USA > New York > Nassau County > Oyster Bay > A documentary history of the Dutch congregation of Oyster Bay, Queens County, Island of Nassau (now Long Island) "het Nederduijtsche gemeente" > Part 4
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The early town meetings were held in a meeting house at Oyster Bay and one year at the church in Wolver Hollow. Then the voters of the town met at Norridge and there was a time of pleasure united with business. Trotting horses, shooting for turkeys, and a general good time all around. The town laws were passed by taking the "ayes and nayes" and appro- priations of money for town expenses were carefully attended to. Peter Luyster was elected an assessor one year, for which ser- vice he was to receive eight shillings.
We hear a great amount of talk nowadays about "Blue Laws"
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and "Puritan Sabbaths." The following shows how the old time people thought:
In 1682 the town court of Huntington ordered that a person who was convicted of the crime of bringing a bag of meal from Oyster Bay to Huntington on the Sabbath day should pay a fine of ten shillings. If Cornelius Hoogland and Peter Luyster, and Isaac Remsen and Garret Snediker and Joost Monfoort could return to the places connected with their earthly dwellings they would probably conclude that the devil was in control, and the work of the Dutch Congregation had come to naught. The present generation have not such a "fine sense" about desecrating the sabbath.
"LAWS AND ORDINANCES OF NEW NETHERLAND."
Apr. 29, 1648.
Whereas we have seen and learned, that notwithstanding our previous orders and proclamations concerning the keeping of the holy Sabbath according to God's holy Word, it is not observed as we intend and desire, but is profaned and desecrated in various manners, to the great scandal, offense and reproach of this community and neighboring strangers, who visit this place, also to the vilification and contempt of God's holy Word and our ordinances based thereon, --
Therefore we, in order to avert, as much as is in our power, the wrath and punishment of God, evoked thereby and by other misbehaviours, renew and amplify herewith our previous proc- lamations and ordinances, having arranged for the further observance of the Sabbath with the knowledge of the Servant of God's Word, that henceforth a sermon from God's Word shall be preached in the afternoon, as in the forenoon, with the usual Christian prayers and thanksgiving: we request and charge therefore all officials, subjects and vassals to assist at the services, forbidding meanwhile during divine service, all tapping, fishing, hunting and other usual occupations, handicrafts and business, be it in houses, cellars, shops, ships, yachts, or on the streets and market places, under penalty of forfeiting all such wares, goods and merchandise and of redeeming them with a payment of 25 florins, to be applied until further orders for the
744
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
support of the poor and the churches, besides a fine of one pound Flemish, payable by purchaser as well as seller, employer as well as employee, half of it going to the officer, the other half at the discretion of the Court.
We also hereby forbid, that anyone may on the said day give himself up, to his disgrace and the offence of others, to excessive drinking, under the penalty, if so found, of being arrested by the Fiscal or any superior or inferior officer and punished arbitrarily by the Court.
SUPERSTITION.
One of the ideas of the "Old People" was that it was a very unfortunate circumstance to have a Looking Glass to break or be broken. Reference is made to the Diary of Adriaen Hegeman, where it records the fact that John Voorhees lost his life while running a horse at a race.
The story has been handed down through the years that while John was shaving before a Looking Glass, preparatory to attend- ing the race, the glass suddenly cracked through the middle. They tried persuasion to make him remain at home, but with- out avail, and the consequences were as put down in the Diary.
John was the son of Jacob Voorhees and Geertye Sedam. For the family record see page 647.
NICK NAMES.
The "Old People " were great hands for giving "Nick Names," at one period nearly every male in Wolver Hollow had one of these absurd titles attached to him.
We do not connect the "Nick Name" with the person and his proper name, for the reason that it would appear as if the Compiler was holding them up to ridicule. That is something that is the least in his mind. The subject is mentioned only as showing a singular habit a community may fall into. We had the name of Young Chubby, Old Dutch, Aubey, Bottle, Boots, Boot's Boy, Dawney, Donor, Chubby, Dubby, Gamey, Hanchey, Hemmey, Buckwheat, Hooter, Kassia, Tory, Rampey, Sugar Dumpling.
