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 20
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 20
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 20
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"L. S. THOMAS DONGAN, Lieutenant Governor and Vice Admiral of New York, and its dependencies under his Majesty James the Second, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c .- Supreme lord and proprietor of the Colony and province of New York and its dependencies in America, &c. To all to whom this shall come sendeth greeting, whereas the Honorable Richard Nicolls, Esq., formerly Governor of this province, did by his certain writing or patent under his hand and seal, bearing date the 18th day of October, Annoque Domini, one thousand six hundred and sixty seven, ratifie, confirm and grant unto Jan Everts, Jan Damen, Albert Cornelissen, Paulus Verbeeck, Michael Enyle (Hainelle), Thomas Lamberts, Teunis Gysberts Bogart, and Joris Jacobsen, as patentees for and on behalf of themselves and their asso- ciates, the freeholders and inhabitants of the town of Breucklen, their heirs, successors and assigns forever, a certain tract of land, together with the several parcels of land which then were or thereafter should be purchased or procured for and on behalf of the said town, whether from the native Indian proprietors, or others within the bounds and limitts therein sett forth and expressed, that is to say, the said town is bounded westward on the further side of the land of Mr. Paulus Verbeeck, from whence stretch- ing southeast they go over the hills and so eastward along by the said hills to a southeast point, which takes in all the lotts behind the swamp, from which said lotts they run northwest to the River, and extend to the farm on the other side of the hills heretofore belonging to Hans Hansen,
1 Council Minutes, v. 63.
2 Ibid., v. 71.
3 N. Y. Col. MSS., xxxiii. 68, 233, xxxiv. 15, xxxV. 146, 152. For account of this dis- pute, see Riker's excellent history of Newtown.
201
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
over against Keak or Look-out, including within the said bounds and lim- itts all the lots and plantations, lying and being at the Gouwanes, Bedford, Wallabocht and the ferry, all which said parcels and tract of land and premises within the bounds and limitts aforementioned described, and all or any plantation or plantations thereupon, from henceforth are to be, appertain and belong to the said town of Breucklyn, Together with all harbor, havens, creeks, quarries, woodland, meadow ground, reed land or valley of all sorts, pastures, marshes, waters, rivers, lakes, fishing, hawking, hunting, fowling and all other profits, commodities, emoluments, and heredi- taments to the said lands and premises within the bounds and limitts set forth, belonging, or in any wise appertaining, and with all to have freedom of commonage for range and feed of cattle and horses, into the woods 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 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 was laid out aforesaid, and divided by their mutual consent and order of the Gov- ernor. To have and to hold unto them the said patentees and their asso- ciates, their heirs, successors and assigns forever, as by the said patent reference being thereunto had, doth fully and at large appear. And further, in and by the said patent, the said Governor Richard Nicolls, Esq., did erect the said tract of land into a township by the name of Breucklen afore- said, by that name and style to be distinguished and known in all bargains, sales, deeds, records and writings whatsoever; and whereas the present inhabitants and freeholders of the town of Breucklen aforesaid, have made their application to me for a confirmation of the aforesaid tract of land and premises in their quiet and peaceable possession and enjoyment of the afore- said land and premises. Now Know Ye, That I, the said Thomas Dongan, by virtue of the commission and authority derived unto me, and power in me residing, have granted, ratified and confirmed, and by these presents do grant, ratifie and confirm, unto Teunis Gysberts (Bogart), Thomas Lamberts, Peter Jansen, Jacobus Vander Water, Jan Dame(n), Joris Ja- cobs, Jeronimus Rapalle, Daniel Rapalle, Jan Jansen, Adrian Bennet, and Michael Hanse (Bergen), for and on the behalf of themselves and the rest of the present freeholders and inhabitants of the said town of Breucklen, their heirs and assigns forever, all and singular the afore-recited tract and parcels of land set forth, limited and bounded as aforesaid; together with all and singular, the houses, messuages, tenements, fencings, buildings, gardens, orchards, trees, woods, underwoods, pastures, feedings, common
202
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
of pasture, meadows, marshes, lakes, ponds, creeks, harbors, rivers, rivu- lets, brooks, streams, highways and easements 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 Tunis Gysberts (Bogart), Thomas Lamberts, Peter Jansen, Jacobus Vander Water, Joris Jacobs, Jeronimus Rappalle, Daniel Rap- palle, Jan Jansen, Adrian Bennet and Michael Hanse (Bergen), 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 forever, as tenants in common without any let, hindrance, molestation, right o; survivorship or otherwise, to be holden in free and common socage accord- ing to the tenure of East Greenwich, in the County of Kent, in his Maj- esty's kingdom of England. Yielding, rendering and paying therefor yearly and every year, on the five and twentyeth day of March, forever, in lieu of all services and demands, whatsoever, as a quit rent to his most sacred Majesty aforesaid, the 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."
