USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > A historical discourse on the Reformed Prot. Dutch Church of Albany, delivered on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1857, in the North Dutch Church > Part 6
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shall think convenient and necessary, and to call them, by the same or what other names they shall think fit. And we do will and grant that it shall and may be law- full to and for the consistory of the said church, and their successors from time to time, and at all times here- after, to make rules, orders, and ordinances for the better discipline and government of the said church, provided always that such rules, orders and ordinances shall not be binding, nor effect any other of our reform- ed protestant subjects within the same city, then the voluntary members of their said congregation, and be no ways repugnant to our laws of Great Britain and of this colony, but agreeable to the articles of faith and worship agreed upon and instituted by the National Synod at Dort, aforesaid. And further of our especial grace, certain knowledge and meer motion, we have given, granted, ratified, and confirmed unto the afore- said minister, elders, and deacons of the Reformed Pro- testant Dutch Church in the city of Albany, and to their successors and assigns for ever, all that their said church and ground whereon it standeth, their said parsonage or minister's dwelling house, with its hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging or any ways apper- taining, and all the alms house or poor house aforesaid, all that the pasture or pastures, and all other the pre- mises aforesaid, together with all and singular edifices, buildings, gardens, orchards, backsides, wells, ways, hollows, cellars, passages, privileges, liberties, profits, advantages, hereditaments, and appurtenances whatso- ever, to all and every of them belonging, or in any ways appertaining. And all that our estate, right, title, in- terest, property and demand of, into or out of the same or any part of any of them, and the revertions, remain- ders, and the yearly rents and profits of the same, saving only the right and title of any other person or persons, body corporate and politick whatsoever, to any of the
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premises hereby granted, or meant, mentioned, and in- tended to be hereby granted, or to any of them, to have and to hold, all that their said church and ground, par- sonage or minister's dwelling house, alms house or poor house, pasture or pastures, and all and singular other the premises with their and every of their hereditaments and appurtenances unto the aforesaid minister, elders and deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the city of Albany, their successors and assigns for ever, to the sole and only proper use, benefit and behoof of the aforesaid minister, elders and deacons of the Re- formed Protestant Dutch Church, in the city of Albany, and their successors and assigns for ever (save only as before is saved and expressed), to be holden of us, our heirs and successors for ever, free and common soccage as of our manor of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, within our realm of Great Britain, yielding, rendering and paying therefore, yearly and every year, for ever unto us, our heirs and successors for ever, at our custom house in New York, unto our and their re- ceiver general for the time being, on the feast day of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, commonly called Lady Day, the annual rent of one pepper corn, if the same be lawfully demanded in lieu and stead of all other rents, services, dues and duties and demands what- soever, for the same church parsonage, alms house, pastures, and all other the above granted premises, with the hereditaments and appurtenances. And we do hereby will and grant unto the aforesaid minister, elders and deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the city of Albany, and to their successors for ever, that these our letters shall be made patent, and that they and the record of them remaining in our secre- tary's office of our province of New York, shall be good and effectual in the law to all intents and purposes what- soever, according to the true intent and meaning of
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them, and shall be construed, reputed, esteemed and adjudged in all cases most favorable for the benefit and behoof of the aforesaid minister, elders and deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the city of Albany and of their successors forever, notwithstanding the not true and well reciting of the premises, or of the limits and bounds of any of them, or any part of them, any law or other restraint, uncertainty or imperfection whatsoever to the contrary thereof in any way notwith- standing. In testimony whereof we have caused the great seal of our province of New York to be affixed to these presents, and the same to be entered of record in one of the books of patents in our said secretary's office remaining. Witness our said trusty and well beloved Colonel Peter Schuyler, president of our council at Fort George, the 10th day of August, in the 7th year of our reign, anno domini 1720.
CAUSES AND HISTORY OF THE SEPARATION.
A brief sketch of the causes and history of the sepa- ration may be interesting to the reader.