-
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
This is only a partial list, and the foregoing shows the pecul- iar way of designating our neighbors.
One story is related of Chubby, when he was a young man. His associates persuaded him away into a lonely field one dark night to dig for a pot of money. The darkness and the loneliness in connection with this unusual expedition had rendered Chubby somewhat nervous. After digging for some time, his spade struck something giving forth a hollow sound. Raising himself in exultation to greet his companions, he was confronted only with a sheeted figure. With horror, he dropped the spade and turning towards home, started on a run, exclaiming in tones of the deepest earnestness, "Now legs if you have ever done me any good you want to do it now."
That saying has been repeated many thousands of times since, whenever haste was required, and any surviving member of the Dutch Congregation, quickly understands the reference to the story of Chubby, when they hear the words, "Now legs."
The women were given what might be termed "Nick Names," denoting affection. Maria was called Molly, Mary, called Polly, Margaret was Griete and sometimes Itye. The Dutch name Annatye was Ann. Femmetye was Febe, and Jannetye was Jane. The riddle often given to the children runs like this:
Elizabeth, Eliza, Betsy, and Bess,
Went to the woods, to find a bird's nest.
A nest they found, with four eggs in,
They each took one and left three in.
EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS OF JAMES HEGEMAN, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
1802 Oct. 14. Married a Mr. Bedford of Ninepartners to Hannah Seaman of Oysterbay.
1802. Oct. 20. Warrant against a pedlar in favor of Cor- nelius Suydam.
1802. Oct. 21. Brought before me and says his name is Thomas Rockwell.
Andrew Hide upon oath saith that on the 20th of October, the plaintiff put 20 dollars in his hands, and the defendant
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put a piece of cloth in his hands, and the defendent told the plaintiff, to take his choice, either the money, or cloth, the de- fendant said, he that fly's forfeits a small glass of wine, then the plaintiff received the cloth, and the defendant the money, the plaintiff said he flew and brought in the forfeit.
1802. Oct. 25. Judgment against the plaintiff. Cost of war- rant 12 12d. Evidence 12 72d. Swearing 6d. Judgment Iod. 1802 Dec. I. Took the oath and examination of xx xx xx con- cerning her pregnancy, who saith that xx xx xx is the father of the child.
1802 Dec. 4. Warrant against xx xx xx.
1802 Dec. 22. Came voluntarily before me xx xx xx and John Kershaw and entered into recognizance 125 dollars each for the appearance of xx xx xx at the next Sessions, to abide such order or orders as shall be made at the said Sessions, touching his being charged with begetting a child on the body of xx xx xx.
(This case seems to have been settled by the Minister as there were a number of baptisms in the church afterwards of children of J. and P.)
1803 July 22. Took the oath and examination of R. H. who saith she is with child and that W. H. a Pilot of Queens Co. is the father of the child. Same day issued my warrant against H.
1803 July 25. Came voluntarily before me W. H. and Jackson Mott and entered into Recognizance 150 dollars apiece for the ap- pearance of W. H. at the next general Sessions to abide such order or orders as shall be made touching his being charged with beget- ting a child on the body of R. H.
1803 Oct. 18th. Summons for H. to appear 29th October.
1803 29th Oct. An order made for H. to pay 20 dollars to the present time and 56 cents weekly for 3 years and 5 mos. and 44 cents weekly 3 years and 5 months.
TRADES.
The Tailors, shoemakers and weavers in those days went from house to house and plied their trade, and had to take their pay from the farmers in such things as they needed, some of the families had looms of their own and when they did not, selected
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some weaver that had a loom. Sometimes the store would be used as a go between that the exchange of commodities might be more readily brought about. Jacob Lewis was a weaver and probably lived at Wheatly. The following is his account with George Duryea in 1799:
Debit £sd
1/2 bushel corn
3. 0
I apple tree
5 0
carting I load stalks. .
