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 7
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BENJAMIN WANSER
All belonging to Capt. Charles Hulits Company
June 12th, 1778.
Mr. Timmethe Clows came with a party of men in my woods and cut 84 of the best trees he could find to build a block-house and carted it to Lawids (Lloyds) Neck, for which he gave me no return, according to his orders, and I have received no satis- faction. Therefore I demand twenty shillings a tree at the lowest rate.
MARTIN SCHENCK.
He makes the above declaration and further adds:
And destroyed as much timber for that house as he could and sold the blocks and bark which fetched f1I clear of fees.
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Siles Willis carted 7 loads of wood home. (He was one of the carpenters.) Henderick Hagener carted a great many loads. Edward Penney carted several loads.
The above was made the basis for a demand to Genl Tryon, as follows:
To his Excellency, Genl. Sir:
William Tryon, &c.
Sir; Mr. Clows sent for me to come up to my woods. I went up; he showed me an order from your Excellency to build a block-house and told me he desired to do it there. I told him the order was good and applyed to him to let me peal the bark off, to which Mr. Clows made no answer, but one of the carpen- ters standing by told me that they desired to take care of the bark themselves.
I asked him to do as little damage as he could help, and he told me he would. I have understood they have sent five or six loads of bark to New York, and I think there are some of the carpenters who try to destroy my timber, for they cut down trees that are above two feet over and hew them down to five inches, which if they had been sawed or split, might easily have made two pieces as well as one, for they sell the blocks to the inhabitants.
I understand that Mr. Clows says he has a right to sell the tops as well as the bark and blocks; for he says that I shall be paid for every tree he expects.
I should be glad to know whether your Excellency would please to pay me by the tree or for the timber that goes in the house, which I should have been very loth to spare the timber. if it had not been for government.
Your humble servant,
MARTIN SCHENCK, JR.
Received from Martin Schenck forty five deal boards, each Board being fourteen feet Long and twelve Inches wide, and likewise received thirteen planks, each plank being
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
fourteen Feet Long and fourteen Inches wide, for the use of the 17th Regiment of Light Dragoon, Lying at Hamstead.
Pr Me. DIGBY LAWLER, Serjt 17th L Dragoons.
Head of Cow Neck 7th November, 1778.
Delivered The above Boards at the Guard Room.
Hampstd 7th Novr 1778
W. McDONALD, Serjt S. BIRCH, L. Col.
Endorsed
I empower John Smith merchant at New York to Receive the within Cantenls.
MARTIN SCHENCK.
Sir. You are to furnish Mr. John Cutler and family, with quarters and fewell during the time the Troops remain on Long Island.
He being apointed Comissary of Forage for my Regiment.
Hereof fail not.
Herricks Ist Nov. 1780. L. J. H. DE WURMB. Lt C.
To Mr Martin Schank.
Mem. his family left my house December. 9, 1781.
Mr. Cutler's compliments, to Mr. Schank, Begs he will send his waggon and git his Brothers to go to fosters Meadow and bring my family to his hows, which will much oblige your friend, you may depend upon it that you will be well paid for your labour and that I will make everything very agreable to you this winter, as it is Col. de Wormbs orders that I must cume to live with you during the time the Troops remain on the Island. Must beg Mr. Schank will be kind enough to supply Mrs. Cutler with such articles as may want in my absense, which Mrs Cutler will pay for.
Pray don't faill of sending the Waggons.
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
Compliments to Mrs Scaank. in hast, your most obdt and very humble servant.
Herricks 15. Novr. '80 Mr. Schank.
JOHN CUTLER.
November. 24, 1780.
John Cutler. Dr. to Sundries.
To 3. Gallons Vinegar @ 4. s £
" 4. Quarts of milk 9. d 3
" 6. 1bs. of hog fat 13. d 7
I. bushel of apples
5. S 5
" 2. 1bs. sausage
2. S
4 6
2. Quarts of milk
9. d I 6
9. d I 6
2 15 lbs fresh pork
I. S
I5
9. d
I 6
" 2. Quarts of milk 2.
