Roy, one at Con- stable Hook ; Claas Carstensen, land at Greenville ; and others between Communipau and Bergen Point.


During the absence of Gov. Stuyvesant, who, hav- ing determined to expel the Swedes settled at and about South River, was directing in person an expedi- tion against them, new difficulties arose. The Dutch burghers at Manhatta had experienced great annoy- ance from frequent depredations upon their fruit and vegetables by unknown parties. Their gardens were unusually exposed, as they were located in the rear of their dwellings and extended down to the water's edge, thus affording free access to marauders, who could stealthily approach by boat from the opposite shore, and readily escape in case of interruption. The burghers determined upon stringent measures, and strict watch was kept. One night in July, 1654, the watchman, discovering that some one was stealing peaches, fired his blunderbuss with such effect that an Indian maid was killed, while the rest of the party took to their boats and escaped. This seemed the


.


45


" OLD BERGEN."


one thing necessary to excite the already inflamed savages to commence their work of devastation.


On the 15th of September, a force of five hundred warriors in sixty-four canoes, secretly landed at Man- hatta and attempted to secure the murderer. They scattered through the streets, but were discovered by the guard, who attacked them and drove them to their canoes. Crossing the river to Pavonia, the sav- ages destroyed the houses there, laid waste the plan- tations, destroyed a large amount of maize, killed or carried off a number of cattle, and took with them some of the settlers whom they had captured. Pavonia was again desolated, and the survivors fled for safety to New Amsterdam, so that once more the savages held unrestricted sway over the territory. Emboldened by their successes, the latter hovered around the outskirts of New Amsterdam, with the determination of now securing a full recompense for the indignities heaped upon them in the past by the injudicious whites.


The close watch of the force protecting the town foiled their efforts, and the action taken by Governor Stuyvesant, who hastened his return upon hearing of this attack, prevented any further efforts. He im- mediately adopted measures for the full protection of the province. He endeavored to conciliate the Indians, and entered into negotiations with them for the ran- soming of their prisoners. Pending the result, a large body of savages with their prisoners were sta- tioned at Paulus Hook. Their proximity, and evi- dent reluctance to hasten negotiations, produced


46


"OLD BERGEN."


considerable, excitement at New Amsterdam. The relatives and friends of those who had been captured were naturally indignant at the delay, and they made threats against the Indians and attempted retaliatory measures. To lessen the danger of an outbreak, the authorities ordered that no intercourse of any kind should be had with the savages, and continued their efforts to secure a peaceful termination to their nego- tiations. After considerable bartering, a price was · agreed upon, which being paid, the captives were released, and the second general Indian war ended.


Michael Jansen, who was living with his family at Communipau, escaped the general slaughter ; but in view of the unsettled condition of affairs, he had removed to New Amsterdam, so that there was not left at this time a single white man within the limits of this territory.


Chapter XII.


PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES ADOPTED.


IN a short time, however, a few of the colonists returned to their ruined homes and endeavored to re- store them to their former condition. The difficulty of protecting isolated or scattered settlements being recognized, the Director General and Council passed an ordinance January 18, 1656, setting forth as fol- lows: " In consequence of the separate dwellings of the country people, many murders of people, killing and destruction of cattle, and burning of houses, have been committed and perpetrated by the Indians, the most of which might have been, with God's help, pre- vented and avoided, if the good inhabitants of this province had settled themselves together in the form of towns, villages and hamlets, like our neighbors of New England, who, because of their combination and compact residences, have never been subject to such- at least not to so many and such general disasters, which have been caused, next to God's righteous chastisement, on account of our sins by tempting the savage barbarians thereto by the separate residences of the country people.


"The Director General and Council, aforesaid, do hereby not only warn their good subjects, but like- wise charge and command them, to concentrate them-


48


" OLD BERGEN."


selves by next spring in the form of towns, villages and hamlets, so that they may be the more effectually protected, maintained and defended, against all as- saults and attacks of the barbarians, by each other, and by the military entrusted to the Director General and Council. Furthermore, in order to prevent a too sudden conflagration, they do ordain, that from now henceforth, no houses shall be covered with straw or reed, nor any more chimneys be constructed of clap- boards or wood."


