A history of Long Island, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 121

Author: Ross, Peter. cn
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: New York ; Chicago : The Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1188

USA > New York > A history of Long Island, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 121

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The name conferred upon this town by the Dutch was Breucklen (or broken land) ; and in the act for dividing the province into coun- ties and towns, passed November I, 1685, it is called Breucklyn; nor does the present ap- pellation appear to have been generally adopted until after the Revolution. Many changes have doubtless taken place upon the shore, and it is believed that Governor's Island was formerly connected with Red Hook Point. It is well known that a short period previous to the war of independence, cattle were driven across what is called Buttermilk Channel, now sufficiently deep to afford passage to vessels of the largest class. The alteration is no doubt in great meas- ure attributable to the vast extension of the wharves on both sides of the river, thereby diverting the course and increasing the force of the currents. The first European settler in this town is supposed to have been George Jansen de Rapelje, at the Waalboght, or Waa- loons Bay, during the Directorship of Peter Minuit, under the charter of the West India Company. In a family record in the posses- sion of Jeremiah Johnson, Esq., it is stated that the first child of Rapelje was Sarah, born in 1625, unquestionably the first white child born

upon Long Island. Watson says she was born on the 9th of June, and honored as the first- born child of the Dutch settlers; also that, in consideration of such distinction, and of her widowhood, she was afterward presented with a tract of land at the Wallabout. She was twice married ; first to Hans Hanse-Bergen, by whom she had six children, namely, Michael Hanse, Joris Hanse, Jan Hanse, Jacob Hanse, Breckje Hanse, and Marytje Hanse. Her sec- ond husband was Teunis Guisbertse Bogart, by whom also she had six children, namely Aurtie, Antje, Neelje, Aultje, Catalyntje, and Guys- bert. The account of this remarkable woman in the archives of the New York Historical Society contains the names of the persons to whom eleven of her children were married, and the places where they settled. The twelfth, Breckje Hanse, went to Holland. In the jour- nal of the Dutch Council in 1656, it is related that "the widow Hans Hanson, the first-born Christian daughter in New Netherlands, bur- dened with seven children, petitions for a grant of a piece of meadow, in addition to the twenty morgen granted to her at the Waale-Boght." There is a tradition in the family, that the In- dians, induced by the circumstance of her being the first white child born here, gave to her fa- ther and his brethren, the other French who followed them, the lands adjacent to the bay; hence called (says Judge Benson) Het-Waale- Boght, corrupted to Wallabout Bay. A few of the other associates of De Rapelje were Le Escuyer, Duryee, La Sillier, Cershow, Conscil- laer, Musserol; these, with some changes in the mode of spelling, are still found among us. It appears by the Dutch records, that in 1634 a part of the land at Red Hook was the prop- erty of Wouter Van Twiller, being one of the oldest titles in the town. The earliest deed for land was from Governor Kieft to Abraham Rycken, in 1638. The oldest grant recorded is to Thomas Besker, in 1639. This must be considered as the commencement of permanent Dutch settlements on Long Island, and there is no evidence of any direct and systematic efforts being made for the purpose till this period. In 1641 the Governor and Council, in order to strengthen their claim to the island, consented that the English should settle under their jurisdiction on taking the oath of alle- giance to the States-General and the Dutch West India Company. The following grant for land in 1642 is given as a specimen of convey- ances at that remote period :

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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND.

"By William Kieft, Director General and Counsellor, about the high and mighty Lords, the States General of the United Low Country, and his highness of Orange, and the Lords Commanders of the privileged West India Company, residing in the New-Netherland, do ratify and declare by these presents, that we, upon the date hereinafter written, did give and grant to Jan Manje, a piece of land, greatly twenty morgan stretching about south-east one hundred and ninety rods inward the woods towards to Sassians maise land-long is the limits of the said maise land fifty rod, and then again to the water side, two hundred and twen- ty rod, about north north-west, well so north- erly, and along the strand or water side, sev- enty rod. Which above-said land is lying upon Long Island, between Andries Hudde and Claes Janse Ruyter. With express conditions, &c. Dated at Fort Amsterdam, in the New- Netherland, the 11th day of September, 1642. "WILLIAM KIEFT.

"By order of the Lord the Director Gen- eral, and Counsellor of New-Netherland. "CORNELIUS VANTIENHOVEN, "Sec'ry."