9. d I 6
" 31-2 "
9. d 2 8
5 lbs hogs fat
I -6
7 6
" 4 1-2 Quarts of milk 9. d
3 4
" 6 lbs hogs fat
7 6
" 6 Quarts of milk
" 9. d
4 6
" IO
" 6. d
5
Agreeable to your promise for fetching
your goods I2
£4 15 0
Since the first 4 quarts milk
8 0
This amt added 5 0
5 8 0
This bill appears to have been presented to Mr. Cutler and with compliments of Mr. Schenck.
Mr. Cutler adds the 5 shilling and alters the charge for fetching the goods from 16 to 12.
The 5 shillings were added for, as he says "To keeping my horse 15 nights, (eat salt hay) and 2 nights with fresh, also seven horses one hour and a half to the amount of 112 lbs. Also one Bushel of Eyers of Corn."
I2
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
Mr. S. adds £1.16 for the hay and corn. Mr. Cutler returns the following paper:
Mr. Martin Schank
To Mr. Cutler Dr.
To one Ton of Fresh Hay and Carting 6 miles £ 8. 15. 0 5. 8. o
the Receipt not paid & returned
Balance due. 3. 7. 0
N. B. the above Hay was Receipted to you as my Rations, which I beg you will answer the same to Mrs Cutler, Before you send any of your darned compliments.
Mr S. adds: My account against Mr. John Cutler is £6. 5. o. for supplies for his family, besides furnishing his family with fire wood from the middle of November last.
Mr. Cutler probably fearing that he had worn out his welcome, gets another Billet doux and presents to Mr. Schenck which reads. B. Office. Jamaica. 15th, August. 1781.
Finding that your house will justly admit of receiving a Billet, you are therefore Directed To Provide Mr Cutler. Forrage Master to the Hessian Chassure Corps, with one good Room. The use of the Kitchen and place for his servant To sleep in.
MR. MARTAIN SKANKS. Cow Neck. G. W. GUNN. Asst B. M.
Head of Cow Neck. September 25th. 1782.
At night, between nine and ten o'clock came two men by my bed and told me to come to the door they wanted to speak with me.
They forced me from my house about two hundred yards. The one cocked his piece at my breast, the other stood with a cutlass over my head and told me to deliver them a thousand pounds, if not they would immediately take my life and burn my house.
I told them I had it not. "How much have you" they said. I told them I did not know, I told them they could have what I had.
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I went and unlocked my desk. They took out of my desk, sixty pounds in money, a gold seal, three silver buckles, and some flints, and then ordered me out of my house. I told them they had got my money and what did they want more. They still bid me go. I endeavored to make my escape and got most barbarously wounded.
MARTIN SCHENCK, JUN.
The last paper following has nothing to do with the war but is instructive as showing the economical charges of a justice over a hundred years ago. The total of the bill would amount to about $2.88 of our money.
Agreable to the Laws of this State consarning felons,
you are hereby Requested to pay the Barer hereof, the under mentioned fees and Exspences as the Law Derects.
For taking and convaying Mr Tolman to Gaol the time he Robed plat Smith.
the Oath & examination of plat Smith O. I. O to one Mittemas 0. 2. 0
for the Constable trobel 6. d. per mile o. 4. 6
the Exspences for Constable and one Asistence to Convaying him to Gaol O. 4. 0
£o. II. 6
9th. January 1792. To ABM. DITMASS. Justice.
MR MARTAIN SCHANCK
Treasurer for Queens Co.
