USA > New York > Schenectady County > Schenectady > A history of the Schenectady patent in the Dutch and English times : being contributions toward a history of the lower Mohawk Valley > Part 32
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There were efforts made from time to time however to keep up a show of defence by rebuilding the wooden forts and posting small garrisons therein.
Thus in 1715 and again in 1719, the Assembly passed acts for repairing the fort herc .*
In 1720, it is reported "that the kings fort att the Mohawks Country [Fort Hunter] is the one-fourth part of it fallen to the ground-& That the fort att Schenectady is in the like condition."}
In 1721, an act was passed by the Assembly to pay for stockades for the fort.
In 1726, a bill for labor and materials used on the fort, amounting to £41, 48. 2d. was presented to the Governor and Council.t
In 1734, an act was passed to enable Schenectady to raise £50 to make the old church defensible and for other fortifications.§ A debt of £32 was contracted in this work which was provided for in another act passed in 1740.
Similar acts were also passed in 1735, 1736, 1739, 1743, 1745, and in 1746 Governor Clinton recommends a line of blockhouses to be built from Fort Massachusetts to the Mohawk Castle at Fort Hunter.|
Before the close of this war, in 1748, and before the news of the peace of Aix la Chapelle between Great Britain and France, had reached this country, an act was passed in the Assembly to enable Schenectady to build two new blockhouses .**
In 1749, Governor Clinton reported that the forts of " Albany, Schen- ectadee, Oswego & in the Mohawk's country were all garrisoned by the Independent companys, but are very badly contrived and tumbling down."tt
* Leg. Coun., 395, 448.
+ Col. MSS., LXII, 144; Col. Doc., v, 631. Į Col. MSS., LXVIII, 123.
§ Leg. Coun., 645. The old stone church stood at the junction of State, Church and Water streets, and after 1736, when the new church was completed, was used for many years as a guard and watch house and market.
| Col. Doc., VI, 27, 87, 160 ; Leg. Coun., 750, 827, 917, 924.
Leg. Coun., 1015.
tt Col. Doc., VI, 509, 940, 1196
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History of the Schenectady Patent.
Six years later at the beginning of the second "French war " the Assembly passed an act for raising £3,000 [$7,500], "to be expended in fortifying" the village, but after the close of this contest and the fall of French power in Canada in 1763, the defences of the village fell into decay through neglect and were in a very ruinous condition until renewed at the outbreak of the Revolutionary war.
Thus Governor Tryon, June 11, 1774, writing in relation to the Province of New York, says :- * * * " Albany & Schenectady are defended by forts and both places incircled by large Pickets, or Stockades, with Blockhouses at Proper distances from each other, but, which since the Peace [of 1763], have been suffered to go to Decay and are now totally out of repair."*
After the close of the Revolutionary war the defences of the village were never repaired, or renewed ;- the old fort was removed and the land sold ;- the stockades rotted and fell and Schenectady became an "open village."
There are aged persons still living [1872], who remember seeing in their youth palisades then standing and used along the Binne kil for tying posts for the batteaux.
Of the illustrations to this chapter the maps are of special value.
The Miller map of 1695, is the oldest, and only lacks a scale and street lines to be all that we could desire of that date.
The map of Schenectady was made by British army topographers about 1750, and was published in a little book giving plans of thirty fortifications in North America, by Mary Anne Rocque, topographer, etc., at the beginning of the 2d French war. The line of pickets shown there with blockhouses at intervals and the Royal Fort built in 1704, in the north-east angle, was essentially the defensive work of Schenectady during more than half a century. The location of the church, the fort and their relation to the streets which were by 1750 practically as now, is of great value.
The Vrooman map dated 1768, shows the Royal Fort, the market place, the two churches and several mills and are doubtless correctly located.
No map has come to hand after most diligent search which shows the change made during the Revolution, when the palisade line was carried out as far as Given's Hotel on the south or State street side and thence north to the old Dutch church burying ground.
* Col. Doc., VIII, 451.
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Fortifications and Garrisons.