The next year the ordinance was reaffirmed, and the people commanded to respect its provisions. The horrors of Indian warfare were so great, and the feel- ing of insecurity so general, that the settlers with few exceptions delayed returning to Pavonia, and the country remained almost desolate. In order to re- move any cause for friction with the Indians on account of adverse claims to their territory, and to reassure the timid settlers, Governor Stuyvesant and the Council of New Netherlands purchased of the In- dians, January 30, 1658, a tract of land by the follow- ing description :


" Lying on the west bank of the Hudson, beginning at the Great Clip " (meaning Rock), " above Weehawken, and from thence right through the lands till above the island of Siskakes " (Secaucus), " and thereupon thence to the Kill von Kull, and so along to the Constable Hook, and from the Constable Hook again to the aforesaid Clip at Weehawken, with all the lands, islands, channels, and valleys therein comprehended- for eighty fathom of wampum, twenty fathom of


49


"OLD BERGEN."


cloth, twelve brass kettles, and one-half barrel strong beer."


This was done at Fort Amsterdam and signed with the marks of the Indians, after the cargoes were de- livered to their hands, the 30th day of January, Anno Domini, 1658. The following are their names :


THERINCQUES,


WAWAPEHACK,


SAGIIKOW,


BOMOKAN,


SAMES,.


WEWENATOKEE,


KOGUIKENNINGII,


MEMIWOKAN,


WAIRIMUS CONWEE,


Witness : SAMES, otherwise called JOB.


By this deed the Indians relinquished all their right and title in and to the territory lying between the Hudson River, and the Hackensack and Newark Bay (comprising the old Township of Bergen). This same territory was assessed in 1901 on a valuation of about $150,000,000. This purchase by the Council tended to allay to a great extent the hostility of the Indians, and the settlers who had been driven away were anxious to return to their former fields. They were enabled to develop their holdings without much interference, but so great was the expense they were subjected to, on account of the general destruction of their buildings, that they petitioned the Council to ex- empt them from the payment of tithes or taxes for a few years. This petition was signed by Michael Jan- sen Vreeland, Claas Jansen Bacher, Claas Petersen Garrabrant Cos, Jans Captain, Dirck Sekier, Dirck Claersen and Lysbet Tysen. Whereupon the Council made an order as follows, dated January 22nd, 1658 :


50


"OLD BERGEN."


" The suppliants are permitted, in consideration of the reasons explained in their petition, the privilege of exemption from the payment of tithes, and the bur- thens attached to these, during six years, provided that they, in conformity to the order and placards of the Director General and Council, concentrate themselves in the form of a village, at least of ten or twelve fami- lies together; to become in future more secure, and easier to receive aid for defence, in similar disastrous occurrences." -


On this encouragement, the settlers began to reoc- cupy their plantations and boueries, but seem to have been averse to collecting together in villages, as con- ditioned. The following order was thereupon issued : " In order to prevent, and in future put a stop, às much as possible, to such massacres, murders and burning by cruel barbarians at the separate dwellings, the Director General and Council of New Netherlands do therefore notify and order all isolated farmers in general, and each in particular, wherever they may re- side, without any distinction of person, to remove their houses, goods and cattle, before the last of March, or at latest the middle of April, and convey them to the village nearest and most convenient to them ; or with the previous knowledge and approval of the Director General and Council, to a favorably situated and de- fensible spot, in a new Palisade village, to be hereafter formed, when all those who apply shall be shown and granted suitable lots by the Director General and Coun- cil, or their agents; so that the Director General and Council, in case of any difficulty with the cruel bar-


51


"OLD BERGEN."


barians, would be better able to assist, maintain and protect their good subjects, with the force entrusted to them by God, and the Supreme Authority-on pain of confiscation of all such goods as shall be found after the aforesaid time, in separate dwellings and farm-houses."