Tunis Bogart, and Daniel Luyster were returning from a funeral, Sep. 2 1776, when they were arrested by the Halls, of Lloyd's Neck, (who had also a prisoner from the "Main" shore) and carried to Herricks. It was late and the guard would not disturb the officers. So they were all put in a room in charge of the Halls, who were now drunk. The man from the "Main" slipped off while the Halls were asleep. In the morning Bogart and Luyster were examined and set at liberty, but they had not yet reached home before they were impressed with their wagons
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
to cart cannon and shot from New Utrecht to Hell Gate. Bogart had a load in his wagon for some weeks, and finally crossed over at Hell Gate and left his load in the upper part of the city. Andrew Hegeman, was also impressed as a wagoner, and he and Tunis were present at the execution of Capt. Hale (Sept 26). Tunis becoming sick returned home, and his brother George took his place.
He was present as a wagoner at the capture of Fort Washing- ton, and afterwards crossed with the army into Jersey; where Daniel Luyster died with the small pox.
Tunis Bogart, and Daniel Luyster, were the son in law and son respectively of John Luyster mentioned elsewhere.
Tunis Gisbertse Bogart, the common ancestor of the family, emigrated in 1652 from Heikop in the province of Utrecht.
His son Gisbert, Bap. Dec. 6, 1668 in N. Y .; m. Apl. 16, 1689, Jannetye Symonse Van Aersdalen a widow, and their son Tunis was the ancestor of the Oyster Bay family.
For the family record see page 149.
His son Isaac b. Oct. 13, 1718. m. Sarah Rapelye dau. of Daniel.
They first lived on Staten Island where their first four chil- dren were born. They settled in Wolver Hollow and the other children were Baptized in the old Dutch church.
For the family record see page 145.
Dec. 10, 1778. It was reported that the British troops were building huts or barracks at Jericho.
The Hessians lay about Norwich, Jericho, Westbury and Cedar Swamp. Capt. Deemar's Independent Co. of Hussars, were tented under the hill, in front of the house of Rem Hegeman, at Cedar Swamp. The captain and his wife were quartered at Rem's.
The Hessians lay in Wolver Hollow two of the summers and winters, and had tents under the hill near the Burying yard. They stripped the boards off of Isaac Remsen's blacksmith shop. He then gave them a couple of bushels of potatoes if they would not steal anything. As soon as they were gone he missed his ax.
One of the seventeen children of Rem Jansen Vanderbeck and Jannetye Rapalye was Isaac, born Sep. 4, 1673, m. 1699
790
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
Sarah Peterse Monfoort born June 15, 1679. He m. the second time Henderkye -.
Three of their nine children settled in Oyster Bay town. viz.
Isaac who m. Ist Letitia Voorhies.
2nd Geertruy Vanderbilt
Jan 66 Ist Annatye Hoogland.
Jannetye Jan Van Nostrand (Drawyer.)
These three families are represented in the Town now by William Edgar of the Clefts for the first (7th generation.)
John of Wolver Hollow for the 2nd (7th generation) and Abram Van Nostrand of Cedar Swamp for the 3rd (7th gener- ation.)
One peculiar feature the Compiler has noticed in the records of the Remsen families and that was, second marriages. Another was, twins.
The Compiler was told of one who was the mother of four pair.
The Dutch mothers were wonderfully prolific, but the after generations were not so. The families growing less in number and at the present time the children can be counted on the fingers of one hand, when formerly it required more than three hands.
The door of Joost Hegeman, of Cedar Swamp, was forced open by a rail. The robbers could find no money, but carried off some trifling articles.
They dropped a cap as they left the house by which it was discovered that they belonged to a Co. of soldiers billeted in Cedar Swamp. James a lad (afterwards became Judge Hege- man) escaped and alarmed the neighbors, but they escaped in the darkness.
They impressed Anthony Van Nostrand into carting for them, and on his refusal to do so, they took the team and kept them for nearly a week, having driven as far as Sag.
Anthony Van Noostrant was b. in 1732 and was buried Nov. 7, 1801. at W. H. m. Feb. 5, 1771, in N. Y. Mercy Hendricksen b. 1739. d. Dec. 19, 1819. His will dated 1791. Proved Jan. 8, 1804. Recorded Liber. B. Folio 75. Ja.
