USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Bergen > Old Bergen: History and Reminiscences with Maps and Illustrations > Part 5
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The Carteret Charter was a confirmation of the rights which the freeholders and the inhabitants of Bergen possessed under the Dutch domination. It confirmed to the freeholders " all the rights, immuni- ties, and privileges hereby granted unto the said Corporation or Township," and gave them power to choose their own magistrates, or to be assistants to the president, or judge of the court, and for the ordering of all public affairs, within the said jurisdic- tion. It also made the following provision :--
" They shall have power to choose their own Minis- ter for the preaching of the Word of God, and the administering of His Holy Sacraments, and being so chosen, all persons, as well the freeholders, as the in- habitants, are to contribute according to their estate, and proportion of land, for the minister, and the keep- ing 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 for- ever, from one incumbent to another, free from paying any rent, or any other rate of taxes ; notwithstanding,
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it may be lawful for any particular person or persons to keep and maintain any other minister, at their own proper cost and charges.
" Also, power to divide all proportions of land, as are without their bounds and limits aforesaid, that are not already appropriated, and patented by particular persons, before the day of the date thereof, and compelling the recording of such allotments. And all mortgages, transfers, leases, and sales, for above the term of one year, and all other contracts, are to be void, and of no effect in law.
" That they shall have power to erect and ordain a Court of Judicature, within their own jurisdiction."
To encourage settlers, Carteret, after his appoint- ment as Governor, 1664, issued an edict to the effect that every man who should embark with him, or meet him on his arrival, "provided with a good musket, bore twelve bullets to the pound, with bandelins and match con- venient, and with six months' provisions " for himself, should receive one hundred and fifty acres of land, and a like amount for every servant or slave brought with him provided with the same necessities.
In 1672, war again broke out between England and Holland, and the Dutch fitted out an expedition for the purpose of destroying the English shipping, and attacking the settlements wherever practicable. The States General despatched a squadron of five vessels against New York, which arrived in July, 1673 ; and on the 30th day of that month they demanded the sur- render of the fort at New York. This demand was acceded to, and the Dutch again took possession of the New Netherlands.
Chapter XVIII.
BERGEN BECOMES AGAIN A DUTCH DEPENDENCY.
ANTHONY COLVE, captain of one of the vessels composing the Dutch squadron, was invested with the chief authority, and changed the name New York to New Orange ; and a demand to surrender was sent to "the Village of Bergen, and the Hamlets and Boueries thereon depending," as follows :-
" You are hereby ordered and instructed, to despatch delegates from your village here to us, to treat with us on next Tuesday, respecting the surrender of your town, to the obedience of their High Mightinesses, the Lords States General, of the United Netherlands, his Serene Highness, the Prince of Orange, or on refusal to do so, we shall be obliged to constrain you thereto by force of arms."
The inhabitants of Bergen seem to have been no whit disturbed by this summons. Whether actuated by a loyalty to the old government, or restrained by the fear of losing their possessions, they surrendered without any attempt at resistance, and sent in the names of certain citizens, from which list a choice of magistrates could be made. The following were appointed on August 18, 1673, and required to take the oath of allegiance :-
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"OLD BERGEN."
SCHOUT AND SECRETARY, CLAES ARENTSE.
SCHEPENS.
GERRIT GERRITSE, ELIAS MICHELSE,
THOMAS FREDERICKS, PETER MARCELLESSEN,
CORNELIS ABRAHAM.
On the 21st of August they took the following oath : " Whereas we are chosen by the authority of the High and Mighty Lords, the States General, to be Magis- trates of the Town of Bergen, we do swear in the presence of Almighty God, to be true and faithful to the said authority, and their Governors for the time being, and that we equally and impartially shall exercise justice between party and parties, without respect to persons or nations, and that we shall follow such further orders and instructions as we from time to time shall receive from the Governor and Council, etc."
They were thereupon notified that the Commander would visit their town on Sunday, after the sermon, in order to administer the oath to all their people. Pursuant to this notice the Commander and Council proceeded to Bergen, when the burghers of that town and dependencies were found to be seventy-eight in number, sixty-nine of whom appeared at drum beat, and took the oath of allegiance. The magistrates were ordered to forward the oaths of those who were absent.
