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. 2 > Part 19
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He is a colt of Old Figure, completely made for shape, strength and action, and equal to any horse within the British lines.
(In May 1787, Mr. Carman was in Halifax.)
1809. June 13. I had a set of new leather breech collars made by John McQueen,-The Leather cost 18.s. making 4.s.
1810. Mch. 20. I gave Isaac Smith a deed for my salt meadow, which he bought for £68 and paid.
18IO. Mch. 21. George Downing gave me a deed for his salt meadow, which I bought for £100 and paid.
ISIO. May 12. My black mare foalded the 3rd colt.
18II. May II. My black mare foalded the 4th colt. 18II. July 7. Buried James Ulmstead Jr. who died very sudden.
18II. Sep. 8. Sunday I first saw a comet in the evening in the N. W. In the morning it appeared in the N. E.
18II. Dec. 12. Buried Nicholas Van Cott, who got badly burned.
1816. Apl. 25. I finished sowing my flax seed and oats in the young orchard: 17 bush oats, flax, seed I bu.
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1816. Apl. 30. Sowed near a bushel of Flax Seed behind the barn at the North End.
1816. June 6. I began to thatch the west side of my barn. Saturday noon I finished which makes 2 days and a half by Tunis Hoogland. He had £1.6 for thatching, for tieing inside 15s. Bought 14 lbs rope at 4.d per lb.
1821. May 10. My mare foalded.
1823. Oct. 17. I sowed my wheat.
1826. June 29. I finished my new well.
1828. June 18. Was thatched the cast side of my barn by James McQueen.
(Compiler's note.) Included in this Diary was a record of his farm work extending for a period of over fifty years.
He sowed Flax Seed on an average April 22d. The earliest the 13th; the latest the 30th.
Planted Corn May 6th; earliest April 28th; latest May 17.
Cut Grass June 30; earliest June 24, latest July 10.
Harvested, July 12; earliest July 2; latest July 20.
Pulled Flax July 20, earliest July 3; latest July 31.
Peter Hegeman, who continued the Diary after his father, died at the ripe old age of 94, unmarried. Peter Luyster, grandfather of the compiler of this work was one of his executors.
There is a curious history connected with this Diary which is noted elsewhere.
The first of the Hegeman family connected with the Dutch congregation of Oyster Bay was Adriaen, who is supposed to have been at one time the owner of West Island, now occupied by Charles A. Dana. Adriaen's son Adriaen was the author of the foregoing Diary. For the family record see page 243.
Adriaen 5.m. Dorothy Onderdonck. The compiler has her Dutch Psalm Book with the date of her marriage in it-prob- ably given to her as a wedding present.
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FUNERALS.
In 1819, a writer was present at a funeral of an old friend of Dominie Schoonmake. He writes:
As I entered the room I observed the coffin, elevated on a table in one corner. The Dominie, abstract and grave was seated at the upper end. All was still. A simple recognition or half audible inquiry; as one after another arrived, was all that passed.
Directly the sexton followed by a negro, made his appearance with glasses and decanter, and wine was handed to each. Some declined others drank a single glass.
This ended; again the sexton appeared, with pipes and tobacco. The Dominie smoked and a few followed his example. When the whiffs had ceased to curl around the head of the Dominie, he arose with evident feeling and in a quiet way and subdued tone made a short but impressive address in Dutch. A short prayer concluded the service.
The sexton taking the lead, followed by the Dominic, the Doctor and Pall Bearers, the last wearing white sashes and black gloves, lead the way to the Burying place.
A gentleman remembered attending a funeral in his boyhood.
The people had arrived for the services but the coffin had not yet been received, after waiting a long while the bereaved husband sent his son away on horseback to the wheelwrights (who made the coffins in those days) to see about it.
Another son that was in the room made this remark, "When ye think yer fixed, then yer ain't fixed." It was a homely saying and homely said, but it was nevertheless a true one, which many to this day can bear witness to.
Then the "Old People" were very particular about all their dead being buried with their feet towards the East; with the idea that on the resurrection morn, the Son of Righteousness would appear in the East; and naturally as they arose from their graves at his bidding; their faces would be towards Him, to greet Him. The funeral services of to-day, have attained very large proportions over the primitive rites of our Dutch Fathers. Gar- ret Nostrand (the son-in-law of Joost Duryea who died in 1781)
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included in his bill against the estate a charge of 8 shillings for making a coffin, and that was about all of the expense attending the consigning of the body to the earth. The kind and obliging neighbors gave their help; and where necessary, furnished teams and wagons.
