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 3
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This, however, did not solve the difficulties. There were encroachments on these common lands through unwarranted occu- pancy, and likewise waste through the indiscriminate cutting of timber, etc., consequently serious disagreements arose among the settlers. Many attempts were made to effect settlements, and June 16, 1743 thirty-one of the inhabitants bound themselves in- dividually to an equitable agreement not to trespass upon such common lands, except as mutually agreed upon until a division of them was determined upon, signed by :
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Myndert Gerbrants,
Jacob Gerritse Van Wagenen,
Cornelius Van Nieuwkirk.
Jacob I. Van Horne.
Abraham Diederick.
Daniel Van Winkle,
Cornelius K. Gerbrants,
Abraham Sickels. Jacobus Van Buskirk,
Hendrick Van Winkel.
Andries Van Buskirk.
Johannis Gerritse Van Wagenen,
Lourens Van Buskirk, Johannis Van Houten.
Cornelius Blinkerhoff.
Zacharias Sickels.
Michael Cornelius Vreeland.
Peter Marcellus.
John Van Horne.
Hendrick H. Spier.
Ido I. Sip. Arent Toers.
Hendrick Siggels.
Garret Roose,
Cornelius Van Vorst,
Hendrick Vanderoff.
Jacob I. Brower.
Lerymis Van Buskirk.
WITNESS :
Johannis Vreelandt. Direk Kadmus.
This agreement seems to have in great measure allayed the irritation, and the settlers pursued the even tenor of their way, clearing and cultivating their lands and meeting the difficulties and hardships of the carly pioneer. with courage and determination. But no permanent and satisfactory adjustment was effected until December 7. 1763, when an act was passed by the Council and General Assembly of the colony entitled "An act appointing com- missions for finally settling and determining the several rights, titles and claims to the common lands in the township of Bergen, and for making a partition thereof."
These Commissioners performed well their part, and field
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books and maps were prepared and filed, which forever settled the difficulties, and are recognized to this day as the basis of all land titles in the township.
Some doubt has been thrown upon the character of the early settlers of Bergen, by the charges of careless writers; that they were a miscellaneous lot of irresponsible soldiers, whose term of service with the Dutch West India Company having expired, were allotted parcels of land as partial remuneration for their service. Doubtless there were among these early settlers, soldiers who had completed their term of service, but in the main, they were com- posed of Hollanders who came to the new land to establish a home. They were mostly farmers and occupied their lands, subject to the restrictions and conditions imposed by the West India Company, from whom they obtained their grants or leases. One of these. conditions was military service. On the expiration of this term of service, they became independent citizens and were confirmed in the ownership of their grants. That they were God-fearing- people, is evidenced by their great desire to establish a church in the very infancy of the little village. The church annals tell us that the organization of the church was effected in 1660, and a log structure erected which was used for divine service before- 1662. The great anxiety of the sturdy colonists was to perpetuate the faith of their fathers, and to procure means for the instruction of their youth, and in September, 1662, the Schout and Schepens petitioned the governor and council for a minister of the gospel, affixing to such petition a list of 25 persons who had subscribed 417 guilders for his support. Although this petition failed of its- object, a schoolmaster was procured, whose duties were to officiate at divine service, reading the psalms and selected sermons, pre- scribed by the church authorities at Amsterdam. As opportunity offered, ministers from New York crossed over to preach to the Bergen people, administering the Lord's Supper, and performing marriage ceremonies and baptisms.
Tradition states that the first building erected for church service was located at the northeast corner of the old graveyard, near the corner of Tuers Avenue and Vroom Street. This was in the early days of the village a sightly spot, elevated several feet above the surrounding territory. It is said to have been built of logs- and was occupied for eighteen years as a place of divine service.
In 1680 the stone octagonal church was erected on the church plot southwest corner of present Bergen Avenue and Vroom Street, which was followed in the year 1773 by a more commodious edifice. in the same location, which was in turn demolished in 1841 and
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the present difice, known as the Bergen Reformed Church, was erected.