It is worthy of note that the old north side Rond weg, Front street ex- tended straight from Washington Avenue to the corner of St. George's church,-is still to some extent indicated by the shape of the lots on Front street from Church to Ferry. They have manifestly been added to the old block of four hundred feet square, as their oblique fronts clearly show. This is shown in the Vrooman map. General Fuller now in his 91st year (1883), states that the line of Front street at Church street (the old Adam Vrooman corner where he now resides) was altered by continued encroach- ment on it. Its line was made to conform to the needs of the fort and con- venience of its garrison. There being necessary a clear space about the citadel not only for parade and drill of the garrison, but to give the guns clear command of the approaches to the work on all sides. This work com- manded the north and east sides of the town. As settlements extended along State street and to the south, the need of a strong place there was manifest, and in 1734 the old church in the middle of. State street at Church being abandoned for the new church of 1734 at intersection of Church and Union streets, the opportunity was offered to turn the old structure to use as a town, watch and market house and a redoubt covering that end of town as well, and in that year £50 [$125] were appropriated to render it defen- sible. This probably consisted in loopholing the walls, barring and shutter- ing the windows and doors.
334
History of the Schenectady Patent.
THE REFORMED NETHER DUTCH CHURCH.
At the first settlement of Schenectady in 1662, there were but five Dutch churches and ministers in the Province, viz: those of
New Amsterdam (New York), whose ministers were Johannes Megapolensis and Samuel Drisius.
Beverwyck (Albany), Gideon Schaets.
Breuckelyn (Brooklyn), Henricus Selyns.
Esopus (Kingston), Hermanus Bloom.
Midwout and Amersfort (Flatbush, L. I.), Johannes T. Polhemus.
Of these the church at Beverwyck, founded twenty years before, was the oldest in the colony except that of New Amsterdam. Her first domine (1642 to 1647), was Johannes Megapolensis who now ministered in New Amsterdam; the second, Gideon Schaets (1652-1690). The latter probably assisted at the organization of the church at Schenectady, to which he oc- casionally ministered until his labors ceased in his own church in 1690.
The date and circumstances of this organization are involved in much obscurity, the early records of both churches being lost. But from oc- casional mention made in contemporaneous papers and records it is safe to say that the church of Schenectady was in existence between the years 1670 and 1680, and probably earlier. Thus, on the occasion of the death of Hans Janse Eenkluys, in 1683, the deacons petition the court at Albany for letters of administration on his effects and say *
" dat eenen Hans Janssen op den 7 meert 167$ heeft overgedragen aende aermen van Schaenhechtade zeecke syne plantage," &c. &c., in other words that Hans Janse, in 1675, made over to the poor of Schenectady his plantation, on condition he should be maintained in his old age and weakness, which they say they have done, and paid the expenses of his burial. Now this plantage was simply the "Poor Pasture," and was the property of the church from Eenkluys' time down to 1862, when it was sold.
These facts seem to point to the existence of the church as early as 1674, for it is a well known fact that the Dutch churches were the guardians
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The Reformed Nether Dutch Church.
of the poor, the orphans, and the aged, who were without natural protectors and received and dispensed large alms and property for this purpose.
The next incidental mention of this church is found in the records of the city of Albany. In February, 1679, "the court and consistory of Schen- ectady request that Domine Schaets may be sent four Sundays in one year , to administer the Lord's supper to said place and community, which request is granted in so far that Domine Schaets is allowed to go four times in one year to administer the Holy Sacrament, but not on a Sunday, whereas it would be unjust to let the community [of Albany] be without preaching."*
Thirdly, The prosperous condition of the poor fund of the church from 1680 to 1690, shows pretty clearly that it had been organized some years previous to the former date. At the close of the year 1689 Domine Thes- schenmaecker audited the deacons' accounts and found that the unexpended alms contributed for the poor amounted to about 4,000 guilders, of which about 3,000 guilders had been loaned to individuals on bonds dating back in one case to 1681. Though the Dutch were a liberal people in matters appertaining to their church, it is not probable that such an accumulation of alms was made entirely within the ten years above mentioned, especially when their numbers are considered, and that in this time the parsonage house was constructed and their first Domine was called and maintained. It is fair therefore to conclude that the Dutch church of Schenectady was certainly an organized body in 1674, probably much earlier.
The first twenty years of the village was a struggle with the hardships of frontier life; its energies were spent in removing the forest and subduing the soil. For religious privileges it was dependent upon Albany; until in 1684, when the little hamlet having grown sufficiently strong in numbers and wealth, called its first minister. The earliest mention of Domine Thess- chenmaecker in the church records is found in a book of miscellaneous writings, the first leaves of which unfortunately are wanting.t
* Annals of Albany, I, 103.
t The following is a copy and translation of the first page in its present mutilated condition :
(Copy.)
(Translation).
Uytgyeve.
[1683 ?] Expenditures. [1683 ?]
aen Myndert Wemp,
F. 48 To Myndert Wemp, guilders, F. 48
aen een kan,
8 To [paid for] a pot, 8
aen Jan Roelofsen voor.
24 To Jan Roelofsen, for. 24
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History of the Schenectady Patent.
