USA > New York > Kings County > Williamsburgh > A history of the city of Brooklyn : including the old town and village of Brooklyn, the town of Bushwick, and the village and city of Williamsburgh > Part 19
USA > New York > Kings County > Bushwick > A history of the city of Brooklyn : including the old town and village of Brooklyn, the town of Bushwick, and the village and city of Williamsburgh > Part 19
USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > A history of the city of Brooklyn : including the old town and village of Brooklyn, the town of Bushwick, and the village and city of Williamsburgh > Part 19
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Mr. Van Sinderen, at the request of the Consistory, resigned his pastoral charge in June, 1784, although he received a stated salary until his death, at Flatlands, on 23d of July, 1796, in his
1 " March 28, 1778. It has pleased Almighty God to give me the wisdom to find out the Golden Mother Tincture, and such a Universal Pill as will cure most diseases. I have studied European physicians in four different languages. I don't take much money, as I want no more than a small living, whereto God will give his blessing .- JOHANNES CASPARUS RUBEL, Minister of the Gospel and Chymicus."
? " Tot gedachtenis van Joh's Casp's Rubel. V. D. M .- Geboren den 6de March, O. S., 1719 .- Overleden den 19de Maii, 1797." (TRANSLATION) : To the memory of John Cas- par Rubel, minister of God's word. Born, March 6th, 1719, O. S. Died, May 19th, 1797.
189
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
89th year. He was a learned but eccentric man, and for this reason, perhaps, was sometimes considered " deficient in sound judg- ment."1
With Messrs. Van Sinderen and Rubel, the European Dutch min- istry in Kings County ceased.2
In 1785, the Rev. MARTINUS SCHOONMAKER, who was then offici- ating at Harlem and Gravesend, accepted a call to take charge of the collegiate churches of the county, to which the church at Gravesend was then added ; and, on the 28th of October, 1787, the Rev. PETER LOWE was ordained at New Utrecht as his colleague. The former officiated in the Dutch language until his death, in 1824; and the latter, in the English tongue. In their regular rotation through the county, four churches would be closed, and two open, for divine worship on the Sabbath. Such, however, is the peculiar position of the county, and the easy communication between the several towns, that, with the exception of Bushwick and Gravesend, each of the others could quite conveniently follow the ministers, who conse- quently preached to full and crowded houses.
The Rev. Martinus Schoonmaker, second son of Joachim and Lydia Schoonmaker, was born at Rochester, Ulster County, N. Y., March 1, 1737; commenced his classical studies with Domine Goetchius, of Schraalenburgh, N. J., 1753; and his theological, with the Rev. Mr. Marenus, of Aquackanock, in 1759. On the 27th of June, 1761, he married Mary (daughter of Stephen and Ann) Basset, of that place ; and was licensed to preach in 1763, first accepting a call from the congregations of Harlem and Gravesend. In 1781, he accepted a call from the particular churches of Graves- end, Success, and Wolver Hollow, which charge he retained until
1 The following is the inscription on his gravestone at Flatbush : " Hier leyt het Lie- chaem van den Wel-Erwaede Heer Ulpianus Van Sinderen, in zyn leeven Predicant in Kings County. Overleeden den 23 July, 1796, oud Zynde 88 Jaeren 7 Maanden en 12 daegen." (TRANSLATION): Here lies the body of the very worthy Mr. Ulpi- anus Van Sinderen, in his lifetime preacher in Kings County, Died, July 23, 1796, aged 88 years 7 months and 12 days.
¿ During the pastorship of Rubel and Van Sinderen, " the seats in churches were all numbered in the pews or ranges. Men and women sat separately, and it rarely hap- pened that two persons of the same family sat together. In several churches women sat in their own chairs, in the ranges of chairs. Every church had a free pew for justices and judges."
190
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
1784, when he was elected to the pastorate of the six collegiate churches of Kings County, at a salary of £150 per annum. He fixed his residence at Flatbush, where he spent the remainder of his life in the faithful discharge of his labors as a minister of God. "His labors in the ministry," says his successor, "for sixty-one years, were arduous, yet was he never known to faint in his Master's cause ; and few men have gone to the grave with a char- acter more unblemished, or one more universally respected and beloved."
Mr. Schoonmaker left six sons and five daughters, nine of whom arrived to mature age, and seven of them survived their father. He had, at the time of his death, fifty-nine grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren. His wife died in 1819, aged eighty years.