6 o
I peck salt . . .
2 6
I Willow tree.
5 0
1/2 bushel turnips
I
3
1/2 bushel apples. .
I
6
leather for half soles ..
I o
II5 pounds English hay. .
6 o
LI II 3
Credit
£ s d
mowing half a day.
3 0
weaving 39 yards
19 6
2 blankets, (10 yards).
5 °
piece of cloth.
.
I3 0
6 yards of collar stuff.
I 6
blankets (20 yards)
IO O
36 I-2 yards .. .
18 3
£4 03
Some of the weavers made a specialty of weaving bedspreads.
HOOGLAND.
Dirck Jansen Hoogland, the ancestor of the Oyster Bay family came to New Netherlands in 1659 from Maerseveen, in the prov- ince of Utrecht, being at the time 22 years old. He married Oct. 8, 1662, Annetye Hansen Bergen and was known among his neighbors as "Kleyn Dirck," (Little Dirck). His 3rd child William Hoogland born 1669, married (sup) Neeltye Adrians.
For the family record see page 270.
In the early days, the boys had to "learn a trade," and as an illustration of that we turn to the will of Cornelius 7.
Cornelius 7, born at Flatbush about 1703, married Ist. Maria
. . .
.
.
. .
. . .
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Hardenberg. m. 2d, April 30, 1737 Sarah Wortman. His will dated May 16, 1777. Proved, June 27, 1781. R. L, 34. F, 280. N. Y.
He gives to Tunis, William and Cornelius, his carpenter tools, shoemakers tools and weaving tools. To Tunis the Bible and divided his other property among his eight children. His second wife probably being dead as no mention being made of her.
The Tunis who received the Bible was the great grandfather of Jackson Hoogland of Norwich.
John McQueen, m. Apl. 19, 1781. Janatye Hegeman, b. June 9, 1766.
For the family record see page 310.
As has been written the boys had to learn a trade and the following are two of the instruments showing how they were "bound out" for that purpose:
THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH that John Smith, aged sixteen years, ten months and eight days, hath put himself, and by these presents with the consent and approbation of his parents, of the town of south hempstead, doth voluntarily and of his own free will and accord put himself apprentice, to David McQueen of Jericho, Queens County, Long Island, tailor, to learn the art, trade and mistery of a tailor, and after the manner of an ap- prentice, to serve from the day of the date hereof for and during the full end and term of four years, one month and nineteen days next ensuing, during all which time the said apprentice, his master faithfully shall serve, his secrets keep; his lawfull commands everywhere readily obey, he shall do no damage to his said master, nor see it done by others without letting or giving notice thereof to his said master; he shall not waste his said master's goods nor lend unlawfully to any; he shall not commit fornication nor contract matrimony within the said term, at cards, dice or any other unlawful game he shall not play, whereby his said master may have damage, with his own goods nor the goods of others without license from his said master, he shall neither buy nor sell; he shall not absent himself day or night from his said masters service without his leave, nor haunt ale houses, taverns nor play houses, but in all things behave himself as a faithful
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apprentice ought to do during the said term, and the said master shall use the utmost of his endeavors to teach, or caused to be taught, or instructed the said apprentice in the trade or mistery of a tailor and-and provide him sufficient meat, drink, apparel, lodging and washing, fitting for an apprentice during the term of four years one month and 19 days, and a new suit in addition to his old ones at the expiration of the term, (great coat expected) and for the true performance of all and singular the covenants and agreements aforesaid, the said parties bind themselves unto the other, firmly by these presents in witness whereof the said parties have unchangeably set their hands and seal hereunto- dated this eleventh day of december, in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four, and delivered in the presence of Wm. Tredwell
Dec. II, 1834.
