USA > New York > Nassau County > Oyster Bay > A documentary history of het (the) Nederdeutsche gemeente, Dutch congregation, of Oyster Bay, Queens County, Island of Nassau, now Long Island, V. 1 > Part 3
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Isaac Remsen, Juneer
Jan Monfoort
Joseph Hegeman Gerret Noorstrat Adrian Hegeman
Jan Woertman Jan Luister
Frederick Simese
Gerrit Snedeker
Jan Remsin Peter Liester.
(Translation.) 1737648
In the year 1755 the 25 July have the Deacons these articles brought up on account of their one discord in the year 1753.
In the year 1734 then was the church finished and the money that then over remained, and the profit from year to year made by the Deacons of the church.
Further, in the year 1749 was Lauwerens Hoff chosen for Deacon and he has that portion of the money and now proposes to divide among the persons here under written by name.
(The names omitted. )
So have these above written persons no right nor part to that . residue of the money that yet over remained and the balance of that money that Lawrence Haff not named has that shall stay to
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
be used for Expenses and Repairs and by the Deacons that profit to do according to foregoing articles for those that have not drawn.
In het yaer onses Heren 1787 hebben wy de Kerck Meesters Jacob Van Wickelen en Piter Luister met consent van de Gemeente Bekent Latent Maken om de Plaetsen de er nog aen de Kerck belangden om de oeck ta verkopen om de onkosten te helpen betalin van het decken van de kerck. In hebben on den eersten dag van September In de nordwest hook Banck of de voorgenoemde Justes Banck seven Plaetsen verkoght in twe in de oest Banck of nomber Tien, Twe In the west bank of Nomber Derteen en vyef Vrouwe Plaets en No. 4 de 4 Plaets No. 5 de 5 Plaets No. 9 de 4 Plaets No. 10 de 5 Plaets desen Plaetsen sullen vry Syn van desen oncosten de er alreden gemackt syn van het decken van de kerck.
(Translation.)
In the year of our Lord 1787 we the "Church Masters" Jacob Van Wicklen and Piter Luister have notified the congregation about the places that are still to the church belonging, also about the sale and about the expenses to pay the deacon of the church.
On the first day of September we sold the Justices' Bench (7 places) in the Northwest corner and two in the east bench of No. 10. Two in the west bench of No 13, and five woman's places.
These places have fallen and the proceeds have been paid to the deacon of the church.
Joris Bennet Lidtmaet van deser gemeynte, en tegen Woordig Diacon heeft voor een geruyme tyd proeven gegeven van zynen afwykinge van de Leere der gereformerde Kerke (welke nog meenen Suyver an op Godts woordt-gegrout te zyn) in eenige by sondere stucken zo als die van de H' Doopt Heylig avondt mael Predistenatie en de Eedt &c en in een Voorgaende Kerkenraed vergaderinge heeft met vul stontig huyt synen gevoelon tegen de boven gemalde articulen op altans somige der selven zacken staende te houden of te te verdedigen niet tegenstande de waerheyt van de boven gemelde articulen By haer grondig tegen
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
hem is bewasen. De E'Kerkenraed tegenswoordig so wel als particuliere personen in't voorgaende hebben hem op dit betrekkelyk genoegsaem vermaent dog tevergeefs, hy schynt tegenwoordig in dit zyn gevolen hartnekkigin tegen allen vermoeningen aan te persisteeren of te volherden, so dat sy (ampts-wysgen verplicht Synde om alle ergernisse, Ketterye of Dwalinge uit de Kerke te weeren) mit dezen hem. Viz. Joris Bennet opwyzinge van sittinge te hebben in the Deacon bank, als ook hem opweeren van het gebruik des H'avontsmaals tot der tyd dat hy proeven geeft van hertilyk berowe over begaene Schult, in deser zaek betrekkelyk, en afwykinge van de zuvier Leere onser Kerke, en daer benovens met hertelyke belydenise over begaene Schult, en afwykinge van de Leere onser Kerke tot ons wederkeert en zulhertig alle de articulen van onse Kerke met vernewinge aenneemt. Och mogte Godt dit gunnen teneynde dat hy wederom in the schoot onser Kerke mogt worden aengenomen.
