USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Bergen > Program, 250th anniversary of the founding of the Village of Bergen, 1660 : with illustrated historical sketch and maps > Part 2
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14. Line of retreat of Major Henry Lee (Light Horse Harry) after his successful raid on Paulus Ilook in 1219, by way of Prior's Mill. along present Academy St., leaving a rear guard near the site of the Hornblower homestead and con- tinning to Dow's ferry, on the Hackensack River north of the present Turnpike Bridge, and thence over the west side of the hill to Bergen Woods.
15. The "Maize Land," Montgomery Street. west of Bergen Avenue.
MAPS
Published maps of the town of Bergen showing lot divisions in detail are few.
The original map of the town, as laid out by Jacques Cortel- you, surveyor in 1660, is lost ; no copy has been preserved.
The map (shown on page 29 of this Souvenir Programme) made in 1764 no doubt correctly shows the town plot, as originally laid out, the shape of the lots, and the general features of Buyten Tuyn (outside Gardens). This map of 1764 was made by Com- missioners to divide the common lands of the township of Bergen, among the holders of the granted lands. The Field Book with the maps of this Commission constitute the basis of the title to lands in Hudson County, and were published in 1872 by Charles H. Win- field in his work "History of the Land Titles in Hudson County, N. J.," partly for the purpose of preserving the originals from destruction by use. Since this publication the originals have, however, at times been much neglected by the officials in charge of them, the map titles have been deliberately cut out of the parch- ment maps, and the value of the Field Book overlooked. The Historical Society of Hudson County, N. J., would regard the acquisition of the original Field Book and maps as most valuable treasures, and could give them the publicity they deserve, consistent with the best protection. Cannot this transfer to the society be made by some special act of legislature or otherwise ?
The map made by L. F. Douglass in 1841 is a topographical survey (on a small scale) of great accuracy, of Hudson County north of the Newark & New York R. R. : A part of this "Douglass Map," including "Bergen," is shown in this Souvenir.
Since 1841 three or more tax assessment maps have been published-about the years 1870, 1882 and 1894. The two latter were issued by L. D. Fowler, and constitute the basis of the present city lot division and numbering.
NOTE .- The committee is under great obligation to Mr. John W. Heck for the preparation of the maps herein contained, and likewise to other citizens who have so kindly aided.
HISTORICAL SKETCH
The causes that led up to the discovery of the Hudson River, and the territory adjacent thereto, are too familiar to need repe- tition at this time; the subsequent events, however, are so closely interwoven with our own history that a brief glance at least may not be inappropriate.
Hudson continued his explorations of the newly discovered territory until the fifth of October, on which date he sailed for home, and such was his success in trafficking with the natives, that in this short time his vessel was freighted with an abundance of the skins and peltries obtained by them in the chase.
His enthusiastic report of the possibilities of the new country, and the exhibition of the commodities he had secured, so aroused the mercantile instincts of the Holland traders, that they at once made application to the States General, for permission to trade with the newly discovered land. This was granted, and March 22, 1614, an edict was issued 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 ediet the United New Netherlands Company was formed under date of October 11, 1614, and they were given the right of exclusive trade with "the unoccupied region of America lying between Virginia and Canada, which was designated as New Netherland. They at once despatched vessels and established trad- ing posts at Manhattan and up the Hudson. A post was also established on the west side of the Hudson to facilitate trade with the Indians in that section, which was resorted to from time to time as occasion required.
On the expiration of this charter. the Dutch West India Company was formed, and invested with exceptional powers and privileges, and this company became the immediate sovereign of New Netherland, and so remained until its capture by the English in 1661. although nominally under the supervision of the States General of Holland.
It was empowered to establish and maintain such local gov- ernments and offices as seemed necessary. and its governing power was vested in a Director General or Governor and Council.
Up to 1629 the enterprise does not seem to have yielded an adequate return to the company, owing to the great expense to which it had been subjected, and the lack of systematic efforts for the permanent development of the country. In order to
25
HISTORICAL SKETCH
accomplish this, "the charter of Freedom and Exemptions" was granted by the company, giving special privileges "to such as should within four years plant a colony of fifty adults in any part of New Netherland, other than Manhattan Island." They were to be recognized and acknowledged as patroons, and were to have the absolute title in perpetuity of the lands within the limits of their grants. These grants might extend sixteen miles on one bank of a river, or one-half that distance on each side, and extending back into the country for an indefinite distance.
