USA > New York > New York City > Dutch New York (early history of the Dutch in New York) > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
Amongst the other trees, the water-beeches grow very large along the brooks, heavier and larger than most of the trees of the country. When those trees begin to bud then the dark becomes a beautiful white, resembling the handsomest satin. This tree retains the leaves later than any other tree of the woods. Trees of this kind are con- sidered more ornamental and handsomer than the linden- trees for the purpose of planting near dwelling-houses.
The Indians have a yearly custom (which some of our Christians have also adopted) of burning the woods,. plains and meadows in the fall of the year, when the leaves have fallen, and when the grass and vegetable sub- stances are dry. Those places which are then passed over
I3
SETTLEMENT AND EARLY CONDITIONS
are fired in the spring in April. This practice is named by us and the Indians " bush burning," which is done for several reasons; first, to render hunting easier, as the bush and vegetable growth renders the walking difficult for the hunter, and the crackling of the dry substances betrays him and frightens away the game. Secondly to thin out and clear the woods of all dead substances and grass, which grow better the ensuing spring. Thirdly, to circumscribe and enclose the game within the lines of the fire, when it is more easily taken, and also, because the game is more easily tracked over the burned parts of the woods.
The bush burning presents a grand and sublime appear- ance. On seeing it from without, we would imagine that not only the dry leaves, vegetables and limbs would be burnt, but that the whole woods would be consumed where the fire passes, for it frequently spreads and rages with such violence that it is awful to behold; and when the fire approaches houses, gardens and wooden enclosures, then great care and vigilance are necessary for their preservation ; for I have seen several houses which have recently been destroyed before the owners were apprized of their danger.
Notwithstanding the apparent danger of the entire destruction of the woodlands by the burning, still the green trees do not suffer. The outside bark is scorched three or four feet high, which does them no injury for the trees are not killed. It, however, sometimes happens that in the thick pine woods, wherein the fallen trees lie across each other and have become dry that the blaze ascends and strikes the tops of the trees, setting the same on fire, which is immediately increased by the resinous knots and leaves which promote the blaze, and is passed by the wind from tree to tree, by which the entire tops of the trees are sometimes burnt off, while the bodies remain standing. Frequently great injuries are done by such fires, but the burning down of entire woods never happens. I have seen many instances of wood-burning in the col-
1
14
DUTCH NEW YORK
ony of Rensselaerwyck, where there is much pine wood. Those fires appear grand at night from the passing ves- sels in the river, when the woods are burning on both sides of the same. Then we can see a great distance by the light of the blazing trees, the flames being driven by the wind, and fed by the tops of the trees. But the dead and dying trees remain burning in their standing posi- tions, which appear sublime and beautiful when seen at a distance.
In 1650, the Secretary of the Province, Tienhoven, gives the following " Information relative to taking up land in New Netherland ":
Those who have no means to build farm-houses at first according to their wishes, dig a square pit in the ground, cellar fashion, six or seven feet deep, as long and as broad as they think proper, case the earth inside all round the wall with timber, which they line with the bark of trees or something else to prevent the caving in of the earth; floor this cellar with plank and wainscot it over- head for a ceiling, raise a roof of spars clear up, and cover the spars with bark or green sods, so that they can live dry and warm in these houses with their entire families for two, three and four years, it being under- stood that partitions are run through these cellars which are adapted to the size of the family.
After the houses are built in the above-described manner, or otherwise according to each person's means and fancy, gardens are made and planted in season with all sorts of pot-herbs, principally parsnips, carrots and cabbage, which bring great plenty into the husbandman's dwelling. The maize can serve as bread for men and food for cattle.
A good idea of a farm of the early period is shown in the inventory of the effects and goods at Achtervelt, upon Long Island, belonging to Andries Hudde and Wolfert Gerritsen, July 9, 1638. He had five cows,
15
SETTLEMENT AND EARLY CONDITIONS
three oxen, and a calf; five horses; a new wagon and appurtenances; a wheelplow and appurtenances, an iron harrow, and some farm tools; a house twenty-six feet long, twenty-two feet wide, and forty feet deep, with the roof covered above and all around with planks, two garrets, one above the other, and a small chamber on the side with an outlet on the side. The house, moreover, was surrounded by long round palisades. The barn was forty feet long, eighteen wide and twenty-four high, with the roof; a bergh (a sort of open shed with a roof to shelter hay or grain) with five posts, forty feet long ; about six morgens of land sown with summer and winter grain; a garden planted with a number of fruit trees; and a yawl with appurtenances.