The first regularly ordained permanent minister was the Rev. William Jackson, who, in 1256. received his credentials and ordination from the Classis at Amsterdam, Holland, to which all the Dutch churches in this country were subjected. The next year September 10, 1251. he was regularly installed in the church at Bergen, and found there a parsonage awaiting him. This building he occupied until his death in 1813, although he became incapaci- tated in 1:89 and three years later. 1292, was succeeded by the Rev. John M. Cornelison, for whose use as a parsonage, the Con-
TYPE OF OCTAGONAL CHURCH Site Corner Bergen Avenue and Vroom Street
sistory purchased the homestead of Cornelius Sip, located on the northwest corner of Bergen Avenue and the square.
This building continued to be occupied as the church parsonage until 1851, when the new building (at present owned by Mr. C. A. Lewis) was erected and used for that purpose, until the present parsonage adjoining the Bergen Reformed Church was built.
The old Jackson parsonage was demolished in 1841 and at
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the same time the old church, corner of Vroom Street and Bergen Avenue, was torn down, and much of the material of both buildings was incorporated in the present sanctuary, the cornerstone of which was laid August 26, 1841.
The second parsonage on Bergen Square was torn down in 1870.
One of the cardinal principles of church government was the care and instruction of the young. Immediately upon the organization of the church, the children were taught the elementary branches of instruction, as well as the truths of religion. The infant settlement was without a regularly ordained minister for many years. Occasionally a minister from the neighboring city would cross over, and officiate at the Lord's Supper and perform the rites of marriage and baptism. During the intervals the psalms were read by some member of the congregation, and by the voorleser after his appointment.
Engelbert Steenhuysen was the first regularly licensed voor- leser or clerk and was engaged with the express stipulation that he was to act as schoolmaster. His duties were multifarious. Not only was he clerk and schoolmaster, but practically minister. sexton and undertaker likewise. When the town was first laid out the lot on the northeast corner of the square at its intersec- tion with the cross street running from east to west (now Academy Street, and the site of present No. 11) was set apart for school pur- poses and has so remained to this day. The exact date of the first building on this spot is not known, but the church book of accounts presents items of expenditure for repair in 1678 and 1680. That would indicate that at this early time it was in an advanced state of dilapidation. The second schoolhouse was built in 1708 and 1709, which was followed by the Columbian Academy in 1790. This building was occupied for school purposes until school No. 1 of the town of Bergen was built in 1858. and during the erection of the present church building. in 1841, Divine Service was regu- larly held within its walls.
In the early days, under the system of instruction then pre- vailing the consistory of the Dutch Church. had full control and management of the schools. They appointed the schoolmaster, and the dominie at stated times. visited the school as well as the home, questioning and catechising, and if the result was not satis- factory did not hesitate to inflict corporal punishment. When the church relinquished its right to school control, cannot be positively ascertained.
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TRT
مدرسة
SECOND CHURCH, ERECTED 1773 Bergen Ave. & Vroom St
In the charter of incorporation of the' old Bergen Church, granted by the English government, December 20, 1771, are the names of the Rev. William Jackson, minister; Abraham Dedericks, Robert Syekles, George Vreeland and Abraham Syckles, elders, and Johannis Van Wagenen, Henrieus Kuyper, Johannis Van Houten and Daniel Van Winkle, deacons. "The power was con- ferred on them of appointing a clerk, schoolmaster, bell ringer, etc.,
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so that at this day and for some years afterward the school was under the control of the church, probably until about 1800.
Up to 1813 the title to the school property was vested in "The Trustees of the Bergen Columbia Academy." In 1764 the Com- missioners for the Partition of the Common Lands in the Town of Bergen allotted three tracts of land "For the Free School of the Town of Bergen," by numbers 172, 178 and 179. It is curions to note that these numbers follow consecutively the numbers of the tracts allotted to the church, viz., 173, 174, 175 and 176, indicating the close connection and relative importance of these institutions in the minds of the Commissioners.