Between the years 1642 and 1647 grants were made by his Excellency Governor Kieft. to different individuals for all the lands on the Brooklyn shore, from Red Hook Point to the Wallabout Bay, which were generally in the above form. It is believed that a general pat- ent of the town was granted by Governor Stuy- vesant in 1657, the same being frequently re- ferred to in conveyances between individuals at an after period, and is evident from the fol- lowing extract from the records: "August 10, 1695. The patentees and freeholders of the town sold unto Stephanus Van Cortlandt the neck of land called Red-Hook, containing, by estimation, fifty acres ; which they state in their deed was formerly given and granted to the town of Broocklyn in the year 1657, by Gov- ernor Stuyvesant, the Dutch governor, then, at that time, and since confirmed by the En- glish governors, Nicolls and Dongan." On the 18th of October, 1667, a full and ample patent was granted by Governor Richard Nic- olls to Jan Everts, Jan Damen, Albert Cornelis- son. Paulus Veerbeeck, Michael Eneyl, Thom- as Lamberts, Teunis Guisbert Bogart, and Joris Jacobson, as patentees for and on behalf of themselves and their associates, the free- holders and inhabitants of the town of Breuck-

len, their heirs, successors and assigns, for "all that tract, together with the several parcels of land which already have been or hereafter shall be purchased, procured for and on behalf of the said town, whether from the native Indian pro- prietors, or others, within the bounds and lim- its hereafter set forth and expressed; that is to say :

"The town is bounded westward on the far- ther side of the land of Mr. Paulus Veerbeck, from whence stretching south-east, they go over the hills, and so eastward along the said hills to a south-east point which takes in all the lotts behind the swamp; from which said lotts they run north-west to the river and ex- tend to the farm on the t'other side of the hill heretofore belonging to Hans Hansen over against the Kicke or Locke-out, including with- in the said bounds and limitts all the lotts and plantations lying and being at the Gowanis, Bedford, Wallaboucht, and the Ferry. All which said parcels and tracts of land and premises within the bounds and limitts afore- mentioned, described, and all or any planta- tion or plantations thereupon, from henceforth are to bee, appertaine and belong to the said town of Breucklen; together with all havens, harbors, creeks, quarryes, wood-land, meadow- ground, reed-land, or valley of all sorts, pas- tures, marshes, runs, rivers, lakes, hunting, fishing. hawking, and fowling. and all other profitts, commodities, emoluments, and heredit- aments, to the said lands and premises within the bounds and limitts aforesaid belonging, or in any wise appertaining. And withal to have freedome of commonage for range and feed of cattle and horse into the woods, as well with- out as within these bounds and limitts, with the rest of their neighbors; as also one-third part of a certain neck of meadow-ground or valley called Seller's Neck, lying and being within the limitts of the town of Jamaica, purchased by the said town of Jamaica from the Indians. and sold by them unto the inhabitants of Breucklen aforesaid, as it has lately been laid out and divided by their mutual consent and my order, whereunto and from which they are likewise to have free egress and regress as their occasions may require. And that the place of their present habitation shall continue and re- tain the name of Breucklen, by which name and stile it shall be distinguished and known in all bargains and sales made by them, the said patentees, and their associates, their heirs,

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NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS

successors, and assigns, rendering and paying such duties and acknowledgments as now are or hereafter shall be constituted and estab- lished by the laws of this government, under the obedience of his Royal Highness, his heirs and successors. Given under my hand and seal at Fort James, in New-York, on the Island of Manhattat, the 18th of October, 1667.

"RICHARD NICOLLS."

In 1670 the inhabitants, being desirous of enlarging the bounds of their common lands by extinguishing the Indian claim, applied to Governor Lovelace, and obtained from him the following license :

"Whereas, the inhabitants of Breucklyn, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, upon Long Island, who were seated there in a township by the authority then in being; and having bin at considerable charges in clearing, ffencing, and manuring their land, as well as building ffor their conveniency ; have requested my ly- cense for their further security, to make pur- chase of the said land of some Indians, who lay claim and interest therein. These are to certify all whom it may concerne, that I have and doe hereby give the said inhabitants ly- cense to purchase their land according to their request, the said Indians concerned appearing before me, as in the law is required, and mak- ing their acknowledgments as to fully satis- fyed and payed for the same. Given under my hand and seal at ffort James, in New- Yorke, this ffirst of May, in the 22d yeare of his Majestyies reigne, Anno Dom. 1670.

"FRANCIS LOVELACE."

