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 6
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William Braambos, No. 2, had two Hessian soldiers billeted at the house during the Revolutionary War. One of them died while there and his body was buried near the stone house.
The old farm of George Duryea was located near the top of Spring Hill as it is now called and there was a brick yard where the brick was made. The old account book showing entries made from 1786 to 1805 was still in the family, even the quill pen, with which the writing was done, was in the book. The young people enjoyed merry making in those times and we are
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told that a stray pig wandered into the brick yard one day. That evening there was a frolic and roast pig was on the bill of fare. The women who were employed to tale the brick, played a conspicuous part in the demise of the porker.
One of the accounts in the old book was with Charles Ramusun an Indian man, for work Feb. 14, 1809.
THE SAMP MORTAR.
The Indians sometimes used the stump of a tree, and attaching the pestle to a sapling making a spring pole, they thus avoided the lifting of the pestle and making the sapling do the work.
They also used a large stone with a depression in it for a mortar.
One of this kind is in possession of a family in Cedar Swamp, at the present time. The "Old People" used a log of some kind of hard wood, about 15 inches in diameter and two feet long, with the end hollowed out and a large wood pestle. This was the kind in general use. Some were fashioned in a regular mortar shape. One of this kind was sold at the auction not long since of the effects of the late John Rogers Duryea of Mutton Town (now Spring Hill). The date was cut in the side 1774, and an initial W. on the edge.
The initial probably intended for that of his grandmother's name.
The following is selected from Henry Onderdonck's collection, although not intended to mean this Roelof but to show the news and advertisements of the early years.
1759, Apl. 10. The officers of one of the three companies of Queens County recruits for the French War-
Ist Co. Capt. Ephraim Morse.
Ist Leut. Geo. Dunbar.
2nd. Leut. Roeloff Duryea, 1760 he was Ist Leut.
1766, Dec. 29. Last Monday Joseph Andrews, mariner, on information that he was one of the villains who murdered Capt. Ruleff Duryea of the sloop Polly on her passage to the West Indies and all the people on borad except one, was apprehended at Boston. Two days after his arrival there he had his hair cut off so as to disguise his looks. Many of Duryea's things were
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found on him particularly a medal which he wore around his neck and several shirts worked with the initials of his name. A considerable sum of gold was found on him and he showed great signs of guilt on being first apprehended, but denied any knowledge of murder and piracy.
1768, Jan. 25. Rulef Durye offers at vendue his farm in Little Plain Hollow. It contains fifty-five acres 1-3 woodland, a new barn, a double house with three fire places and finished with pannel work and a kitchen adjoining, a garden with picked poles around it and an orchard of 100 appletrees, all in good four rail fence, convenient for shop or tavern. A tavern is kept now.
1775. Oct. 16. Jacob Duryee and Albert Terhunen, Execu- tors offer for sale the homestead of Jost Duryea near Old Neck at Jamaica South, 72 acres on which is a grist mill of one pair of stones, mill house, bolting house. Also a fine healthy negro boy ten years old.
VAN COTT.
Claes Cornelise emigrated in 1652 and settled in Bushwick.
The Dutch name of this family was Cats. We find from an old record that Jacob Cats was educated at the University of Leyden in Holland. Our "Old People" spelled the name Kat, Kats, Katts, Van Katts, Van Cats and ended with Van Cott.
Johannes, a son of the emigrant, married Barabra -, and their son, Claes (Nicholas) married Jannetye Wortman.
Claes and Jannetye had six children baptised in the Wolver Hollow Church.
John, bap. in 1749, was the grandfather of Mrs. Alfred Hoog- land of Cedar Swamp.
Cornelius, bap. in 1765, married Sarah Ludlum. Cornelius and Sarah had eight children, of which the youngest was John, b. April 25, 1810.
d. June 12, 1891.
m. Oct. 9, 1849. Margaret McCoun.
b. Jan. 25, 1814.
d. Mch. 21, 1852.