The first-mentioned plot, No. 177, was the plot set aside for school purposes at the founding of the town, and which has been occupied continuously for educational purposes since that time, and is now part of the site of School No. 11. Lots Nos. 178 and 179, or the greater part of them, were sold by these Trustees and the proceeds invested for the benefit and support of the school. A dispute arose between the Freeholders of the Township of Bergen and the above Trustees, as to the powers and privileges vested in them, the former claiming to be the only legal representatives of the township.
In final settlement of the difficulty, and as expressed in a deed dated September 25, 1813, "for the quieting and putting an end to
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1
COLUMBIAN ACADEMY North East Corner Bergen Square
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all controversies respecting the same." Jeremiah Van Winkle. Peter Sip, Garret I. Van Riper, John Van Houten, Jr., John Newkirk, Garret Newkirk and Martin Winner. at that time "the Trustees of the Bergen Columbia Academy." transferred all right. title, estate and interest to the lands, and to all moneys arising from the sale of part of said lands, bonds and mortgages, etc., unto the "Trustees of the Freeholders, inhabitants of the Township of Ber- Len." and to their assigns and successors forever. Also the lot and school house in the Town of Bergen commonly called the Columbia Academy, with a proviso "that the said school house shall be appro- priated for the use of a school or schools."
Moneys and securities transferred under this instrument amounted to $3.500.12. Application was made to the State Legis- lature for the passage of an act confirming above transfer and sale, and on the 27th of January. 1814. an act was passed confirming the sales already made. authorizing further sales if necessary. and directing "that the moneys so realized be invested for the use and benefit of said Free School, for the continuance of said Free School and for no other purpose."
This fund was entirely exhausted within five years from the date of transfer, as a report of a committee of investigation, ap- pointed by the Freeholders in 1843. states: "By adding the interest of said school fund to the principal yearly, and taking therefrom the expenses every year, said fund was expended in the year 1819."
The old academy was torn down in 1858, and a new building erected on the same site, which was known as School No. 1 of Bergen. and after consolidation as No. 11 of Jersey City. On the demolition of this building in 1901 the present magnificent struc- ture was erected. thus continning for future generations this his- to rie site for educational purposes.
REVOLUTIONARY TIMES
The demands and exactions of the English government had aroused a general feeling of antagonism, and the inhabitants of Bergen, in common with all other parts of the colonies, were again embroiled, and all throughout the Revolutionary War were subjected to extreme privation and suffering, to an unusual degree.
Although shortly after the breaking out of hostilities Bergen fell into the hands of the English, and so remained until peace was declared. its territory was harrassed by both friend
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VAN WAGENEN HOMESTEAD General Lafayet e's Headquarters, 1780
and foe, the houses of the inhabitants were plundered. their cattle and grain seized. and themselves subjected to every indignity, not only from the scouting parties from both armies, but from bands of irresponsible gangs whose sole object was the booty they could secure, no matter what the allegiance of the plundered. On one occasion. at least. a detachment of marauders descended upon the village while the inhabitants were at divine service, and rudely interrupting them, effected a forced exchange of clothing with the Dutch burghers. who were compelled to enwrap themselves in the filthy rags of their assailants, in place of their own comfortable homespun garments.
At the outbreak of hostilities. a flying camp under the com- mand of General Hugh Mercer was established at Bergen. and because of its commanding position it became a place of outlook throughout the war for scouting parties of the American army,
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although the territory was practically in the possession of the English during the whole continuance of the war. Prior's mill Has a favorite outpost, and earthworks were thrown up on the plot West of Baldwin Avenue and north of Newkirk Street.
In August, Di80, General Lafayette encamped with his army at Bergen, leaving a portion of his force on the brow of the hill ou the south side of Newark Avenue, opposite the present high school, and the remainder on the Tuers farm, opposite the Bergen Reformed Church. He made his headquarters at the Van Wagenen home- stead. and entertained General Washington at a dinner, given under the shade of an apple tree, in the orchard behind the house.
In later years, on the occasion of Lafayette's visit to this country, in 1821. he was presented with a cane made from the branches that had overshadowed him in those early days, as a souvenir of the former occasion.
The dangers and privations of the Revolution being past, the people of Bergen again resumed their avocations, and through their industry. a few years sufficed to erase all traces of the bloody scenes that had been enacted. The fertile fields again vielded up their abundant return, and peace and comfort brooded over the little village.