The West India Company leased land on " advan- tageous terms," as we should say to-day, to the settlers, and stocked the farms with cattle, horses, etc., the rent usually being paid by a stipulated share of the crops and the increase of the cattle. The following early leases may be taken as examples.
Governor Kieft leased two lots near the Fort to Jan Damen in 1638,
the larger one of which has heretofore been cultivated by the negroes and is situate on the east side of the road, to the north of the said Jan Damens, south of the esplanade of the Fort and east of Philipp de Truy, and the smaller situate to the north of the Company's garden, extending from the road to the river. John Damen shall plant the land for six years, also be bound to convey twice all his manure on said land at his own cost, for which the Director shall receive as rent half the produce . . . said Director shall maintain and keep tight the fences now put up around it and furnish to Jan Damen two laborers, 14 days during the harvest to be paid by the Company and fed by Jan Damen ; likewise if the Company think proper
16
DUTCH NEW YORK
to plant a vineyard or gardens in the low place, the lessee shall be bound to allow it and have nothing to say.
When J. E. Bout in 1638 leased the Company's farm at Pavonia, he was to have the use of the house and lands for six years, keeping everything in good repair at his own expense. He was to " deliver yearly to Mr. Kieft or his successor one fourth part of the crop, whether of corn or other produce, with which God shall favor the soil, also every year two tuns of strong beer and twelve capons, free of expense."
In 1640, a farm was let for one hundred and fifty pounds of good, cured tobacco yearly. "The said Smith shall clear as much land as is neccessary for 2000 pallisades."
Wouter van Twiller leased the Company's Bouwery No. I on Manhattan Island from May, 1638, for three years " for the sum of 250 Carolus guilders to be paid yearly, to-gether with a sixth part of the produce with which God shall bless the field."
In May, 1639, Bouwery No. 5 on Manhattan Island was leased to Hendrick Harmensen for six years. He was to " cultivate the land with all diligence and indus- try and not attend exclusively to the increase of the cattle, but diligently till the ground, which is the Com- pany's principal object herein." For this he was to receive fifty guilders per annum for servant's wages; and the Company delivered to him five head of cattle and two mares for his use for six years. He was to pay thirty pounds of good butter yearly for every cow. " At the expiration of six years the Company's agent shall first take away the number of cattle in such con- dition as now delivered; and then the remaining cattle which will be procreated shall be divided half and half."
NOVUM AMSTERODAMUM
NEW AMSTERDAM ABOUT 1670
SETTLEMENT AND EARLY CONDITIONS 17
Bouwery No. 6 was let by Kieft with two mares, one stallion, three cows, one heifer, and one calf for twenty years to Abraham Pietersen, who was to pay yearly forty-five schepels of rye and ninety pounds of butter, and the increase of cattle was to be divided with the Company every four years.
In 1642, a tract of land was let for "the tenth part of the produce of the fields, whether cultivated with the plough, the hoe or otherwise (orchards and gardens not exceeding one acre Holland measure excepted)."
On June 24, 1638, an order was issued granting freemen patents for the lands they were cultivating, on condition that at the end of ten years they pay yearly the tenth part of all their crops, and also a couple of capons yearly for house and garden.
A lease of a somewhat unusual character, dated May 17, 1639, shows that Rev. Everardus Bogardus leased to
Richard Brudenell a tobacco house and plantation with a water dog, gun and powder at a certain rent payable in tobacco, and one third of all the game he shall kill, as long as the powder and ball last.
The woods were full of game. An old traveler remarks :
There are all sorts of fowls, both in the water and in the air. Swans, geese, ducks, bitterns abound. The men scarcely ever labour, except to provide some game, either fowl or other description, for cooking, and then they have provided everything. The women must attend to the remainder, tilling the soil, etc.
Wassenaer speaks of the innumerable waterfowl, - cranes, swans, bitterns, geese, ducks, widgeons, - and remarked that
2
18
DUTCH NEW YORK
birds fill also the woods so that men can scarcely go through them for the whistling, the noise and the chatter- ing. Whoever is not lazy can catch them with little diffi- culty. Turkey beans is a very common crop, pigeons fly wild, they are chased by the foxes like fowl. . . . 'T is surprising that storks have not been found there if it be a marshy country. Spoonbills, ravens, eagles, sparrow- hawks, vultures are numerous and are actually shot or knocked down by the natives.
