USA > New York > Nassau County > Oyster Bay > A documentary history of het (the) Nederdvytsche gemeente. Dutch congregation, of Oyster Bay, V. 10 > Part 1
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F 129 09858 2ªSET
Pamphlet No.10
A DOCUMENTARY
H.I.S.T. O. R. Y
of the
Dutch Congregation of Oyster Bay
Queens County
Island of Nassau (Now Long Island)
"Het Nederduijtsche Gemeente"
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
00001467955
STOUTENBURGH
BRARY
CONGRESS
1800
Class
F129
Book . 09858
Copyright N.º.
2dl set
COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT.
Pamphlet No.10
A DOCUMENTARY
H.I.S.T.O. R. Y
of the Dutch Congregation of Oyster Bay
Queens County
Island of Nassau (Now Long Island)
"Het Nederduijtsche Gemeente"
By HENRY A. STOUTENBURGH 11
F124 .59855
LIBRARY of CONGRESS
Two Copies Received JUL 11 1907
Copyright Entry July 11.1907
CLASS /a XXc. No. 181590 COPY A.
COPYRIGHT, 1907 BY
HENRY A. STOUTENBURGH
NOTE .- While collecting these records, the compiler acquired many items of family genealogy seemingly too valuable to be omitted, and they are included although not of the Dutch Congregation.
Ebe Iknickerbocker Press, new York
K
From a Portrait PETER A. STOUTENBURGH, M.D. (See Page 525)
....
The Compiler HENRY A. STOUTENBURGH
HENRY A. STOUTENBURGH, JUNIOR 8th Generation
THE COMPILER.
HENRY AUGUSTUS STOUTENBURGH, son of Peter Augus- tus and Sarah Jane Luyster.
b Jan. 27, 1842, at East Norwich, L. I.
bp. at Wolver Hollow.
m Ist, March 29, 1863 in Brooklyn
SARAH ELIZA FAULKNER, dau of John and Sarah Rogers. b Dec. 6, 1843, in New York.
d May 11, 1902 (blossom Sunday), at Glen Head (Cedar Swamp), L. I. Issue : Son b Mch. 5, 1867. d Mch. 5, 1867.
m. 2d, Sept. 20, 1904, in New York,
LILLIAN AGNES HALL, dau of Charles A. and Elizabeth Bryan, b. Mch. 14, 1884.
Issue by 2d m. :
Henry Augustus, Junior.
b. Nov. 16, 1905.
bp. Mch. 21, 1906, at 6Ist M. E. Parsonage by Dominie, Frank A. Scofield.
iii
Secular
THE FARMERS HARMONIZING SOCIETY.
Monday, December the 29th, 1800.
AT A Meeting of the Inhabitants of Cedarswamp and others at the School-House in Cedarswamp for the purpose of Organizing A Society:
Roelof Schenck in the Chair.
RESOLVED unanimously that A Committee of three be Appointed to Draught A Constituton for the said purpose and bring it forward at this place this Day fortnight for the Con- sideration of the Meeting.
RESOLVED that Henry Titus, James Hegeman and Epenetus Townsend be A Committee for the above purpose.
Monday, January the 12th, 1801. James Hegeman in the Chair.
James Hegeman and Epenetus Townsend brought forward the Draught of A Constitution, Which after some small Amend- ments being made was Adopted in the following words, To Wit:
WHEREAS A Number of the Inhabitants of Cedarswamp and others Neighboring Inhabitants being desirous of forming A Society with an intent to improve the mind And for the Diffusion of Knowledge; And knowing that certain rules and regulations are Indispensably Necessary for carrying the same into Effect And therefore to the end that Peace, Harmony and good order may prevail, we the Subscribers do make ordain and Declare the following Articles to be our Constitution.
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
CONSTITUTION:
ARTICLE Ist. That the Society shall be called the Farmers Harmonizing Society.
ART. 2nd. That the officers of the Society shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer all to be elected by Ballot who shall respectively hold their offices for three Months.
ART. 3rd. The President and in his absence the Vice President or such Person as may preside in the Chair shall preside in all Meetings, regulate the Debates and determine all questions of order. And in case of an Equality of Votes on any Contested matter he shall have A casting Vote; He shall have power to draw on the Treasurer for such sums of Money as the Society shall order to be paid.
ART. 4th. The duty of the Secretary shall be to take down the Minutes and proceedings of the Society at their different Meetings and to enter them into A Book kept for that purpose ; Likewise keep A Register of the Names of all the Members.