Among those who secured allotments under these privileges was Michael Pauw, a burgomaster of New Amsterdam. By patent dated November 22, 1630, he obtained with other lands the plots "Aharsimus and Arresick, extending along the river Mauritius and island Manhatta on the east side, and the island Hoboken Hacking on the north, and surrounded by marshes, serving sufficiently for distinet boundaries."
Pauw thus became invested with the title to the greater part of the present Hudson County, although he never carried out the terms of the agreement in its entirety; he must, however, have energetically and successfully developed his holdings, for in 1632 the reports state "that the boueries and plantations on the west side of the river are in a prosperous condition." He appointed Jan Evertsen Bout his superintendent, who arrived June 17, 1634, and took up his residence at Communipaw. He served in that capacity for two years, when he was succeeded by Cornelius Van Vorst, who settled at Aharsimus, north of Paulus Hook. Shortly after, difficulties having arisen between the West India Company and the patroons, the former extinguished by purchase, Pauw's interest in and to Pavonia, and became the full owner of that territory.
May 1, 1638, Paulus Hook was conveyed to Abraham Isaacsen Verplank, and Bout leased from the company for the term of six years from June 30, 1638, the farm at Comnmnipaw formerly occupied by him as Pauw's superintendent.
June 1, 1641, the island now known as Hoboken was leased to Aert Tunison Van Putten for a period of twelve years, and Direk Straatmaker secured a bouerie comprising the greater part of what is now known as the Greenville section of the city.
Under the charter of 1629 any individual was permitted to settle personally, or by servants, on such lands as the Director and Council might assign, and every such settler was to hold in his own right the land he should thus occupy. Under this provision individual farms were located in different sections, and the ridge
26
HISTORICAL SKETCH
now known as Jersey City Heights became the abode of several of these adventurous settlers.
Their enterprise soon made itself felt ; each sought to advance his own interest, and several lived among the Indians in order to trade more advantageously with them. Bude houses were hastily constructed of stone or logs, and thatched over with reeds or grass collected from the surrounding marshes.
Being thus conveniently located, they were enabled the more easily to gather in from their savage neighbors, large quantities of skins and furs, which they readily disposed of at considerable profit at the company's trading post.
Soon however, competition became so fierce that deceptive and underhand practices were indulged in. and this unjust treat- ment excited the natural jealousy and distrust of the savages. Frequent outbreaks occurred and a feeling of unrest and insecurity prevailed. Notwithstanding this, many of the settlers, blinded by their greed of gain, continued their unjust exactions and oppres- sions. thus increasing the hostility of the Indians, until constant watchfulness was required on the part of the whites to prevent surprise by the savages.
Governor Kieft likewise added to the prevailing insecurity. by demanding from the Indians a tribute of maize and wampum. This they refused and showed their resentment by harassing the settlers in every possible way. They drove away or killed their caitle, burned and destroyed their crops and threatened their lives. The Raritan Indians were especially active and committed many depredations. This led to retaliation on the part of the settlers and a general war was imminent. Peace was, however, effected. and continued until hostilities were again enkindled by the injudi- cious action of Governor Kieft, who was incensed against the Indians for their refusal to pay him tribute.
Learning of the encampment of a body of Indians behind Communipaw he determined to punish them for their obstinacy. Regardless of the protests of the settlers at Pavonia: under cover of the night. February 22. 1643. he sent a detachment of soldiers over from Manhattan, who slaughtered nearly the whole number, including the women and children. "This wanton act caused a general uprising of the savages, and all the tribes between the Connecticut and the Raritan combined in a war for the extermina- tion of the whites. So energetic and relentless was the attack of the Indians that the whole territory outside of the fort at Manhattan was wrested from the whites, and every bonerie and plantation at Pavonia destroyed.
27
HISTORICAL SKETCH
On complaint being made, Governor Kieft was finally removed, and he was succeeded by Peter Stuyvesant as governor, who, although arbitrary and irascible, ruled with a just and firm hand. He succeeded in a measure in restoring confidence among the colonists, although a feeling of unrest and insecurity still pre- vailed.
The Indians, claiming they had been unjustly treated, were dissatisfied and aggressive, but through a conciliatory policy on the part of Stuyvesant, harmony was seemingly restored, and the settlers gave their full attention to the improvement and develop- ment of their holdings.
Unforunately, the killing of an Indian maid while stealing peaches on Manhattan Island, July, 1634, led to another and fiercer outbreak and again Pavonia was desolated, its houses and plantations burned and destroyed, and many of its inhabitants killed or taken prisoners. A few of the survivors escaped to the fort at Manhattan, and the savages held unrestricted sway over the territory.