Up to 1737, the churches in this country were all connected with the ecclesiastical courts in Holland, and were under their jurisdiction. The inconveniences of this connection now began to be seriously felt, and openly discussed. The highest church court here was only the consistory, consequently there could be no ordination of ministers. All candidates were obliged to go to Holland to receive ordination, incurring a large expenditure of time and money. No case of disci- pline could be settled here, for the ultimate tribunals were on the other side of the ocean. Congregations were a long time without pastors. And in some cases the ministers who were sent out from Holland were unsuitable persons for the churches here.
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The first movement was the formation of what was called a cœtus, which was a body formed for counsel and fraternal conference. It was merely an advisory body, and had no legislative powers. They applied to the classis of Amsterdam to sanction their organization, which after a delay of nine years was done in 1747.
It was however found that this body was powerless to remove the evils under which the American churches suffered, by reason of their dependence on the father- land, and in 1754 it was formally proposed that the cœtus should be made a regular classis, with all the powers appropriately belonging to such a court. This was bitterly opposed by many of the older ministers, who had been ordained in Holland, and who looked upon the proposed separation as treason to the mother Church. A bitter dispute arose, and raged for fifteen years. The party which opposed the separation were called the Conferentie, the other the Cœtus. These two parties carried on a controversy of the most deter- mined character, which disturbed the peace of neigh- borhoods, divided families, and rent the churches into factions. Houses of worship were locked up, ministers were assaulted in the discharge of their functions, and the holy sabbath was profaned by scenes of violence and mobs.
Such was the sad state of things when Dr. John H. Livingston in 176- went to Holland to study theology, and be ordained to the work of the ministry. By judi- cious personal conference with the clergy of Holland he disarmed their prejudices, and gave them correct views of the wants of the Church in America. He then obtained the consent of the synod of North Holland that the classis of Amsterdam should have in its charge all the matters relating to the American churches. He then returned to this country, was settled in New York, and soon after called a convention of ministers
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and elders, which met in that city in October, 1771, and of which he was chosen president. The conven- tion conducted their deliberations in a fraternal, and candid spirit. The result was the formation of a plan of union, which provided : 1st. For the internal arrangement and government of the churches, the organization of superior church courts, the establish- ment of a professorship for the education of ministers, and for the foundation of schools. 2d. For the healing of dissensions in the various churches. 3d. For cor- respondence with the Church in Holland. It was pro- vided that the minutes of the ecclesiastical courts should always be sent to the classis of Amsterdam, and that the classis, or if need be the synod of North Holland, might be appealed to in cases of difficulty.
This plan was cordially adopted, sent to the classis of Amsterdam, and by them approved. Their letter of approbation, expressed in the most cordial terms, and breathing an excellent spirit, was read in convention in October, 1772, and peace was at last restored to the American churches.
NOTE G.
Distinguished individuals who have been at different times connected with the congregation of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Albany.
ABRAHAM YATES, JR.
Before the commencement of the Revolutionary war, Mr. Yates had obtained a distinguished and extensive reputation as a patriot. While sheriff of the city and county of Albany, he resisted the quartering of troops upon its citizens, and was threatend with arrest by the government for so doing. He was the author of a
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series of letters signed Rough Hewer, which had an extensive circulation, and exercised an influence second only to the famous articles, entitled Common Sense, in giving character and direction to public sentiment. He was chairman of the committee of public safety, during part of the Revolutionary war, a member of the con- vention which formed the first constitution of the state, recorder and mayor of the city of Albany, and held other offices of trust and distinction.
HON. ROBERT YATES.
He was a cousin of Hon. Abraham Yates, Jr., and a man of note in his day. He was a delegate to the con- vention which formed the constitution of the United States. In 1777, he was appointed one of the first justices of the supreme court of New York, and in 1790, became chief justice of the same. He was a man of great intellectual power, and largely contributed to the success of our struggle for national independence.
SAMUEL STRINGER, M. D.
Dr. Stringer, was a man of great eminence in the profession of medicine, and ranked among the first practitioners of his day. He was also an ardent patriot. He was chairman of the committee of public safety in this city during a part of the Revolu- tionary war, and was also surgeon general of the forces under Gen. Schuyler, during that memorable struggle. A man of fine education, distinguished pro- fessional abilities, ardent zeal in behalf of the cause of his country, great dignity of manners, and gentleman- liness of deportment, he deservedly commanded high respect, and occupied a very prominent place in public estimation. He died in 1818.