ART. 5th. The Treasurer is to receive all the Monies belong- ing to the Society and shall pay all Orders of the President or in his Absence the order of the Person presiding at the Meeting. And keep A fair account of his Receipts and Expenditures and render A statement of his Accounts at the Meeting of the Society Preceeding the General Election of Officers.
ART. 6th. Whenever A vacancy at any time of the Meeting shall happen by the absence of the President or Secretary any such vacancy to be filled by such Member as the Society think proper to elect to officiate during that Meeting.
ART. 7th. All persons becoming members of this Society shall subscribe these Articles and pay into the hands of the Treasurer the sumof Two Shillings entrance and One Shilling Quarterly after- wards towards Defraying the Incidental charges of the Society.
ART. 8th. Any person desirous of becoming a Member of this Society must be proposed to A Meeting previous and be Balloted for the next and if A majority of the members present are in his favour he shall be admitted but not otherwise.
ART. 9th. Any Member who shall be in Arrears two pay-
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
ments at any General meeting will be no longer considered as A member of the Society.
ART. Ioth. There shall be three General Meetings of the Society, the first on the Second Monday in January, The second on the second Monday in April, the third on the second Monday in October for the purpose of choosing Officers and other pur- poses on the Constitution herein mentioned And such ordinary Meetings as may from time to time be appointed by the Laws of the Society.
ART. IIth. No Person to be Expeled from the Society unless the same be done by two thirds of the Members present by Ballot and no person removed from office during the Vacancy of the General meeting unless by two thirds-of the Members present.
ART. 12th. The Foregoing rules and Regulations shall be deemed and taken as the Fundamental Laws of the Society and no part of them shall be altered or Amended but by A motion made at the General meeting and notice being given thereof at A previous meeting And that two-thirds of the members present are in favour of the Motion.
ART. 13th. The Society may from time to time make such further regulations and Bye-Laws as may be necessary to carry the foregoing Articles into effect agreeable to the Design and purport thereof.
ART. 14th. If it should so happen at any of our general meet- ings that A House should not be made out the old officers shall be Continued until the next General Meeting.
James Hageman.
Henry Titus.
Garret Layton.
Epenetus Townsend.
Wm. M. Hewlett
Hewlett Townsend.
Joseph Hageman
Adrian Hageman.
Rem B. Simonson.
Daniel Hageman.
Elbert Hageman.
George Monfoort, Junr.
Roelef I. Schenck.
Jacob Mott
Willm. Crooker.
George Duryea.
Jacob Crooker.
Benjamin Coles, Junr.
Rowland Titus.
Simeon Crooker.
Aaron V. Nostrand.
Thos. M. Weeks.
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
After the Constitution being Adopted, it was Resolved that A Committee of three should be appointed to form A Draught of such Bye-Laws as they should think would be necessary for the Society agreeable to the Constitution.
RESOLVED that Elbert Hegeman, Roelof Schenck and Adrian Hageman be A Committee for the above purpose.
Previous to an Adjournment of the Meeting of the above named Day the Question was proposed in the following words:
Viz: Which will be the most Inviting to our Society good Laws or Strict Attendance?
Proceedings of Monday the 26th of January, 1801.
Elbert Hegeman and Adrian Hageman brought forward the following Articles which were read before the Meeting and Adopted by the same to be the Bye-Laws of their Society.
BYE-LAWS:
ARTICLE Ist. When Eight Members of the Society shall have Assembled at the place Appointed for the meeting of the same the President shall take the Chair and call to order. The Members shall then take their seats the President only wearing his Hat. And previous to other business the Secretary shall read the proceedings of the last Meeting.
ART. 2nd. Every Member previous to speaking shall arise and Address the President and if two or more persons shall arise at the same time the President shall decide who shall speak first and after speaking he shall take his seat.
ART. 3rd. When one Member is speaking another shall not Interrupt him or enter into any private Conversation or pass between him and the President.
ART. 4th. Any Member guilty of Indecent or profane Lan- guage or Behavior at our Meetings or Rediculing any Member for what he has said at A Meeting of the Society at any time or A willfull neglect of his Duty shall for every such offence pay to the Treasurer the sum of Twenty-five Cents and be lyable to A Reprimand from the President for the same.
ART. 5th. Every Member for not Attending at any such meeting as shall from time to time be appointed shall for every
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
such neglect (without giving a satisfactory excuse for the same) pay to the Treasurer the sum of Six Cents and for every such neglect at A general meeting the sum of Twelve Cents.