For nearly two centuries after its settlement but few changes occurred in the territory of Bergen. The old town retained its primitive characteristics to an unusual degree, and the inhabitants pursued the even tenor of their way with complacency. undisturbed by the allurements or excitements of the outside world. The Buyten Tuyn or outside gardens continued as farm lands, and they were cultivated with a thrift that brought a goodly competency to the industrious owner. The neighboring city afforded a convenient and remunerative market for the products of the soil, and the deeply laden periangues plying their way thitherward. bore full testimony of the readiness of the farmer to secure this advantage.
But the time of change was surely approaching. The deaths occurring among the older generations necessitated a division of the home acres, and continued intercourse with the neighboring city awakened now desires and ambitions. So that when the stranger lured by the beauty of location, and the restfulness of the surroundings, desired a home in this secluded spot. opportunities were offered of which he was not slow to avail himself. New faces appeared. The Dutch vernacular was more seldom heard. and gradually but slowly the peculiar characteristics began to fade away.
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1841 MADE IN
FROM THE DOUGLAS MAP
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Daniel G. Van Winkle
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Heirs of N.Prvor
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Tuerse
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They were a rural community, and being in some degree related to each other. there prevailed a mutual interest and sympathy that can scarcely be realized under our changed conditions. Their want- were few and simple and mainly supplied from the home lot : even the clothing and household linen was made from the wool or flax raised on the farm.
Occasionally visits were made to the neighboring city for the purpose of barter in order to secure the few hisuries coveted.
These changes began about the middle of the last century. Ber- gen Square of the "Plain" as it was called, was the center of activi- ties. It was not only the play ground and ball field for the village youth. but served as a parade and drill ground on training days, when a motley crowd assembled to meet the requirements of the Jaw. Town meetings and political gatherings were held there, and it was the chosen spot for the annual Fourth of July exhibition of fireworks. the funds for which were collected by the patriotic young- sters of the day, who likewise cared for and hoisted the flag on all gala occasions. Until 1848. when Grand Street from Summit Ave- nue to the ferry, was opened along its present line. all traffic from Communipaw and the lower part of the County. was obliged to follow the line of Bergen Avenue, through Bergen and Hudson City. via Newark Avenue to the ferry, or take the rough mill road leading from Summit Avenue down the easterly side of the hill via Prior's mill.
In those days there were no public transportation facilities. Almost every family had its own conveyance and no need was felt for additional accommodation. until the advent of a few business men from the city, required increasing travelling convenience, when. Peter Earle equipped a one-horse stage, and for one shilling (121%. cents) fare each way, conveyed them to and from the ferry.
No other applications for transportation were considered by him, unless subject to his own conditions. He should receive notice the night previous, of the wish of his prospective customers to secure transportation ; and they were required to be ready for departure a 10 o'clock A. M. and be in readiness to return from the ferry at 3 P. M., so that he would be able to serve his regular passengers. In case of failure to comply with these conditions. they were obliged to walk from the ferry up over the rocks at the head of Academy street.
Increasing traffic soon demanded an additional conveyance. and the enterprising proprietor added to his equipment a two- horse stage. These two convoyances served the traveling public until 1853, when Jacob M. Merseles, foreseeing the great possibilities.
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47
of satisfactory remuneration, purchased the Earle line, and merged it into an omnibus line which ran from the stables at present Montgomery and Orchard Streets, and followed the Newark Avenue. car route to the ferry. One Hallock started another line, but after- a few months' fruitless opposition sold out to Merseles, who incor -. porated the Jersey City and Bergen Plank Road Company to. facilitate the travel of his stages. This line was in 1860 merged! into the Jersey City and Bergen Horse Car Co. The first cars: operated on this line were in the form of the old omnibus body,.
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OLD CHURCH 107
OLD GRAVE YARD
BURYING GROUND BOUGHT . 1831
BERGEN SQUARE and VICINITY 1845 - 1855
PLOT SHOWING SITE OF BUILDINGS, 1850
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fastened to the truck on a prvot which made it convenient for swinging around at the terminals; or-as only a single track was furnished-when meeting between switches.