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John owned a farm on the west shore of Oyster Bay Harbor and it will be long remembered by the citizens of the town as being a favorite place for a day's outing. Van Cott's picnic ground has been visited by many people. The proprietor had erected a long thatch roof building for dining and dancing for the accommodation of visitors, and a "bath house." His dwelling was close at hand where all were given a cordial greeting. Some peculiar fancy of John's had led him to paint the exterior of the buildings in Red, White and Blue. The interiors were decorated in strange and curious figures. One room was painted to represent a "snow storm." The dining pavilion was decor- ated with many colored vines and strange animals and even the fences were painted Red, White and Blue. It certainly was a curious and charming place and, like all things else, it has fallen under the hand of time, but the memory abides with us still.
REVOLUTIONARY, &c.
May 29, 1775. Congress recommended all the counties to appoint committees and sub committees for the various towns to carry into execution the resolutions of the Continental and Provincial Congress.
The sub committee for Cow Neck and
Great Neck, were And for Oyster Bay.
Benj. Sands, Chairman. William Hopkins, Chairman.
Adriaen Onderdonck, Deputy. Zeb. Williams.
Peter Onderdonck.
Samuel Townsend.
John Farmer, Clerk.
Joost Monfort.
Martin Schenck.
John Kirk.
Thomas Dodge.
Isaac Bogart.
Simeon Sands.
Nathan Horton.
William Cornwell.
John Luyster.
D. W. Kissam.
Samuel Youngs.
John Cornwell.
Minne Suydam.
Nov. 7, 1775. Among those who voted For Deputies to Congress were:
Elbert Hegeman, jr. Rem Hegeman
sr. Jacobus Luyster
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Andries Hegeman, jr. George Bennet sr. Albert Nostrand
John Luyster.
MILITIA COMPANIES IN 1776.
Adriaen Hegeman, b. Aug. 24, 1739, d. at Cripple Bush, Oct. 5, 1776, m. on Nov. 13, 1762, Echbertie Van Nostrand and was one of the members of the Wolver Hollow Co. In his diary under date of June 19, 1776, he writes:
"Was a general muster on the Great Plains. David Leighton was our Captain." On August 29, 1776, he writes:
"We left the lines at Brucklin and went over to York." (See diary).
Among his papers was found a little book containing the following record in his hand writing:
A LIST OF MILITIA FOOT UNDER THE COMMAND OF CAPTAIN DAVID LATON OF OYSTERBAY IN QUEENS COUNTY, 1776.
Rem Hegeman, First Lieut. John Schenck, Second Lieut. Jacob Downing, Ensign. Sargeants
Daniel Bogart George Bennet,
Joseph Kirby Abraham Monfort
Corporals
William Laton,
Jacob Casshow,
Albert Van Nostrant Nicholas Van Cots
Daniel Hopkins, Drummer. William Wright, Fifer.
Andries Hegeman,
Jeromus Bennet
Peter Hegeman,
Aron Simonson
Richard Jackson,
Thomas Campbell
Charles Simonson,
Jost Snediker
Barnt Snediker,
Ananias Downing
Peter Sniffen,
Benjamin Whailey
Jackson Mott,
William Hopkins Junr.,
James Bennet,
William Crooker Junr.
Leffert Lefferts,
Wilhelimus Hoogland
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Edmund Titus, John Wright, Job Halstead,
Abraham Snediker
Jehonnes Casshow Junr. Mowris Casshow
Hewlet Townsend,
Stephen Camm
Sampson Crooker,
Peter Luister
Peter Monfort,
Peter Nostrand
Richard Townsend,
Jacobus Monfort
Adriaen Hegeman Junr.
James Place
John Remson Junr.
Abraham Remson
Cornelius Remson,
Jacob Van Wicklen
Tunis Bogart,
Antonie Van Nostrand
John Van Wicklen,
Abram Van Wicklen
Abram Van Wyck,
John Hardenbargh Benjamin Rushmore
William Tappan,
Jehonnes Casshow 3rd
John Van Cots,
John Luister Junr.