For the following very interesting sketch of Domine Schoon- maker, and some of the customs and manners of the people during his pastorate, we are indebted to an article in the Chris- tian Intelligencer of October 23, 1858, by the Rev. Peter Van Pelt :
" Domine Schoonmaker resided at Flatbush, central and con- venient for his other churches. He was a man of reserved and retiring habits ; more so, perhaps, from the circumstance that it was exceedingly difficult for him to hold even a common conversation without mangling most horribly the English language. Fluent and ready in the language in which he was educated, he displayed, by his manner and gestures, all the dignity and sincerity applicable to his position and functions. Courteous and polite, he was a relic of the old school, and universally respected. Indeed, it may be ques- tioned whether the venerable old minister had a solitary enemy. An anecdote has been related, and many years ago was in common circulation, which some may consider a slander upon his abilities and acquirements. I would rather regard it as an innocent and harmless witticism of some wag, and probably one of his best friends. Having celebrated a marriage, at the close of the cere- mony, for the benefit of the spectators, he attempted to terminate it in English with the sentence, 'I pronounce you man and wife, and one flesh ; whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.
191
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
His English failed him ; yet conscious of perfect rectitude, and the propriety of a shorter translation, with much solemnity and em- phasis, and an appropriate congee, he exclaimed, 'I pronounce you two to be one beef !'
" It was in 1819 that I last heard, or recollect to have seen, the ven- erable old domine. It was at the funeral of one of his old friends and associates. A custom had very generally prevailed, which, though then very rarely observed, yet in this instance was literally adhered to. The deceased had, many years before, provided and laid away the materials for his own coffin. This one was of the best sea- soned and smoothest boards, and beautifully grained. Other customs and ceremonies then existed, now almost forgotten. As I entered the room, I observed the coffin elevated on a table in one corner. The Domine, abstracted and grave, was seated at the upper end ; and around, in solemn silence, the venerable and hoary-headed friends of the deceased. All was still and serious. A simple recog- nition, or a half-audible inquiry, as one after another arrived, was all that passed. Directly, the sexton, followed by a servant, made his appearance, with glasses and decanters. Wine was handed to each. Some declined ; others drank a solitary glass. This ended, and again the sexton presented himself, with pipes and tobacco. The Domine smoked his pipe, and a few followed his example. The custom has become obsolete, and it is well that it has. When the whiffs of smoke had ceased to curl around the head of the Domine, he arose with evident feeling, and in a quiet, subdued tone, made a short but apparently impressive address. I judged solely by his appearance and manner ; for although boasting a Holland descent, it was to me 'speaking in an unknown tongue.' A short prayer concluded the service ; and then the sexton taking the lead, was followed by the Domine, the doctor, and the pall-bearers, with white scarfs and black gloves. The corpse and a long procession of friends and neighbors proceeded to the churchyard, where all that was mortal was committed to the earth, till the last trump shall sound and the grave shall give up the dead. No bustle, no confu- sion, no noise nor indecent haste, attended that funeral."
Domine Schoonmaker died on the 20th of May, 1824, aged eighty-seven years, and with him ceased the regular public and offi-
192
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
cial use of the Dutch language in all the pulpits of the Dutch Re- formed churches.1
The Rev. PETER LOWE was born April 30th, 1764, at Esopus (now Kingston), N. Y., where he received his academic education. He pur- sued his theological studies with Rev. Dr. Livingston, of New York ; and, soon after his licensure, received several calls, finally giving the preference to that from the six churches of Kings County. In this relation he faithfully discharged the functions of the holy min- istry for twenty-one years ; until, the collegiate connection between the six churches being dissolved, by mutual consent, for the sake of a more frequent supply of the word and ordinances, he accepted the call from Flatbush and Flatlands, where he continued to labor more than nine years, with increasing usefulness, until his death, from cancer, in June, 1818, and in the fifty-fifth year of his age. He was frank, generous and affectionate in disposition ; cheerful in his religion, modest and peaceful in temper, agreeable in conversation ; sound and solid in his ministerial advice and public preaching. He was industrious, systematic, and active in habit, and had learned the art of book- binding, which he turned to good account in collecting and binding up all the church records which he could find. He built two dwellings, in succession, at Flatbush, and ornamented the grounds with shrubbery, REV. PETER LOWE. trees, and flowers, of which he was extremely fond. His garden was his favorite place of meditation, from which he was wont to go to his lecture.
The old Brooklyn church was a large, square edifice, with solid and very thick walls, plastered and whitewashed on every side up
1 " In 1793, it was resolved that divine service, which had heretofore been maintained in the Dutch language, should be thereafter performed in English, in the afternoon, whenever Mr. Lowe should preach at Brooklyn, Flatbush, and New Utrecht. But Mr. Schoonmaker continued to preach in Dutch to the time of his death, having never attempted to preach in English but once (in 1788)."-Prime, 328.