From these accounts we learn the following facts:
1. That Domine Thesschenmaecker came to Schenectady before the death of Domine Schaets (1690).
aen 5 Witte broden,
aen domine Tassemaker
24 To domine Tassemaker, 42
aen emanual Consaul,
6 To Emanual Consaul, 6 To Lubbertse Gysbertse for two days work, 6
aen Lubbert gysbertse voor 2 dagen Wercke,
6
6 To nails from Albany, 6
aen den 12 duyzend harde steen
To two beavers to Laseysers shing-
aen 2 bevers aen Laseysers tot het huys te singelen,
48 ling the house, 48
To 12 guilders .... for stakes . . for use on the fence, 12
aen 12 gulden aen .... door stacken en . .. voor verbruyck aen de heyninge,
27 april voor wyn tot het naght mael aen domine tasschenmaker betalt,
12 27 April, For wine for the Lord's 20 supper paid to Domine tasschen- maker,
20.
36 27 May, presented to Domine Schaets, 36
13 Cleaning the church, 13
1.10
5.
5.
Voor wyn van het naght mael, aen Adam Vroom,
24.
To Adam Vrooman, 24.
Also to Domine tasschemaker for making the fence to the lot, 45.
45.
nogh voor 7 maal witte broot tot het avont mael @ fl., 1.10 a maal, 10.10
Also for white bread 7 times for the Lord's supper @ fl. 1.10 a time, 10.10
Claas Purmerent [Van der Volgen] one day carting, 18.
234 dagen aen de heyninge, 22
234 days on the fence, 22.
Voor te singelen van 't huys,
12 for the shingles of the house, 12
aen 2 Vragsten posten gasacht,
6 To two loads of posts sawed, 6
2 glazz Raamen,* 10 2 window glasses, (or sashes) 10
Somma, fl. 516-13+ Total, florins 516-13
* [Sewell's Dutch-Eng. Dictionary, 1708, gives Glaze Raam = a pane of glass ; Raam = a frame ; Venster Raam = a window frame .- M'M]
t The money of accounts of the Dutch was the guilder or florin and stuyver, 20 of the latter to one of the former. There were the guilder sewant and the guilder beaver ;- the latter of the value of about 40cts. OJ three times that of the former. The guilder of accounts was commonly valued at one shilling N. Y. currency.
27 May domine Schats Verstelt,
Schoonmaken van der Kerche,
1.10
2.10
2.10
20. 0 For wine for the Lord's supper, 20. 0
nogh aen domine tasschemaker voort maken vande heyninge aen het erf,
Claas permurent een dagen ryden, 18
1 To 5 white loaves, 1
aen spyckers van Albanie,
18 To the half thousand hard bricks, 18
337
The Reformed Nether Dutch Church.
2. That the first house of worship was then built.
3. That the consistory this year (1683 ?), was building a parsonage house and fencing the lot. For although it is not stated that 't huys was for the Domine's use, we can hardly conceive of his being engaged in building, and the church in paying for, a dwelling for any other person.
Of the five houses of worship built by this church, the one above men- tioned was the first. We know little about it except that it was small and inconvenient and that it stood at the junction of Church, State and Water streets.
The house erected for Domine Thesschenmaecker, who was an unmarried man, must have been of humble dimensions judging from the number and cost of. the " glass Ramen " purchased for it in the above account .* It be- came the funeral pile of its first occupant when the village was burned in 1690. Its site is unknown though it has heretofore been assumed to be that of the present church, but an old deed of 1715, shows that lot was in possession of Daniel Jansen Van Antwerp from prior to 1672 to 1715, when he deeded it to the church.
1684-1690. DOMINE PETRUS THESSCHENMAECKER,
Domine Thesschenmaecker best known for his tragical end, came to this country from Guiana whither he had gone from Utrecht, a young theo- logical student,¿ and is first mentioned in following petition of date 1676:
[* There is no evidence that this was a dwelling house for the minister, or that a lot was assigned to build one on. In so poor a community a parsonage for a bachelor was hardly a pressing need. Is it not likely that a minister settled among them, had the house of worship repaired and put in order ? A church without a minister is seldom well kept, and the arrival of a new one is usually marked by alterations if not improvements in the church building. This one never having had a minister, was doubtless much dilapidated-yet only two lights of glass-500 bricks, $1.50 worth of shingles were used on the house-most of the materials and labor being put on the fence, which was pos- sibly around the grave lot adjoining the church.
There is a tradition that the Do was killed in the house of one of his parishoners.