On the 25th of August the authorities of Bergen were notified of the necessity of fortifying New Am- sterdam, and that each community should contribute thereto according to its means. They promised such aid and support, and proceeded to organize a militia
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company, to prepare for such defence if needed. September 4, 1673, Caspar Stynmets was elected cap- tain, Hans Diedrick lieutenant, and Adrien Post ensign.
The threatening aspect still continuing, on March 22, 1674, the authorities at New Orange ordered each of the Dutch towns within its jurisdiction to commis- sion a militia officer and magistrate to meet at the City Hall, to confer on the state of the country ; and it was then determined, in case of an enemy's ap- proach, to send boats to Bergen to convey the people . to the city.
Chapter XIX.
GROWTII OF BERGEN.
FROM the following report, dated 1680, we can gain a very correct idea of the growth and condition of the territory comprising "Old Bergen." "That there is a considerable settlement on Bergen Point, then called Constable Hook, and first improved by Edsall, in Nicoll's time; other plantations were improved along Bergen Neck to the east; between the point and a large village of some twenty families, further along lived sixteen or eighteen families, and opposite New York about forty families are seated southward from this. A few families settled together at a place called Duke's Farm (Aharsimus), and further up the country was a place called Hoebuck, formerly owned by a Dutch merchant who, in the Indian wars with the Dutch, had his wife, children, and servants murdered by the Indians, and his home and stock destroyed by them. But it is now settled again, and a mill erected there. Bergen is a compact town which had been fortified against the Indians, and contained about forty families. Its inhabitants were chiefly Dutch, some of whom had been settled there upwards of forty years."
The general condition of the territory may likewise be learned from the following extract from an
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"OLD BERGEN."
"Account of the encouragement for promoting a de- sign of planting in East New Jersey," etc., in a letter from one George Scott at Edinburg, published in 1685, in which an allusion is made to the settlements and plantations of that time, in the territory now under consideration :-
" Ist. Those on Overpeck Creek near Hackensack River, a river settled by several valleys, for which Mr. Nicolls, of New York, had a Patent, but gave leave to their settlement, at the request of Governor Carteret.
"2nd. Near to Snake Hill a piece of land almost an island, belonging to Mr. Penhorne, a Merchant of New York, and one Edward Eickbe.
" 3rd. There are other plantations upon Hackensack River, which goes a great way up the country, almost northwest ; others also on the east side of another Creek or River, at Hackensack River.
"4th. A large neck or tract of land, for which one Sarah Kiersted, of New York, had a Patent given her by an old Indian Sachem, in recompense for her inter- preting the Indian language into Dutch, as there was occasion. There are some little families thereon ; two or three miles up a great plantation, settled by Captain John Berry, whereon he now lives.
"5th. Another plantation adjoining belonging to his son-in-law, Michele Smith; another to Mr. Baker. This neck of land is in breadth, from Captain Berry's new plantation, on the west side where he lives, over to his old plantations, to the east at Hudson's River side, about three miles, which distance severs to Con- stable Hook, upward of ten miles.
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"OLD BERGEN."
"6th. To go back to the south part of Bergen Neck, that is opposite to Staten Island, where but a narrow passage of water, which ebbs and flows between the said Island and Bergen Point, called Constable's Hook, extending in land, above a mile over, from the Bay on the east side of the Neck, that leads to New York, to that on the west, that goes to Hackensack and Snake Hill, the neck running up between both, from the south, to the north of Hudson's River, to the outmost extent of their bounds. It was first settled by Samuel Edsall in Col. Nicoll's time and by him sold for £600.
" 7th. Other small plantations along the neck to the East, are then named. Among them one to George Umpane ( Communipau ), which is over against New York, where there is about forty families, within which about the middle of the neck, which is here about three miles, overstands the town of Bergen, which gives name to that Neck. Then again northward, to the waterside going up Hudson's River, there lies out a point of land, wherein is a plantation and a water mill belonging to a Merchant in New York.
" 8th. Southward there is a small village, about five or six families, which is commonly called the Duke's Farm. Further up is a good plantation in a neck of land almost an Island, called Hobuk. It did belong to a Dutch Merchant who formerly in the Indian War, had his wife, children and servants. murdered by the Indians, and his house, cattle and stock destroyed by them. It is now settled again and a mill erected there, by one dwelling at New York.