It is well within the memory of the writer, of following the remains (to some "burying yard") that were being carried in an open wagon; the box or coffin, covered with a plaid homespun blanket as a pall.
Furman, in his collection of antiquities tells about the expen- sive funeral feast indulged in by the early Dutch settlers in Kings Co. but it is doubtful as to their being continued in our Dutch Congregation.
In looking over the record of old wills a peculiar feature is the opening or prologue.
It shows how deeply their religious convictions were im- planted, and another feature as to the eldest son being the heir at law, probably derived from some law of Holland.
An extract from one dated Oct. 12, 1698. And also a com- plete will dated May 9, 1777, here follow:
I pray God Almighty for his grace, to spend the rest of my days in his holy fear, and to be prepared for my latter end. And when it shall please the infinite wisdom, to dissolve this frail Tabernacle, I recommend and freely bequeath my soul unto my Creator, to be disposed of, not according to my deserts but according to the Infinite riches of his free grace, made manifest unto this world in the fulness of time by his son Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour, which is the author of my hope and con- fidence. My body if the circumstances will permit, to be decently and in Christian manner interred, there to rest in the hopes of a glorious reserrection, and my Temporal Estate which by the blessing of him in whom we live and move and have our being, upon my endeavors is bestowed upon me whether the same bc real or personal, I give dispose, devise and bequeath all and singular my said estate, real and personal, whatsoever, unto my wife hereafter named, only to my eldest son Peter, I make and bequeath ten shillings and no more. To my wife Neeltye the rest of my whole estate real and personal to
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have and to hold to them and their heirs and assigns forever.
Provided also first my just debts and engagements be paid. Leaving all my whole estate, real and personal, Goods and chattles, housings and lands to my said wife Neeltye, her heirs and assigns forever, only reserving ten shillings for my eldest son Peter *** by reason that he shall not in any part or in any ways break this my last will and Testament, as being a pretender as eldest son.
Extract from the will of * * * * dated Oct. 12, 1698. Pro- bated Nov. 27, 1712. Recorded N. Y. L. 8. F. 169.
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN. I, Jacobus Luister of the township of Oyster Bay in Queens County and Province of New York, Ycoman, being weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory, blessed be God: and well knowing the mortality of my body; do this ninth day of May in the year of our Lord one thou- sand seven hundred and seventy seven make this my last will and testament in manner as follows; viz: First I do recom- mend my soul unto God that gave it and my body to the earth to be buried by my Executors hereafter mentioned in a decent Christian manner and as for such worldly estate wherewith it pleased God to bless me I do give it in the following manner, first after my just debts and funeral charges are paid it is my will and I give and bequeath unto my sister's son Albert Van- nostrant the sum of twenty pounds, Current Money of New York, I give unto my brother's son Jacobus Luister, the sum of twenty pounds of like money as aforesaid, further I do give and bequeath unto the following persons the sum of twenty pounds each Current money of New York as aforesaid, viz: my brother John's daughter, Maria Luister; my sister Ida's son, Abraham Monfort ; my sister Sarah her son Wm. Bennet; my sister Jannetie her son Charles Simonson; my sister Altie her daughter, Jannctie Wortman; my wife's brother Lucas, his daughter, Mary Nostrant; my wife's brother George, his son John Nostrant; my wife's sister Ann, her daughter Rentie Luister; all of which sums or Legacies to be paid unto the above persons by my Executors hereafter named out of my personal estate, it is my will further
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that all the remainder of my estate both real and personal after my just debts and the above sums or any sums hereafter mentioned are fully paid to be left to the care of my executors for the use of my beloved wife Maria to be applied for her maintenance and comfort at the discretion of my executors during her natural life, and after her decease it is my will and I do give and bequeath the said Remainder of my estate unto my brother John's son Peter Luister and unto my wife's sister's daughter Rentie Monfoort all of said estate both real and personal to be equally divided between them after the decease of my said wife to the sole use and behoof of them and each of them and their heirs and assigns forever. Lastly I do nominate and appoint my brother John Luister, Joost Monfoort, Esqr., and John Schenck of Cedar Swamp to be the executors of this my last will and testament, and it is my will that for their trouble they shall have ten pounds Current money of New York each out of my estate, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal as and for my last will and testament the day and year above. Signed, sealed and declared by the said Jacobus Luister for his last will and testament in the presence of us who were present at the signing and sealing of it.
