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 5
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There is ample and complete testimony before the Court that the mother of the black woman was given by Annanias Downing to William Hopkins or his wife, and they took possession of her and that the present black woman was born about two years before the mother was manumitted and has never been manu- mitted or freed and never was considered to be free. If there were any doubts existing the claim which Hopkins made of the girl some time after the mother was manumitted would com- pletely remove them. This was no taking for time; she was received in the same manner as the cows, sheep, furniture &c. were received by them. It would be inconsistent for Hopkins to say that he freed her before she was manumitted and deny ever owning her. If he proves the returning of her to the es- tate there he should seek recompense and not of this town. Because there is a dispute among them about the girl he falls on the town; let them settle it themselves.
The certificate of manumission and the great stress that the plaintiff places upon it if admitted in its greatest latitude, amounts to no more than to prove who was the owner at the time of the certificate being given. But the main point is, who was the owner of the mother when the present woman was born ; whoever was the owner of the mother at that time is the present owner of course, as it appears she never has been freed, and it plainly appears, and the fact is that William Hopkins was the owner at that time. I am warranted in saying this from the testimony before us, and no doubt he was the owner at the time she was freed, and his claiming and owning her afterwards amounts to proof that she ever belonged to him, and the Down- ings freeing her does not prove them to be the owners and specially as the fact appears that W. Hopkins was the owner of the mother before and after she was manumitted, this is sufficiently proven.
After ascertaining that the mother belonged to Hopkins, the
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business before us must appear in this way, that the Downings and Hopkins had slaves which they wanted to manumit, and the Downings were going to court for the purpose, and to accom- modate their brother in law they take his woman, of course must own her for the purpose of getting her manumitted. This inference is warranted from the testimony before us. This is not the first and only time that blacks have been freed by persons that were not their owners.
The present plaintiff is an instance before us in the case of Jordan.
THE DUTCH GARTER.
This was an article that was used by all, males and females. They were knit backwards and forwards and the yarn was looped over the knitting needles twice, and when new were quite elastic. They were about a yard in length and were wound around the top of the long woolen stockings and the limb, and the end tucked under. Those were not the days of silk elastic and silver buckles.
The story is told of two young women who were crossing a large field and when in about the middle of the lot they were attacked by an old ram. The distance being too great for them to escape by running, they faced the animal and between the two succeeded in throwing him, and then to keep him down they sot on him. It was an unpleasant situation as one could not leave for assistance. They cast about for some means to bind the buck and luckily they thought of their garters. At this stage of their misfortune they gladly welcomed the appearance of James Vernon of Norwich, who (just like a man) teased them for some time and at last helped them out of their sheepish position.
THE GOURDS.
One of the articles in use among the "Old People" was the Gourd Dipper, and one of them would usually be found hanging at the well.
They are now out of use and the last one we remember having seen was in the kitchen of the old house of John Nostrand in
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
Wolver Hollow. The use of the Gourd for drinking purposes was probably continued as a custom from the Hollander, and shows how tenaciously they clung to anything that their fathers had done before them.
The following account compiled from the records of the Holland Society, is interesting as bearing on the subject:
In the year 1565, immediately after the decrees of the Council of Trent were promulgated, Philip II. determined to put them in force throughout his dominions. Accordingly, he now made a more vehement attack upon the reformers; and then it was, in 1566, that the Netherland nobles, led by Count Brederode, signed the famous "Compromise " with which the open rebellion of the provinces begins. Margaret of Parma was Philip's regent in the Low Countries. Before her Brederode appeared with the Protest against the Inquisition and other innovations which the King proposed to introduce in Holland.
He was accompanied by three hundred noblemen, who had bound themselves together for the preservation of the Liberties of the Provinces. The Duchess of Parma appeared to be much disturbed at the sight of such a multitude of noble remonstrants, but the Count of Barlemont, who stood beside her, begged her not to be alarmed "for" said he, in French, "they are only beggars."
The gourd or bottle had its origin from the usage made of it by the Pilgrims-that class of people who to perform a penance or to fulfill certain vows undertake a journey to the distant shrine of some saint, like that of St. James in Spain or of Loretto in Italy. They are obliged to go there begging by the way and they carry the bottle-gourd or calabosh attached to the girdle, for the purpose of carrying water for their use when they have to traverse dry and arid parts of the country. For this reason these allied nobles made use of the gourd as one of their emblems, and to turn into pleasantry the names of beggars which had been given to them with so much indignity.