(Translation.)
1791, September 19. A special meeting of the Consistory of the Congregation to Oyster Bay, met at the house of Aaron Simonson, after prayer the following action was taken. Joris Bennet member of this congregation and at present Deacon, has for some considerable time proof given of his departure from the doctrine of the Reformed Church (which it still believes to be pure and has been founded on God's word). At a meeting of a foregoing consistory a full investigation of his fall from the doctrine of the church was made and the grounds against him were proved.
The Consistory present as well as particular persons, have sufficiently admonished in vain, as he at present persists and perseveres in this sin into which he has fallen, against all remon- strance, so that we (officially obliged are about all offences, heresy and error without the church to remove)
Viz: Joris Bennet be refused from sitting to have in the Deacon's seat, also he be restrained from the use of the Holy Sacrament, until the time that he proof gives of hearty repent- ance, concerning his fault committed in these things, and departure from the pure doctrine of our church, and these besides
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
with hearty confession of his fault and departure from the doctrine of our church, to us return, and shall receive all the articles of our church with renewed acceptance.
Oh ! may God this grant, at the end, that he back again in the bosom of our church may be received.
Ean Regester Van De Ledematen Van de Kerke van Oyster Bay, Geschreven den 18 Van October in het Jaer Na Christus Geborte 1782.
(List of the membership of the Church of Oyster Bay October 18, 1782).
Gerret Schenedeker and Chrestena Lequere his wife.
Abraham Hogelendt, Jeromas Bennet, Jahennes Bennet. Sarehe Woortman wife of Chernilas Hogelandt.
Gerret Noorstrant,
Jos Hegeman and Gertie Van Derbelt his wife.
Daniel Durye, William Brembos.
Rem Hegeman and Ida Vanderbelt his wife,
Isack Remsen.
Jan Monfoort and Sarehe Van Wecklian his wife.
Aron Simesan and Catrena Hogelandt his wife.
Jan Van Noorstant.
Chernelia Derye wife of Gerret Noorstant.
Annatie Bennet widow of Adrian Hegeman.
Pieter Luister and Fammetie Bennet his wife.
Teunas Hoogelandt and Antie Van Noorstrant his wife. Abraham Monfoort.
Maria Hogelandt.
Maria Van Velse widow of Frederick Reinhart.
Nicholas Schank and Cythe Aemans his wife.
Of all the records of the Dutch Congregation, the "Doop Boeek" or Baptismal Register is the most important. On the opening page is written in Dutch (which needs no translation).
" Het eerste Doop Boeek in Oesterbay Begint
" met de A, 1741, de 6 Ziptember. Gerrit Snedeker.
"on page 4, Isaac Remsen, in het Jaer, 1743 den 24. " Jeuny.
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
"page 62, May 4, 1766. Daniel Voorhees.
"heest Verder Recaert gehouden.
" page 64, Jan monfoort, in Jaer 1767.
" heest Verder Recaert gehouden."
From 1741 to 1792 there were 643 babies baptised, and the record is in Dutch. In 1792 Ryneer Van Nest V.D.M. as he signs himself began recording the Doop Boeek in English, and it was so done thereafter. The whole record contains the names of about 1, 100 baptisms. The peculiar part is the Dutch part. The compiler has designated this people as the Dutch Congrega- tion, and to confirm that opinion would say that many of the people came from the neighborhood of Jamaica, where they attended church. The baptismal record of the Jamaica church was recorded in Dutch, when they settled in Oyster Bay they came as Dutch and wrote their records in the language of their fathers.