The apple orchard at the terminus of the route was trans- formed into a grove, and it became a favorite resort as a picnic ground and for moonlight cotillions. The shrewdness of Merscles in making this transformation was at once felt in the increased patronage of his transportation line.
Soon larger cars were demanded and electricity was applied as a motive power. The line passed through successive ownerships and developments, until it has become a very important part of the holding- of the Public Service Corporation, connecting with the Hudson and Manhattan tubes. Truly, it is a very long stride from the lumbering stages of old Peter Earle with the 10 to 50- minute ride to and from the ferry, to the luxurious coaches of the Manhattan company, soon to bear the wayfarer from Bergen, into the heart of the business portion of the neighboring city in ten to fifteen minutes.
BERGEN SQUARE, 1845
Perhaps a short description of the territory at Bergen Square and adjacent thereto, during the years 1845 to 1855 may be inter- esting as showing the changes that have taken place in that locality since that time. This was then the most thickly settled portion of Bergen, the surrounding territory being ocenpied as farm lands, with the old farm houses of the various owners dotting the land- scape at intervals. Until the opening of Montgomery Street in 1820 there were no streets crossing Bergen Avenue from Vroom Street on the north, to Communipaw Avenue on the south, or between Bergen Avenue and the Back Lane (now West Side Ave- ne) on the west. or Bergen Avenue and Summit on the cast. A clearer idea may be obtained by reference to the accompany- ing out.
Beginning at the southerly part or at the line of present Montgomery Street, we were greeted with a small hostelry fronting on present Fore Place, which was a portion of a narrow lane con- meeting Bergen Avenue, with the mill road and Summit Avenue.
North of this on the east side of Bergen Avenue and on the site of the Fourth Regiment Armory, stood the (Tuers homestead. with the farm extending from Montgomery to Vroom Streets and
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TUERS' HOMESTEAD
from Bergen to Summit Avenues, covering practically that whole territory.
On the opposite or west side of Bergen Avenue, about the site of the present Winner mansion, was the homestead of the Winner family, surrounded by their broad acres. A great portion of this property is still owned and occupied by a descendant of the original owner.
A short distance north was the Tise tavern, the ruins of which are still standing. This was built on the site of the old Peter Stuyvesant tavern of colonial times, and much of the material of the old building entered into its construction. It was celebrated not only for its excellent cuisine, but was one of the appointed places for town meetings, and divided the honors of holding the polls at the town elections, with a hostelry farther north, sometimes the Three Pigeons, or Beatty's Hotel, in the Hudson City section.
Adjoining this hotel farther north stood the Dutch Church, now the Bergen Reformed. as now located, with the long, low shed between : erected for the protection of the many vehicles that bore their owners to divine service.
North of the church and on the same side of Bergen Avenue and still standing, just south of the church plot on which the octagonal church was built in 1680. was the house occupied by John Mandeville, the chorister of the Bergen Church for many - years.
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Haust the church burying ground. on the northwest corner of Bergen Avenue and Groom Street, was the Parks homestead, a long, low, one-story and attic stone building, with two half doors opening on Bergen Avenue, and on the opposite side of Vroom Street, midway between Bergen Avenue and Van Reypen Street, and near the present location of the Norwegian Church, E. P. Vidal and J. J. Franks had built their comfortable homes.
Returning to Bergen Avenue, on the northeast corner of Vroom Street, Stood the Garret Newkirk homestead, with capacious barn in the rear. North, and on the southeasterly corner of the square, still standing, was the Demott homestead. later occupied by Alexander Smith, a sturdy Scotchman, whose hospitable doors were ever opened, and many a scene of gavety and merriment was witnessed within it- walls. The garden plot attached, was a marvel of beauty, for through his skill in floriculture. he produced and blended colorings the most exquisite, the wonder and admiration of all passersby. On the opposite, or west side of Bergen Avenue were his barns and greenhouses, and just south the homes of Abra- ham Speer and Alexander Peer.
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