USA > New York > Ontario County > Richmond > Records of the Dutch Reformed Church of Port Richmond, S.I., baptisms from 1696 to 1772; United Brethren Congregation, births and baptisms: 1749 to 1853, marriages: 1764 to 1863, deaths and burials: 1758 to 1828; St. Andrew's Church, Richmond, births and baptisms from 1752 to 1795, marriages from 1754 to 1808 > Part 1
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F 116 . N36 vol. 4 Copy 1
1800
Class F16
Book
NJ6
Copyright N.º
COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT Duval. Sect. Art.
COLLECTIONS
OF THE
NEW YORK GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY
VOL IV
Staten Island Church TRecords
LOGICAL
ARD
CA
INC. 18 69.
B
ram YORK
ET PATRIBUS
OSTERITATI
IPRICAL
S
ET
NEW YORK PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY 1909
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Melatinh & Dwight
Staten Island Church Records
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES OF THE SOCIETY FOR 1909
PRESIDENT, CLARENCE WINTHROP BOWEN
FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT, .
WILLIAM BRADHURST OSGOOD FIELD
SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT,
TOBIAS ALEXANDER WRIGHT
SECRETARY, HENRY RUSSELL DROWNE
TREASURER, HOPPER STRIKER MOTT
LIBRARIAN,
JOHN REYNOLDS TOTTEN
HISTORIAN,
WILLIAM AUSTIN MACY, M. D.
NECROLOGIST,
RICHARD HENRY GREENE
REGISTRAR OF PEDIGREES, . WINCHESTER FITCH
Executive Committee
JOHN REYNOLDS TOTTEN, Chairman GEORGE AUSTIN MORRISON, JR.
WILLIAM ISAAC WALKER
WILLIAM BRADHURST OSGOOD FIELD
HENRY PIERSON GIBSON
Trustees
HENRY RUSSELL DROWNE
GEORGE AUSTIN MORRISON, JR.
HOWLAND PELL
HENRY PIERSON GIBSON
WARNER VAN NORDEN
ELLSWORTH EVERETT DWIGHT
ARCHER MILTON HUNTINGTON
CLARENCE WINTHROP BOWEN
GEN. JAMES GRANT WILSON WILLIAM ISAAC WALKER
JOHN REYNOLDS TOTTEN
TOBIAS ALEXANDER WRIGHT
WILLIAM BRADHURST OSGOOD FIELD
Committee on Publication
GEORGE AUSTIN MORRISON, JR.
TOBIAS ALEXANDER WRIGHT
HOPPER STRIKER MOTT
E. DOUBLEDAY HARRIS
J. HENRY LEA
JOSIAH COLLINS PUMPELLY
RICHARD HENRY GREENE
ELLSWORTH ELIOT, M. D.
HOPPER STRIKER MOTT
RECORDS
OF THE
Dutch Reformed Church of Port Richmond, S. J BAPTISMS FROM 1696 TO 1772
United Brethren Congregation, commonly called Moravian Church, S. T.
BIRTHS AND BAPTISMS: 1749 TO 1853
MARRIAGES: 1764 TO 1863 DEATHS AND BURIALS: 1758 TO 1828
St. Andrews Church, Richmond, S. T
BIRTHS AND BAPTISMS FROM 1752 TO 1795 MARRIAGES FROM 1754 TO 1808
With Portrait of Rev. fRelatiah Everett Dwight, M.D., D.D.
EDITED BY TOBIAS ALEXANDER WRIGHT
NEW YORK PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY 1909 4
EDITION OF 100 COPIES Serial No. 13.
TO THE MEMORY OF Red. fflelatiab Everett Dwight, f.D., D.D. THROUGH WHOSE ADVICE AND BY WHOSE GENEROUS ASSISTANCE THESE RECORDS ARE PRESERVED THIS VOLUME IS GRATEFULLY Dedicated BY THE NEW YORK GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY
INTRODUCTION
T HE Publication Committee of the New York Genea- logical and Biographical Society have selected the Staten Island Church Records for the fourth volume of the Society's publications, considering them next in importance to those of the Reformed Dutch Church of New Amsterdam and New York, previously published. As the membership of these early Staten Island churches was made up largely of people from Long Island, Manhattan Island, and the section just west of the Hudson River, opposite the latter island, now in the State of New Jersey, these records will prove exceedingly important and interesting to the de- scendants of the early settlers of these localities. They form a vital link in the historic-genealogical chain that leads from past ages in the old world down to the present time in the new.