The Consistory did not own the present church lot .- M'M.]
t The Amsterdam foot consisted of about 11 in. English.
Į Hist. Mag., Ix, 323.
43
338
History of the Schenectady Patent.
To the Rt. Honorale Sr. Edmond Andrus Kt. of Sauemares : under his Royall Highness Duke of Yorke and Albany and dependances : The humble petition of Seuerall of the Inhabittause of Esopus humbly shewith unto yo' Honor,
Whereas this place is destitute of a minister for the Instruction of the people : It is our Ernest desiar and humble request with all Submission that yo' Honor will be pleased to be aiding and assisting in the procuring one for us that can preache both Inglish and Duche, weich will be most fitting for this place, it being in its minority and having great charges is not very able to maintaine two ministares ; nether to be at the charge of sending for one out of England or Holland ; and we are Informed Mr. Peettar Tasetmakr is at liberty, who is a person well knowne to yo' Hon" . and officiated in this [place] for sum time; And if to bee procured, is very well approved and much desired by moste, hee being a man of Sober life and conversacon having Deportted himselfe to sattisfaction of ye Inhabi- tance,-
Wherefor wee Humbly pray that your honor will bee pleased to bee In- strumentall in the same and yo' Honors humble Petticeners shall ever pray &c .*
This appears to be a sufficient certificate of his fitness for the sacred office, but whether he returned to Esopus on this flattering call is not known. It appears that at this time he had not been ordained, for in 1679 on applica- tion from New-Castle, on the Delaware, the Governor directed Domine Newenhuysen to examine and induct him into the ministry of the Protes- tant Reformed church. Probably he was then a resident of Staten Island.
. After his ordination Domine Thesschenmaecker departed immediately for his new field of labors; for November 20th, following, he received a patent t for a lot of land at New Castle, 300 by 480 feet, respecting which the colonial secretary received a lettert dated January 17th, 1679-80, prom- ising his fee of 40 shillings in wheat.
Here he remained three years until 1682, " when in consequence of some disagreement with his congregation he left and accepted a call from Schenectady."§
* Doc. Hist., III., 583. + Patents, IV, 90.
# " Do. Tesschenmaecker hath promised to make satisfactory in ye Spring for ye pattent and ye other wrytings, 40 shillings in wheat, as by yorself demanded, wh I think is soe reasonable as can be considering ye trouble wh to my knowledge yrself had in yt buisnesse." Eph. Herman to Matthias Nicoll .- Albany Records, Jan., 17, 1679-80.
§ Anthology of New Netherlands, p. 100-1.
339
The Reformed Nether Dutch Church.
In the latter place he labored six years with reasonable success; and in spite of the distant mutterings of war between Britain and France the little community grew in numbers and wealth. The virgin soil of the neighbor- ing flats and islands yielded abundantly, and the population, gaining con- fidence, ventured beyond the palisades of the village and gradually crept up the Mohawk river, occupying the fertile lands on either bank.
It was while resting in fancied security that the place was surprised, on the 8th day of February, 1690, and totally destroyed. The work of des- truction commenced under such favorable circumstances was soon com- pleted ;- day dawned upon a ghastly scene,-the labors of thirty years in ashes,-sixty of the inhabitants slain,-twenty-eight captives selected for the long winter march to Canada,-and the miserable remnant, wounded and frost-bitten, painfully seeking relief in flight towards Albany. The French commander had ordered his men to spare the life of the clergyman, but his savage allies knew no difference between minister and people ;- he was slain and burned in his house .*
Domine Thesschenmaecker left no heirs. A farm of "eighty acres and a proportional quantity of meadow ground " granted to him 3 Nov., 1685, on the south side of Staten Island,t was claimed by the inhabitants of Richmond county as a poor fund.t
For seven years from this sad event, till the peace of Ryswick in 1697, there was no safety north and west of Albany outside of the fortifications. Many forsook their plantations and sought places of greater security § and
* "Dom. Petrus Tesschenmaker the minister at Schenectady has met with misfortune. He and most of his congregation were surprised at night and massacred by the French and Indians in their interest. His head was cloven open and his body burned to the shoulder-blades." Domine Selyns to the Classis of Amsterdam .- Anthology of New Netherland, p. 116.
+ Patents, IV, 902.
# 1692, 2 Nov. "Upon reading Anoy' Peticon of the sd Representatives [of the county of Richmond] setting forth that Mr. Tuschemaker having some reall and personall Estate in Staten Island was killed by the French and Indians at Schenectady and in his lifetime had promise i the sd Estate to the Poor haveing noe heirs, praying an order for the same.