He gives to his niece Charity Moore and her son John. To
791
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
Anthony Smith son of his sister Elsie, his long gun. To David Whaley his clothing.
Some of the older people now living can remember Old John and Billy Moore. One of them used to ride around Norwich in an old times, high wheeled, big leather seated sulky. John was b. in 1788 and William in 1793. Of Anthony we shall learn more further on." To the Compiler these two names have had a peculiar attraction. "Anthony and Mercy." He was a true type of the farmer and was wise in his day and seemed to say little and think much. He had his troubles like other people, but of them we are silent.
John Moore's sister Hannah married James Waldron and they were the ancestors of the now Norwich Waldrons.
The Compiler was informed that the "Old Desk" of Anthony is in the possession of that family.
Jacobus Monfoort, hearing a noise in his cow yard, fired in the dark and wounded a Hessian baker in the neck. He was seized and carried before an officer, who at once dismissed him, saying. If you had killed him, I'd have given you a guinea.
Jacobus was the great grandfather of Mrs. Walter Franklin of Norwich.
A week after the Kings county horse had driven the cattle off of Hog Island to Matinecock, a detachment of the 17th light dragoons appeared at Norwich and apprehended George Town- send a chairman of the Queens Co. committee, and John Kirk, also a committee man.
Townsend was not at home the first time his house was visited, but had fled to Huntington, whence he unfortunately returned. Kirk was in his corn field stouting top stalks. When warned of the approach of the enemy and advised to flee, he refused, saying he was ready for his fate now, for should he escape this time, he could have no peace till they seized him. He had also a faint hope from the proclamation of Howe, promising pardon to all who would remain quietly at home. They conducted the two committee men on horseback to the house of Samuel Town- send, member of the Provincial Congress.
They found him seated on his stoop, and informed him of their
792
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
business, a crowd soon gathered around, attracted by the novel sight of British light horse and sympathy for their fellow citizens.
The officers were most hospitably entertained, and such ap- pliances used that on one Buchanan's promising he should be forthcoming at New York whenever summoned, he was allowed to go at large. Far different was the fate of the other two. George Townsend having been chairman of the committee and withal a bold, blunt, talented man, had exasperated his loyal neighbors past endurance, and could find no intercessors in his hour of peril and when an old acquaintance, John Townsend, at the mill, was importuned to say a kind word for Kirk, he coolly replied, "He has got into this scrape himself, let him help himself out as best he can."
This same Townsend was forced to leave his property at the peace, and go in exile to England, where he died.
The troopers on their return to Norwich, were met by Kirk's wife and daughter, who had gathered up some clothing and other articles, to render the hardships of prison more tolerable. To soothe their anguish, the women were told the prisoners would soon be released. That night they were shut up in the meeting house at Flushing, and next day taken to the Provost, where they were thrown among the off scouring of the earth, but after repeated remonstrance, they were separated from this vile herd.
Penelope Hull, a Quakeress, offered to carry them food twice a day. Their washing was done at home. After nine weeks' imprisonment, two English Quakers, Jacob Watson and Robert Murray, procured their release, and became security for their good behavior.
That evening, as the family of Kirk was seated quietly by the fireside they heard a knocking at the door. "There's the sol- diers again," exclaimed the affrighted mother. She was mis- taken. It was George Townsend's voice. "Why don't you come and help your father out of the chaise?" He was sick of the small pox, caught in the Provost; and his return home, instead of diffusing joy and peace, spread consternation and death.
The husband, indeed recovered, but the wife and her infant daughter, went down to the grave.
793
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
John Kirk was born Aug. 27, 1721 and died July 3, 1802. He married Mary Wright. She was born Apl. 7, 1723, and died Dec. 20, 1776.
His will dated Mch. 19, ISOI Proved Oct. 2, 1802. Re- corded in Liber, B. Folio, 119 Ja. in which he gives to his son John of Charleston; Deborah, the wife of Jotham Townsend. To Phebe, wife of John Kessow, he gives
"The old desk in the common room and the brass kettel," and to Mary, his "Pockitt Silver Watch."