1
.
43183-SHEC' IT
THE BROOKLYN CHURCH, AND DUFFIELD HOUSE, 1776.
Fulton Avenue, between Bridge and Lawrence Streets.)
Page 193.
193
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
to the eaves ; the roof, as usual, ascending to a peak in the centre, capped with an open belfry, in which hung a small, sharp-toned bell, brought from Holland shortly after its erection.1 Its interior was plain, dark, and very gloomy ; so that, in summer, one could not see to read in it after four o'clock in the afternoon, by reason of its small windows. These were six or eight feet above the floor, and filled with stained-glass lights from Holland, representing vines loaded with flowers .? This church, the second which had occupied the same site, was built in 1766, in the middle of the road leading from the Ferry into the country, which road is now known as Fulton avenue, and immediately opposite to a burying-ground yet remain- ing on the west side of that avenue and between Bridge and Lawrence streets.8 It was unprotected by fence or enclosure. The road was spacious, and a carriage and wagon-track passed around each end, forming an oblong circle, remitting at either end.‘
The old town, it will be remembered, comprised, at this time, sev- eral divisions or settlements, each possessing local names which yet cling to them, in spite of the streets, squares, and avenues of the new city of Brooklyn-Gowanus, Red Hook, Bedford, Cripplebush, Walla- bout-and for all these the old church occupied a very central position.
" The Collegiate Domines," says Mr. Van Pelt, "had many pious people and firm friends in Brooklyn. Almost every house was as open to them as their own homes, and one in particular, opposite the church, was especially designated 'The Domine's House.' This was convenient for rest between services on the Sabbath ; for receiv- ing applications for baptism, membership, etc; for meeting the Consistory, Church-Masters, and others; and for attending gen- erally to official duties."
The collegiate connection between the Dutch churches of the county, so far as related to the service in English, was gradually given up after the commencement of the present century. The Rev. JOHN B. JOHNSON was called to Brooklyn in 1802 ; Dr. BASSETT to
! This bell was afterwards (1840) in the belfry of the district school-house in Middagh street, Third Ward of Brooklyn. See, also, page 143.
2 Furman's MSS.
3 Ante, p. 166.
4 " And a miserable road it was, filled with mud-holes and large rocks."-Furman's MSS.
13
194
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
Bushwick, in 1811; and Mr. BEATTIE, in 1809, to New Utrecht : while Domine Schoonmaker remained at Flatbush, continuing the Dutch service alternately among the six towns ; but on the day that he preached at Bushwick, Dr. Bassett supplied Gravesend, which place, as to amount of service, remained precisely the same.
The new pastor of the Brooklyn church, JOHN BARENT JOHNSON, was a native of this town, where he was born, March 3, 1769, his father, Barent Johnson, being a prosperous farmer, of Dutch descent, and his mother, Maria, the daughter of Captain John Guest, of New Brunswick, who commanded a vessel which sailed between New York and Antigua. Having lost both parents before his ninth year, he was brought up by a cousin, who was also his father's executor. In his seventeenth year, while at school in Flat- bush, he became acquainted with the Rev. Dr. John H. Livingston, who was spending the summer there. Discovering in him more than ordinary talents, the Doctor encouraged him to undertake a course of liberal studies, offering him, at the same time, a residence in his own family and the superintendence of his education. The offer, thus kindly made, was gratefully accepted by young Johnson, who was shortly prepared to enter college. In 1788 he matriculated at Columbia College, and in the same year became a communicant in the Reformed Dutch Church. After his graduation he pursued a course of theological studies with his old friend, Dr. Livingston ; was licensed by the Classis of New York, April 21, 1795 ; and preached his first sermon on the succeeding Sabbath, in that city, for the Rev. Dr. Kuypers. On the 5th of June, 1796, Mr. Johnson was ordained to the work of the ministry, and settled as colleague pastor with Mr. Bassett (who preached the ordination sermon) over the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Albany. In 1802 he was called to the Reformed Dutch Church of Schenectady, and also to that in Brook- lýn. Deciding in favor of the latter, he preached his farewell ser- mon to the Albany church on the 26th of September, 1802, and on the 24th of the ensuing October was duly installed over his new charge at Brooklyn.1 " Among other marked features of this sermon
1 On this occasion the Rev. Dr. Linn presided, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Schoonmaker. In the afternoon Mr. Johnson preached from 2d Timothy, iv. 2.