Chapter XIII.


BERGEN.


As a result of this order, several petitions were sub- mitted " to settle on the maize land behind Communi- pau," and on the 16th of August, 1660, " several in- habitants of this province " petitioned for the right to cultivate farms and plantations on the west side of the river, behind Communipau, and to make there a village, or concentration. This was granted, " pro- vided that such village shall be founded and placed on a convenient spot that may be defended with ease, and to be selected by the Director General, and Council, or Commissioners." This grant was, however, on con- dition that all who applied should share with others by lot, should send at least one person capable of bearing arms, for general service, and should make a beginning to erect buildings six weeks after the draw- ing of lots.


It must have been shortly after the granting of the petition above mentioned, that the village of Bergen was founded, as in a deed dated the following Novem- ber, the location of the land conveyed is described as " near the village of Bergen, in the new maize land." This belief is strengthened by the following state- ment, made some time in 1664, which sets forth that the whole territory was given or granted to the inhab-


53


" OLD BERGEN."


itants of Bergen in 1661, thus proving beyond doubt that the organization of the village had been accom- plished before this date :


" We, underwritten, the late Director General and Council of New Netherlands, hereby certify and de- clare that in the year one thousand six hundred and sixty-one, by us underwritten, in quality as aforesaid, was given and granted to the inhabitants of the Vil- lage of Bergen, the lands with the meadows there- unto annexed, situated on the west side of the North River, in Pavonia, in the same manner, as the same was by us underwritten, purchased of the Indians, and as the same was to us delivered by the said Indians, pur- suant to an instrument of sale, and delivery thereof, being under date of the 3rd of January, A. D. 1658, with this express condition, and promise, that the aforesaid inhabitants of the before named village, shall not be prejudiced in their outdrift, by means of any private collective dwellings (saving only the right of the then already cultivated farms at Gemoe- nepau), but that all such, who have any lands, within the district of the before named village, and especially at Pemrepogh and Mingackgue, all such owners shall be obliged to remove their dwellings, and place them in the village or town of Bergen, or by or about the neighborhood of Gemoenepau before named. Condi- tioned, however, that the aforesaid owners (in case they should desire the same) should be permitted to share, and divide with the inhabitants, of the before named village, or town, in the common lands of the said town, and in the place, and stead of their lands, lying at


54


"OLD BERGEN."


Pemrepogh and Mingackgue before named (and es- pecially that the meadows lying near the village or town of Bergen, where the same begins, at the west side along the Kill von Kull should be, and belong to, and for the use of, the before named inhabitants of Bergen).


" And further, we the underwritten, certify and de- clare, that Michael Jansen, deceased (before or about the time that the aforesaid village or town was laid out), for himself as also for, and in behalf of, his broth- er-in-law, Nicholas Jansen Barker, did, in our pres- ence, renounce all the right they had to the pasture ground, laying behind Gemoenepau, for a common outdrift and pasture between the aforesaid village or town,and the neighborhood of Gemoenepau before named.


" And lastly, that no more lands were given or granted to Dirck Clausen than Rightpocques, with the meadows thereunto belonging, as by the ground brief thereof may further appear.


" In testimony of the truth we have signed these with our own hands in New York, the 26th October, A. D., 1661."


Signed : P. STUYVESANT. NICASIUS DE SILLE.


Many and varied suggestions have been made as to the origin and cause of the name of Bergen. Some claim it to have been so called after the capital of Norway, others derive the name from a small town in Holland, others think that the name denoted a place


55


"OLD BERGEN."


of safety, and others assert that the village was named on account of its location. And what is more plausible than this latter explanation ? As the sturdy Holland- er, accustomed to the marsh and low land of his native country, saw the hill rising up out of the sur- rounding marsh, and stretching in unbroken front far to the north, what is more natural than that he should exclaim in wonder, " Berg! Bergen!" (The hill! The place of the hill !)




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.