For the family record see page 278.
It appears they lived in the house near the pond in Norwich which was afterwards occupied by the Downings, and is now in ruins. Phebe was the grandmother, of Daniel Cashow, late of Oyster Bay and John, of Mill Neck.
John of Mill Neck, was at one time Alderman in Brooklyn, and the patriotic blood of John Kirk of Norwich has not been lost after the passing of so many years, as per the following.
Alderman Cashow at a meeting of the Brooklyn Common Council Dec. 12, 1857 presented a Memorial of the Trustees of the association for the erection of a monument to the memory of the Martyrs of the prison ships. In connection he offered the following:
Whereas, the remains of more than eleven thousand of the martyrs of the "Prison ships of the Revolution" at the Walla- bout, have been too long suffered to remain in their obscure and unhonored graves in the city of Brooklyn, without any monuments to commemorate their patriotic and heroic deeds; and whereas, the Legislature of this state, at its last session, passed an act providing for the erection of a tomb and monument on Washington park, formerly known as "Fort Greene," and authorizing the Common Council to take measures to erect the same, and whereas we the representatives of the people of this city, are in favor of said act, and of its being carried into exe- cution, and thus render partial tho long delayed justice to the memory and due honor to the remains of those brave men who sacrificed their lives for their country.
(The Tomb was afterwards built and the remains removed thereto .- Compiler.)
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
SNEDIGER.
Jan, the ancestor of the family, came to this country as early as 1642, was a shoemaker by trade. Settled at first in New Amsterdam, where he kept a tap-house or tavern, and was afterwards among the first settlers of Flatbush.
In 1646, he owned a lot in New Amsterdam between the Fort and the river. His grandson Garret, was the first clerk of the church in Wolver Hollow.
Garret Snediker. Born Sep. 30, 1699. Married Nov. 25, 1726. Crisstieinea Lequear.
For the family record see page 499.
It will be noticed that the record of birth of the last child is marked, "New Style." In 1752 eleven days were taken from the month of September and the third of the month was called the 14th, and after that the term, "New Style," was used. The "Great Bible" of Garret is in the possession of Miss Kate Down- ing of Norwich. The entry therein in Dutch says that he was married in Mide Woudt and that he was buried in Hegeman's graveyard, in Cedar Swamp.
"By Antonidus Wighoudt, bedinaer des goddelycken Woorts in Midde Woudt.
"hy begraaven geweest, bey Aderjaen heegeman in Seedar Zamp of Cerchop."
His son Wilhelmis, m. Marya Cashow, and were the grand parents of George S. Downing Esq., of Norwich.
Marya lived to the age of 98 years.
Israel Pearsall was twice beset by robbers, in both cases they had poor success and only carried off some spoons and linen. On one occasion Israel was lying in his bed in the early part of the evening, when word was brought him that robbers were below. He ran out on the roof and cried "murder." It was heard by a neighbor who fired an alarm, and then it was pop, pop, all over the neighborhood.
Israel had a maiden sister, who had been at a house in Cedar Swamp that this same gang had previously robbed.
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
She sung out to them from an upper window. "What do you want?"
Instantly recognizing her sharp voice they cried out. "What! are you here too?"
To prevent robberies, a patrol was kept by the military, along shore.
This duty was very laborious. The Military from Wolver Hollow were required to patrol on the sound and East Side of Hempstead Harbor. One night the patrol there heard the whale boats rowing, when Tunis Bogart fired and two boats put about instantly.
Sep. 12, 1778 a party of rebels came over from Connecticut to Oyster Bay; and plundered the house of Wm. Cock, of goods to the amount of £140. They compelled Mr. Cock, and his family, to carry the goods nearly two miles, to their whale boats. They got away unmolested. Silas Downing's store at Cedar Swamp was entered by five soldiers from Jericho. A number of free-booters, in two boats came over to Red Spring and robbed the house of Jacob Carpenter, and John Weeks and then made off, they returned again to Oak Neck and robbed two unprotected weavers.