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"OLD BERGEN."
"9th. Up northward along the River side, are other lands near to Mr. William Lawrence, which is six or seven miles further. Opposite thereto is a plantation of Mr. Edsall, and above that Captain Bien- field's plantation. This last is almost opposite to the northwest end of Manhattan Island. Here are the utmost extent of the northern bounds of East Jersey as always computed."
Colve's reign was short, for on the 9th of July, 1674, the treaty of peace with England was concluded, which restored the whole country to the English. February 9, 1674, peace between Holland and England was established on favorable terms to the Dutch set- tlers, and the New Netherlands restored to English rule, which was continued until the Revolutionary War.
Sir Edmund Andros was commissioned Governor. He was recalled, and Thomas Dongan arrived on the 12th of August, 1683 ; the same year the first Colonial Assembly convened and adopted a Bill of Rights. On the conclusion of peace, the Duke of York obtained a new patent, similar to the first, dated June 29, 1674, and on November 6th of the same year, Governor Car- teret published his Commission, and other documents at Bergen, in the presence of his Council. Commissioners were present from all the towns in New Jersey, except Shrewsbury.
It thus seems that Bergen was for a time the seat of government, and consequently may claim to have been the capital of the state. In 1682 the Province of New Jersey was divided into four counties ; Bergen, Essex,
"OLD BERGEN." 83.
Middlesex and Monmouth. Bergen included all the settlements between the Hudson and Hackensack Rivers, and extended to the north bound of the prov- ince. In 1693 each county was divided into townships.
Chapter XX.
GROWTH OF BERGEN CONTINUED.
THOUGH the inhabitants of Bergen were now able to devote themselves to the improvement of their holdings, much dissatisfaction existed, not only be- cause of the uncertain tenure and undefined boundaries of the land settled upon, but the "out drift," or com- mon lands, were also a subject of controversy. The land considered as such, lying between Communipau and Bergen, caused much bickering, and although several agreements were entered into, they seem to have been only tentative. The cattle belonging to the two hamlets intermingling, and becoming thereby sub- ject to adverse claims, were the cause of constant dis- pute. The feeling thereby became greatly intensified, and finally appeal was made to the authorities at New Amsterdam, whereupon the following order was is- sued :-
" May 24, 1674, the Schouts, Magistrates, and Com- monalty, of the Town of Bergen, complaining by Petition that over two years ago, a question arose be- tween the Petitioners and their dependent hamlets of Gemonepau, Mingaghun, and Pemropogh respecting the making and maintaining of a certain common fence, to separate the cattle, the Council at New Am- sterdam ordered and commanded them to promptly
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regulate themselves, according to the decision or arbi- tration." This action on the part of the Council tem- porarily settled the difficulties, and the government of Bergen was continued under the Carteret Charter until 1714, when the land titles became again a subject of dispute, and new controversies arose. A petition was presented setting forth the facts in detail and praying for relief. January 14th, 1714, an act was passed giving the petitioners a new charter, under the name of " The Inhabitants of the Town of Bergen," giving full titles to lands, power to convey, etc., as follows :-
" It is agreed by, and between, all and every, the parties to these presents, that whatsoever part of the common and undivided lands, have been by them, or either of them, at any time heretofore taken up, used or claimed, and added to their patented, or purchased lands, shall forever hereafter, be deemed taken and adjudged, and shall remain and continue in common, until a division be made of the said common and un- divided lands.
"Finally, for the faithful performance of these ar- ticles, they individually, bind themselves in the penal sum of One Hundred Pounds, proclamation money of New Jersey, to be forfeited and paid by any party breaking the agreement."
Signed by :- MYNDERT GERRABRANTS. CORNELIUS VAN NEWKIRK. ABRAHAM DIEDERICK. CORNELIUS K. GERREBRANTS, JACOBUS VAN BUSKIRK.
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ANDRIES VAN BUSKIRK.
LOWRENS VAN BUSKIRK. CORNELIUS C. BLINKERHOFF. MICHAEL C. VREELAND. JOHN VAN HORNE.
IDO I. SIP.
JACOB G. VAN WAGENER.