John Nostrand was the son of Peter. He was b. 1778 and d. 1847. m. Mch. 5, 1880, Sarah Walters, the widow of Geo. Remsen. Sarah or "Aunt Sally" as she was called, d. in 1869 at the age of 92. One circumstance of her life was the represen-
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
tation of five generations living at one time. John was in the army at Brooklyn during the war of 1812. He was blind at the time of his death.
George Remsen and Sarah Walters were the grand parents of John N. Remsen, deceased, of Norwich, who served some thirty years as the Clerk of Oyster Bay Town.
TALLOW DIPS.
For many years this people had no other light for their even- ings (except what came from the great stone fire places) and candles were of necessity a staple household article. Generally every Dutch kitchen was furnished with a furnace (so called.)
A large iron pot was enclosed with brick and so constructed as to leave a space beneath for the fire and no wood was considered as desirable as brush and chips.
One day it would be used for boiling the clothing of the week's wash; then for trying out the tallow for candle making. The day for dipping candles having arrived, a lot of candle rods brought down from the garret, would have strung on them candle wick, cut and twisted to the proper length. Two poles were laid on benches about three feet apart, and on these the ends of the rods would be supported.
A large tin boiler would then be partly filled with water and a quantity of hot tallow would be put in filling the boiler, the grease of course rising to the top. Each candle rod was then taken alternately and the candle wick on them immersed in the boiler. When withdrawn each wick had a portion of tallow adhering to it. By the time thirty or forty rods had been manipu- lated the tallow on the wick of the first rod had become cold. Then with a gentle movement of the fingers each wick was made as straight as possible. The process of dipping was then repeated and for hours it was repeated until the candle had attained a proper size. It appeared to be a simple operation, but never- theless some skill was necessary. The tallow must not be too hot, the water in the boiler must be about right as to tempera- ture, and only the Dutch Vrouw with many years' experience knew all the details of the business.
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
Enough candles would be made on the occasion to last the year round. If by chance the supply should become exhausted then resort was had to the candle mould which was a more simple operation.
There was a little superstition connected with these tallow candles, as follows: Some time after a candle had been burning, by some action of the tallow a little offshoot would begin at the edge of the tallow and projecting out from the side would grad- ually form itself into a curl. This was called the Winding Sheet, and presaged a death in the direction of that side on which it formed.
There was also the snuffers and tray and the candlestick, the snuffers to remove the burned wick after the tallow had burned away. It was quite an art to "snuff the candle" without putting out the light,
THRIFT.
One couple bought a farm and settled down to hard work and it is told of them that the husband went to the field all day husking corn. On his return in the afternoon the load of corn was deposited on the ground near the corn crib. After supper his wife placed a tallow dip in the window and brought out the spinning wheel and spent the evening in spinning while the husband was outside assorting the corn. One of the women born in 1756 was the mother of ten children and she could not send them to school to get them out of the way and like most all children they were generally hungry. In the morning she would spread a lot of rye bread with "Apple Butter" and leave it standing on the "Putter Bunk" for them to go and help them- selves. This generation call the Putter Bunk a Sideboard.
The apple butter was made by boiling cider down until it was nearly like molasses; then some partly dried apples were put in and it was boiled until the apples were cooked.
For the family record see page 304.
There is no question as to the fact of this being a Dutch family, from the names. Adrian, the fifth child, when quite a young man, "ran away from home" and shipped aboard of a
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corn ship. A terrible storm wrecked the craft and the "runaway boy" had a narrow escape from being drowned.
One Sabbath morning one of his sisters came into the house and said:
Father, Orryon is home. (The usual manner of pronouncing Adrian.)
Old Peter went out and found Orryon sitting on the fence and probably in some doubt as to the reception likely to be accorded him.
The wanderer was brought in and made to don his "Sunday clothes" and then taken to church, probably with an intimation that reformation should begin there. Whether the boy had his "jacket warmed" or not our knowledge of the matter does not warrant us in saying.
The "Old People" did not spare the rod. The Compiler has a cane made by the old gentleman, but it is rather heavy for the "warming" proceess.
It was made from a dogwood sapling and ornamented with markings made with a hot iron. The ferule is a tailor's thimble. However, the reformation became a fact and Orryon was one of the leading and strict members of the Dutch Congregation.
THEIR AMUSEMENTS.
One of the old customs, which still lives in the Dutch Congregation, was the "Rag Sewing." Some good "vrouw" desirous of having a carpet on the floor of the best room, saved all the remnants of cloth or woven articles and cut them in narrow strips until a sufficient quantity had been accumulated.
The invitations were then given out for the women to come on some designated afternoon to sew these strips together. The rags were wound into balls and were then ready for the carpet weaver. In the evening the men would come and the rag sewing ended in a number of games and a social time.