The whale boat men, were Americans from Connecticut, and had commissions from the Governors of New York and Con- necticut, to cruise on the sound against British vessels but used their authority to engage in a general plunder.
Jan Monfort, (who married Ida Luyster a daughter of Peter) it is to be regretted was a Tory. He lived at Wheatly during the war, and as there were soldiers all around him, he made friends with them, partly because he could talk Dutch to the Hessians. Jan was not an "offensive partisan" but used his good offices, for the benefit of his neighbors and prevented the soldiers from annoying them.
Although being a Tory he had some redeeming qualities. He carried the church along during the troubled times and Sundays used to read sermons in Dutch to the congre- gation.
A grand daughter, born May 10, 1813 (Elizabeth) is a resident
796
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
now at Jamaica; and if the rising generation, wish to spend an hour or two of real enjoyment, they should select some such representative of the old people of the Dutch congregation. The Compiler called on her, at her home, in Jamaica.
It was a great pleasure, to sit and listen to the stories of the past, and when the visit terminated, it was hard to tell which had been pleased the most.
The family record of Jan, presents many of the peculiar features of the customs of the early Dutch.
Jan was a son of Abraham and at the first baptism of Jan's children, Joris Brinkelhof and Yda Mefoor were the witnesses to the baptism of Abraham June 8, 1755, afterwards the following children were baptised:
Sara. Feb. 6, 1757.
Piter. Jan. 21, 1759.
Piter. May. 11, 1760.
Sara. Apl. 4, 1762.
Sara. May. 7, 1763.
Sara. May. 23, 1764.
Eyda. May. 4, 1766, her mother having died Apl. 12, 1766, Jannetye Luyster (the wife of Frederick Simonson.) her mother's sister, stood at the Baptism.
Jan, m. the second time Sarah Van Wicklen, and they had Baptized.
Eyda. Aug. 7, 1768.
Helena, born Mch. 3, 1771.
Garret, bap. Nov. 22, 1772.
Garret born Sep. 27, 1774 was the father of Elizabeth of Jamaica.
Sarah, born Dec. 30, 1778 married Nicholas Mabee of Wolver on Feb. II, 1810. Jan. 21, 1759 Piter Luyster the first settler and his second wife Catrina Lot were witnesses, and on Apl. 14, 1771, Helena Ammerman, Jan's second wife's mother was a witness.
The old custom of naming the children after those deceased is fully exemplified in this record.
In collecting and recording this "History" the Compiler has forborne from making comments; prefering to let the account
797
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
speak for itself, and the readers to draw their own con- clusions.
We have a collection of fifty two letters written by Peter Mon- foort of Fishkills or Viskill as he generally wrote it, to Peter Onderdonck of Cow Neck, Long Island. He begins them, Beminde Cozzn and writes the first half of the letter in a thankful spirit to God for being kept in health and strength and allowed to live, because of his sinful heart. He quotes several texts of Scripture on that subject and ends the same with, Amen, so let it be. This part of the letter being written in Dutch, as if no other language would do to record the things pertaining to his Faith.
The second part is written in English and appertains mostly to secular subjects. The following is the closing paragraph of a letter dated Sep. 20, 1786.
"Hoping that these few lines may find you and your family in good health and all our near and dear friends. I should be glad to see you and all my friends once more in the land of the living. But I am old and feeble. I think I dare not venture to travel far, so that if you and my friends don't come to see me, I don't expect to see any of you any more on this side of Eternity. O might we all be so happy to meet in the mansions of glory above, there to praise God with all the saints and spirits of the just, through that never ending time of all eternity, which God grant may be our happy portion. Amen.
Our kind love and respects to you and family and all our near and dear friends I am your well wisher and brother in Christ. PETER MONFOORT.
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