Jacobus Luister (L. S.)
Rem Hegeman,
Samson Crooker,
Witnesses.
Alchee Wortman.
Queens Co. SS:
BE IT REMEMBERED that on the twenty ninth day of April, one thousand seven hundred eighty two, personally caine and appeared before me Samuel Clows, Surrogate of the said county, Rem Hegeman and Samson Crooker both of Oyster Bay in Queens county, Yeoman and being duly sworn on their oaths declared that they and each of them did see Jacobus Luyster sign and seal the within written instrument purporting to be the will of the said Jacobus Luister bearing date the ninth day of May one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven, and heard him publish and declare the same as and for his last will and testament that at the time thereof, he the said Jacobus .Luyster, was of sound disposing mind and memory to the best.
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of the knowledge and belief of them the Deponants. And that their names subscribed as Witnesses to the said will are of their respective proper hands writing which they suscribed as Wit- nesses to the said will in the Testator's presence. As also that they these deponents did see Alchie Woortman the other witness to the said will sign her name as a witness thereto in the presence of the Testator.
Exd. (Signed) S. Clows, Surogate.
The preceeding is a true copy of the original will of Jacobus Luister, deceased and of the certificate of the proof thereof.
(Signed) Sam Bayard, Junr. Secry.
1782. August the Ist. I have rec'd from John Luyster, one of the executors of the within Jacobus Luyster, Dec'd., the sum of five pound, seven shillings, being for the within pro- bate and expenses in proveing the will Ree'd by me.
S. Clowes.
Peter Cornelise Luyster, the ancestor of that family Emigrated to this country in 1656. He was a carpenter by trade. Settled in the town of Newton about 1659.
He bought a farm (from the Dutch church in New Amsterdam) called the Poor Bowery. His grand son, Peter Janse, (son of John) was the first of that family settled in Oyster Bay Town. His wife was the daughter of John Monfoort, of Madnans Neck ; whose father was Pieter, the emigrant.
For the family record see page 300.
In 1749 Adraen Hegeman had in contemplation the deeding of a piece of ground for a burial place, and made a rough deed for it, as follows:
Know all men by these presents that I Adraen Hegeman of Oysterbay in Queens county and in the Province of New York do hereby tolerate and allow unto Simon Loise, Peter Luyster, Petrus Hegeman, Hendericus Hardenbergh, Frederick Simonsen, Moures Simonsen, Gerret Snediker, Jan Dorlant, Dorite Vande- water, Theodorus Kolyer, Jores Bennet, Joseph Hegeman, Gerret Stryker, Gerret Van Wackle, Janse Remse, Johannis Kissouw, Jacob Kissouw, Frederick Kessows all of the Town, Co. and province above sd, a place for the burial of their dead,
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the sd burial place being on the land I now possess in Oysterbay above sd and to contain four lengths of fence east and west and seven lengths south and north as it now at present is and they the sd (here follows the above names) to have fre Ingress Egress and Regress to and from the road direct east to the north west corner of sd. burial place when occassion shall require without any molestation.
In testemony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day of April in the year of our Lord Christ 1749.
The above is intended without doubt to refer to what is now the Hillside Cemetery at Glen Head.
HOUSES.
The Dutch dwellings were very much alike. There was simplicity and room. The style was probably brought from the "Faderland." They were generally of wood, one story, either with an overshot roof both in front and rear forming a piazza, or an overshot in front, and the roof in the rear extending some distance back until it came within a few feet of the ground.
The rooms inside were not sealed, but above were the broad heavy oak beams on which the floor of the upper part of the. house was laid.
The fire places usually were very large, generally extending without any jambs, in width sufficient to accommodate the whole family, with a seat near the fire.
The chimneys were very large and spacious, sufficiently so, to admit their meat to be hung in them for the purpose of being smoked, which was the custom.
One house where the stone fire place occupied nearly the whole side of the room, had large oak doors at the front and in the rear The custom was to bring a large log (called the Back Log) from the woods in a cart, and back the cart up to the door. Then the oxen were taken around to the other door, and a chain was pulled across the room and hitched to the log, and the oxen then pulled the log into the room. It was rolled into the fire place. One of the Simonson family remembers secing such a fire place, and its size may be imagined when the ends of the Back Log furnished a seat for two of the colored people. On account of
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the size of the log, it would necessarily burn a long time, and this brings up another fact in connection with the fire.