They were an exclusive people and seldom went outside of the settlement for husbands or wives for their children. They were surrounded by Quakers and in the course of time their prejudice wore away and many were connected with them, but it was disastrous to the seclusion of the Dutch. No doubt the charms of the Quaker maid were just as potent as their own daughters', and where they were located as neighbors it was a very difficult matter to keep them from talking over the fence. Then again families had certain affinities for other families, and they frequently intermarried.
To the many readers of this history the fact is self evident that the same names are maintained in the settlement to the present day, and the church records at the present time are filled with the names of the descendants of the original settlers. Again they had a peculiar way of naming their children. One of the subscribers to the building fund signed his name Steven Janse. His correct name was Steven Janse Van Voorhies, which means that he was the son of Jan Van Voorhies, and like many of the old people, he had dropped the name of Van Voorhies. To make this more clear, a copy from an old Bible record in the possession of James M Onderdonck of Manhasset, is here given:
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
Peter Monfoort, the son of Peter the emigrant, married Marretje Pieterse Luyster, the daughter of Pieter Luyster the emigrant.
MONFOORT : Pieter Pieterse Monfoot, baptized July 21, 1652, married Marretje Pieterse Luyster and had issue :
I. Antie Piertse, born May 21, 1677
2. Sara
June 15, 1679
3. Peter
Feb. 16, 1681
4. Cornelius " Mch. 9, 1684
5. Elbert
Jan. 27, 1687
6. Stirte
Apl. 20, .1689
7. Antie
Mch. 30, 1691
8. Cornelius " Apl. 25, 1694
9. Jacobus "
Oct. 6, 1696
IO. Jan Feb. 7, 1702
The ""Pieterse" was added to show that they were the children of Peter Monfoort. The last son. Jan (10) when he recorded the birth of his children would enter them as Janse to show they were the children of Jan Monfoort. As we shall not have much of the above to encounter it was given to show one feature of a very peculiar people who were trying to maintain a custom of their fatherland, surrounded by many adverse circumstances. The records of the Dutch church have furnished many families with a starting point in ancestry building, perhaps more than from any other source. The Dutch people were proud of their race, and maintain a share of their exclusiveness even to the present time.
There was a record of the Kerk Meesters written, which the Compiler had overlooked, but it is curious enough to be given alone.
" In Yaar 1744 is daar niet to doen "geiveest Voor t'rekinnin te doen Want daar is niet "in gekoomen, noch niet uit gegaan, now leever "yck het soo als " yck het ontvangen heb.
LUCAS VOORHEES (Signed by himself)
Translation.
In the year 1744 is there nothing to do has for reckoning to do, for there is nothing in coming nor nothing out to go. Now delivered I it so over, all that I received have.
LUCAS. VOORHEES.
.a. mollete, Chicago. 2.10.1986.
47 ok
The Dutch Dominies.
N my rummaging around for old documents, a number of papers were found at "Beth-Horan" (as the family like to call it), written in Dutch. They related to times long past, and embraced a period of over forty years, relating to matters connected with the Church history.
The translation has been made so as to adhere as nearly as possible to the Dutch idiom; as a liberal or free translation would spoil the quaint fashion or style of the writing.
A concise biographical sketch of the characters mentioned, with the concurrent facts of local history of the Low Dutch Reformed church in Queens County are interwoven.
We like to know something about the people of whom we read, and these biographical sketches have been gleaned from many sources, or at least the fragments have been. The writer desires to make this acknowledgment to the different authors, without giving details as to the titles of their works.
As there were four particular preachers whose names appear repeatedly, they are given first, and the others in the order of sequence.
JOHANNES CASPARUS RUBEL.
Born in 1719; was educated in Germany. Emigrated to America, 1751. He preached in different places in Kings County, from 1755 to 1783. Was a zealous Conferentie man ; was styled by the German Coetus in 1755, "the rebellious Rubel," and on April 9th of that year it was voted that he be requested to resign, but not doing so, he was deposed in 1784.