ART. 6th. No Person shall be liable to pay A Fine until it is put to A Vote in the Meeting whether he shall be fined or not and in case A Majority of the members present be against him, then he shall be liable to pay the fine laid on such Offence or neglect as shall be Alleged against him. And in case he shall refuse to pay the same then he shall be liable to be expeled Immediately.
ART. 7th. No Person who is not a Member of the Society shall be Admited into the Meeting.
ART. 8th. There shall be no Debating on A Motion made and not Seconded.
ART. 9th. When a question is to be decided every Member present shall vote.
ART. Ioth. The method of Voting on A Question shall be by drawing off in parties and in other cases by holding up the right Hand except in such cases as are otherwise provided for in the Constitution.
ART. IIth. Before the Order of Meeting there shall be Questions proposed and the President shall Determine whether the Questions are proper to be Debated on or not and Determine which Question shall be decided first.
ART. 12th. No Person shall be Admitted to speak more than once on any Question except it be to Explain what he has before said until every Member wishing to speak shall have spoken.
ART. 13th. The Vice President shall see that no Persons be in the Meeting except he be a Member of the same.
ART. 14th. All Amendments to the By-Laws of the Society shall be proposed to the President in Writing which will be read before the society and Decided at the next meeting.
ART. 14th. The President shall previous to each General Meeting select a piece and present the same to the Meeting which shall be read in the presence of the Society which piece shall be Recorded by the secretary.
ART. 16th. If any piece of Writing at any time is to be read
1
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
before the Meeting, the President may appoint any such person as he shall think proper to read the same.
ART. 17th. A Motion for Adjourning shall be Decided with- out A Debate.
ART. 18th. No Liquor shall be Admitted into the Society stronger than Beer or Cyder.
ART. 19th. The Secretary before the Close of each Meeting shall call the roll and take down the Names of the Persons absent.
Monday, January the 26th, 1801.
After the Bye-Laws being adopted, the President proposed the Question of the last meeting to the Members present to be Decided: Which after A Considerable debate was Decided in favour of strict attendance in manner following :
For Good Laws -- 4. For Strict Attendance:5.
A motion was then made for getting a Quire of Writing paper for the use of the society and Resolved by the Meeting that Rowland Titus bring forward the same at the next Meeting.
The Questions proposed to be Debated on at the next Meeting, Which is the most despicable character, the Miser or the Prodigal?
Which Predominates most amongst Mankind,pride or Avarice?
Proceedings of Monday the 9th of Feby. 1801.
After a Number of the Members were Assembled, George Monfoort (who was proposed at the Meeting previous as being Desirous becoming A Member of the Society) was then Bal- loted for & Unanimously carried that he should become a Member of the Society.
Jacob Mott was proposed to the Meeting as being Desirous of becoming A Member of the Society.
The Question was then brought forward, viz: which is the most Despicable Character the Miser or the Prodigal. Mr- Schenck said he was not so well informed in the Different Char- acters as he would wish to be and therefore beged leave that the Question might be laid aside till the next meeting which was agreed on by the Members present and the Question laid aside till the next meeting.
841
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
The Question was then brought forward, which Predominates most amongst mankind, Pride or Avarice? After some remarks being made on the subject it was unanimously Carried that Pride predominated most.
The Question proposed for Discussion at the next Meeting: Which is the most information to be gained from the Male or Female Sex.
Proceedings of Monday, the 23rd of Feby. 1801.
After a number of the Members where Assembled Jacob Mott who was proposed to the last Meeting was then Balloted for and unanimously carried that he should become a Member of the Society.
The Question was then brought forward for discussion which was the most Despicable Character the Miser or the Prodigal. After a Considerable Debate it was decided in manner following viz:
In favor of the Prodigal: 4. In favor of the Miser: 5.
The Question was then brought forward for Discussion which was the most Information to be gained from the Male or Female Sex. After some remarks being made on the matter it was Unanimously carried in favor of the Male Sex. The two follow- ing Questions were then proposed for Discussion at the next meeting: Hath the Invention of Fire arms been an advantage to Mankind or hath it not?
Which Operates strongest on Mankind Ambition or the Love of Women?
Proceedings of March the 9th, 1801.
After Assembling the following Question was proposed for Discussion, viz: Hath the Invention of Fire Arms been an Advantage to Mankind or hath it not? After A long Debate on the Matter it was Decided in favor of the Negative.
On the Affirmative: 6. On the Negative: 7.
The following Question was next put for A discussion And ad- journed till the next meeting, viz: Which operates Strongest on Mankind-Ambition or the Love of Women?