This purchase had been agreed upon the 14th of May, 1670, between the town and five Indian chiefs, and is described in the convey- ance as "all that parcell of land in and about Bedford, within the jurisdiction of Breucklyn, beginning ffrom Hendrick Van Aarnhem's land by a swampe of water, and stretching to the hills ; then going along the hills to the port or entrance thereof, and so to Rockaway foot- path, as their purchase is more particularly sett fforth. To have and to hold all the said parcell and tract of land unto Monsieur Ma- chiell Haimelle, Thomas Lambertse, John Lewis, and Peter Darmantier, ffor and on be- halfe of the inhabitants aforesaid, their heyres and successors for ever." The port or en- trance mentioned in this instrument is the val- ley upon the Flatbush Turnpike, a short dis- tance beyond the three-mile post from Brook-

lyn Ferry, where a freestone monument has been placed to designate the line between this town and Flatbush. The price paid for the land in and about Bedford was one hundred guilders seawant, half a ton of strong beer, two tons of good beer, three guns, long bar- rels, with each a pound of powder, and lead proportionable, two bars to a gun, and four match coats.

Notwithstanding the early inhabitants of this town had previously obtained patents for their lands both from the Dutch and English Governors, yet Colonel Thomas Dongan, who succeeded to that office in 1683, had the ad- dress to make them believe that a new patent was necessary to confirm and assure their lands. Accordingly, on the 13th of May, 1686, a new patent was issued, which, after reciting the boundaries of the town as described in for- mer grants, with reference to the charter of Governor Nicolls in 1667, the powers and priv- ileges of which are recognized to the fullest extent, concludes in the following words :

"Now know ye, that I, the said Thomas- Dongan, by virtue of the commission and au- thority derived from me, and power in me re- siding, have granted, ratified and confirmed, and by these presents do grant, ratifie and con- firm, unto Teunis Gysberts, Thomas Lamberts, Peter Jansen, Jacobus Vander Water, Jan Dame, Joris Jacobs, Jeronimus Rapalle, Daniel Rapalle, Jan Jansen, Adrian Bennet, and Mich- ael Hanse, for and on the belialf of themselves and the rest of the present freeholders and in- habitants of the said town of Breucklen, their heirs and assigns for ever, all and singular the afore-recited tract and parcels of land set forth limited and bounded as aforesaid; to- gether with all and singular the houses, mes- suages, tenenients, fencings, buildings, gar- dens, orchards, trees, woods, underwoods, pas- tures, feedings, common of pasture, meadows, marshes, lakes, ponds, creeks, harbors, rivers, rivulets, brooks, streams, highways and ease- ments whatsoever, belonging or in any wise appertaining to any of the afore-recited tract or parcells of land and divisions, allotments settlements made and appropriated before the day and date hereof. To Have and To Hold, all and singular, the said tract or parcels of land and premises, with their, and every of their appurtenances, unto the said Teunis Gys- berts, Thomas Lamberts, Peter Jansen, Jacobus Vander Water, Joris Jacobs, Jeronimus Rap- palle, Daniel, Rappalle, Jan Jansen, Adrian

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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND.

Bennet, and Michael Hanse, for and on behalf of themselves and the present freeholders and inhabitants of the town of Breucklen, their and every of their heirs and assigns for ever, as tenants in common without any let, hindrance, molestation, right of survivorship or otherwise, to be holden in free and common socage ac- cording to the tenure of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, in his Majesty's kingdom of England. Yielding, rendering, and paying therefor yearly, and every year, on the five and twentyeth day of March, for ever, in lieu of all services and demands whatsoever, as a quit rent to his most sacred Majesty aforesaid, his heirs and successors, at the city of New-York, twenty bushels of good merchantable wheat. In testimony whereof, I have caused these presents to be entered and recorded in the Secretary's office, and the seal of the Province to be hereunto affixed this thirteenth day of May, Anno Domini, one thousand six hundred and eighty-six, and in the second year of his Majesty's reign.

"THOMAS DONGAN."