While in many cases the names of the descendants of these early settlers are not only spelled differently, and the pronunciation so changed as to almost defy recognition by those unlearned in the peculiar characteristics of Dutch nomenclature, the genealogical student has little trouble in tracing the gradual changes and identifying the family connections from one generation to another.
During the period covered by these statistics the Dutch settlers especially were so closely identified with the Church that the baptismal records contain the names of a majority of the children born to Dutch parents, accompanied by the names of many witnesses, so that in presenting these vital statistics the committee believe they are blazing the trail and rendering the search for emigrant ancestors less dif- ficult to thousands scattered over this continent.
For the history of these churches the editor has for his anthority in large measure Mr. Ira K. Morris' exhaustive History of Staten Island, and through the courtesy of Mr. Morris most of the illustrations were obtained.
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THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCHES
During the Dutch Colonial Government there was a settlement of French Vandois, or Waldensians, at Stony Brook (now a part of the New Dorp neighborhood), on Staten Island. There was a Huguenot settlement on the Island a short time afterward (located at Fresh Kill, now Green Ridge), parties of this sect having fled from Holland to escape persecution, and having come over to New Nether- lands in company with their new friends.
The Waldensians formed the first permanent settlement on Staten Island, that of Stony Brook, Oude Dorp (Old Town), a Dutch Village (Arrochar Park now occupying the site), having been three times destroyed by the Indians. The Waldensian Church at Stony Brook was built sometime between the years 1657 and 1668. It was the first Walden- sian Church on the North American continent, and the first church of any denomination on Staten Island.
Dominie Drisius, a pastor of the Dutch Church in New York (then New Amsterdam), from 1652 to 1682, preached regularly once a month to the Waldensians on Staten Island, from about 1660 onward. He preached in both the French and Dutch languages. The descendants of these Walden- sians and Huguenots are still numerous on Staten Island, and bear some of the oldest and most honored names. They are prominent in all denominations.
Later, a church edifice was erected at Cucklestown (now Richmond, the County seat), in which the Presbyterians, Dutch Reformed and Episcopalians worshipped. This structure was burned by the British during the Revolution.
Hollanders having settled along the North Shore of the Island, they erected a church edifice at what is now Port Richmond, about 1680. Services were conducted in the Dutch language. There is no record to prove that either of the churches here mentioned had a pastor of its own. Dominie Selyns, pastor of Brooklyn, Bushwick and Graves- end, also preached in these churches at stated times.
During the years 1682 and 1683, Dominie Taschemaker, from the University of Utrecht, supplied the churches on the Island. He removed to Schenectady, and perished there in a massacre by the French and Indians, in February, 1690.
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The Rev. Pierre Daille, who came to America in 1683, and was a colleague of Dominie Selyns, frequently preached to the Huguenots on Staten Island.
The church at Stony Brook was supplied, from 1687 to 1689, by Laurentius Van der Bosch. According to the records, "he was suspended from the ministry by Dominie Selyns and others, who could not wait the slow process of sending their proceedings to be reviewed by the authorities in Holland." The inference is warranted that this church, though composed of Frenchmen, was under the jurisdiction of the Church of Holland, and was, therefore, ipso facto, a Reformed Dutch Church.
There appear to have been no pastors regularly stationed on Staten Island for three years from 1694. Supplies came from New York, Long Island and New Jersey.
Governor Hunter executed a grant to the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, in 1714, to build a new church edifice on the North Shore, undoubtedly on the site of the one which stood there thirty-four years previous.