Governor Stuyvesant entered into negotiations with the Indians for ransoming their prisoners, and took measures for the protection of the colony. After considerable bartering, a price was agreed upon for their return, the captives released and the second general Indian war was ended, but not a single white remained within the limits of Pavonia.
The colonists were slow in returning to their ruined homes : a few of the more adventurous braved the dangers, and endeavored to restore them to their former condition. On account of the difficulty of protecting isolated or scattered settlements, the Director- General and Council passed an ordinance, January 18, 1656, hy which the settlers were commanded "to concentrate themselves in the form of towns, villages and hamlets, so that they could be protected the more effectually, and defended against the assaults and attacks of the barbarians."
In order to remove any cause for friction with the Indians, because of diverse claims of ownership of the land. Governor Stuyvesant and Council purchased from them, January 30, 1658, a tract of land by following description : "Lying on the west bank of the Hudson, beginning at the great cliff above Weehawken and from thence right through the lands till above the island of Siskakes (Secaucus). and thereupon thence to the Kill van Kull, and so along to the Constable Hook, and from the Constable Hook again to the aforesaid cliff at Weehawken, with all the lands, islands, channels and valleys therein comprehended," for 80 fathoms of
28
HISTORICAL SKETCH
wampum, 20 fathoms of cloth, 12 brass kettles and one-half barrel of strong beer.
This purchase by the Council tended to allay to a great extent the hostility of the Indians, and the settlers were now anxious to return to their former fields, but seem to have been averse to collecting together in villages as required. An additional order was issued by the Director-General notifying "all isolated farmers in general and each in particular, wherever they may reside, with- out 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 to a favorably situated and defensible spot. in a new Palisade village to be hereafter formed. when all those who shall apply shall be shown and granted suitable lots by the Director-General and Council or their agents." As a result of this order, on August 16, 1660. several of the inhabitants of the province petitioned for the right to cultivate farms and plantations on the maize land behind Communipaw, and make there a "village or concentration." This was granted "provided that such village shall be founded and placed on a convenient spot that may be defended with ase, and to be selected by the Director-General and Conneil or Commissioners," conditioned 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 drawing of lots."
Shortly after this date and within the required limit of six weeks the village of Bergen was founded, as in the following November a conveyance of land is described as "near the village of Bergen in the new maise land."
It was directed to be laid out by Jacques Cortelyou, the first surveyor of New Amsterdam. It was in the form of a square 800 feet long on each side, with two cross streets meeting at right angles in the center, where a vacant space was reserved 160 by 225 feet. These streets divided the plot into four quarters which were subdivided again into building lots. Along the outer side of the plot. palisades were erected, with gates at the termina- tion of the cross streets, which were closed at night or when an Indian attack was feared. This original plan is preserved at Bergen Square. Academy Street and Bergen Avenue being the intersecting cross streets, while Tuers Avenue, Van Reypen, New- kirk and Vroom Streets mark the line of the palisades. The houses of the settlers were creeted within the enclosure, in accord- ance with the condition of the grant, while their farms extended
THE TOWN PLOT OF
BERGEN OUT GARDEN PLOTS. AS THE LOTS ARE DESCRIBEO IN THE FIELD BOOK OF THE Commissioners
FOR THE PARTITION OF THE COMMONLANDS IN THE TOWN SHIP OF BERGEN, SURVEYED ANO ASCENTAINEO BY THEM FROM THE EARLY PATENTS AND GRANTS, AND PROOFS OF TITLE PROOVECO BEFORE THEM IN
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out into the adjoining country. This was called "Buyten tuyn" or outside gardens. They were in part cultivated and also used for grazing purposes, and the cattle were driven within the stockade nightly, or when the savages became unusually active. On such occasions water was obtained at great risk and the Schont and . Schepens, ordained that a well for the public accommodation be constructed within the enclosure. This action was ratified by the council at New Amsterdam, February 9, 1662, and a well was dug in the center of the square. A long sweep was created for raising the water and troughs placed about it from which the cattle might drink. This well was in general use for several years, but as in course of time individual land owners secured their own water supply, it fell into disuse and was abandoned. During the war of 1812 a liberty pole was erected in it, from which the Stars and Stripes proudly floated on all appropriate occasions.
Up to 1661. the court of Burgomasters and Schepens at New Amsterdam, exercised jurisdiction over all the surrounding territory, including the west bank of the Hudson. This form of government was granted to the Commonalty of New Amsterdam by the States General in 1650. It consisted of a Schout (sheriff), two Burgomasters and five Schepens (aldermen). These were for some time appointed by the Director General and Council, so that, although nominally, the governing power was in their hands; the Director was autocratic, and subjected all others to his will. After the little village of Bergen received its Charter the inhabi- tants presented a petition to the council asking for the establish- ment of "a local court of justice."