Then there were "Spinning Bees." An invitation consisted of half a pound of flax being left at the house. This was to be spun and on the time appointed it was taken back to the owner and the young people enjoyed another evening in festivities common to the settlement.
762
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
There were "Balls" also. Norridge as it was called was the usual resort on these occasions. The young men took their girls on horseback, as they had nothing but heavy and clumsy wagons or carts. "Fiddler Ben" furnished the music. The early settlers were a very sociable set among themselves. The women would take the flax wheel with them when they went for an afternoon call and would be busy while engaged in conversation.
Then the older people had a round of visits to make during the winter evenings, notice having been sent of the intended visitation. These occasions were utilized by the host and hostess for a display of the "Blue Chaney" dishes and the family pewter. The provision for the appetites of the guests was, well, the best.
Waffles. These were the pride of the family and a kindly rivalry was maintained as to which skilled matron the award should be given for making the best.
Wafers. These were another Dutch feature of the table. A wafer iron had the initials of the heads of the family cast in, so as to show in the cakes when baked. Miss Dorothy Onder- donck of Flower Hill, North Hempstead, has one of this kind that belonged to Dorothy Monfoort, b. Dec. 21, 1767, d. May 15, 1848. She was the wife of Joseph Onderdonck. The wafer iron is marked J. D. M. and the date 1742.
INSCRIPTION COPIED FROM A LOVING CUP.
Let the wealthy and great Roll in splendour and state I envy them not I declare it I eat my own lamb
My own chickens and ham
I shear my own fleece and I wear it
I have lawns I have bowers I have fruits I have flowers
The lark is my morning alarmer So jolly boys now
Here's God speed the plough Long life and success to the former.
Industry Produces Wealth.
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
There were many other good things provided as the "Old People" entertained well. After the meal the oldest adjourned to the best room and the men smoked their long clay pipes; the women knit and some of them "snuffed." Stories of the past were repeated and thus became legendary; as you will often hear now some one of the older people remark; "Yes I remember hearing my grandfather or the "Old People" tell about the hap- penings of the early days.
Scattering pieces of the old pewter, so highly prized by the early settlers may occasionally be found. A large platter 17 inches in diameter is now in the family of Daniel T. Luyster of Wolver Hollow. It has the initials I. V. D. B. (Ida Van Der Bilt) on the margin. She was the daughter of Jeremiah of Flatbush, and was born Aug. 5, 1741 and married Nov. 11, 1757, Rem Hegeman.
Some of the pewter plates being much larger than this one. The Compiler having found them 25 inches in diameter. They are now decorated with hand paintings and used as "Plaques."
The families had a strange attachment for each other, and it may have been because they were more or less related by blood kinship. The dozen or more families of the settlement having lived near each other for many years, their children marrying seldom outside the Dutch circle; hence the rounds of evening visits.
It is hardly necessary to give a description of all the paraphernalia connected with the spinning and weaving de- partment of the Dutch household, except in brief. There was the large wheel for woolen yarn. The flax or linen wheel. The reel for winding the yarn from the spindle into skeins and the swift. The swift was used when the yarn was wound into balls. The maid of this day uses her lovers hands instead of the Dutch swift. The making of spinning wheels was a trade and the Van Nostrands were called "Draayer" which is supposed to mean a maker of spinning wheels.
Aaron Van Nostrand, Turner (Draayer) of Jamaica in his will dated Jan. 13, 1764. Probated Apl. 23, 1764, N. Y. L, 14. F. 393 left to each of his daughters a linen wheel. There
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
were five of them and their names were Aultye, Gretye, Sarah, Janitye and Ann.
Then again each knitting member of the family had her own particular equipment. Knitting needles, knitting sheath, and a basket for the balls of yarn and the unfinished work. These baskets were made of fine splints and were good work done by the basket maker.
Woe betide the unlucky urchin who accidently upset the basket and spilled the balls over the floor. One basket had the name on, Caty Mefoore, her Basket, 1806. Catharine Mon- fort was born in 1787 and married Morris Simonson.
Mrs. John Downing their granddaughter is the owner of an antique, brass spectacle box, so old that the memory of man runneth not back thereto. It is engraved on the top and bottom with pictures illustrating the little story contained in the Bible, Exodus 2d Chap. 15 to 20 verses. On the side is engraved and in Dutch:
Wat k'gn den mens de ryk dom baate Als hy doot is moet hy't dog hier laate.
The translation is, What advantage is it to a man, to gain riches and power, as he has to leave it all when he dies. This box came down from the family of Morris and Catherine.