On the 13th of the ensuing October, Messrs. Jacobus Vande Water, Jeronimus Rapallie, and Teunis Gysbertse Bogart, deputies from the town of Breucklen, appeared before the Governor, and formally agreed, on behalf of the town, to the annual payment of the quit-rent above mentioned.1
1 This quit-rent has been regularly paid to the 25th day of March, 1775, as will appear from the following copies of the collector's receipts, viz. :
"June 8, 1713. Paid to Benjamin Van de Water, Treasurer, the sum of £96 78. 1d., for upwards of 16 years' quit-rent.
"Received of Charles De Bevoice, collector for Brooklyn, twenty bushels of wheat, in full for one year's quit of the said township, due the 25th of March last, New York, 6th of April, 1775.
JOHN MOORE, D. R. Gen."
After the independence of the State of New York, the payment of quit-rent was revived, and on the 9th day of Nov., 1786, the arrears of quit-rent were paid up, and all future quit-rents were commuted for, as will appear from the following copy of the Treasurer's receipt, viz. :
203
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
The oath of allegiance was this year taken by the following inhab- itants of Breucklyn :
Thomas Lambertse, 36 years 1 Jooris Hanssen, native
Hendrick Vechten, 27 years Claes Arense Vechten, 27 years Jan Aertsen (Middag), 26 years Hendrick Claasen, 33 years Jacob Hanssen Bergen, native Jooris Martens, native Hendrick Thyssen, 21 years Mauritius Couverts, native Willem Huijcken, 24 years
Theunis Tobiassen, native Pieter Corsen, native Theunis Janse Couverts, 36 years Aert Simonssen, native Adam Brouwer, Junior, native Alexander Shaers, native Willem Pos, native Jan gerrise Dorland, 35 years Johannis Casperse, 35 years Claes Barentse Blom, native Pieter Brouwer, native
Theunis Gysbertse Bogaert, 35 years Abram Brouwer, native Willem Bennitt, native Hendrick Lambertse, native Jan Fredricks, 35 years Jan Couverts, native Luijcas Couverts, 24 years Frans Abramse, native Gerrit Aerts Middag, native Simon Aertsen, 23 years Matthys Cornelisen, 24 years Ephraim Hendricks, 33 years Claes Thomas Van Dyck, native Jeronimus d'Rapale, native Jeronimus Remsen, native Casper Janssen, native Jan Bennit, native Barent Sleght, native Jacobus Vande Water, 29 years Benjamin Vande Water, native Pieter Weijnants, native Joost Franssen, 33 years Hendrick Aaten, native Jan Janse Staats, native Claes Simons, native Anthonij Souso, 5 years Joost Casperse, 35 years Thijs Lubberse, 50 years Paulus Dirckse, 36 years Adam Brouwer, 45 years Josias Dreths, 26 years Pieter Van Nesten, 40 years
Achias Janse Vandijck, 36 years Jacob Joorissen, native Jacobus d'Beauvois, 28 years
Jan Theunisen, native
" Received Nov. 9th, 1786, from Messrs. Fernandus Suydam and Charles C. Doughty, two of the Trustees of the township of Brookland, public securities, which, with the interest allowed thereon, amount to one hundred and five pounds ten shillings, in full for the arrears of quit-rent, and commutation for the future quit-rent, that would have arisen on the patent granted to the town of Brookland, the 13th day of May, 1686. " GERARD BANCKER, Treas'r."
' In this, as in the case of all those who emigrated to this country from Europe, the number of years of their residence here is appended to their name.
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HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
Harmen Joorissen, native
Jacob Willemse Bennit, native Jacob Brouwer, native Bourgon Broulaet, 12 years
Gijsbert Boomgaert, native
Volkert Vanderbraats, native
Jan Damen, 37 years
Jan Buijs, 39 years
Cornelis Subrink (Sebring), native
Gerrit Dorlant, native
Hendrick Sleght, 35 years Abram Remsen, native
Adriaen Bennet, native
Thomas Verdon, native
Machiel Hanssen, native
Pieter Janse Staats, native1
1687. The Clerk's office of Kings County was kept in this town, by the Deputy Register, Jacob Vandewater, who saw also a Notary Public here at the same period. The Register, Samuel Bayard, Esq., resided in the city of New York.