JACOB I. VAN HORNE.
DANIEL VAN WINKLE.
ABRAHAM SICKELS.
HENDRICH VAN WINKELL.
JOHANNIS G. VAN WAGENER.
JOHANNIS VAN HOUTEN.
ZACHARIAS SICKELSE.
HENDRICH H. SPIER.
ARENT TAERS. GARRET ROOSE.
HENDRICK V. SIGGELS.
CORNELIUS VAN WORST.
JACOB I. BROWER.
HENDRICK VANDEROFF.
LEREYMIS VAN BUSKIRK. Sealed and delivered in presence of,
JOHANNIS VREELANDT. DIRCK KADMUS.
June 16, 1743.
This agreement continued in force until December 7, 1763, when, in consequence of the impossibility of adjusting satisfactorily under its provisions the difficulties that were continually occurring, an act was passed by the General Assembly of the colony
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" for finally settling and determining the several rights, titles, and claims to the common lands of Bergen; and for making a partition thereof, among those who shall be adjudged, by the said Commis- sioners, to be entitled to the same." Under the operation of this act all feuds and controversies were ended, and the titles to lands made valid.
Peace prevailed throughout the settlement for some years, and its prosperity and growth continued until the breaking out of the Revolutionary War. The settlement of the territory of "Old Bergen " continued with considerable rapidity. Settlements sprang up at intervals, either because of some natural advantage or on account of a mercantile demand ; people not only located along the shores of the bays and rivers almost surrounding the region, but also pushed back into the country, so that at the time of the Revolution, there were hamlets scattered from Bergen Point to the most northerly limits of the county. The inhabitants availed themselves of their opportunities to cultivate the soil, for the products of which they found an excellent market at New Amsterdam. Through their frugal and industrious habits they were enabled to increase the limits of their farms, until all the territory became the property of different settlers either as buytentuyn or wood lots. The winter months were employed in clearing these latter, and the timber cut down was placed on sleds and hauled to the home lot to be used for fuel.
As the growth of the town continued, new demands
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"OLD BERGEN."
were made for facility of intercourse. In 1669, Gov. Carteret appointed a new ferryman, reserving the right of free passage to himself and family, probably the first instance of the free pass system for officials in this country. In 1753, a road was laid out from Aharsimus by way of Prior's Mill to the church at Bergen, and intersecting it was a road along the line of Newark Avenue, across the marsh from Paulus Hook. This was often covered with water and fre- quently impassable.
As per following advertisement of July 2, 1764, in the New York Mercury of that date, there was " Good news to the Public " :-
" The long wished for ferry is now established, and kept across the North River from the place called Powles Hook to the City of New York."
This ferry was located at the foot of Grand Street, and was provided with an equipment of several row boats, with two oarsmen to each, with spare oars, so that such passengers as desired haste or exercise might be accommodated.
The same year, a stage route was established from this ferry, leading through Bergen Point, and thence by Blazing Star ferry to Woodbridge; whence passengers were conveyed to Philadelphia in covered wagons, the trips occupying two days in summer and three in winter. In 1767 a serious accident occurred on this ferry. While a coach containing passengers for Philadelphia was being ferried across, a number of passengers retained their seats; and when approaching the shore, the stage ran overboard, and two ladies were drowned.
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"OLD BERGEN."
As a road was laid out about the time of the starting of this ferry, running through about the present line of Grand, Warren, York and Van Vorst Streets, crossing the marsh and bridge at Mill Creek, following in a great measure the road to the mill before alluded to, and then connecting with the Old Mill Road, it is presumably the route by which this stage line passed through Bergen, thus corroborating the tradition, that the Old Mill Road was formerly the New York and Philadelphia Stage route. This is verified by the fact that one of the old residents informed the writer that through the cedar woods at that time standing along the brow of the hill, and about half-way between Montgomery and Mercer Streets, there was a lane cut through the hill which reached Summit Avenue, at a point south of present Montgomery Street, joining there a road that reached Bergen Avenue, at Foye Place ; and that this was the New York and Philadelphia Stage route.