Thomas Cock,
John Underhill,
Norris Hayes Samuel Strigham
We have no doubt in our minds as to the fact of this being the company present at the Battle of Long Island, from the testimony of Adriaen Hegeman and from circumstances which will be shown later.
Oyster Bay Co .- 140 men.
John W. Seaman, Captain.
Peter Hegeman, Lieutenant.
John Townsend, 2nd Lieutenant.
East Wood's Co .- 85 men.
Person Brush, Lieutenant. Gabriel Duryea, Ensign.
July 22, 1776. Daniel Nostrand was a Captain of a Militia Co. in Oyster Bay.
Captain Laton's Co. was increased by the following recruits: Tunis Van Cott Peter Luyster Peter Monfort Isaac Bogart.
Aug. 12, 1776. These are some of the Company of Capt. Peter Nostrand, stationed at Far Rockaway before the battle of Long Island:
William Bennet, Daniel Luyster
Isaac Bogert Junr.
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John Bennet,
George Monfort
Andris Cashow,
Samuel Mott
George Downing,
Isaac Remsen
Rem Hartenburgh,
Cornelius Hoogland,
[Ist. Corporal] George Bogart
Abm. Probasco,
Simeon Voorhies,
[3rd. Sergeant] John Probasco
Tunis Van Cott, Fifer. .
July 23 to Aug. 31. In Capt. Manee's Company, stationed at Cow and Great Neck and at New York Ferry:
Benj Downing, Wm. Brambush
Nicholas Bennet.
July 25 to Aug. 31. In Capt. Ludlum's Co., stationed on the shore south of Jamaica and at N. Y. Ferry:
Isaac Van Osdal, John Bennet Nicholas Wortman
Rem Remsen
The first of the Layton family in the "Dutch Congregation" was William of Wheatly. His wife was Magrite Kettels. Wil- liam died about 1775. He divided his property among his six children, giving to William the silver tankard.
For the family record see page 288.
His son David was the Captain of the Military Co. before mentioned. He died in 1802. Will dated Mch. 9, proved Sept. 18, R. L, C. F, 143. Ja. He left eleven children, nine of whom were baptised in the Wolver Hollow Church. One of his sons, Abraham, was celebrated as being a great Wrastler (wrestler). Another son, George, was one of the soldiers in the war of 1812-located in Brooklyn. He was a very turbulent man and quite frequently engaged in a fight with some one. On being remonstrated with for his fighting proclivity he said, "They brought me down here to fight and I'm going to fight; if I can't fight with my gun I'm going to fight with my fists."
J
The Oyster Bay Committee were in session at Dan'l Cock's, Matinecock, when they were informed of the result of the battle at Brooklyn. They at once broke up and hastened home, there
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to await their fate, except Joost Monfoort and Isaac Bogart, who took leave of their families, mounted horses and rode off to Huntington Ferry, where they crossed the same night in company with Maj Thorne and others and proceeded to Fish- kill. Joost, after a few months' absence, returned and went to New York to Genl Robertson, who gave him a certificate, but not until one of Montfoort's neighbors had made a strong effort to defeat the object.
No sooner had Joost Monfoort fled than Capt. Sneden and N. C. came to his residence and were taking an inventory of stock, grain, &c, with a view to its confiscation, when his father told them the property was not Joost's but his. There- upon they went off. Joost had three sons, Peter, Abraham and George, in the army at Brooklyn. They had just returned home, when some British light horse rode up to the house by night. They escaped by a back door. The light horse, however, by mistake seized their brother Jacobus, who had not been in arms, and to prevent his escaping the drunken guard made him sit up undressed all night by the fire side. He pointed a pistol at his mother, threatened to rip open the feather beds because she could not tell where her sons had fled, made her draw cider, &c. and to terrify her still more he presented his sword to Jacobus and then drawing forth his pistol, insisted on a mock fight. After he had thus trifled the night away, early next morning he went off with his prisoner to the "Hollow," before Squire Van Wyck, where to his mortification he found he had caught the wrong person.