This was granted September 5, 1661, and a court of justice erected at Bergen, but with the limitation, that all decisions were subject to the right of appeal to the Director General and Council. Following were appointed :
Tielman Van Vleck, Schout,
Michael Jansen,
Harman Smeeman,
Schepens,
Casper Stynmets,
The Schout and Schepens were given greater powers respecting surveys, laying out of highways, etc. ; also in regard to the building of churches, schools and similar public works. They were like- wise required to commit their opinions to writing and the reasons therefor, and submit them to the Director General and Council for confirmation. As an illustration-we find in the minute of proceedings of Council at New Amsterdam. Decem- ber 22, 1661, present, Director General Petrus Stuyvesant,
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30
HISTORICAL SKETCH
out into the adjoining country. This was called "Buyten tuyn" or outside gardens. They were in part cultivated and also used for grazing purposes, and the cattle were driven within the stockade nightly, or when the savages became unusually active. On such occasions water was obtained at great risk and the Schout and . Schepens, ordained that a well for the public accommodation be constructed within the enclosure. This action was ratified by the council at New Amsterdam. February 9, 1662, and a well was dug in the center of the square. A long sweep was erected for raising the water and troughs placed about it from which the cattle might drink. This well was in general use for several years, but as in course of time individual land owners secured their own water supply, it fell into disuse and was abandoned. During the war of 1812 a liberty pole was erected in it, from which the Stars and Stripes proudly floated on all appropriate occasions.
Up to 1661. the court of Burgomasters and Schepens at New Amsterdam, exercised jurisdiction over all the surrounding territory, including the west bank of the Hudson. This form of government was granted to the Commonaliy of New Amsterdam by the States General in 1650. It consisted of a Schout (sheriff), two Burgomasters and five Schepens (aldermen). These were for some time appointed by the Director General and Council, so that, although nominally, the governing power was in their hands; the Director was autocratic, and subjected all others to his will. After the little village of Bergen received its Charter the inhabi- tants presented a petition to the council asking for the establish- ment of "a local court of justice."
This was granted September 5, 1661, and a court of justice erected at Bergen, but with the limitation, that all decisions were subject to the right of appeal to the Director General and Council. Following were appointed :
Tielman Van Vleck, Schout,
Michael Jansen,
Harman Smeeman,
Schepens,
Casper Stynmets,
The Schout and Schepens were given greater powers respecting surveys, laying out of highways, ele. : also in regard to the building of churches, schools and similar public works. They were like- wise required to commit their opinions to writing and the reasons therefor, and submit them to the Director General and Council for confirmation. As an illustration-we find in the minute of proceedings of Council at New Amsterdam. Decem- ber 22, 1661, present, Director General Petrus Stuyvesant,
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1282574 35
and Councillors Nicasins De Sille and Johan De Deckers, William Jansen petitioned for the establishment of rates of ferriage between Bergen and Manhattan. "Petitioner is referred back to the Schout and Schepens of the village of Bergen, who are hereby authorized to enter into a provisional agreement concerning the ferriage, etc., to the best advantage of the inhabitants of said village and until further orders."
In this same year Governor Stuyvesant granted to the inhabi- tants of the village of Bergen the tract of land previously acquired from the Indians, subsequently known as the township of Bergen. They who occupied lands in any part of this territory were obliged to place their dwellings within the village of Bergen or Communi- paw. Much of this land was held in common and used for grazing and pasturage. In 1664 the territory of New Netherland was surrendered to the English, and Charles II. gave to his brother, James, Duke of York, the territory including the present state of New Jersey, and he, James, sold the same to Lord John Ber- keley and Sir George Carteret the same year. Philip Carteret was made governor of the province. He and his council granted to the Town and Freeholders of Bergen, a tract of land bounded on the north by lands of Varlet and Edsall, on the east by Hudson River, on the south by Kill van Kull and on the west by Arthur Kull and Hackensack River, being almost identical with the Indian- Stuyvesant grant and confirming same.
Trouble arose concerning the use and occupation of the com- mon lands, and as the Carteret grant provided no method of effect- ing a permanent settlement, a petition was submitted setting forth such difficulties and the necessity of enlarged powers and privileges. In pursuance thereof an aet was passed Jannary 14. 1214. granting a new charter as a township by the name of "The Trustees of the Freeholders, Inhabitants of the Town of Bergen," giving more ex- tended power and confirming previous grants and privileges. This act was called the Queen Anne charter, being issued during her reign.
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