Under this and other patents considerable sums have been paid at different times for quit- rents, for which receipts have been preserved. June 8, 1713, there was paid to Benjamin Van- dewater, treasurer, the sum of £96 7s Id, for upwards of sixteen years quit-rent. April 6, 1775, Charles Debevoice, collector of the town, paid to the receiver-general of the colony, twenty bushels of wheat for one year's quit- rent ; and, November 9, 1786, Fernandus Suy- dam and Charles C. Doughty, two of the trus- tees, paid to the treasurer of the state, £105 Ios. in full for arrears of quit-rent due from the town. During the early years of the colony, the old ferry was from near the foot of Jerole- mon street to the Breede-Graft, now Broad street, in the city of New York; but it is diffi- cult to ascertain the exact period when the old ferry was first established at its present situa- tion on the Brooklyn side. It appears that, in 1693 John Areson, the lessee of the ferry, com- plained of his inability to pay the rent of £147, and it was reduced to £140. At this time the ferriage for every single person was eight stivers in wampum, or a silver two-pence ; each person in company half the above ; and if after sunset, double price ; each horse or beast one shilling if single, or nine pence in company. In 1698 Rip Van Dam was lessee of the ferry for seven years at £165 per annum. During the Revolution the old ferry was kept by Van

Winkle and Bukett, when the usual charge for crossing was six pence. The corporation of the city of New York has long claimed and ex- ercised the control of the ferry, which has pro- duced a considerable revenue. August 1, 1795, the ferry from the foot of Main street was es- tablished by William Furman and Theodosius Hunt, on a lease from the corporation of New York. In May, 1814, the first steamboat com- menced running upon the Fulton Ferry, and at a later period upon the other ferries also.

The town having acquired so great an ex- tent of common land by the purchase of 1670 from the Indians, the inhabitants thought proper to take some order for the division and defending thereof, together with their other lands; accordingly, "At a town meeting held on the 25th day of February, 1692-3 at Breuk- lyn, in King's county. They Resolved to di- vide their common lands and woods into three parts, in manner following, to witt:

"I. All the lands and woods after Bedford and Cripplebush, over the hills to the path of Newlotts, shall belong to the inhabitants and freeholders of the town of Gowanis, beginning from Jacob Brewer and soe to the tittermost bounds of the limits of New-Utrectht.

"2. And all the lands and woods that lyes betwixt the abovesaid path and the highway from the ferry towards Flattbush, shall belong to the freeholders and inhabitants of Bedford and Cripplebush.

"3. And all the lands that lyes in common after the Gowanis, betwixt the limits and bounds of Flattbush and New-Utrecht, shall belong to the freeholders and inhabitants of Brooklyn, fred. neck, the ferry and the Walla- bout." This proceeding of the town meeting was allowed of by the court of sessions, held at Flattbush on the Ioth day of May, 1693.

The following will serve to show the man- ner in which the inhabitants of this town elect- ed the trustees of the common lands, and the duties of those trustees. "Att a towne meet- ing held this 29th day off Aprill, 1699, at Breucklyn, by order off Justice Machiel Hans- sen, ffor to choose townsmien ffor to order all townes busines and to deffend theire limitts and bounds, and to dispose and lay out sum part thereoff in lotts, to make lawes and orders ffor the best off the inhabitants, and to raise a small tax ffor to defray the towne charges, now being or hereaffter to come, to receive townes revenues, and to pay townes debts ; and that with the advice off the Justices off this said towne standing the space and time off two

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NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

years. Chosen ffor that purpose by pluralitie off votes. Benjamin Van de Water, Joores Hanssen, Jan Garretse Dorlant. By order of the inhabitants afforesaid. I. Vande Water, Clarke."

. Although it may not be generally known, yet it is true that the records of this town, from its first settlement to the end of Revolutionary war, were either destroyed during the contest between Britain and her colonies, or carried off at its close by some evil-disposed individual. The person suspected is John Rapalje, Esq., who was in authority here during that period, and against whom an act of attainder was passed in October, 1777, by which his large real estate was confiscated, and himself forced to depart from the country. The necessary consequence is, that we have been deprived of many valuable materials toward a history of the town. It might be expected, that in a state of hostility, every measure would be adopted to afflict an enemy ; yet it may be ques- tioned whether abstracting the records of a country is strictly justifiable by the customs and usages of civilized warfare.

The hope is still entertained that these im- portant documents are still in existence, and that by proper exertions they may yet be found in some of the public offices in England. Some facts of recent occurrence corroborate this opinion, and a correspondence was set on foot a few years since, between General Jeremiah Johnson, supervisor of the town, and Governor De Witt Clinton, which led to examinations in one or more places in London, where it was supposed they might chance to be deposited ; but nothing satisfactory was elicited. The sub- ject matter of this correspondence is thought sufficiently important to justify its insertion in this place.

(General Johnson to Governor Clinton.)

Albany, April II, 1827.