At another time some soldiers piloted by Tories came to his house and wantonly fired into the turkey roost, took four loads of corn from his crib, jumped into the hog pen, run their s words into two of the hogs, threw them into a wagon and carried them off to Jamaica. They also drove off two fat cattle. While the Tories were thus annoying him, Monfoort used to tell them he hoped to see the day when he should have satisfaction. "Ah," said Squire Van Wyck, "You may live in hopes, but you'll die in despair."
The writer found the following papers in the possession of Miss
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Susan J. Schenck at Manhasset, who very kindly allowed them to be copied. They tell their own story and seem to need little comment, but go to show what one " Dutch Farmer" was caused to endure during the little unpleasantness with Great Britain, at the time of the Revolution.
The subjects of "His Majesty" were not overburdened with a knowledge of Webster's Common Spelling Book, and the copies are made as "She was writ."
Martin Schenck was born Dec. 26, 1740, and lived on a farm a little south of the Friends' Meeting House at Manhasset. His first wife was a daughter of Jacob Rapalje of Hell Gate; his second wife was a daughter of Abram Rapalje.
Was Treasurer of Queens Co. in 1786 and 1792 and among the old papers was a letter written to him by Samuel Burr, and dated Norwich, June 23, 1786.
Mr. Schenck died Jan. 23, 1793, and according to Adriaen Hegeman's diary was buried Jan. 26, in the old family ground at Cow Neck. Andris McQueen who may be remembered by some old readers, was a dealer in cattle and sheep and used Mr. Schenck's farm as a resting place, staying for a night there on his way from the city with his drove.
These may certify that the bearer hereof Mr. Martin Schank is a staunch friend to the American cause; a member of the Committee for this district and its Desird that he may pass at large unmolested.
District of Cow and Great Neck, 23d July, 1776.
By order of the Committee
BENJ. SANDS, Chairman.
.
After the battle of Long Island the British soldiers were sent to the different localities and the following order was issued.
His Excellency, Genl Howe, having appointed me comanding officer for the Eastern part of this Island, I do hereby strictly enjoyn and order all persons watsoever in your County of Suffolk upon their peril to use their utmost efforts to preserve the peace of said county that all committeemen and others acting under the authority of the Rebels imediately cease and remain
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at their respective homes, that every man in arms lay them down forthwith and surrender themselves on pain of being treated as Rebels, and thereby exhort all persons to be aiding and assisting his majesties forces by furnishing them with watever lyes in their power in particular that they bring in their Cattel, excepting milck cows and calves, for their supply, and their Waggons and horses for transporting their Baggage, &c.
For all wich they shall be fully paid, his majesty having sent this army not for the Oppression but the protection of the Inhabetance, but I must also signify that unless they shew a dutifull submission in all respects and immediate compliance with these orders respecting the Cattle and Waggons, I shall be under the necessity of marching the Trops under my command without Delay into the county, and Laying wast the property of the Disobedient as persons unworthy his majestyes clemency.
Head Quarters in Queens County.
Aug. 29, 1776
WILL ERSKINE, Brigd General.
To the Inhabitance of the County of Suffolk, I hereby certify the above to be a true coppy of Brigd Genl Erskine's Original Letter to the Inhabitants of Suffolk, and I have authority to assert that the same conduct recommended in this letter is demanded of the Inhabetance of Queens County, and that in consequence the same clemency will be observed towards them.
Hempstead, August 30th, 1776.
GEOR D. LUDLOW.
[SEAL] Howe.