John Miller, 1695, also speaks of
much wild fowl, as swans, geese, ducks, turkies, a kind of pheasants and partridges, pigeons, etc., and no less store of good venison, so that you may sometimes buy at your door a quarter for nine pence or a shilling.
There were marshes on Manhattan Island in which cattle occasionally got bogged. In November, 1643,
Claes van Elslant and Cosyn Gerritsen declare that they saw a herd of cattle which were driven into the swamp near Old John's plantation on the Manhattans, sink over their backs in the marsh.
Unoccupied land was used for common pasturage; and goats, sheep, hogs, and cattle needed protection against their natural enemies as well as against Indians and dishonest white men. In April, 1640, Claes Groen and Pieter Lieresen contracted to herd daily the goats of Philip de Truy and others in the woods on Man- hattan Island at one guilder a year for each goat. In 1648, it was ordered that goats beyond the Fresh Water be attended by a herdsman, or be forfeited to the Fiscal. In 1644, it was resolved to make a clearing extending " from the Great Bouwery to Emanuel's plantation "; and that all who wished to pasture their cattle within this clearing, to save them from the Indians, should
SETTLEMENT AND EARLY CONDITIONS 19
appear on the following Monday to build a fence around the same.
In 1660, Gabriel Carpsey demands 6.15 florins and one pound of butter for taking care of a cow. De- fendant's son appears and says that Carpsey let the cow stray in the bush, and he and his brother-in-law, Dirck Siecken, were two days in search of her. Plaintiff says that defendant did not deliver his cow, like others, on the blowing of the horn to be led to pasture. The court gave judgment for the cowherd.
On March 10, 1648,
Goats beyond the Fresh Water shall not be pastured without a Herdsman and Keeper, on pain of having the Goats found at large on this side of the Fresh Water, or without a Herdsman or Keeper beyond it, taken up by the Fiscal and declared forfeit.
In 1673, on account of " the great ravages committed by wolves on the small cattle, therefore whoever shall produce a wolf that has been shot on this Island on this side of Haarlem shall be promptly paid therefor. For a wolf fl. 20 and for a she-wolf, fl. 30, seawant or the value thereof, which Under Schout and Schepens shall by their Messenger levy off those who keep cattle, great or small, within their district."
Again, on Aug. 1, 1685, was published a " licence to the inhabitants of the island of Manhattan to hunt and destroy wolves thereon, on Thursday next."
Dogs were also a danger to live-stock. In the records we find more than one lawsuit over sheep-biting. On April 9, 1642, Peter van der Linde, Barent Dircksen, and Tennis Cray complain against Nicholaes Sloper's dog, which roves the woods and kills their goats. Dogs were highly valued, doubtless because of their fetching and carrying qualities. For some reason not specified,
20
DUTCH NEW YORK
Dirck Cornelissen, in his hasty wrath, enables posterity to compute the worth of a hound in 1638. He was condemned to pay twenty-five guilders for the dog he killed, also a fine of twenty-five guilders and costs. How the animal met its fate we are not informed, - not by stoning, however, in all probability, for a New Amsterdam dog was able to dodge missiles, as is attested by the following moving entry dated Nov. 22, 1644:
Gerrit Hendricksen, a lad, throwing a piece of an earthen pot at a dog, accidentally struck Jacob Melyn in the eye.
From two other entries we gather that butter was an emollient for dog-bites; that a dog might chew on a stranger during the hours of darkness, but not in the daytime; and that it was just as well to be a general's dog in case of trouble.
In 1653, Roelof Jansen complained that Philip Ge- raerdy's dog had bitten him " in the daytime, as may be seen by the wound and he claims for loss of time and surgeon's fees 12 fl. Defendant says plaintiff may kill said dog, and that plaintiff has not lost any time or work on that account; he has already sent plaintiff by his wife 4 lbs. of butter, and is still willing to give him as a charity 4 fl. more." The case was dismissed. In 1665, Thomas Francen said that John Cocx's dog bit his horse standing under the cart and demanded satis- faction. Defendant replied that it was not his, but the General's dog. The Mayor therefore undertook to speak to the General on the subject.
Another case involving the misdemeanor of a dog was that of Marretie Pietersen, plaintiff, versus Jacob Eldertsen, defendant.