JOHN SMITH SAMUEL R. SMITH DAVID MCQUEEN
THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH, that I Henry Boakes now in the City of New York in America, doth Voluntarily put himself Apprentice unto Henry Dickinson of Oyster Bay in Queens Co., farmer, to serve the said Henry Dickinson and his Assigns, for and during the Space, Time and Term of six years from the first Day of August 1763. during which Time or Term, the said Master or his Assigns shall and will find and supply his said Apprentice, with sufficient Meat, Drink, Apparel, Lodging, and all other Necessaries befitting such apprentice, and at the End and Expiration of the said Term, the said Henry Boakes to be made Free and Receive according to the Custom of the Coun- try. In Witness whereof the said Parties have hereunto inter- changeably put their Hands and Seals the Ist day of August in the Year of our Lord 1763, in the 3d Year of the Reign of his Present Majesty King George the Third.
HENRY BOAKES (seal)
Signed, Sealed, and Delivered in the Presence of
RICHARD TREGLITH THOS. CANDELF
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
Endorsed.
This is to certify that I do assign the within written instru- ment with all my right and title that I have unto the same, unto Zebulon Doty for and in the consideration of sixteen pounds to me in hand, paid as witness my hand this 18th day of January 1764. HENRY DICKINSON.
Witness:
THOMAS TOBIAS.
This is to certify that I do assign the within written instrument or Indenture with all my right and title unto the same, unto Joseph Valentine, Jr. for and in the consideration of sixteen pounds to me in hand paid, as witness my hand this 14th day of March Anno Dom 1764.
ZEBULON DOTY.
Witness:
HENRY BOAKES.
THE WARMING PAN.
The warming pan was one of the usual household articles and in this day of steam heat and soft woolen blankets it cannot readily be appreciated. Its use has fallen into disuse and the warming pan has become a favorite article for hall decoration. Any person that has experienced the pleasure of sleeping in a "North Room" of one of the Dutch homes in the winter will be able to testify as to its utility. Imagine if you please the "Spare Room" so called, devoted only to the use of company.
Here has been lavished all the best domestic skill of the good mother. The floor covered with a "Rag Carpet." A high post corded bedstead, with a canopy top. The top and sides enclosed with a fancy muslin with grotesque figures, and a curtain all around the lower part, of the same material. On drawing the muslin aside, we find the place where we are expected to deposit our weary limbs, about breast high. Provision has been made for this emergency with a small step ladder.
The first article on the bed was a straw tick. A loose mattress filled with rye straw. This was to keep the cords from hurting the sleeper. Then there were two feather beds. Then two
751
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
homespun linen sheets, and one or two quilts and to crown all the homespun bedspread.
We can contemplate all this while one of the snowstorms Adraen Hegeman speaks about is in progress outside.
There is no fire and only a tallow dip for a light. As we left the sitting room and the dream influences of the open fire place, we perhaps began to shiver with apprehension at the rigors of. that "Spare Room."
But the dear Old Grandmother had been there before us and the warming pan filled with live coals had been introduced between the linen sheets and the chill had been removed.
Our evening devotions have been performed. One of the children has read a portion of Scripture, the gray haired grand- father has presented our petition at the throne of mercy, we are, conducted to our room and with a cordial wish for a sweet sleep the good housewife leaves us.
Our teeth are beginning to chatter, we hurriedly disrobe, "blow out the candle," mount the step ladder and plunge into that sea of feathers. We are lost to sight, the soft bed embraces us with its feathery arms and we sink away into oblivion. In the morning if we indulge in a "snooze" after daylight, we are fortunate, as the old rule was very generally in force, "early to bed and early to rise." While debating the subject of getting up in that cold room, we have the opportunity of studying the
BED SPREAD.
This seems to have been the "fad" of the young women about the year 1800, as the writer found none of an earlier date. Phebe Duryea a great grand daughter of Joost, had one. The date woven in the border, also her name. It is dated Feb. 14, 1822. It is now in the possession of Mrs. E. B. Thorne of Piping Rock. Phebe was bap. Oct. 9, 1803 and m. Jacob Jackson, after her marriage she had another one woven with her name Phebe Jackson, Mch. 8, 1830. This is in the possession of Mrs. Town- send C. Willis of Jericho.