The date of the organization of this church is not positively known. It is evident, however, from the title page of an old baptismal record that it must have been at a very early period. It is as follows:
" Register Boek Van De-namen Der Kinderen Dewelck Gedoopt Bennen Op Staten Eylandt-Beginne Van Het Jaer Anno 1696." (Translation: "Register book of the-names of children which have been baptized on Staten Island, begin- ning from the year 1696.") The first Sunday school organ- ized in America, about 1812, was connected with this church.
The North Side Church and the Church at Bergen, New Jersey, united, in 1750, in a call on Petrus de Wint. His credentials, however, proved to have been forgeries, and he was dismissed in 1752. Then the two churches united in a call upon William Jackson, a student in the care of Rev. John Frelinghuysen of Raritan, New Jersey. He was sent to Holland to complete his studies, and on his return, in 1757, was installed as pastor. He had the reputation of a preacher scarcely inferior to that of Whitfield. The church edifices were not large enough to accommodate his auditors, and services were frequently held in the open air. After a
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pastorate of thirty-two years he became insane. He was the last minister who preached to these congregations in the Dutch language.
The Rev. Peter Stryker was ordained minister of the Reformed Dutch Church on the North Side in 1790-4. In 1792 the church was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York by the title of "The Reformed Protestant Dutch Church" on Staten Island. The names of the cor- porators were Peter Stryker, Hendrick Garretson, John Van Pelt, Wilhelmus Vreeland, John Garretson, William Merrel, Peter Hanghwout, Abraham Prall and Nicholas Haughwout.
The old edifice was also classed "a rebel church," and was destroyed by the British soldiery during the Revolution. Another church was erected and completed in the spring of 1787. It finally proved inadequate to the necessities of the congregation, and was demolished to make room for the present edifice, which was built upon the same site and dedicated in February, 1846.
In 1797, the Rev. Thomas Kirby became the pastor. He remained for three years.
The Rev. Peter I. Van Pelt was ordained as pastor on May 16, 1802, and continued so until 1835. He was succeeded that year by the Rev. James Brownlee, who served for fifty- five years.
The Rev. Alfred H. Demarest was appointed Dr. Brown- lee's successor in 1890, and served until 1901, when he was succeeded by the Rev. J. Frederic Berg, the present pastor.
The Reformed Dutch Church in Richmond, destroyed during the Revolution, was rebuilt through the efforts of the Rev. Dr. Van Pelt in 1808. He occupied its pulpit until 1853, and was succeeded, in 1854, when it became an inde- pendent church, by the Rev. Thomas R. G. Peck, and in turn, the Rev. Erskine N. White, the Rev. Jacob Fehrmann, the Rev. J. H. Sinclair and the Rev. F. M. Kip.
Through the efforts of the Hon. Daniel D. Tompkins, Vice-President of the United States, a Dutch Reformed Church was established at Tompkinsville. It was dedicated in 1818. Dr. Van Pelt occupied its pulpit until 1823, when it became an independent charge. The Rev. John Miller then became its pastor, and was succeeded in 1847 by the Rev.
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Alexander R. Thompson, and he by the Rev. Philip M. Brett, in 1851. He died in the following year. He was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Edward Hitchcock, and he by the Rev. William T. Enyard.
In the course of a few years the congregation erected an edifice on Brighton Heights, and the old structure was utilized for business purposes. It was finally demolished in the summer of 1908.
In 1850, the Church of the Huguenots was organized by members of the Reformed Dutch Church in Richmond, be- cause of the great distance of the latter place from their homes. Many changes have occurred among those who have guided the affairs of this church. It is at present presided over by the Rev. David Junor.
THE MORAVIAN CHURCH
The history of the people who established the Moravian Churches in America having been fully published in "A His- tory of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania," by Bishop Levering, Pres- ident of the Moravian Historical Society, a simple ontline sketch of the branch on Staten Island is deemed sufficient here. These people had much in common with the Puritans of New England, but were infinitely broader and more tol- erant in their religious views of those of other faiths, and ever ready to co-operate with and welcome to their United Brotherhood all who called themselves Christians.
Captain Nicholas Garrison, so far as authentic information goes, was the first of the denomination of Christians called Moravian, or United Brethren, on Staten Island. He com- manded the ship Irene, sailing between Georgia and New York.