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
He was a violent Tory, calling the American soldiers "Satan's soldiers," and frequently denouncing from the pulpit, in violent language, the cause of independence. He was also accused of drunkeness and bad treatment of his wife.
His tombstone was inscribed in Dutch, and as follows :
" Tot gedachtenis Van Johs Casps Rubel, V. D. M. Geboren den 6 Maert, O. S. 1719. Overleden den 19. Maert, 1797."
ULPIARIUS VAN SINDEREN.
Was born in Holland. Called to preach in Flatbush, April 19, 1747.
He married October 29, 1748, Cornelia, daughter of Capt. John Schenck and Femmetje Hegeman, and had issue, two children, Ulpiarius and Femmetje.
Cornelia died from injuries received by being thrown out of a gig, shortly after the birth of the two children.
He died July 23, 1796, aged 89.
The Femmetje Hegeman mentioned was a sister of Adriaen, who was the first of that family settling in the town of Oyster Bay.
JOHANNES RITZEMA.
In 1742, the churches in New York sent to Holland for a minister, and in response to their message, Dominie Ritzema arrived in New York October 14, 1744, with his wife and three children. A few years after his settlement, 1747, the Coetus was formed, he being a member. From this Coetus sprang all the angry disputes and violence that permeated the Dutch church for many years. Ritzema and his colleague, De Ronde, with- drew from this and formed another association called the Con- ferentie.
When the Revolution took place he retired to Kinderhook, where he continued to reside until his death, April 7, 1794, aged 86. See Collegiate Church Year Book for 1884 for a more detailed account.
LAMBERTUS DE RONDE.
Was born in Holland in 1720, and educated and ordained to the ministry. In 1746 he was sent to Surinam, in Dutch Guiana, where he labored for several years.
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
He made a visit to New York, where his preaching was so pleasing that the Collegiate Churches after some examination as to his testimonials, issued a call to him on August 20, 1750, with the understanding that he was to join the Coetus, which he did. When the Revolution broke out, he was compelled to leave the city, when he withdrew to Schaghticoke.
He died September 30, 1795, at that place. Also, his wife. Margaretta Catharina, born in Holland in 1719, died December II, 1801.
He was a man of considerable culture and of much industry, but was irascible and self-willed. A more extended account of him can be found in the Year Book for 1885 of the New York Collegiate church.
THE FOUR CHURCHES. Low Dutch Reformed Church at Jamaica.
The early organization of this congregation is undetermined ; but it was the first of the congregations of the Dutch people in Queens county. Its first record of baptisms was June Ist, 1702. They had no place of worship as their own until April 29, 1715, when the elders and deacons of the congregations throughout Queens county resolved unanimously to build a church at Jamaica. The sum of £361.18.6 was raised by subscription. May 13, 1715, a lot of twenty-five square rods was bought for 5 shillings of Rev. Benjamin and Abigail Woolsey of Dosoris. They met in the new church for the first time June 15, 1716.
Low Dutch Reformed Church at Success (generally called Hempstead).
Was organized April 11, 1730.
Half an acre of land was bought of Martin Wiltse for 25 shillings. Money was subscribed to the amount of £173.16 for a church building, which was soon erected. The corner stone is dated 1732. In 1813 the northern part of the congregation withdrew and organized a separate society at Manhasset. The .old congregation disbanded in 1830.
The Success church was builded near the shore of the lake, at what is now called Lakeville, and a very beautiful and charming
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
place it is. The old building was sold for $290, and taken down after standing one hundred years.
Low Dutch Reformed Church at Newtown.
There seems to have been no regular organization or congre- gation in Newtown previous to the building of the church, the inhabitants attending at Jamaica or Bushwick.
The year 1731 witnessed the first efforts to effect the building of a house of worship, as appears from the record of a meeting called for that purpose.