A Resolve was then made that Elbert Hageman should bring
842
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
a gallon of Cyder to Each Meeting for which he should Receive one Shilling per galn. out of the Treasury.
The following Question was proposed for Discussion at the next Meeting, viz: Hath the Speed of Horses been of more Advantage than Disadvantage to Mankind.
Proceedings of Monday the 23rd of March, 1801.
After Assembling Isaac Layton who was proposed at the Meeting previous was then Balloted for and it was carried by A Majority on the Negative of his being Elected.
Micajah Townsend was proposed to the meeting as being desirous of becoming A member of the Society.
The question was then put, Which operates strongest on Man- kind ?- Ambition or the Love of Women? After a Considerable debate it was Carried that Ambition operates strongest by A Majority in the following manner:
For Ambition: 6. For the Love of Women: 5.
The Question was then put-Hath the speed of Horses been of more Advantage than Disadvantage to mankind? After some remarks being made on the subject the Question was withdrawn.
The following Question was then brought forward, viz: Which would be of the most Utility to the Community for A Man to have an Independent Fortune or A Liberal Education? After some Debating the subject was Adjourned.
The Question proposed for Discussion at the next Meeting: which hath A man that is A Sot the most regard for himself or good Liquor?
Proceedings of Monday the 6th of April 1801.
After Assembling Micajah Townsend was Balloted for and unanimously elected. The following proposals where brought forward and read to the Meeting (for an Amendment to the 15th Article of the Bye-Laws of the Society) viz: That it shall be Lawfull for the President to select and bring forward Pieces to be read at any of our Ordinary Meetings. And he may appoint any Member of the Society to read the same. Provided always that Members appointed by virtue of this Article to read can at their option either read or Decline reading. If the above should
1
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
fail it was proposed that the words (which piece shall be Recorded by the Secretary) in the Sd. Article should be struck out.
The Question was then put for Discussion, Which would be of the most Utility to the Community for A Man to have an In- dependent fortune or A liberal Education.
After some Debate on the subject it was carried in favour of a liberal Education, viz:
For an Independent Fortune: 5. For a Liberal Education: 6.
The Question was then put for Discussion-Which hath A Man that is A Sot the Most regard for himself or strong Drink. It was carried that he had the most regard for strong Drink, viz : For himself: 3. For Strong Drink: 8.
Questions where then proposed.
Proceedings of the GENERAL MEETING on Monday 13th of April, 1801
The Members proceeded to the Electing of Officers.
James Hageman was Reelected as President.
Roelof I. Schenck was Elected as Vice President. Adrian Hageman was Elected as Secretary.
Joseph Hageman was Reelected as Treasurer.
The proposal made on the 6th of April for an Amendment to the 15th Art. of the Bye-Laws was brought forward and Adopted in the following words: viz: That it shall be lawful for the President to Select and bring forward Pieces to be read at any of our Ordinary Meetings and he may appoint any Member of the Society to read the same. Provided always that Members appointed by virtue of Article to read can at their Option either read or decline reading.
The Question was then brought forward for Discussion-Hath the present War in Europe been of Advantage to America or not?
After some Debate on the subject it was Decided in favour of the negative.
On the affirmative: 6. On the negative: 7.
Proceedings of Monday, the 4th of May, 1801.
The Question was then put for Discussion, Are the Operations of Love strongest with the Male or Female Sex? After some
844
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
Debate on the subject it was carried that the Operations were strongest on the Female Sex.
On the Male: 3. On the Female: 6.
The Question was then put, which will carry A man to the greatest height, Ritches or Honour. After some Debate it was Carried that Honour would.
For Ritches: 1. For Honour: 8.
Proceedings of Monday, the Ist of June, 1801.
The Secretary being Absent Aaron V. Nostrand was chosen Secretary for the present Meeting. The Question was then Read for A Discussion in the following Words:
Are Plants and Herbs the Natural production of the Earth or do they not come forward in any other way than from the seed? After A considerable Debate the Question was decided as follows:
Natural: 4. From the Seed : 5.
A Motion was then made for A new Article in Addition to the Bye-Laws of the Society which reads in the following words:
That three Members met at the place Appointed may return the Defaulters at the next Meeting and they shall be liable to A fine the same as if Eight Members had met.
Proceedings of the GENERAL MEETING on Monday the 12th of Oct. 1801
The Members proceeded to the General Election of Officers in which the following Persons where elected.
Elbert Hageman, President. Roelof I. Schenck, Vice Pres- ident.
Adrian Hageman, Secretary. Joseph Hageman, Treasurer.