The Rev. David Bruce, a very zealous Christian, was sent by the Moravian authorities to visit the scattered flocks in New York, and on Staten and Long Islands. It is conceded that he was the first Moravian preacher who ever officiated as such on Staten Island.
The ship commanded by Captain Garrison was built for the service of the Moravians. on Staten Island, between the years 1745 and 1748, under the direction of Abraham Boem- per and Timothy Horsfield, agents for the Moravian Church
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in New York. It was launched on May 29, 1748, and registered in the name of Mr. Henry Antes. The cost was defrayed almost entirely by Bishop Spangenberg from a legacy left him by Thomas Noble, a New York merchant.
The vessel remained in the service of the Moravian Church for nine years, in the course of which it crossed the Atlantic twenty-four times, sailing between New York and London, or Amsterdam, and made one voyage to Greenland. It put to sea for the last time on November 20, 1757, in command of Captain Christian Jacobson. Ten days later it was captured by a French privateer, and given to a prize crew to be taken to Louisberg; but owing to ignorance of navigation on the part of those to whom it had been entrusted, was totally wrecked on January 12, 1758, off the coast of Cape Breton, and its passengers had narrow escape with their lives. Cap- tain Christian Jacobson returned to his home at New Dorp, on Staten Island, and was murdered in his own house, still standing on New Dorp lane, by British soldiers.
During his sojourn in America, between December, 1741, and January, 1743, Count Zinzendorf extended the influence and enlarged the membership of the Moravian denomination on Staten Island and the surrounding country. Religious intercourse remained unbroken from that time on between this place and Bethlehem, Pa.
The arrival of the first colony of Moravians was in June, 1742. Their evangelists entered earnestly into the work without delay. Among these were the brethren Bruce, Almers, Gambold, Neisser, Utley, Rice and Wade.
The Moravian Society in New York met for worship at the house of Thomas Noble between 1742 and 1746. After that time at the house of Henry Van Vleek, which became headquarters for Moravian ministers in the city.
In the early part of the year 1748, when there were fifty persons attached to the Brethren in the city, and the adjoin- ing islands, an ineffectual effort was made to secure the use of the Lutheran Church in New York for stated services. A hall was rented for the purpose.
Abraham Boemper, Henry Van Vleek, William Edmonds, John Kingston, Jeremiah Burnet and Jannitje Boelen of New York; Timothy and Mary Horsfield, William and
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Charity Cornwell and Jaques and Jacomyntje Cortelyou of Long Island; and Jacobus and Veltje Van Der Bilt of Staten Island, are mentioned in September, 1747, as being most active members of the triple Moravian Society in the Province of New York.
About a dozen different Moravian clergymen came oc- casionally to Staten Island to officiate between the years 1742 and 1763. There were only three communicant members on the Island in 1756; they were Jacobus Vanderbilt and his wife, Vettje or Neiltje, and the widow Elizabeth Inyard. Religious services were held in a school house that stood near the site of the Moravian Church at New Dorp.
In 1762, Richard Connor, Stephen Martino, Jun., Tunis Egbert, Jacob Vander Bilt, Aaron Cortelyou, Mathias En- yard, John Baty, Cornelius Cortelyou, Cornelius Vander Bilt, Cornelius Van Deventer, Stephen Martino, Mary Still- well, Cornelius Martino and Peter Perine applied to the church authorities at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, for the establishment of a Moravian Church on Staten Island. Con- sequently, on July 7, 1763, the cornerstone of a church and parsonage was laid, and on December 7 following, the church was consecrated.
The building was set on fire by British soldiers during the Revolution, but was saved from destruction by members of the congregation. It is still standing, a short distance from its original site, and was recently thoroughly renovated and remodelled.