GEORGE THE THIRD, by the Grace of God, of GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE AND IRELAND, KING, DEFENDER OF THE FAITH and so forth,
TO ALL MEN to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting: Know ye, that WE of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, and out of the zeal and affection which we have and bear to our subjects, have pardoned, remised and released, and by these Presents do pardon, remise and release to Martin Schenck Junr, late Committee-man of Cow Neck, in Queens County in the Province of New York, otherwise called
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or by whatsoever other name or Sirname, or addition of name or Sirname Dignity, Office, or Place, the said Martin Schenck shall be reputed, called, or named, or heretofore was re- puted, called, or named, all and singular Treasons, as well high Treasons as petit Treasons, Rebellions, Insurrections and Conspiraces against US, our Crown and Dignity AND also all and all Manner of Misprisions of Treason, or other Misprisions by him the said Martin Schenck at any time heretofore had, done, or perpetrated, whether the said Martin Schenck of the Premises, or any of them, should have been indicted, appealed, sued and adjudged, outlawed, convicted, condemned or attainted, or not. WE also pardon, remise, and release by these Presents, to the aforesaid Martin Schenck all and singular Judgements, Pains of Death, Punishments, and Issues and Profits of all Domains, Manors, Lands, Tenements, and other Hereditaments, of him the said Martin Schenck on Occasion of the Premisses or any of them, by the said Martin Schenck forfeited or lost and to US, by Reason of the Premisses due, belonging or appertaining.
GIVEN at New York this sixteenth Day of January, 1777.
By Command of His EXCELLENCY.
HENRY STRACHEY.
New York, 23 January, 1777.
MR. GEORGE BELL.
SIR. In consequence of your orders from Daniel Chemier. Esqr Commissary Genl &c &c. you will proceed directly to the undermentioned Persons on Cow Neck, there examine what stocks of hay they have, from information they are still unfriendly to Government, as from the many repeated assurances thereof. You will leave to each of them part of their Hay for their Lean Stock, if any of them have Cattle fit for the service, you will take them for the use of Mr. Chemier, you will apply to Kissam Esq. one of his Majestys Justices of the peace on said Neck for assistance, if any Refuse. But if any of them will Ride themselves give them the Liberty, for which allow them 12 shillings per day and 6 shillings per hundred for their Hay.
Flatter myself you will be able to collect 20 Tons. You will send it all to Brooklyn ferry with a carefull hand to assist you.
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As the nature of this Business requires secrecy, you will act as prudence directs, Wishing you success, remain
Yours &c Cow Neck.
B. J.
Elbert Hegeman, Sr. & Jr., Andries Hegeman,
Ob Demilt,
Peter Onderdonck, Adrian Onderdonck,
George Rapelje, Timothy Smith,
Hendrick Onderdonck,
Thomas Dodge, John Cornell,
Ben Sands, Chairman of the Committee.
Simon Sands,
William Cornell,
Ben Ackerly,
John Sands, Cornl.
Mart Schenck,
Thomas Appleby,
Robert Mitchel,
Doctor Latham,
Whitehead Kissam,
Richard Sands,
Great Neck.
At Searing Town.
Henry Stocker,
Daniel Searing,
Phil Allen,
John Searing, Sr.,
Henry Allen,
John Searing, Jr.,
Peter Schenck, Thomas Smith,
Gilbert Searing,
P. S. You will search every Barn on the Necks or any other place you can think of, from Cow Neck to the Plains, taking in Herricks, Grand Neck &c.
Give each of them a Receipt for what you Judge the Loads at, for which I will pay them on your return.
N. B. the above information came from Mr. Robert Sutton on said Neck.
(Note) The above letter was copied from Benjn James' Letter Book by Rem P. Remsen, in whose possession it was.
The Memorial of Martin Schenck of Queens County to His Excellency Major General Robinson.
To his Excellency, James Robinson Esqr Major General of his Majesty's Forces, and Commander of New York.
The memorial of Martin Schenck inhabitant of Queens County.
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humbly sheweth that on the 9th day of January, one John Worden, a Reffugee from some part of New England, came to the memorialist's house with an order from Col. Hamilton to take Bed and Board for himself and family, in your memorialist's house.
He therefore begs leave with submission to represent the pres- ent state of his family to your Excellency.