The sd Peticon is likewise referred to the Attorney Generall who is to report what may be proper therein to be done."-Leg. Council, 4, 28.
§ See chapters " Indian Wars on the Border."
340
History of the Schenectady Patent.
it is a matter of surprise that the hardy pioneers of Schenectady clung to the soil in the midst of such discouragements. It argues well for their pluck and endurance.
Until 1700 the church was without a pastor, and indeed it does not appear that the people had any religious privileges, except such as might be had by a visit to Albany, until 1694, when Domine Dellius began to minister to them occasionally. His first recorded visits this year were on the 11th of April and 9th of October, on which occasions new members were added to the church and children baptized. In 1695 he came four times, viz: or the 2d Jan., 27th March, 26th June and 9th October. In 1696 five times- Jan. 8th, April 15, July 1, Sept. 19th and Dec. 30th. In 1697 three times- April 6th, June 30th, and Nov. 10th, and in 1698 four times-27th April, 20 July, 19th Oct., and 28th Dec. In all eighteen visits in five years.
In 1699 Domine Dellius returned to the Fatherland and Domine Johannes Petrus Nucella succeeding to his place as minister of Albany, visited Schenectady once-on the 31st of August. The following year he came twice, viz: on the 9th January and 25th May.
The number of members added to the church by these two ministers was twenty-five ; the number of children baptized seventy-six, seven of whom were Indians.
Taking into consideration, therefore, the fact that at this time all children were christened, some idea may be formed of the small number and slow increase of the population when only sixty-nine were baptized in six years.
During the same period five couples were married by Domine Dellius and - seven by Johannes Glen, " Justis Van de peace."
But no sooner was peace proclaimed in 1697 than both village and church began a new career of prosperity. Within five years a second minister was called, and a new house of worship was erected.
1700-5. DOMINE BARNARDUS FREEMAN,* SECOND MINISTER OF THE CHURCH AND MISSIONARY TO THE MOHAWKS.
When Domine Dellius returned to Holland in 1693, his church gave him leave of absence for ten months, but subsequently commissioned William Bancker and others of Amsterdam to procure another minister in case he re- mained beyond that time.
* He sometimes wrote his name Freeman, but oftener Freerman.
341
The Reformed Nether Dutch Church. €
Do. Freeman was a man of mature age, a native of Gilhuis in the county . (Graafschap) of Benthem. In 1698 he was a member of the church of Amsterdam, and on the 9th of March of that year was licensed to preach by the Classes of Worden and Overrynland. Immediately after the above call from the church of Albany, he was ordained by the Classis of Lingen (16th March, 1700), and departed for his distant charge accompanied by Domine Johannes Lydius. On the 20th of July they arrived in Albany where the latter remained, while the former passed on to Schenectady, and on the 28th commenced his labors as pastor of the church and missionary to the Mohawks. His appointment to the latter office, brought about doubt- less after his arrival in New York, furnishes a reason for the change in his destination.
Domine Dellius had filled the same office many years, and both for political as well as religious reasons it was considered important to continue so powerful an ageney among the native tribes.
In regard to this matter the Earl of Bellomont, Governor of the Provinces, said to the assembled Sachems of the Five Nations on the 26th of August, 1700. * * * "I have sent to England for ministers to instruct you in the true Christian religion. I expect some very soon ; for the present I shall settle Mr. Vreeman, an able good minister, at Schanectade, who I intend shall be one of those that shall be appointed to instruct you in the true faith. He will be near the Mohacks, and in your way as you came from [the] several castles to this town, [Albany], and will take pains to teach you. He has promised me to apply himself with all diligence to learn your lan- guage, and doubts not to be able to preach to you therein in a year's time."*
In a communication to the Board of Trade the Governor says: "I send your Lordships a copy of Mr. Freeman's Letter. He is the Dutch minister at Schenectady and a very good sort of a man."t
The following is a copy of the letter referred to:
"Schenegtade the 6th Jan., 1700-1.
May it please your Excellency.
I have received your Excelleis letter of the 15th Nov", 1700, whereby I understand that your Excelley was satisfied with what I had done to promote the Gospel among the Indians, I shall also use my utmost to intreat them to be firm in their allegiance to his Majty and for as much as appears to me they are good subjects to His Majty whereof they desire me to give your Excelley an account.
* Col. Doc., IV, 727.
+ Col. Doc., IV, 833.
342
History of the Schenectady Patent.
Your Excelley may remember that there are not above one hundred Maquasse in number, thirty-six whereof have embraced the Christian faith, ten whereof through the grace of God are brought over through my means, for I found but twenty-six.
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