195
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
-which was a very able, earnest, and eloquent discourse-is a fine tribute to the Heidelberg Catechism, and a plea for its faithful and regular exposition in our churches." His health, somewhat im- paired before his removal from Albany, now began to fail rapidly ; and the loss of his wife, in March, 1803, undoubtedly contributed to hasten his own death. He died at the house of his brother-in-law, Peter Rosevelt, Esq., in Newtown, August 29th, 1803, leaving three children, two of whom still survive in the ministry of the Episcopal Church-one at Jamaica, L. I., and another as a professor in the Episcopal Theological Seminary in New York.
From a sketch of Mr. Johnson, from the pen of Hon. Teunis Van Vechten, for Rev. Dr. Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit, we learn that he was a man of unusually prepossessing personal appearance, and easy and graceful manners. " His countenance had an expression of great benignity, united with high intelligence. His manners were bland and courteous, and predisposed every one who saw him to be his friend; and his countenance and manners were a faithful index to his disposition. He was acknowledged, on all hands, to possess an uncommonly amiable and generous spirit. He had the reputation of an excellent pastor. He mingled freely, and to great acceptance, with all classes of people. He was particularly attentive to the young, and had the faculty of making himself exceedingly pleasant to them. This I know from personal experience.
" As a preacher he was undoubtedly one of the most popular in the Dutch Church at that day. Of his manner in the pulpit I retain a very distinct recollection. His voice was a melodious one, and though not of remarkable compass, yet loud enough to be heard with ease in a large church. His gesture was natural and effective, and sometimes he reached what I should think a high pitch of pul- pit oratory."
At the death of General Washington, the Legislature of the State, then in session, requested of the Consistory the use of this church (the Albany church) for the celebration of appropriate funeral services, and invited Mr. Johnson to deliver the eulogy on that occasion. The service was accordingly held, February 22d, 1800, and, as might be supposed, was one of universal interest and solem-
196
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
nity. The church was hung with black, and crowded by a mourn- ing people. The oration by Mr. Johnson was a masterly effort, and produced a great sensation. It was published by vote of both Houses ; Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer being then president of the Senate, and Hon. Dirck Ten Broeck, speaker of the House. Mr. Van Vechten says of it : " The exordium was spoken of at the time as a rare specimen of eloquence, and the whole performance was of a very high order. I speak with confidence concerning this, as it was published, and I have had an opportunity of reading it since I have been more competent to judge of its merits than I was when it was delivered." Mr. Van Vechten closes his sketch of Mr. John- son in these words : " He left an excellent name behind him, and the few who still remember him cherish gratefully the recollections of both his gifts and his graces."1
1 See Rev. Dr. E. P. Rogers' Hist. Discourse on the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Albany, 1858.
197
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
CHAPTER VII.
CIVIL HISTORY OF BROOKLAND.
1675-1775.
THE only excitement which occurred in Breuckelen, during the year 1675, was a painful apprehension, shared by its inhabitants in common with those of neighboring towns, that they might become involved in the Indian outbreak known as "King Philip's War," which it was feared would extend to the Long Island tribes. Proper measures being taken, however, by the provincial government, and in the several towns, fear was somewhat allayed, and the speedy defeat which overtook that notorious chieftain, restored tranquillity to the public mind.
Breuckelen had, at this time, attained the leading position among the Kings County towns, in respect of population and wealth, as evidenced by the " Assessment Rolls of the 5 Dutch towns up to August 19, 1675," which afford the following total valuation at a rate of one stiver on the pound :1
Towns.
No. of Persons Assessed.
£
8.
Guil. Stiv.
£
8.
d.
Boswyck.
36
3,174 10
158 148
13
4
6
Breuckelen
60
5,204 00
260
4
21
13
8
Middlewout.
54
5,079 10
253
19-8
21
3
4
Amersfoort
35
4,008 10
200
8-8
16
14
0
New Utrecht
29
2,852 10
142
12-8
11
17
8
Total
20,319 10
1,015
19
84
13
2
-
-
Equal to
Also, when, in the course of the same year, it became necessary to build a new dock at New York, the Governor and Council required the Kings and Queens County towns to furnish timber for the undertaking, and Breuckelen's tribute was the largest,' that of Flatbush being the next in amount.2
1 N. Y. Col. MSS., xxiv. 136 ; and N. Y. Doc. Hist., iv. 141-161.
2 Council Minutes, iii. 171.
7
198
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
Breuckelyn's importance was further increased by its appointment as a market town. The record concerning this is as follows :
" Upon a proposall of having a ffayre or markett in or neare this Citty (New York) ; It is ordered, that after this season, there shall yearely be kept a ffayre and markett at Breucklyn, near the fferry, for all graine, cattle, or other produce of the country; to bee held the first Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in November, and in the Citty of New Yorke the thursday, ffriday, and Saturday following."'