"In the year of our Lord Jesus Christ 1731, on the 2d of December convened in the house of Samuel Fish, Jr., and have resolved in peace and love to build a Church or house of God."
A subscription soliciting funds for that purpose was started, and {277.12 was secured. On may 27, 1732, they appointed their brothers and faithful friends, etc., as a building committee.
They bought a plot of ground from Peter Berrien, April 3, 1733, and the church was built and finished in August, 1735.
Low Dutch Reformed Church of Oyster Bay, Located at Wolver Hollow (Now Brookville).
Was organized about 1732, as a meeting was held on Sept. 9, 1732, at the house of Jurien Haff for the purpose of going on with the building of a Church or House of God.
A subscription of {163 was made. Adriaen Hegeman, Jurien Haff, Jacob Van Noorstrant and Barent Van Wyck were appointed a committee for that purpose. The church was completed and the congregation met in the new church April 25, 1734.
The church was built on an acre of ground bought of Edmund Wright Sept. 25, 1732, for £6.
The Collegiate Churches of Queens County.
The Dutch people in Queens County previous to the building of the church in Jamaica, were depending largely for ministers and religious services on Kings county and New York, but after the building of the churches in Queens county the delegates from the four congregations met at Flatbush on July 23, 1739, and united in engaging the services of Domini Van Basten for one year at a salary of £75.
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
He was succeeded by Domini Goetchius of Pennsylvania. When he was settled, Sept. 4, 1741, the congregations united in buying a parsonage house at Jamaica for £185. Shortly, oppo- sition was excited because of his enthusiasm, and the troubles began.
It would be in explanation to say, that one Domini was required to fill the pulpit on alternate Sabbaths in the four churches.
JOHANNES HENRICUS GOETCHIUS.
Born in 1718, in Liguria, Switzerland. Studied in the University of Zurich. Was called to preach in the Dutch churches of Queens county in October, 1740, and being their first regular preacher. Was licensed and ordained by his preceptor, Dorsius, aided by Johannes Frelinghuysen of Raritan. This was just about the time of the first meeting of the Dutch Coetus. Many souls needed instruction, and these excellent men felt that this must not be withheld on account of ecclesiastical formalities. They lived far. in advance of their times.
Domini Goetchius was inducted at Jamaica April 19, 1741, by Domini Freeman, who preached from Matthew 28:20.
Coetus says, Goetchius was qualified ; ordained by Dorsius and Frelinghuysen ; though they had no right to do so, and that Free- man, with the assent of Antonides, openly laid hands on him and installed him. We quote from Corwin's Manual farther : "But certain persons created difficulties respecting the validity of his ministry, and his colleague, Antonides, now inconsistently took part with them. The pressure brought to bear on him · caused him sometimes to lose his temper, for which he was re- buked by Classis. Immorality was also charged against him, but this was declared not sustained."
He seemed to be in advance of the times, and his sermon Aug. 22, 1742, on the "Unknown God" savored of the "higher criti- cism." It gave great offense to his people, and with that and the question of his ordination, "the church was sometimes locked against him ; when he preached in barns or crowded houses, o .under trees, or on the door steps of the church."
On one occasion, when in the church, the Voorsanger, who sat below the pulpit and in those days gave out the hymns, in
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
order to prevent his preaching, gave out the whole of the 119th Psalm, which would have taken all day to sing. Mr. G. had the courage to stop it.
He was a man of deep feeling and strong passions, it being said that once, when resistance was apprehended to his entering the church at Hackensack, he buckled on his sword, and thus ac- coutred entered the pulpit. It must be remembered, that it was not unusual for even a minister to wear a sword.
To the Coetus party was imputed the better piety, and to that Mr. Goetchius belonged.
He was removed from his charge in 1748, and for the sake of peace consented to take the place of a candidate and submit to a new examination and ordination, though having been ten years in the ministry.
He was a learned, pious and godly man, and a faithful and successful preacher of the gospel, and God accepted his work, giving him great revivals in the places where he served.