There were no matches or other means of making a fire, and this people were like the Vestal Virgins of Rome required to keep a fire continually burning. If it per chance went out, then a trip was made to some neighbor for the purpose of borrowing a brand. The story is told of one of the Parrish family carrying a brand from near Jericho to Oyster Bay, as he was returning from a journey on horse back.
The Tinder Box came later on, and took some time to kindle, but saved a trip to a friend's house.
The upper part of the house next to the roof constituted what was called the " Garret." This was used for sleeping purposes besides being a " store room" for a thousand and one articles and from whose dark corners we of a later generation have brought forth treasure. As we learn the habits and customs of the Egyptians from the treasures found amid the ruins of their cities, so we are able to read anew the story of our Dutch from the treasures found amid the dust and cobwebs of the old Garret.
"There's a chest in the dim old 'Tis grandmother's sacred heirloom garret, And there, untouched, it stands,
Wrapped in a pall of dust,
And curtained with dainty cobwebs That cover the signs of rust;
Since over her peaceful bosom
She folded her wrinkled hands.".
LITERARY, &c.
The most of their books or reading matter consisted of religious topics. One little book published in Amsterdam in 1696, by the Widow of Guibers de Groot, contains the stories of the Bible in Poems, and was evidently intended to be used for singing, as there is an opening page. Tot de Sanger.
It is quite liberally illustrated with wood cuts. On the last pages is a short account of a church, called, first, St. Catherine, but later named the New Church. It was built or founded in 1416.
Another was a little book belonging to Sarah Bennet, (born in 1758) the grandmother of John B. Luyster. It contained
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fourteen pages. Was published in New York in 1766. It was composed by a young man, who was converted under the preach- ing of Gilbert Tennant. The Text that brought about his con- version, was the last clause of the 8th verse, 2Ist chapter of Revelations. The following is one of the compositions:
My heart is there I've now a share, I feel them drops distil,
I long to fly to Christ on high. And there to drink my fill.
And there abide where rivers glide And hear the angels sing. And join myself in their behalf Thus to adore my king.
When I at length get grace an strength
To strike them heavenly notes, I'll praise him too as angels do, With their sweet warbling throats.
Amen, Amen, the angels cry, Salvation is his due. And we through all eternity, His praises shall renew.
This was copied from the same book:
DR. WIGGLESWORTH'S DREAM.
As I lay slumbering, sleeping, All alone in bed,
A vision very strange, There came into my head.
I thought the day of doom, Undoubtedly was come,
And Christ himself was there, To judge both old and young.
I heard the trumpet sound, Sounding both loud and shrill,
Bring all souls to hear, Their sentence good or ill.
I scarce had got me there .. But Satan came I thought And with a doleful scrawl, Of my sad life he brought.
And laid before our Judge, Saying I was his own. No help for me there were My sins so great were grown.
Then said our Saviour dear, To end this doleful strife See if the Sinner's name, Be in the Book of Life.
And if his name be there, He surely shall be blest, His sins all pardoned are, His soul with me shall rest.
Our Saviour took the Book, And leaf by leaf he told, And there he found my name, In letters lined with gold.
Then Satan he was wroth, On seeing such a sight, And said unto our Judge, Thy judgments are not right.
Then spake our Saviour dear, To him most decently, Satan thou knowest full well, That I for sins did die.
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Redeeming of this world, Which he has overthrown,
All for poor Sinners sakes, Whose sins so great had grown.
Then I from slumbering Sleeping I did awake,
Not knowing what to do, To prayers I did betake.
I fell down on my knees, As other Sinners may,
Hoping to find forgiveness, At the great judgment Day.
Sarah Bennett, was the grand daughter of Joris Bennet and Sarah Dorlant. Joris, was the grand son of William Adriaense, the emigrant, an Englishman, and a cooper by trade, who was in this country before 1636, for in that year, he purchased land of the Indians at Gowanus.
For the family record see page 135.
Another book was "Praktyk des Christendoms" by Edward Meiners. Published in Gronnigen in 1738. It is bound in light color sheepskin and in place of clasps are buckskin strings. This book was providentially discovered in the garret of a house standing on the spot where the first Isaac Bogart settled in Wolver Hollow. It also contained a family record of Garret Vanwickle born in 1722. He was the grand son of Evert Janse, the emigrant of 1664 from Wykeler. This Garret married Annetye Hardenburgh a member of one of the oldest families in the congregation.