In 1765 the road leading to Brown's Ferry was laid out. This followed about the present line of Clen- denne Avenue, and reached the Hackensack at a point south of the present Plank Road bridge. This ferry was afterward used as a connecting link for the lines of stages from Paulus Hook to Newark, and be- yond. As the travel over this route, with the excep- tion of the stage lines, was very infrequent, a horn was kept hanging on a tree near by, so that by a succession of blasts, the ferryman might be notified of the pas- sengers' desire to cross. As showing the means of intercourse at this time between Newark and Jersey
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City, the following advertisement is inserted : " Where- as the stage wagon from Newark to Paulus Hook, has for some time been stopt, for want of a proper person to drive the wagon through Bergen, the many com- plaints for the want of such a conveyance, induces the subscriber again to endeavor to accommodate them. He therefore proposes to drive through from Newark to Paulus Hook, once a day, every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday."
It is probable that during the Revolutionary War all regular ferriage stopped, as we find that in 1786 an application was made to the Common Council of New York to repair the ferry stairs leading to Paulus Hook, which would indicate it was again in active operation. The Jersey landing at this time was at the foot of the present Grand Street. During the same period the ferry at Communipau was discontinued, but in 1783 the public was informed that Aaron Longstreet and Company gave " constant attendance by the Boats at the Ferry Stairs, near the Exchange (New York) at three p. m., to bring passengers to Communipau," where the Newark stage would be ready to convey them to Newark, and " thence by the excellent New York and Philadelphia running machines in one day to Philadelphia."
Chapter XXI.
REVOLUTIONARY TIMES.
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BUT the peaceful existence of the inhabitants of " Old Bergen " was destined to be rudely disturbed. The demands and exactions of the English govern- ment seemed like a just retribution for the unjust treatment of the natives by the early Dutch authori- ties, for the colonists were thereby subjected to a similar experience. Mutterings of discontent grew loud throughout the provinces, and culminated in the open rebellion at Boston, followed by retaliatory measures on the part of the English government. A sympathetic feeling spread throughout the country, and the people of Bergen early became identified with the movement of the colonies for independence, as will be seen from the following extract from the proceedings of a meeting of the freeholders and inhabi- tants of the County of Bergen agreeable to advertise- ment at the Court House, June 25, 1774 :
" The meeting being deeply affected with the ca- lamitous condition of the Inhabitants of Boston, in consequence of the late Act of Parliament for block- ing up the port of Boston, do
" Resolve that we think it our greatest happiness to live under the government of the illustrious House of Hanover, and that we will steadfastly and uniformly
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bear true and faithful allegiance to His Majesty George III. under the enjoyments of our constitutional rights and privileges.
" That we conceive it to be our indubitable privi- lege to be taxed only by our own consent, given by ourselves, or by our Representatives, and that we conceive the late Acts of Parliament, declarative of their rights to impose internal taxés on their subjects of America, as manifold encroachments on our national rights and privileges as British subjects, and, as incon- sistent with the idea of an American Assembly, or House of Representatives," etc.
At this meeting delegates to attend a general Con- gress were chosen.
The early part of 1776 was a time of great anxiety for the colonists. Concerted action on the part of the several colonies had been determined upon, and measures adopted for resisting'the enforcement of the demands of the mother country. The feeling of resist- ance became so much intensified that many outbreaks occurred, and as the patriotic movement crystallized, Bergen became the rendezvous of the American troops gathered from the surrounding country.
The Committee of Safety on March 26, 1776, an- nounced as follows : "Considering the critical situa- tion of the City and Province of New York, we do order and resolve that three Battalions of Militia be drafted out of the Militia of this Province, included in which are from Middlesex one hundred men, from Monmouth one hundred and forty men, from Essex two hundred and twenty men, from Bergen two hun-
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dred men, forming one of the Battalions. The whole to march to the City of New York with the greatest expedition."
Congress divided the southern and middle colonies into two Departments; New York, New Jersey,
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Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland were to com- prise the Middle, and Lord Stirling was given tempo- rary command. In March, 1776, Gen. Hugh Mercer, a close friend of Washington's, and a veteran of Fort
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Duquesne, joined the army, and was greeted by him with much warmth. The flying camp was just form- ing, and the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania were forwarding some of their militia to the Jerseys. Washington at once gave command of it to Gen. Mercer, and sent him to Paulus Hook, to receive and organize the troops as they came in.
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