His house is not large, and has a considerable family to sup- port of both Whites and Blacks, he has spared as much of all kinds of provisions as he can for the use of his Majesty's troops. That in point of duty to his Majesty, the memorialist has done his share in full; with his fellow subjects, which he can make appear by his Captain (Stephen Thorne, Esq.)
And as to the comfortable support of the women and children, lately sent into this part of the country by the Rebels, he is free and willing to bear his full proportion with the rest of the in- habitants; and any other charitable donations, to the poor and distressed as in time hereafter may appear necessary.
That under the present situation of the memorialist's with respect to his house and family, he cannot admit the said John Worden and his family into his house.
That the said John Worden and his family is now in a house where Captain Sanford turned a family out of doors, and put him, his wife and seven children in, which house is now wanted for no other purpose.
Wherefore the memorialist most humbly prays your Ex- cellencie's protection against such intrusion; and as in duty bound ever prays &c.
January 10th 1787. Queens Co. MARTIN SCHENCK.
A copy of the order of Col Hamilton to the memorialist, herewith presented.
On this paper is written:
Court Martial, held at James Smith's at Herricks on Tuesday the 28th of April between me and John Heaviland.
The Court comprised,
Capt. Edward Ellison, President.
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Ensign
Brown.
Ensign
Nostrant.
Ensign
Gerards Clows.
Ensign
Edmen Evens.
The further writing appears to be the evidence taken.
Apl. 24, 1778. between one and two in the morning, there came a man who knocked at my door. I called out, who is, there? "A friend I hope," he answered. I asked him, what do you want? "Get up and show me the way to Flushing. " I told him to go around my garden, and when he came to the meeting house to take his left hand. He told me that he was tired, and I to let him lie by the fire all night. I told him to go in the kitchen. He went off of the stoop, and said that they would not let him in, and he told me that he must come in the house. I gets up and looked out of the window and I saw a man sitting all in a heap behind the stoop. I shut the window and told him that he came to plunder me, "for what does that man sit behind the stoop for, " and I have expected you and am prepared.
I lights two candles, go up stairs and called down the Refugee, and told my wife to get up and light candles. Took down my gun, lit four candles, built up a large fire and walked the floor for some time.
At length they came like a clap of thunder at the doors and windows; and swore they would split down the door if I did not open. I told them to stand off or I would fire through the door; they cried fire and be-damned.
They split down the door, cried fire, they cried that there was twenty. I said if there is fifty one must die. I snapped the pan of my gun. One jumped behind the pottenbank (cubbord.) I points the gun at him; two jumped behind the table, I turned my gun on them. The one flew from behind the cubbord and took hold of the gun. I said, "I surrender." He took the gun from me.
One John Heaviland rushed up at me and I stepped back till I got beside the candles, then I stood and viewed him and told him that I knew him.
Then Gritman struck me and throwed me down, struck the
Nostrand Court Martial
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refugee Bishop, and throwed down my wife and put out the lights and drove us all in the leanto, then I begged to come in the house again, then whether they set Heaviland on the stoop, or Smith, but one of them burst the lock off of the other room door and struck on the desk.
I told him not to break my desk. "Give me the keys, " he said, I gave them, they ondid the desk and cubbord, Gritman and Smith or Heaviland took out my cash and linen; Wanser stood sentry over me and my wife. My wife thinks Wanser to be one of the men. Bishop can declare to Smith as being one of the men and Gritman, but none of the rest.
They took out of the desk about five or six pounds of money. They took out of the cubbord about 40 shirts and shifts, eight pair of men and women's stockings (some pair's cotton and some linen) and about 30 yards of fine linen, two or three sheets, two handkerchiefs, four or five yards of bar-skin (i.e. probably fustian or lindsey-woolsey) a pair of corduroy breeches, and eight or ten silver buttons are missing.
Smith entered the house first, then Gritman and Heaviland. Smith took the gun out of my hands.
He says at one part of the testimony that a party of men broke into the house and he gives their full names as
JOHN HEAVILAND
ALEXANDER SMITH
URIAH GRITMAN
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