For the family record see page 652.
The Palsm Book with its silver clasps and silver rings, was in almost every family and also the Great Bible. The family records were here kept very scrupulously and continued for generations. The Great Bible being disposed of by will, and from which the Geslachtrekenkundige (Genealogist) has been able to trace the family from the emigrant. The Catechism also, was in almost every family, and into its doctrines the children were thoroughly instructed.
The Farmers Almanac, was another feature of the house, and they were kept from year to year and sewed together. Here was entered a record of poultry and live stock.
We find just a memorandum opposite the date such as: Sot a Hen in the barn, Sot a hen on Duck Eggs. Sot a Turkey. Cow Calved, Colt foalded, &c. They always said Sot.
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The almanac before us, is of the year 1775. It contains many curious items.
Specimens of the Dutch Bible records:
Jn het jaar Onses Heeren 1735. de 13 dagh Van January op Dingsdagh omtrent mid Nacht is myn Soon Johannes Cymecen gebooren.
Jn het jaar onses Heeren Anno 1738 de 25 dagh Van October is Myn Dochter Helena gebooren in de Avont to 7 Uren.
Jn het jaar onses Hereen Anno 1756 is Myn Vroue Mareya Symensen overleden de 19 dagh Van Augustus op Donderday omtrent II Uren.
Rem Bennet en Cattrina Hoogland Syn te Samen getrout Den 27 day Van November. In het Jar na Christi Geborte. 1755.
The following is a copy from the original manuscript, which was in the handwriting of Adriaen No. 2.
We could properly style him the "Farmer Poet," of the last century.
THE HAPPY CHILD, &C.
You parents who love children dear, To what I shall relate give ear. In Barnart liv'd a loving pair, A tender wife and husband dear.
Whom cruel death of life beguile; Who left his tender wife with child; It proved a daughter wherefore she, Was brought up very tenderly.
And as, she grew up, in time, Her temper was like one divine, So sweet, so modest, and so fair, That few with her they could compare.
Above all the rest her mind was given,
To find the ready way to heaven, If she one penny bad in store, She'd freely give it to the poor.
As this child came from school one day,
She saw some children at their play,
And wickedly they did blaspheme, And take God's holy name in vain.
She said dear children pray forbear, Who makes you thus curse and swear? . At school you never learnt the same, Therefore I think you are much to blame.
Besides what will your parents say When they do hear, that you go astray,
I'm sure their hearts will troubled be To know that you live so wickedly.
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Remember every sinful word,
You'll answer for before the Lord. Then started up a little elf And said, Miss, pray mind yourself.
So hold your tongue and don't us tease
For madam, we'll do what we please The pretty maiden weeping said, It was the devil I'm afraid,
Who bid you God's commandments break
That he your precious souls may take,
But dear companions pray take care
You fall not in this woful snare.
Take this advice I do implore Or else I'll never come near you more.
One, taking this in great disgrace Did strike her on her pretty face.
Saying, Miss pray hence depart; We scorn thee from the very heart. This pretty maid did weep and say Though you do strike me, I will pray.
That your poor souls in heaven may dwell And so I bid you all farewell.
Tears from her cheeks in streams did glide, Her mother asked her why she cry'd.
What! did your mistress you chastise
That you come home with weeping cyes? No, mother dear this child did say, Some children I have seen this day,
Who will not.God's commandments keep
It is for their poor souls I weep, When I them blamed for their oaths,
They gave me many bitter blows.
But let them do what e'er they will Their precious souls I'll pray for still
Her mother took her in her arms, My dear, God keep you from all harms.
Don't weep my child with such distress,
They'll answer for their wickedness, As this child went to school one day,
Through the church yard took her way,
Where, lo! the devil came and said Where are you going pretty maid? To school I'm going sir, said she, Now child, don't mind the same said he
But hasten to your playmates dear, Who learn to lie and curse and swear,
They bravely spend their time in play. God, they don't care for, no, not they.
It is a fable, child, he cryed At which his cloven foot she spyed, I'm sure there is a God, said she, That from your power, will keep me frec.
And if this thing you do deny, Your cloven foot gives you the lie, Satan, avaunt, hence, out of hand In the name of Jesus I command.
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