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BRIG. GEN. PETER GANSEVOORT.
Gen. Gansevoort's name is identified honorably with the history of his country. He was born in Albany, July 16th, 1749, and educated in New Jersey. In 1775, he was appointed by congress a major in the second regiment of New York, and joined the expedition under Gen. Montgomery. In 1776, he received a colonel's commission in the third regiment of the army of the United States. In 1777, he commanded Fort Stanwix during its memorable siege, and conducted its defence with a vigor and success which crowned his name with distinguished honor, and for which he received a special vote of thanks from congress. In 1809, he received the commission of brigadier general in the army of the United States, in which service he continued till his death, which occurred 2d of July, 1812, in the 63d year of his age.
He was a man of noble presence, and fearless and magnanimous spirit ; of undaunted courage, and inflexi- ble integrity. His public life was without a blot, while his private character was of unimpeachable morality, and showed distinctly the influence of Christian prin- ciple.
HON. LEONARD GANSEVOORT.
He was the brother of Gen. Gansevoort. Much of his life was spent in commercial pursuits, in which he always maintained a high position as an enterprising and honorable merchant. He was also a devoted patriot. He was president of the convention which adopted the first constitution of this state, in April, 1777, and was the first judge of probate in the county of Albany, which office he held for many years. The later portion of his life was spent at Whitehall, his country seat, in the vicinity of Albany, where he ever
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displayed the dignified, and generous hospitality cha- racteristic of those days. He was a devoted member of this church, and sat as a ruling elder in her councils, for many years.
HON. SIMEON DEWITT.
Mr. DeWitt was born Dec. 25th, 1756, in Ulster county. He was educated at Queens (now Rutgers) college, where he took high rank as a scholar, and at his graduation received the double honor of the salu- tatory, and valedictory orations. At the time of the incursion of Burgoyne he joined the army, and was present at the battle in which that distinguished general was defeated, and witnessed his surrender. In 1778, he was appointed assistant geographer (or as it would now be called, topographical engineer), to the army, and in 1780, on the death of the chief geographer, Col. Robert Erskine, he succeeded to that honorable and important post. He was attached to the main army from 1780 to the close of the war, was present at the siege of Yorktown, and witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis. In 1784, he was appointed surveyor general of the state of New York, and held this commis- sion more than fifty years. In 1796, Gen. Washington, with whom Mr. De Witt was on terms of cordial intimacy, without his knowledge or solicitation, nominated him to the senate, as surveyor general of the United States, which was cordially ratified by that body. This flatter- ing appointment Mr. De Witt did not feel at liberty to accept. In 1798, he was elected a regent; in 1817, vice chancellor ; and in 1829, chancellor of the University of New York. He was a member of various literary and scientific associations, and frequently made valuable contributions with his pen to the progress of scientific inquiry. He was distinguished for his habits of close
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study, and persevering investigation. He was a true philosopher with all the treasures, but without any pride of learning. His official life was useful to his country, and honorable to himself. And in the social relations of life he was warm in his affections, and firm and true in his friendships.
Mr. De Witt was a sincere and exemplary Christian. For more than twenty years, he was a ruling elder in the Protestant Reformed Dutch Church in this city. At the division of the Church, in 1815, he became connected with the Second Dutch Church, where his children still remain, and where his memory is yet precious, as the memory of the just. He died on the 3d of December, 1834, within a few days of accomplish- ing his 79th year.
HON. JOHN LANSING, JR.
Mr. Lansing was one of the most prominent jurists of his day. After practicing law with signal ability and success for a number of years, he was appointed in 1790 a judge of the supreme court of this state, of which in 1798, he was made chief justice. In 1801, he was made chancellor, which high office he filled with distinguished ability. He was mayor of the city of Albany from 1786 to 1790. In all his public offices he united with great professional talent, an irreproachable moral character, and commanded the respect and confi- dence of his fellow citizens.
HON. ABRAHAM VAN VECHTEN.