SIR :

I visited this city, in December last, for the. purpose of examining the Dutch records and public papers in the secretary's office, particu- larly the Dutch patents of the towns of Brook- lyn, Flatbush, Flatlands, and Jamaica ; and not finding them, the search was continued among the English records to the year 1684, wherein I found that in that year the governor and council of the colony issued an order com- manding all the inhabitants of the Dutch towns in the provinces of New-York and New Jersey

to bring their Dutch patents and Indian deeds into the Secretary's office in New-York. This measure, in my opinion, accounts for the ab- sence of many papers supposed to be lost. Sub- sequent to my search in the office in 1826, I had been informed that many old papers re- lating to this state are in the colonial office in London. And, as the records of the town of Brooklyn were removed during the Revolu- tionary war, I entertain a hope that we may regain them. This information is presented to your Excellency in the expectation that in- quiry may be made in London whether the papers alluded to, or authenticated copies, can- not be obtained. The recovery of the records of the town would be of great importance, and the patents and Indian deeds serve to improve the history of the town.

Yours, respectfully,

JEREMIAH JOHNSON, Supervisor. His Excellency, Governor Clinton.

(Governor Clinton to Albert Gallatin, Esq.)

Albany, 12th May, 1827.

SIR :

I take the liberty of transmitting to you a letter from General Johnson, a respectable citi- zen of this state, and of requesting your atten- tion to it. According to a report made at the last session of congress, there will be no diffi- culty on the part of the British government. The papers wanted may be found in the former plantation office. Yours, &c. DE WITT CLINTON.

ALBERT GALLATIN, EsQ.

(Mr. Gallatin to Governor Clinton.)

London, 25th August, 1827.

SIR :

I had the honor to receive your Excel- lency's letter of the 12th May last, enclosing one from General Johnson, and requesting that application might be made to this government for certain town records, and other papers therein-mentioned as having been carried away, and being now either in the colonial office, or that of trade and plantations in Lon- don. I regret to say, that after diligent inquiry, and although the various departments here were anxious for the restoration of the papers if they could be found, there is no trace of them whatever. There are two deposits for records and documents connected with the

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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND.

colonies ; the office of the Board of Trade and Plantations, and the State Paper office, where the records and papers of the colonial, as well as the home and foreign departments, are kept. There is nothing in the colonial office ; and you will perceive by the enclosed letters, that noth- ing was found in the others ; and that it is be- lieved the papers in question were carried away by individuals who never deposited them in any office. Mr. Charles Grant, the writer of two of the notes, is the vice-president of the board of trade, one of the commissioners ap- pointed to treat with me, a gentleman of dis- tinguished merit and obliging disposition. Another search may nevertheless be made, if Gen. Johnson will state the time when the records were carried away, and other circum- stances, which may afford a cue to the inquiry. I have the honor to be, &c. ALBERT GALLATIN. His Excellency, DE WITT CLINTON.

(Charles Grant, Esq., to Mr. Gallatin.)

London, August 14, 1827.

DEAR SIR :

I have only this morning received the en- closed from Mr. Rice, whose absence from town prevented his sooner transmitting it to me. I regret much the result. As a last hope, I have sent Governor Clinton's letter to the colonial office, that inquiries may be made ; but I fear there is little probability of success.

I am, Sir, &c.

C. GRANT.

A. GALLATIN, EsQ.

(Spring Rice, Esq., to Charles Grant, Esq.)

MY DEAR GRANT :

On coming down to the office this morning, I found enclosed, which relates to your com- munication with me. I enclose it as the best means of answering Mr. Gallatin's request, re- gretting that we cannot do more to furnish you with the information requested.

Ever and most truly yours, SPRING RICE.

Judge Furman, in speaking of the history of this town, observes, "that its great antiquity is apparent from the fact that the English colo- nists, who came out from Holland for pro- fessed purposes of settlement, were those brought out in 1623, only two years before the

settlement of Brooklyn, in the ship of Capt .. Kornelis Jacobse Mey ; and that soon after two- ships of the West India. Company brought, as agriculturists, the Walloons, who settled in Brooklyn." In 1646 the town was permitted to choose two magistrates, who were author- ized "to give judgment in all events as they should deem proper, not contrary to the charter of New Netherlands ;" and, to give complete effect to their authority, the governor ordered that if any one disobeyed the decision of the magistrates, he should forfeit his right to the lands within the village. This privilege seems not to have been extended to any other town, probably because no other was at that time so populous as to require it.

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A history of Long Island, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 121

Author: Ross, Peter. cn Publication date: 1902 Publisher: New York ; Chicago : The Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1188

Author: Ross, Peter. cn
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: New York ; Chicago : The Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1188