Leah Hegeman a grand daughter of John Van Nostrand Turner of the Hollow, also had one, woven in the blazing star
752
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
pattern. Her name and date Jan. 27, 1814 in the border. It is now in the possession of her daughter Mrs. Ida Ann Suydam of Greenpoint. Catherine McQueen a great granddaughter of Johannes Symese and Maria Stockholm also had one with her name and date 1837. Now in the keeping of her daughter Mrs. . Mary Jane Valentine.
Eliza Nostrand, the grand daughter of Peter Nostrand and Mary Seaman and the dearly loved grandmother of the Com- piler, also had one with her name and the date of her birth ʻ Oct. 16, 1802, in the border.
It is now owned by her great granddaughter Edith Stouten- burgh of Glen Head (formerly Cedar Swamp).
Almost every family of the original "Dutch Congregation" are in possession of one of these keep-sakes showing the indus- trious habits of the "Old People."
The bed spread was made of linen and woolen yarn. The yarn spun by the women and the weaving done by Smith Mott at Westbury. The new use to which they are devoted is for Portieres or door curtains.
SLAVES.
African Slavery had existed from an early period. A “prime slave" was valued at $120 to $150. In 1709 a slave market was erected in New York at the foot of Wall street.
In 1689 a census was taken and there were 200 negros in Queens County.
In 1738 there were 131I.
In 1756 nearly one-quarter of the population were negros.
In 1755 there were 97 slaves in Oyster Bay. Expenses for food and clothing exceeded the value of their labor, and it was sportively said, but truly, of a farmer who had no corn to sell, that the hogs eat all the corn and the negros eat the hogs, and nothing was left.
Our Dutch friends were exceedingly kind to their slaves, for in many cases they made provision for them in their wills. We have a will before us in which there is this clause:
"And provision made for a reasonable support for my two colored women, Jude and Biah during their lives."
753
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
In later years the slaves were given their liberty.
Those liberated ones wandered away from the neighborhood, but every year almost they would return and make a visit to their old masters. Then would come some word that "Old Tom" was dead, and there would be sorrowful faces among the children, between whom there was always a strong friendship.
At the death of one of the earliest settlers he left one slave and as the heirs could not divide him up, they quit claimed him as follows:
Be it known to all people to whome these presents shall come, we - for divers causes and sufficient reason to our full satis- faction, we the said - hath released granted and quit claimed unto - and to his heirs and assigns forever, all our right and title, claim and demand whatsoever which we have or ought to have, of, in and to one Negro Boy named Prymus, which did belong unto our father -, deceased, in his life time. To have and to hold the said Negro Boy unto him ye said his heirs, executors and admint's and assigns, and to his only proper use and behoof for ever without any -.
In witness -this thirteenth day of April, 1747.
Signed in the presence of
SAMUEL WILLIS THOMAS PEARSALL, JUR.
1760. Aug. 23. Peter Hegeman of O. B. sold to Benjamin Sands of Cow Neck, a negro wench called Eve for £67 10. Wit- ness present Saml Weeks.
Peter Hegeman was the son of the first Adraen in Oyster Bay. He was born in 1706 and his wife was Annatye Hoogland. They were the great grand parents of the Norwich family of Hegemans, viz .: Elbert Hegeman, b July 5, 1771. d. Sept. 28, 1824. m. Jan. 25, 1795, Margaret Crooker and had issue: Andrew C. who m. Catherine B. Jackson
James
" Eleanor Bennet
Jacob 66 " Ann Coles
Eliza M.
" Gideon W. Franklin
A SLAVE RECORD.
1770. Sept. 15. Rose is born.
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
I774. June 18. Priamus is born.