A pleasant glimpse of the neighborly feeling existing between the people of the neighboring towns, and of the comparative simplicity of the times, is afforded by the following :
" A recommendation on the behalfe of Capt. Jacques Corteleau, and the inhabitants of New Utrecht, to the Constables and Overseers of Bruyckline-
" Whereas, Capt. Jacques Corteleau, having (through misfortune by ffire) sustained great losses; and being intended speedily to build him another House, towards the effecting of which divers good and Charitable People (his Neighbors round about) have already contributed their Assistance, That the same may be the Sooner accomplished, for his more comfortable accomodation, I do hereby recommend to you, that you encourage the People of yo' Towne, to assist him with one Daye's worke, towards per- fecting the said Building, this or the next weeke, as he shall direct; and that you likewise assist his Neighbors, in the Neighboring Towne of New Utrecht, in their present distresse if requested thereunto by them, in the which you will do a good and Charitable worke: Given under my hand in New Yorke, the 1st day of May, 1675. " E. ANDROS .?
"To the Constables & Overseers of Breucklyn."
An assessment on the town of Breuckelen, made up to September, 1676, was levied on 57 persons, who represented 70 polls, 1,232 acres of land, 85 horses, 292 cows, 35 hogs, 38 oxen, and 25 sheep.3
1 Ext. from orders made at Court of Gen'l Assizes, beginning 6th and ending 13th Oct., 1675 (Valentine's Manual, 1845, p. 311). By another clause in this order, all persons and goods going to or coming from this fair, were exempted from arrest for debt. This order was to remain in force for three years from the 24th of March ensuing.
2 Warrants, Orders, and Passes, iii. 90.
8 See Appendix No. 7.
199
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN
In May, 1682, Governor Andros, whose arbitrary character and government had rendered him unpopular in the province, left the country, and was succeeded, on the 25th of August, 1683, by Col. Thomas Dongan. The province of New York had for many years suffered from many grievances, due to the unlimited authority which was vested in its chief magistrate ; and as early as 1681, the popular feeling on the subject found expression in a petition for redress to the Duke of York. His Royal Highness prudently assented, and Gov. Dongan brought with him special instructions to institute a General Assembly, similar to that of the New England colonies. This first Colonial Legislature, composed of the Governor, Council, and seventeen members, chosen by the people, held its first session from October 17th to Nov. 3d, 1683. It straightway adopted a " charter of liberties," providing that the supreme authority, under the duke, should be vested in the Governor, Council, and a legisla- ture elected by the people, according to the laws of England, which should convene, at least, triennially. It furthermore established the right of trial by jury of twelve, and interdicted the molestation or prosecution of any person for any difference of opinion or action concerning religious affairs, so long as they professed a faith in God by Jesus Christ, and did not actually disturb the peace. Other important changes in the organization of the province were also made. The ridings were abolished and rearranged into counties ; Breuckelen, Boswyck, Amersfoort, Flatbush, New Utrecht, and Gravesend being comprised in the new County of Kings, while Newtown was transferred to Queens County. In each of the twelve counties into which the province was divided, the Court of Sessions was to meet twice a year, and the Court of Oyer and Ter- miner annually. In each town, a Commissioners' Court was estab- lished, which was to be held on the first Wednesday in every month, for the hearing of small causes, and actions for debt and trespass, not exceeding 40s. Another change in the form of town government was the establishment of assessors and supervisors, the latter having supervision of public affairs and town expenses.
In pursuance of royal instructions, and with the view of definitely fixing the amount of quit-rent, to be paid to the government by each of the towns, in acknowledgment for their lands, Gov. Dongan, on
200
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
the 31st of March, 1684, issued an order to all the towns to bring in their patents and Indian deeds, for examination preparatory to the granting of new charters.1 Breuckelen, together with Boswyck, complied with this order on the 16th of April following,2 and desired some arrangement to be made concerning quit-rent. Owing, how- ever, to the difficulties attendant upon the settlement of a dispute which had previously arisen between the towns of Newtown, Bos- wyck, and Breuckelen, concerning their bounds,3 no immediate action could be taken in reference to the new patents and quit-rents of the three places. And it was not until May 3, 1686, that Breuck- elen received from Gov. Dongan the following Patent :
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