The plaintiff complains that defendant shot her dog; requests indemnification for the same to the amount of
2I
SETTLEMENT AND EARLY CONDITIONS
fl. 16 as it was a good water dog. Defendant acknowl- edges having shot the dog, for the dog attempted to attack him in the street; and in catching a stone to drive him away, he bit him in the finger, so that he was obliged to have it dressed by the surgeon. Maintains therefore that he is not liable to pay a stiver for it.
The plaintiff denied that the dog bit the defendant and the court deferred judgment.
The householders of New Amsterdam gave their municipal authorities great trouble by neglecting prop- erly to fence their own grounds and prevent their cattle and other animals from straying into their neigh- bors' fields, gardens, and orchards, - neighbors, of course, whose fences must also have been out of repair. Goats and pigs were the worst offenders, and were often the cause of serious quarrels in the community. Many actions for trespass and even cases of battery and as- sault occasioned by stray animals appear in the Court Records. For example, on Oct. 5, 1654:
Wolfert Webber was summoned to Court by the Wor- shipful Magistrates on the complaint of some Neighbours in consequence of damages he inflicted attacking with dogs and beating certain pigs which went on his land. Wolfert Webber demands the name of Complainant. William Beekman states it to be on the complaint handed to him of Mde. Verleth and Stillen's wife, because their hogs were unwarrantably attacked and injured by Webber and his dogs, so that he considered it proper to acquaint the Court. Webber said he was so annoyed by the hogs on his land, whereby all his seed was destroyed that he divers times drove them home, but not being able to keep them off he hunted them with dogs, but he did not injure them in the least; on the contrary, he was at various times insulted and threatened with a beating by Mde. Verleth. The Worshipful Court admonished Webber to
22
DUTCH NEW YORK
keep himself clear of complaint, and to institute his action should he suffer wrong.
Peace, however, was not patched up, for on June 28, 1655,
Wolfert Webber plaintiff v/s Judith Verleth appeared in Court, complaining of violence force and abuse com- mitted against him by defendant and her sister, Sarah, last week in his house; striking him in his own house and flinging stones at him; requesting that said defendant be ordered to let him remain in peace in his own house.
Judith Verleth denied that she
ever gave plaintiff any trouble; complains that he berated her for a whore and strumpet, and threatened in his own house to strike her with the whip, as he daily does his wife; that he assaulted her, bruising and dragging her arm, and kicked her sister so that her hip is blue. Parties were ordered to prove their complaints and statements on both sides by the next Court day, and further to leave each other unmolested. Webber was fined 12 stivers on account of fulminating lies, etc., in presence of the Court.
In 1647,
All inhabitants of New Netherland are commanded well to fence their lands, that the cattle may not do any dam- age. The cattle, be it horses or cows or especially goats and pigs must be taken care of or otherwise disposed of, that they can do no damage, for which purpose Fiscal van Dyck shall build a pound and keep the animals until the damage is repaired and the fine paid.
On Jan. 16, 1657, an ordinance was issued permitting firewood and other timber to be cut gratis on uninclosed lots.
23
SETTLEMENT AND EARLY CONDITIONS
Pigs were incorrigible in New Amsterdam, notwith- standing frequent official fulminations. They did not even respect the sacred ground of the Fort, and seemed to care no more for the autocratic Director Stuyvesant than they had for his predecessors, judging from several ordinances covering his entire administration. In 1650, on account of the damage done to the walls of this decayed fortress, fines were imposed on those who allowed their pigs, goats, sheep, or cattle to stray on the walls. On July II, 1654, an ordinance was pub- lished for impounding sheep and goats found injuring the fortifications.
Pigs and goats were not the sole offenders. Boys were as mischievous and destructive then as now, and often a cause of trouble to their parents. A court case of 1656 exemplifies this.
Jan Vinje exhibits the decision of the arbitrators, com- missioned by the Court, on the damage committed by the defendant's son and schoolmates among his peas, request- ing that defendant be condemned to pay the same accord- ing to valuation; and since his hens and pigs still daily run among his corn that he be ordered to keep the same out, or that the plaintiff be authorized to kill them. De- fendant maintains that he is not bound to make good any of the damage claimed by plaintiff, since the children have not taken or injured anything to the value of a pea's-pod, and his son has already been beaten therefor by plaintiff, so that he came home black and blue, and has been pun- ished, saying that many other children when they came out of school were in there. Plaintiff being heard there- upon acknowledges to have struck defendant's son at the time: he could not catch any other but him. Both being heard, the Court decides, since defendant acknowledges to have beaten and punished defendant's son, that he has destroyed his right. Therefore, his demand is dismissed in this instance; and the Court further orders that de-
1
24
DUTCH NEW YORK
fendant shall keep his hens and pigs out of the corn, or otherwise disposition shall be made therein.