I775. Feb. 20.
Cate had a daughter bornd named Jude.
I775. Oct. 16. We sold Cate to Solomon Freligh (the minister).
1776. Apl. 28. Jude had a son bornd named Sam.
1777. Feb. 21. Cate was buried.
I779. Oct. 4. We sold Tean to Peter Hegeman.
1788. Aug. 26.
Rose had a son born named Stephen.
I790. Oct. 22.
Rose had a dau'r born named Cate.
I792. July II.
Rose had a dau'r born named Mary.
I793. Sept. 2. Rose moved to Daniel Coles's.
I797. Feb. II. Sam had a dau'r born named Gene.
I797. June 7. My negro man left me, Samuel, he is to allow me £30; to pay it in three years; he is to pay £10 a year for his freedom.
1797. June 12. Samuel began his year with Caleb Frost.
1798. July 4. My negro man Samuel paid me fio for his freedom, it being the first payment.
1803. Mch. 29. I got my negro man Samuel manumited by the overseers of the poor according to law.
1806. Mch. 12. Rose bound her son James to Baruch Muttee. He being 2 years of age, to stay to 21 years of age.
1807. July 14. Rose bound her dau'r Sarah to Zebulon Frost, aged 5 yr. and II mo. to stay with him until she is 18 years of age.
1808. Apl. II. Buried the body of Samuel Tice a black man, who was borned and brought up here. He was manumitted Mch. 29, 1803.
1809. May 6. Buried the dau'r of Rose named Cate.
I8IO. May 20. Buried the dau'r of Rose named Mateene.
18II. Feb. 16. Stephen had a son borned.
18II. Oct. 31. Stephen had a dau'r born.
I812. Sept. 18. Sam had a pair of new shoes made.
1816. July'15. Gene had a dau'r bornd.
In the burying yard at Cedar Swamp stands a marble stone erected to"the memory of Judy Hegeman who d. Oct. 25, 1880. For over 80 years a faithful family servant.
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
DOWNING.
The first of that name in the Town of Oyster Bay was George. His first wife was Mary Coles. His mother-in-law was Maher Shalal Hashbaz Coles.
[A list of the estates of ye Inhabitants of Oyster Baye for a Country rate this 29 of Sep. 1683, George downing was put down for £80.]
He with others received a large tract of land from the Indians, and his portion was located at Little Worth. This was some years before the Dutch settled in the town and it was not before the third generation appeared that marriages were made among the Dutch congregation. He died about 1735. His will dated March 9. Probated and recorded in N. Y. L. 12. F. 412. He left issue: 2 George; 3 Daniel; 4 Richard, 5 Benjamin; 6 Henry; 7 Sarah who married a Valentine. George 2 m. Amy Hopkins and had issue: Annanias b. 1758, m. Deborah Birdsall; Sarah b. 1763, m. Abram Kassou; Anna b. 1766, m. Richard Kirk; George b. 1779, m. Eliza Burtis Ist and Mary Downing his Ist cousin 2nd .; George 2 died and was buried Mch. 4, 1802.
Annanias and Debrah had issue:
Eliza who m. William Hopkins.
Amy James Coles.
John Annie Hopkins.
Daniel " Ist Catharine Wortman.
2d Martha Conklin.
Samuel " Abigail Valentine.
Jacob " (sup) Eliza Smith.
and this is the family that were interested in the following law-suit:
William Hopkins
vs.
Overseer of the Poor
Witnesses: Daniel Downing, Wolver Hollow; Samuel Downing, Westbury; Daniel Hopkins, Daniel Hopkins, Jr., George Down- ing, Little Worth; John Downing.
IIth May 1820. Summons served on me as overseer of the poor to answer unto William Hopkins plea of trespass on the
756
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
case at William Wrights Jericho 17th instant 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Jury crav'd and adjourned to Jas Pools 24th in- stant 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
(The testimony is omitted). Following are the notes of Judge James Hegeman :
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