The Additional Article to the Bye-Laws proposed at the last Meeting was then read and Adopted.
The following Question was read for Discussion. Which is the most Extreme the Cold in Winter or the Heat in Summer.
After some Debate it was Decided as follows:
For Heat: 2. For Cold: 5.
Proceedings of Monday the 9th November, 1801.
The President made his Address to the Society in the follow- ing words:
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
Called to this Station by your Will I shall endeavour to per- form the Duties incumbent on me according to the best of my Abilities. Good Order in the transaction of business is so Evidently necessary, that I shall expect your assistance in pre- serving it on all occasions. As our Aim is to improve in Friend- ship and general Information every Member should strive to do something for the benefit of the whole as well as for his own Improvement. But the pursuit of Knowledge is in some respect much like many other pursuits in Life and he who makes the greatest Exertion will generally progress fastest. Although from our situation in Life we can hardly hope soon to arrive at great Eminence in the Improvement of the mind; yet should no one be Discouraged on that Account. Let us consider that between the most learned and the most unlearned there are A great many Intermediate stations that may be filled with Honour and Credit to ourselves, and perhaps with Advantage to the Community in which we live. Nor should any Member think himself Deficient in point of genius or natural Abilities, A portion of which is given to every Man; And the great difference that is seen amongst Men arises much more from what they Acquire by their own Industry and Application than from any- thing that is Born with them.
If A Man has good common Sense (and most of Men do have it) there is no doubt that he is capable of Improving to such a degree as to Cut A good figure in the world.
Dr. Franklin is an Instance in point, and it is both Pleasant and Instructive to trace his rise and progress through life. From the most humble beginning he rose to the highest Honours of the state; And all in Consequence of his own Industry. Let us not despair of following his Example.
The Question was then read for A Discussion, Which is the most Advantage to the Farmer to keep Ewes or Cows?
After some calculations where made and offered on the sub- ject it was unanimously carried in favour of Cows.
The Question next read for Discussion: Which bears the greatest Character A great States-Man or A great General?
After A long Debate it was Decided as follows,
In favour of the General, 6. In favour of the States Man. 4.
846
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
George Duryea was then proposed to the Society as being Desirous of becoming A Member.
A Move was then made and carried by A large majority for the Society to meet once A Week till further alteration.
Proceedings of Monday the 16th of Nov. 1801.
George Duryea was Balloted for and Unanimously Elected as A Member.
The Question was then put for A Discussion. Will it be of any Advantage to our Society to admit Members of Similar Societies as spectators provided we are admitted into theirs- or not?
After some remarks were made on the subject it was Unani- mously carried that it would be of Advantage.
The Question was then put for A Discussion: Which requires the most Prudence the Art of getting Wealth or that of saving it?
After some debate on the matter it was unanimously carried that the Art of getting required the most prudence.
A Motion was made and carried for Appointing A Committee to Draught an Article in Addition to the Bye-Laws for Admiting Members of Similar Societies:
James Hageman, Rem B. Simonson and Aaron V. Nostrand where appointed A Committee for the purpose above mentioned.
Proceedings of Monday the 30th of November 1801.
Aaron V. Nostrand was chosen Secretary for the present Meeting. The Committee appointed at the previous Meeting brought forward an Article in addition to the Bye-Laws which was Adopted in the following Words:
Resolved by this Society that from and after the Adoption of this Article all Members of Society similar to ours shall be Admitted into ours. Provided we are Admitted into theirs, and shall have the same privilege of Discussing Questions as our own Members. Except Voting and such Questions of Business as relates to the Society. Provided always that they shall be under the Laws and Regulations of our Society when present.
The Question was then read: Which is the most Advantage to the Farmer to cultivate Grain or Grass?
For Grain: 3. For Grass: 4.
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
Proceedings of Monday, the 7th of December, 1801.
The Question was then Read. Which Exerts himself most the Miser to save or the Prodigal to spend. After some Debate it was Decided as follows:
The Miser exerts himself most. 5. The Prodigal exerts him- self most. 3.
The Question was then read: Which is the Greatest Trans- gressor, A Subject that Violates A good Law or the Authority which suffers it to be violated?
After some Debate it was decided in the following manner: The subject the greatest Transgressor. 2. The Authority the greatest Transgressor. 5.
Proceedings of Monday, the 21st December, 1801.
The Question for Discussion was put in the following Words: Which is the most Improving to the Mind, the Female Society or that of our own Sex?
After some remarks made on the subject the Question was withdrawn, and the following Question was then brought forward.
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