He was below the medium size, of a vigorous constitution ; abrupt in speech, but his language was clear and expressive. He was a man of profound erudition, a thorough Calvinist, and an accomplished theologian and able preacher.
He died in 1774, aged 57.
He was thrice married, and had sixteen children, two of whom were baptized July 19, 1745, at Success, Ester and Magdalene by name. The witnesses were Ester and Magdalene Goetchius The mother, Maria.
Mourits, baptized April 22, 1747, in Wolver Hollow. No mother mentioned.
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PAPER NO. I. TRANSLATION. Copy of a Letter to Domini Goetchius.
NEW YORK, March 9th, 1742-3.
DEAR SIR. The committee on the dispute between you and the Consistory members of Jamaica, &c. on Long Island, have elected it requisit to be ended, with therefore Ecclesiastical procedure, must to you, amicably the following questions propose, in ex- pectation that you, in a discreet manner, distinctly on the same to them answer.
These are:
Ist. If you inclined be to, you to submit, and with your answer on these questions, your actual belief to subject, to the Ecclesiastical Rules of the Low Dutch Reformed Church according to the National Synod of Dordrecht, anno, 1618 and 1619.
2d. If you are willing, you to subordinate to the Honorable Classis of Amsterdam and to honorably submit to her Apostolic utterance; also, concerning the present differences, or those which in the future may arise (that we hope not).
3d. If you truly promise about the grievance, that in regard to you in consideration may be to come, no other custom to shall make, than alone Ecclesiastical in writing, on the same.
The answer to be to the Committee of Right Rules of the Hon- orable Classis of Amsterdam.
4th and lastly;
If you out to the Honorable Consistory of Jamaica or any other Congregations that you serve, an Ecclesiastical Certificate of your membership have shown.
The Committee request of you, kindly, on these four articles a written answer to them to give.
When you this shall have done, so that you on the three first Articles fully state, and us thereof a written declaration, do promise in all sincerity the same to follow; so shall the Committee on you, permit the supposed grievance to be mediated.
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This decision we hold Ecclesiastic, and therefore all becoming to be.
Wherefore, they in short, this of you expect.
Now Christlike greeting remain, &c.,
G. D. BoIs,
In Virtue of the Committee.
The answer to your missive of the 9th of March find it good.
THE ANSWER. ·
HONORABLE SIRS :
Until now, to no opportunity have found for time to spend, about such unnecessary business. Require of you, amicably, what I must understand by the expression, "dispute between you and the Consistory members."
If a Mr. Consistory member, who abandons the Church office, can yet a Consistory be ?
Wishing also amicably, that you, out of God's grace, light and revelation might find concerning this you do ; then should people you seriously hear. Desire no other Ecclesiastic treatment as such that hitherto regular be.
Request amicably, to know if possible, since the last Synod, your commision have received from your Classis, where it says under subordinate to be ; that you with such command appear (which I wish you to do to oblige).
On the Ist Question. I question you amicably, if you Domini Dorsius and Domini Frelinghuysen have removed ; in case not, and have not again to happened ; then explain my sub-ordination under Action of Synod of Dord, for that in my promotion already is history.
In case already therefore, I question you beforehand, if you have power for me to again ordain, to accept, to bind, &c.
On the 2d precept. Must know first, whether it is the pleasure of the Honorable Classis of Amsterdam, me to accept and protect as a member.
In case then, have I no account over to give, for and before, that you thereto committed be.
1
.. .
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On the 3d precept. I acknowledge you for no Committee nor Right Rules mediators, therefore shall I yet in my freedom stand about you for mediators to acknowledge.
With such you do, will you in fact true impartiality show, will you mine accusers and accusations nothing let be know, and thus unanswered, black made by the Honorable Classis. With- out doubt, shall the Honorable Classis you reward as in the gedoe of Domini Frelinghuysen.
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