Few names are held in such respectful remembrance by the citizens of Albany as the name of Mr. Van Vechten. He was born at Catskill, December 5th, 1752, and educated at the Kingston Academy. His pro- gress in learning was so remarkable that he was able
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at the early age of fourteen, to commence the study of law with chancellor Lansing of this city, and was actually licensed both as attorney and counselor, be- fore he was twenty-one years of age. He commenced practice in this city in 1793. He was soon after elected to the senate of the state, and for nearly thirty years, held a seat in one of the two branches of the legislature. For eleven years he was recorder of the city of Albany; was appointed attorney general of the state in 1811. and was more than once invited to a seat on the bench of the supreme court, which honor he declined.
He made a profession of religion about the time he commenced professional life, and wasfor more than half a century, an active, consistent, and useful member of the Church. He was often an elder and a member of our ecclesiastical courts, in which he always exerted great influence.
Mr. Van Vechten was a man of vigorous intellect, sound judgment, and remarkable discrimination. His learning, particularly in jurisprudence, was various, thorough and extensive. In his disposition he was generous and benevolent, simple in his habits, warm in his affections, frank and easy in his manners. He was a sincere and exemplary Christian. He loved the Bible, and prayer, and the ordinances of the house of God. He was devotedly attached to the Dutch Church, and no man in the long list of her members deserves to be more gratefully remembered by that Church.
HON. HARMANUS BLEECKER.
Mr. Bleecker was the fifth in descent from Jan Jansen Bleecker, who was one of the early settlers in Albany, and who married, in 1667, Margaret, daughter of Rutger Jacobsen. He was born October 9th, 1779; was admitted to the bar in 1801; and in 1810 was elected to congress
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where he served during the troublous times of the last war with England. He was one of the regents of the university, and a commissioner on the part of the state, for settling the boundary between New York and New Jersey. Under the administration of president Van Buren, he was sent as American minister to the Hague. Very few of our foreign ministers have made such a favorable impression abroad. During his residence in Holland he married Miss Sebastiana Cornelia Mentz, an accomplished lady, who still survives him in her native land.
Mr. Bleecker was a man of uncommon literary attain- ments and high cultivation. He was dignified in his manners, and affable and courteous in his deportment. He spoke and wrote in the Dutch language with great purity and elegance, and was on this account very popular during his residence abroad. He was a man of irreproachable character, a consistent supporter of the institutions of religion, and more than usually versed in the science of theology. He died at his residence in Albany, July 19th, 1849, at the age of seventy years.
HON. STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER.
This is one of the most precious names connected with the Church of Albany. Mr. Van Rensselaer was born in the city of New York, November 1st, 1764, and graduated at Harvard University in 1782. In 1789, he was chosen to the legislature of this state, and in 1795, when only thirty-one years of age, was called to preside over the senate as lieutenant governor. He held this position six years. From 1800 to 1820, he was frequently a member of assembly, sat in two conventions called to revise the constitution, and in 1822 was elected to the congress of the United States. For the last fourteen years of his life he was president
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of the canal board, and at the time of his death, was chancellor of the University of New York.
He began his military career in 1787, and during the last war with Great Britain he held the commission of major general, commanded on the Niagara frontier, and was engaged with honor in the battle of Queenstown.
In 1825, he received from Yale College the honorary degree of doctor of laws. He died suddenly at the Manor House, January 26th, 1839.
The following extract from a discourse delivered in his memory by his eloquent and intimate friend, Rev. George W. Bethune, D. D., at Philadelphia, February 3d, 1839, contains a just analysis of his character, and tribute to his worth.
"Born to a large patrimony, the increasing prosperity of the country poured wealth upon him, until he be- came, with the exception, perhaps, of one other, the richest man of the land; and wearing, by the common consent of all around him, the only hereditary title known among us, he swayed an influence wider than any other private citizen possessed. Cautious, but not cold; frank, but never rash ; without the qualities of fer- vid genius, or depth of learning, he had a judgment sin- gularly clear and correct, a pure common sense, which rarely failed to guide him in duties which his conscience loved. Surrounded by grateful dependents and affec- tionate friends, though there could not be wanting those who would have preyed upon his abounding fortunes, he has gone to his grave without an enemy.