The popular hopes which had been excited by the appointment of the Colonial Assembly, proved delusive, for after its third annual session, it was prohibited by the Duke of York, who, under the title of James II., had succeeded to the throne of England, and had begun to disclose his true character, and his intention to establish an arbitrary and Catholic government over the Protestant province of New York. The gloomy apprehensions of the people, however, were suddenly relieved, in 1689, by the news of his abdication, and the succession of their Protestant majesties, William and Mary, to the throne ; and the citizens of New York, suspicious of the hireling officials of the late king, suddenly deposed them, and intrusted the government of the colony to Capt. Jacob Leisler, who held it in the name of the new sovereigns. Beginning, however, with the best intentions, Leisler was finally swept into the assumption of extreme power, whereby he incurred enmity which finally brought him to the scaffold on an unmerited charge of high treason. The adminis- tration of his successor, Gov. Henry Sloughter, which commenced in March, 1691, was distinguished by the reconstruction of the pro- vincial government, upon a basis which remained intact and unin- terrupted to the close of the American Revolution. Among other
1 " The Roll off those who have Taken the oath off Allegiance in the Kings County in the Province off New Yorke the 26th 27; 28; 29 and 30th day off September In the Third Yeare off his Maytsh Raigne Annoque Domine 1687."-MSS. in Sec'y of State's office. See Doc. Hist. N. Y., i. p. 659.
Dirck Janse Woertman, 40 years
Daniel D'Rapale, native
205
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
changes, courts of common pleas and general pleas were organized in every county ; the form of municipal or town government was revised, and assumed more nearly its present form; the commis- sioners' court was replaced by the assumption of its duties by the justices ; the number of supervisors in each town was reduced to one ; and three surveyors of highways were added to the town officers.
May 6th, 1691, an act was passed by the General Assembly, con- firming to all the towns of the colony their respective grants and patents, by which law both of the patents of Brooklyn were con- firmed.
Governor Sloughter died suddenly in July, 1691, and was suc- ceeded by Col. Benjamin Fletcher, who arrived August 30, 1692, and whose avaricious and arbitrary character very soon rendered him quite unpopular with the people.
At a Court of Sessions, held at Flatbush, November 8, 1692, the following regulation was promulgated :
" The Courte doe order that there be a good pare of stocks and a good pound made in every town within Kings County, and to be always kept in sufficient repairs, and that there be warrants issued to the Constables of every towne to see the order of the Court performed, as they will answer the contrary at their perill."
The retailing of liquors within the county was also forbidden, excepting under a license from the Justices of the County.1
April 10th, 1693, the name of Long Island was changed to the " Island of Nassau," which alteration was neither popular nor gen- erally adopted, and gradually became obsolete by disuse, although the act, it is believed, was never explicitly repealed.
The town of Breuckelen having acquired a large amount of com- mon land, by the purchase from the Indians in 1670, the inhabitants thought best to adopt some measures for its proper division, together with their other common lands. Accordingly,
"at a Town meeting held the 25th day of February, 1692-3, att Breuck-
1 Ct. Sess. Rec., Old Road Book.
.
206
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
lyn, in Kings County. Then Resolved to divide their common land and woods into three parts, in manner following to wit:
" 1. All the lands and woods after Bedford and Cripplebush, over the hills to the path of New lotts shall belong to the inhabitants and free- holders of the Gowanis, beginning from Jacob Brewer and soe to the utter- most bounds of the limits of New-Utrecht.
" 2. And all the lands and woods that lyes betwixt the abovesaid path and the highway from the ferry toward Flattbush, shall belong to the free- holders and inhabitants of Bedford and Cripplebush.
"3. And all the lands that lyes in common after the Gowanis, betwixt the limits and bounds of Flatbush and New Utrecht shall belong to the freeholders and inhabitants of Brooklyn, fred. neck (Frederick Lubbert- sen's Neck, ante, pp. 63, 66) the ferry and the Wallabout."