For several years after the organization of this Society, the congregation was supplied with preachers from New York. They were David Bruce in 1742; Richard Utley in 1747; John Wade in 1749; Owen Rice in 1750; Abraham Reinke, Jasper Payne, Owen Rice and Abraham Rndmeyer in 1754; Richard Utley in 1755; Jacob Rogers in 1756; Thomas Yarrel in 1757; George Selle in 1761, and Thomas Yarrel in 1762. The first regularly settled pastor of this church, how- ever, was the Rev. Hector Gambold, from 1763 to 1784. He was succeeded that year by James Birkly, and he by E. Thorpe, who served until 1787; then followed Frederick Moehring, from 1787 to 1793; James Birkly again, from 1794 to 1797; Frederick Moehring again, from 1797 to 1803;
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Nathaniel Brown, from 1803 until his death in 1813; John C. Bechler, from 1813 to 1817; George A. Hartman, from 1817 to 1837; Ambrose Rondthaler, from 1837 to 1839; H. G. Clander, from 1839 to 1852; Bernhard de Schweinitz, from 1852 to 1854; Amadeus A. Reinke, from 1854 to 1860; Edwin T. Senseman, from 1860 to 1862; Engene Leibert, from 1862 to 1867; Francis F. Hagen, from 1867 to 1870; William L. Lennert, from 1870 to 1876; William H. Vogler, from 1876 to 1892; William H. Rice, from 1892 to 1897; William H. Oerter, from 1897 to 1904; F. E. Grunert, from 1904 to the present.
The Moravian Society at New Dorp was incorporated on April 15, 1808. The present church edifice was consecrated on May 15, 1845.
Three other Moravian Churches have been established on the Island-at Castleton Corners, Stapleton and Giffords-all under the supervision of the mother church at New Dorp.
Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt made munificient dona- tions to this church. His son, William II., also was very liberal in his dealings with the church. The Vanderbilt Mausoleum is located in a beautiful park on the north side of the cemetery.
ST. ANDREW'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH
At the time of the organization of this church, its mem- bers worshiped in the Reformed Dutch Church, at Cuckles- town (Richmond). It is a matter of record that divine service, after the manner of the Church of England, was held here prior to 1704. If marriage or baptismal records were kept prior to 1752, however, they are not in evidence. In October of 1704, the Rev. William Vesey, rector of Trinity Church, New York, in reporting the state of religion in Richmond County to the Society for the propogation of the Gospel in foreign parts, in London, says: "There was a tax of £40 per annum levied upon the people for the support of the minister, and that they desired to have a minister sent to them, as well as some further encouragement from the Society."
Governor Fletcher succeeded, in 1693, in having the Epis- copal Church established by law throughout the Colony, to
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be supported by general taxation. This law remained in force until the Revolution, so that all non-Episcopalians, beside supporting their own churches, were obliged to con- tribute toward the support of the Episcopal Church. The law, however, became in a great degree inoperative in Rich- mond County after the munificent bequest of Judge Duxbury became available. *
The Rev. John Talbot was sent to Staten Island as a missionary in 1706. He was succeeded in 1710 by the Rev. Eneas McKensie. The church was built in 1713. It was a plain stone structure, a portion of the original walls still standing in the present structure. The Church Charter, usually known as "Queen Anne's Charter," begins as follows:
"Anne, by the grace of God, Queen of Great Britain, France, Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To all whon these presents shall come, greeting :- Whereas our loving Subjects, the Reverend Eneas Mackenzie, Minister of Staten Island, Richmond County, Ellis Duxbury, Thomas Harmer, Augistin Graham, Joseph Arrowsmith, Lambert Garritson, Nathaniel Brittain, William Tillier, Richard Merrill, John Morgan and Alexander Stewart, all freeholders, and of the principal inhabitants of the said Island in Communion of the Church of England, as by Law established, by their petition presented unto our Trusty and Wellbeloved Robert Hunter, Esq., Captain Generall and Governour in Chief of our province of New York, in behelf of themselves and all other the Inhabitants of the said Island in Communion of the Church of England, as by Law established, and their Suc-
* In 1718, Ellis Duxbury bequeathed an extensive and valuable tract of land to the rector of St. Andrew's Church, and in case of voidance or vacancy, to his widow, until a successor is instituted, and for no other purpose whatever. Ellis Duxbury came to Staten Island at an early date. He was Judge of Richmond County for nineteen years, and several times member of the Colonial Assembly. His will, bequeathing the property, was dated May 5. 1718, and proved October 22 of the same year. The property was a plantation of two hundred acres, situated on the north-east extremity of the Island, and consequently the point of land at New Brighton was for many years known as "Duxbury's Point," and sometimes as "The Gliebe." It was bequeathed to the Minister, Church-wardens and Vestry of St. Andrew's Church. The property upon which the Quarantine Hospital stood, at Tompkinsville, was a part of this bequest. Being a devise to a religious incorporation, it was void by law; but as the title of the church was never disputed, and as the State by several acts incidentally recognized its validity, to say nothing of a possession of almost two centuries, the title long ago became unimpeachable.