" The beauty of his wisdom was his guilelessness, the strength of his power was his goodness, and the abun- dance of his wealth his vast benevolence.
"His greatness was like that of a noble tree, planted by the river of the water of life, spreading wide its sheltering arms to overshadow all who needed refuge, which yielded perennial fruits, and " whose leaf never
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faded." His bounty was not the occasional and noisy gushes of ostentatious pride, but silent, secret, and gentle as the dew, refreshing far and near, yet with a kindly care for the lowliest herb of the field, healing but never wounding the heart it blessed; while every drop glistened in the light of the Sun of Righteousness, and was exhaled to heaven. *
"An elder in the church of his fathers, he seemed to count it his best honor to serve the followers of Jesus ; and when a member of ecclesiastical courts, as he fre- quently was, he never shrank from any labor, nor became "weary in well doing." It may be safely said, that the church he so much loved, approaching as it does, more nearly than any other, the order of the apostolic age, became dearer, and yet dearer to his heart as he drew near his end.
" Yet sect could not confine the charity of his spirit. We dare not claim him as wholly our own. He belong- ed to Christianity, to the world, because he belonged to God and Christ; and never was his aid sought in any cause of benevolence, morals or piety (and the applica- tions were as constant as the day, and numerous as its hours,) that his answer was not that of "the cheerful giver" whom "the Lord loves."
"But it was in his home that the Christian shone most radiantly and sweetly, where his gentle spirit found de- lightful fellowship with the innocence of children, and the quiet loveliness of kindred affection. The guest, who crossed that threshold, forgot he was a stranger, and though poor, amidst all the appliances of uncounted wealth, felt only that he was at home. Alas! for the bereaved hearts within that dwelling which knows him now no more! God comfort them !
"Long suffering had chastened his spirit to an almost heavenly purity, and they, who "marked the perfect, and beheld the upright," saw, that "the end of that
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man was peace." In the midst of his affectionate child- ren and near his devoted wife, within the hall where the servant of God, and the friend of man, ever found an unfeigned welcome, his venerable head fell gently upon his bosom. He was asleep in Jesus. His flesh shall rest in hope, but his spirit is now singing the song in heaven he loved to sing on earth. He "rests from his labors, and his works have followed him."
HON. KILIAN K. VAN RENSSELAER.
Mr. Van Rensselaer was the son of Kilian Van Rens- selaer, Esq., of Greenbush. His father was at one time chairman of the general committee of safety for the northern department of New York, in the Revolutionary war. Three of the sons served as commissioned officers in that war, and two of them were severely wounded in different engagements.
He was educated for the legal profession, in which he for many years held a high rank in this city. He served for several years in the city councils, and about 1800, was elected to congress. He retained his seat for five successive terms and was always distinguished for his intelligence, his decision of character, his integrity, and the urbanity of his manners.
He was for many years a member of this Church, and was often elected to a seat in consistory.
He died June 18th, 1845, at the age of 82, having always enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens, and leaving behind him a spotless memory. Three of his sons still survive him, and are among the most respectable citizens of Albany; one of them, Gen. John S. Van Rensselaer, being the father of the gallant and lamented Charles M. Van Rensselaer, first officer of the ill-fated steamer Central America.
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MAJ. GEN. SOLOMON VAN RENSSELAER.
Gen. Van Rensselaer, was the son of Gen. Henry R. Van Rensselaer of Revolutionary memory, and was born August 6th, 1774. He joined the army before he was eighteen years of age, under Gen. Anthony Wayne. His gallantry at that early age was conspicuous, and his promotion was rapid, so that he commanded a troop before he had reached the age of twenty. In the battle of the Miami, in 1794, he was shot through the lungs, and almost by miracle survived the wound. After the disbanding of the army he was appointed adjutant gene- ral of this state under Gov. Jay, which post he held for a number of years. During the last war he was aid to Maj. Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer on the Niagara frontier, and rendered brilliant and effective service throughout the campaign. At the battle of Queenstown he received six balls in different parts of his body, one of which he carried to the day of his death.
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