This proceeding of the town was duly approved of by the Court of Sessions, held at Flatbush, on the 10th of May, 1693.1
There was, during this year, considerable commotion and disturb- ance among the Dutch towns of the county (more especially, however, in Bushwick), arising from some political causes not now fully under- stood." At a meeting of the Kings Co. Justices, Oct. 11, 1693, "John Bibout, off Broockland, in the county afforesayde, weeaver, being committed bye the said justices to the common jail off Kings County ffor divers scandalous and abusive wordes spoken bye the sayde John against theire majesties justices of the peace for the county aforesaid, to the contempt of their majesties authority and breache off the peace ; the sayd John havinge now humbly submitted himselfe and craves pardon and mercy off the sayd justices ffor his missdemeanor, is discharged, payinge the officers ffees, and being on his good behavour till next cort of sessions, in November next ensuing . the dayte thereoff."' During the same month, one Hendrick Claes Vechte, of this town, was also imprisoned by order of the justices, on a charge "of raising of dissension, strife and mutiny, among their
1 See Appendix 8.
2 These difficulties, so far as we can learn, seem to have been caused by the very arbitrary measures resorted to by the county justices, in order to support their author- ity. The arrest and confinement of individuals on the charge (often frivolous) of hav- ing uttered words against them and subversive of the government, were matters of frequent occurrence, tending to betray the people into the commission of excesses al " outbreaks of exasperation and defiance. 8 Old Road Book, p. 19.
207
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
majesties subjects." Subsequently, upon his confession of error, he was released, on payment of a smart fine.1
The following year, 1694, was also characterized by a continuance of the same troubles between the people and their rulers, as we have mentioned in the previous year; and Volkert Brier, Constable of Brookland, was fined £5 and costs of court, amounting to £1, "for tearing and burning an execution directed to him as constable," by Justice Hegeman. He afterwards petitioned the Governor for a remission of his fine, in words as follows :
" To HIS EXCELLENCY,-The humble peticon of Volkert Brier, inhabitant of the towne of Broockland, on the Island of Nassau.
" May it please your Excellency your peticoner being fined five pounds last Court of Sessions, in Kings County for tearing an execucon directed to him as Constable, Your peticoner being ignorant of the crime, and not thinking it was of force when he was out of his office, or that he should have made returne of it as the lawe directs, he being an illiterate man could not read said execucon nor understand any thing of lawe : humbly prays y" Excellency yt you would be pleased to remit said fine of five pounds, y" peticoner being a poor man and not capacitated to pay said fine without great damage to himself and family. And for y' Excellency y" peticoner will ever pray, &c."?
" At a Court of Sessions ffor Kings County, November 12, 1695. Or- dered that the Constable of every towne within Kings County shall every Sunday or Sabbath daye tayke lawe ffor the apprehendinge off all Sabbath breakers, and that they or their deputyes goe with their staves each Sab- bath daye in and about theire respective towns during their time of servi- tude as Constable, and searche all ale-houses, taverns and other suspected places ffor all prophaners and breakers off the Sabbath day, & then to apprehend and bring them before any one of his Majesties Justices of the County aforesaid, too bee punished accordinge to lawe.
"Ordered that ffor every neglect or default, the constable shall pay a ffine of six shillings.
-
"Ordered that Mad James bee kept by Kings County in general, and that the deacons off each towne within the sayde county doe fforthwith meete together and consider about their proporcons ffor maintenance of sayd James."
1 Ct. Sessions Rec., Old Road Book, p. 14.
: Ibid., pp. 25, 26.
208
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
All the king's highways in the county were likewise to be con- tinued and confirmed, as they had been for twenty years past, and were to be laid out four rods wide, at least.1
Another emeute of the disaffected people of Kings County oc- curred about 8 o'clock in the evening of the 14th of September, 1697 (or 6?), when John Rapalje, Isaac Remsen, Jooris Vannesten, Joras Danielse Rapalje, Jacob Reyerse, Aert Aertsen, Theunis Bujs, Garret Cowenhoven, Gabriel Sprong, Urian Andriese, John Wil- lemse Bennett, Jacob Bennett and John Meserole, jr .- most of whom will be recognized as inhabitants of Breuckelen and Boswyck -" met, armed, at the courthouse of Kings, where they destroyed and defaced the king's arms which were hanging up there."?