New Amsterdam was laid out in streets and lots, and the Company made great efforts to induce the colonists to take up the land and build good houses. Great dif- ficulty was met, however, in fostering agriculture, and even dairy-farming was neglected for trade, - partic- ularly illicit trade with the Indians, and smuggling. The authorities were greatly disturbed over the neglect in improving the city; and, when Stuyvesant took charge, he found he had a hard task in enforcing the old laws and that new measures were necessary. Conse- quently, in 1647 the following ordinance was issued :
Whereas we see and remark by experience the irregu- larity heretofore and still daily observed in building and erecting of Houses; in extending of Lots far beyond the survey line; in setting up Hog pens and Privies on the highways and streets ; in neglecting and omitting duly to build on granted and conceded lots; we have resolved to appoint three Street Surveyors (Roymeesters) to con- demn and stop all irregular and unsightly buildings, fences, palisades, posts, Rails, etc. Therefore we Order and warn all and every of our Subjects, who from now henceforth are inclined to build on, or inclose any Gardens or Lots within or near the City New Amsterdam, not to proceed in the erection or construction thereof without the previous knowledge of speaking to and survey by the aforesaid appointed Street Surveyors, under a fine of 25 Carolus guilders and the abatement of what they have built or set up. In like manner, we will have all and every who have heretofore received any lots, warned and notified to build within Nine months from this date, regu- lar, good and decent houses on their lots, according to law, or in default thereof, such unimproved Lots shall be for- feit to the Patroon or Lord Proprietor, or shall be con- veyed to whomsoever he pleases.
t
From old prints
OLD HOPPER HOUSE Second Avenue and 83d Street, New York KIP HOUSE Kip's Bay, New York OLD STONE HOUSE 152d Street, Kingsbridge Road, New York
25
SETTLEMENT AND EARLY CONDITIONS
The Dutch have always been famed for extreme cleanliness, but this applied only to the interior of their dwellings. More than one ordinance proves that the streets were quagmires of filth, and worse. As an example, we may quote from that of 1657:
Many burghers and inhabitants throw their rubbish, filth, dead animals and such like things into the public streets to the great inconvenience of the community and dangers arising from it. Therefore the Burgomasters and Schepens ordain and direct that henceforth no one shall be allowed to throw into the streets or into the graft any rubbish, filth, ashes, oyster-shells, dead animal or any- thing like it, but they shall bring all such things to the to them most convenient of the following places, to wit the Strand, near the City Hall, near the gallows near Hen- drick the baker, near Daniel Litsco, where tokens to that effect shall be displayed, but not on public streets under a penalty of 3 fl. for the first offence, 6 fl. for the second and arbitrary punishment for the third.
It was also ordered that every one should keep his house or lot cleaned.
Sometimes people maliciously annoyed their neigh- bors by breaking these laws. In 1671,
Martin Simson and Richard Watts having been acces- sory to the disturbance of the peace in throwing of dirt before the doors of several of the inhabitants of this city came this day before the Court, acknowledged their fault and that they were sorry for it, whereupon the court did pardon them the said fault.
On Aug. 19, 1658, it was enacted :
As the roads and streets of this City are by the constant rooting of the hogs made unfit for driving over in wagons and carts, the Burgomasters and Schepens direct and order, that every owner of hogs in or about the City
26
DUTCH NEW YORK
shall put a ring through the noses of their hogs to pre- vent them from rooting within 8 days under a penalty of 2 fl. for each time.
In 1644, Officer Peter Tonneman wishes to
know, whereas some dead hogs lie here and there on the street, where he shall have them conveyed and by whom, to prevent the stench, which proceeds therefrom.
He was notified to send the City's negroes, whom he shall order to collect and bury the same.
CHAPTER II
ORCHARDS AND GARDENS - HOUSES AND STREETS
T the time that the West India Company was sending its first ships across the Atlantic, the Dutch had already attained distinction in the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Not only did they produce splendid examples of familiar favor- ites, but their ships constantly brought home exotics of all kinds. The Orient supplied many rare seeds, roots, bulbs, and spices; and from the Western Hemi- sphere also came such novelties as the pineapple, sweet potato, maize, and many plants useful for the table or for medicine.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.