The "Old People" seldom used the name Catherine, but called the name "Treeny " a corruption of Katrina.
Catherine was an own aunt to Mary A. Monfoort born May 14, 1812.
On the first celebration of Lincoln's birthday in 1896 the writer was shown the process of spinning flax by Mary. This aged woman, although 85 years have come and gone, is quite active, and the remarkable manner with which she manipulated the flax wheel, went to show that her hands had lost none of their skill.
An account of the "Bed spreads" has been written in a previous chapter, but Mary is the only person the Compiler has found who possesses one, which is composed of the yarn spun by herself.
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When the "Old Homestead" of the Monfoorts comes before our mental vision; we picture it as an antiquarian gold mine. A home replete with remembrances of the "Old People."
We can hardly imagine her as a child, playing with dolls and other toys, but it must have been, as she delighted the writer with an inspection of some of the toys she had in her childhood; one was the little doll snugly tucked away in a little "Canopy Top Corded Bed." The linen thread composing the pillow cases and bed tick all being home spun.
To her the Compiler is under many obligations for her valuable help in his work of recording the deeds of past generations, and bringing the scattered members of the Dutch Congregation to- gether again under the shadow of the genealogical tree.
It would be of interest to give a complete record of one family showing a straight descent from the Emigrant, and there could be no more suitable one than the ancestors of the before men- tioned Mary A. Monfoort.
Pieter Monfoort emigrated at an early period from the Nether- lands, married Jan. 12 or 17, 1630, Sarah de Plancken or (Blanck) at Amsterdam in Holland prior to his emigration.
Their son Pieter, bp. July 21, 1652. m. Marretye Pieterse Luyster. Their son Jacobus, b. Oct. 6, 1696. m. Dorothy Durye. Their son Joost, b. May 25, 1724. m. Catrina Duryea.
Their son Abraham, b. Jan. 29, 1754. m. Ranche Monfort. Their son George, b. Aug. 4, 1781. m. Jane Hegeman. Their dau. Mary Ann, b. May 14, 1812.
Joost Durye died in 1780 and the Inventory of his Estate shows the following items:
2 Hatts.
I Great coat. 2 tite Boded Coats.
5 Wooling Wescoats. I Lining Do.
2 Pair Breeches-One with Silver Buttons.
8 Pair Stockings. Wooling & Lining.
6 Shurts.
£ sd
I Pair shoes. The whole Valled 8 12 8
Cash in house 17 3/4 ginnis at 37/4 33 2 8
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
5 half Joes at 64s. II Spanish Dollars Small Change 3 8
£ sd 16 00 4 8 o
THE OLD TIMES VANDUE DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
Articles of Vandue made this 7th day of July 1781 for the sale of Sundry Goods and Chattles belonging to the Estate of Jost Duryea of late of Oysterbay decesd and to be sold by the subscribers.
First the Goods & Chattles are to be sett up to "sail" in a publick manner and fairly cried and struck off to the Highest bidder or bidders.
Secondly the purchaser shall amediately take charge of said Goods struck off and discharge the sellers.
Thirdly the money is to be paid on the Delivery of said Goods any person whatsoever so neglecting or refusing to comply with these articles shall be obliged to make good all damage to the "Saderffaction" of the sellers and sold by us the subscribers as witness our hands in presence of us Stephen Weeks,
Jackson Mott.
JOHN WORTMAN, GABRIEL DURYEA, ABRAHAM MONFOORT, WILLETS KIRBY,
Executors.
ADVERTISMENT.
To be sold at publick Vandue on Saturday the 7th day of July next at the house of Joost Duryea. Late of Oysterbay deceased, Milks cows, household furniture and Green Corn on the ground such as wheat and Rye Likewise considerable wheat and Rye by the Bushel and Sundry sorts of household Goods and Beding and many other articles not mentioned. the Van- due to begin at 10 o'clock in the morning and to be sold by us.
JOHN WORTMAN, WILLETS KERBY, GABRIEL DURYE, ABRAHAM MONFOORT,
Executors.
Dated June 26, 1781.
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A List of goods sold at publick Vandue the 7th day of July, 1781. Belonging to the Estate of Joost Durye deceased.