November 11, 1697, negroes were forbidden to be brought over from New York on the Sabbath, without tickets or passes. Similar legislation was made in the succeeding years, negroes being forbid- den to "run about on the Sabbath," or to purchase liquors. It was further "ordered that no people shall pass on the Sabbath day, unless it be to or from church, or other urgent and lawful occasions, according to act of assembly, upon penalty aforesaid of fine and imprisonment." 3
" At a towne meeting held this twentieth day of Aprill, 1697, at Bedford, within the jurisdiction of Broockland, in Kings County, upon the Island of Nassau, Resolved by all the ffreeholders of the towne of Broockland afore- said, that all their common land not yet laid out and divided, belonging to their whole patent, shall be equally divided and laid out to each ffreeholder of said towne, his just proporcon in all the common lands abovesaid, except those that have but an house and home lott, which are only to have but half share of the lands aforesaid. And for the laying out of the said lands there are chosen and appointed by the ffreeholders abovesaid, Capt. Henry Ffilkin, Jacobus Vanderwater, Daniel Rapalle, Joris Hansen, John Dorlant and Cor- nelius Vanduyne. It is further ordered that noe men within this township abovesaid, shall have priviledge to sell his part of the undivided lands of Broockland not yet laid out, to any person living without the township
1 Rec. Ct. Sess., Old Road Book.
2 Ct. Sess. Rec., Old Road Book, 38-contains the original depositions of Justices Hegeman, Filkin, and Stillwell.
3 Ct. Sess. Rec., Old Road Book.
209
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
abovesaid. It is likewise ordered, consented to, and agreed by the towne meeting aforesaid, That Capt. Henry Ffilkin shall have a full share with any or all the ffreeholders aforesaid, in all the common land or woods in the whole patent of the towne of Breuckland aforesaid, besides a half share for his home lott; To have and to hold to him, his heirs and assigns forever. It is likewise ordered, that noe person whatsoever within the common woods of the jurisdiction of Broockland aforesaid, shall cutt or fall any oake or chesnut saplings for firewood during the space of four years from the date hereof upon any of the said common lands or woods within the jurisdicon of Broockland patent, upon the penalty of six shillings in money for every waggon load of saplings abovesaid soe cutt, besides the forfeiture of the wood or timber soe cutt as abovesaid, the one-half thereof to the informer, and the other half for the use of the poor of the towne of Broockland afore- said.
" By order of the towne meeting aforesaid. " and JUSTICE HENRY FFILKIN. " JACOBUS VANDEWATER, Towne Clerk." 1
The following record is curious, as illustrative of the ancient practice of tradesmen cutting down timber in the public woods, and of the regulations adopted respecting the same :
" Att a meeting held this 29th day off Aprill (1699), in Breucklyn, Pres- ent, Benjamin Vande Water, Joris Hanssen (Bergen), Jan Gerritse Dor- lant, being choisen townsmen in the presence and with the advice off the Justices of this towne. Considering the greate inconvenience, lose and in- terest that the inhabitants off this towne have by reason that the trades- men here living in this towne doe ffall and cutt the best trees and sully the best of our woods, and sell the worke thereoff made, the most part to others living withoute the towne, and that the shoemakers and others doe cutt and fall all the best treese ffor the barke, and the wood lyes and rott, and that some persons doe cutt and ffall trees for timber and ffensing stuff, and leave the trees in the woods soe cutt until they are spoilt, and that people off other towns come and cutt and ffall trees for timber, ffensing stuff, and ffire woods, and transport the same away out off our townes, bounds and limitts, and that without leave or consent off the towne, soe that in the time off ffew yeares there shall bee no woods leaved ffor the in- habitants ffor timber or ffensing stuff, to the ruine off the said towne. It
1 Furman's Notes, p. 116.
14
210
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
is thereffore ordered, That ffrom the date hereoff no tradesman shall make any worke ffor to sell to others without thee towne, ffrom wood soe cutt as afforesaid as only ffrom old wood.
"That no shoemaker or others shall cutt or ffall any trees ffor to barke in the common woods uppon the penaltie off ffive pounds ffor every tree soe cutt.
"That no men shall leave any timber, ffensing stuffe, or other wood in the woods longer as six weeks affter itt is cutt, uppon the penaltie, that itt shall be ffree ffor others to take and carry the same away as theire owne wood. And that iff any one off other townes shall be ffounden within our townes limitts to cutt or carry away any sorts off woods ffor timber, ffensing stuff or ffire wood, that itt shall bee ffree ffor any one off this towne to take it away and to take out writ to arrest, or to apprehend such offender or offenders presently, and that the Justices off this towne shall answer the action as iff itt were done by theire owneselves." '
These proceedings were also recorded, by order of the Court of Sessions.
Further action was had in the matter of the common lands, during the year 1701, as appears by the following record ;
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