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cessors have sett forth that by the charitable and voluntary contributions of pious and well asserted Christians, and the blessing of Almighty God favouring their weak endeavours, there is now erected, built and finished neer the middle part of the said Island, a decent and convenient stone church for the service and worship of God, according to the Discipline of the Church of England, as by Law Established," etc. The Document ends thus: "And Witness our said worthy and well-beloved Robert Hunter, Esq., Captain Generall and Governeur in Chief of our said province of New York and province of New Jersey, and the Territories depending on them in America, And our Admirall of the same, pr in councill at ffort Ann in New York the Twenty ninth day of June in the Twelfth of our Reign, Anno Dm. 1713."
Queen Anne also presented the church with prayer books, pulpit cover and a silver communion service, with her name inscribed on them. Portions of these valuable relics are still in the possession of the rector of St. Andrew's.
The Rev. Richard Charlton became rector of St. Andrew's in 1747. His eldest daughter was connected by marriage to the Dongan family, and another daughter was the wife of Dr. Richard Bailey, who was the first Health Officer of the Port of New York, and died in 1801. His grave is located near the main entrance to St. Andrew's Church. Dr. Charl- ton's ministry continued until 1779, when he died and was buried under the church. He was also chaplain of Lieu- tenant-Colonel Christopher Billopp's Battalion of Staten Island Loyalists. It was during the pastorate of Dr. Charl- ton that the records published in this volume were begun. He was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Barker.
In 1774, Henry Holland, Esq., a resident of Staten Island, and managing a mercantile business in New York, presented St. Andrew's Church with a bell, which for want of a belfry, was hung for several years in a tree.
Chaplain Field, of the Seventy-seventh Regiment of the British line, became rector of St. Andrew's in May, 1780. The regiment was serving at Richmond. Two weeks later occurred his first baptism. The record says:
"Jolin Simonson, son of Isaac Simonson and Elizabeth his wife, was born on the 4th December, 1779, baptized by Mr. Field on Sunday, May 14, 1780."
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In 1782, Mr. Field died. His remains were borne to the grave by the soldiers with whom he had served, and interred under the church.
Throughout the Revolution, divine service was generally suspended in all the churches of Staten Island but St. Andrew's, the Island being in constant possession of the British; the Dutch Church, however, kept their Baptismal Records as appear in this volume.
From 1783 to 1788, the Rev. John H. Rowland served as rector. He died in Nova Scotia in 1795. He was succeeded by the Rev. Richard Channing Moore in 1788, who served until 1808. In 1814, Dr. Moore became Bishop of Virginia and rector of the Monumental Church of Richmond, in that State. He built Trinity Chapel, on the North Shore, in 1802; it is now known as the Church of the Ascension. He died on November 11, 1841.
The Rev. David Moore succeeded his father as rector of St. Andrew's in 1808, and continued in that position for forty-eight years.
The Rev. Theodore Irving, LL.D., became rector in 1857, and resigned in 1864. He was succeeded, in 1865, by the Rev. C. W. Bolton. His successor, in 1875, was the Rev. Kingston Goddard, D.D. Dr. Goddard died on October 24, 1875, and was succeeded by the Rev. Thomas S. Yocom, D.D., on June 15, 1876. Dr. Yocom died in 1904, and his successor, installed in 1905, is the Rev. Charles Sumner Burch, Arch- deacon of Richmond.
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