I Heifer to Gilbert Wright
9
o
O
I do Whilliampe Derye 14 2
20 I do do 2
I Swine “ George Durye 3
I O
I small Brood Ax to Charles Duryea
5 8
I old Sadel to Gilbert Wright 9
I Shoemakers Bench, lasts and Tools to Gar- ret Nostrand O
5
I market basket to Jacob Robbins 8
O
I Linen Wheel to Mary Durye
2 O
A parsell of Soal Leather to John Van Cott
I4
6
I Basket of do to Daniel Sealey
6 o
I Blanket to Tunis Bogart
6 10
I Green Rugg to John Wright II
I Ragg Coverled to Jacob Kershaw 6
2 Coverled to David Van Cott 4
I Cittele Salt (Kettle)
I Beadstead Cord to George Duryea 4 o
I Setting Chair to John Wortman
9
2 do to Thomas Cheshire
IO O
2 do to Samuel Nichols
4 0
2 do to Charles Durye
8
O
2 do to John Wright
3
6
I Looking Glass to Joseph Carter
6
7
5 knives to Garret Noostrand
3 o
I Tea Pot & Cofy Pot to Adolf Covert 2
4
xxx & Baskett to Peter Nostrand
7
Raisers & specticles to Charles Jackson
I
5
I xxx to Garret Nostrand I
3
o
I Case and Bottles to George Durye 2 O
I Lock Chest to Joseph Carpenter
IO
3
2 Puter Platters to Thomas Cheshire I2
6
3 do to Thomas Stivus
5 9
Old Putter to Garret Noostrand I 6
s d
I Cow “ Charles Samenson I3
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
£ sd
2 Sheats to Jacob Keshow 9 7
2 Pair Piller Cases to Dainel Baley
4
7
I Pair Piller Cases to Benjamin Cheshire 8
5
I Pair Piller Cases to Thomas Stivus
5 7
I Barrel to Thomas Cock
9
O
2 Pillers & Bolsters to John Wright
I4
4
2 Sheats to Thos. Stivus
I4
O
2 Old Coverleds to Adolf Covert
I2
O
I Bedstead & cord & Under Bed to Brown I7
4
I Cubbord to Mary Durye, Daughter Neley I I2
I do to Gilbert Wright
I6
4 Bushels Rye to Thos. Stivus 13/6
2 14
O
4 do to do 14/I
2
I6
o
4 Bushel all ye Remande to do 14/2
2 18
0
4 do Wheat to Joseph Carpenter 21/6
4
6
4 do do to John Vansint 22/o 4 8 0 2
2 1/2 do do to Josh Carpenter 21/6
I3
9
I Half Bushel Measure to Samuel Burr 7
0
I Sett Warping Barrs & Spools to George Durye 3
o
I Sheat to Jackson Mott I3
IO
6
A small quantity of Oats to Benjamin xx xx
I
8
2 Lasts to Garret Noostrand
I
2
flax seed in Barn to George Durye
5
I
I Pich fork to Peter Hagarman
2
3
I Pease Grain, East Part, Peter Nostrand
7 15
O
I do West Part, do
IO I
O
I do South Lott do
7 12 0
I do to Charles Durye
8
I
I Grind Stone to Charles Durye
3
O
I Coverlid to John Wortman
I4
o
I half side Leather to Cornelius Velser
6
I side Leather to Jeromus Luysters
IO
I Course Touth hitchel to John Wortman
I2
O
2
I pair of Wool Card to Henry Suydam I
6 16 o
I Chair to Peter Hagarman
2
I Cask Flax Seed to Nicholas Bennet
6
I Feather Bed to John Wright 2 O
9
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
I Sive to Henry Suydam
I Tray to Jos. Horton
S d
I
I
I I
I mortor to Gabriel Durye I O
As this auction was had at East Woods (now Syosset) there were very few of the people from Cedar Swamp & Wolver Hollow there, but the Dutch Congregation was well represented. We shall have to excuse the Dear Old People for their spelling, as, at this time, they were just learning to talk English.
Joost Durye was b. in 1709 and m. Willimpe Terhune. Their son Jorus, m. Willemina Braambos, and their daughter Wil- limpie m. William Braambos, No. 3, her brother William Braam- bos, No. 2 and his mother emigrated from the island of Curacao and settled at Bushwick, where he married Catryntye Van Kats, afterwards settling in Mutton Town in a stone house, near the late residence of John R. Duryea, deceased. The blood of the Braambos family, flows in the veins of many of the Dutch Con- gregation. Of the children of Jorus Duryea and Willemina, they married into the Luyster, Hoogland, Simonson, Remsen and Monfoort families.
The will of Willimpe Terhune Duryea is quite a curiosity as showing how disposition was made of personal property.
She devises to Charles Duryea's son George the Lame Boy.
To her daughter Willimpe, her Best Cow. To Cornelia Nos- trand another daughter the Great Bible. To Mary Bennet the Pewter Platter marked "M. R. T." and upon a second con- sideration I give unto Willimpe my Side Saddle and Brass Kettle.
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