Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume I, Part 16

Author: New York (State). State Historian. cn; Hastings, Hugh, 1856-1916. cn; Corwin, Edward Tanjore, 1834-1914, ed. cn; Holden, James Austin, 1861-
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Albany, J. B. Lyon, state printer
Number of Pages: 812


USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume I > Part 16


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CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Acts of the Deputies. John Cornelisz Backer. 43, 45, 52, 58.


1642, July 21st.


Whereas John Cornelisz Backer has earnestly requested cer- tain of the Brethren, Deputies ad Causas, that his case should be pushed with all seriousness with the Messrs. Directors of the West India Company, that he may sail as minister to Curacoa at the earliest opportunity, as was promised him by the Classis: therefore it was resolved, that to-morrow the Messrs. Directors shall be addressed about this matter, in order to advance it as much as possible. xx. 78.


ARRIVAL OF MEGAPOLENSIS.


The Rev. Johannes Megapolensis, " the pious and well-learned minister of the congregation of Schoorel and Berge," under the Classis of Alkmaer, was duly called to disseminate the light of the gospel among the Christians and heathen in the colonie, and regularly commissioned " to preach God's Word there; to administer the holy sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper; to set an example, in a Christian-like manner, by public precept; to ordain elders and deacons; to keep and govern, by and with the advice and assistance of the same, God's congregation in good discipline and order, all according to God's Holy Word, and in conformity


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with the government, confession, and catechism of the Netherland churches, and the synodal acts of Dordrecht."*


The allowance guaranteed to this clergyman was free passage on board for him- self, his wife and four children, who accompanied him to New Netherland; an outfit of three hundred guilders, or one hundred and twenty dollars, and an annual stipend, for the first three years, of eleven hundred gullders, (four hundred and forty dollars,) thirty schiepels of wheat and two firkins of butter, or in place thereof, should he prefer it, sixty guilders in cash. This salary was to be further Increased by an addition of two hundred guilders a year, for the second term of three years, if the Patroon were satisfied with his services. A pension of one hun- dred guilders per annum was secured to his wife, in case of his demise within the above term, for and during whatever time might remain unexpired of his engage. ment.


These preliminaries having been thus arranged, an obstacle was unexpectedly thrown in the way of Mr. Megapolensis' departure by the Directors of the West India Company, who claimed the exclusive right to approve of his appointment. To this, however, the feudal lord of Rensselaerswyck demurred; and it was not until after a lapse of several months that a compromise was agreed to, the Directors approving of the appointment under protest on the part of Mr. Van Rensselaer, saving his right as Patroon.


The Rev. Mr. Megapolensis and family embarked, together with Abraham Staes, surgeon, Evert Pels, a brewer, and a number of other freemen, farmers, and farm- servants, shortly after this, in the ship the Houttuyn, or Woodyard, which was freighted with a quantity of goods for the Colonie - between two and three hun dred bushels of malt for Mr .. Pels - four thousand tiles, and thirty thousand stone for building - besides some vines and madder, the cultivation of which the Patroon was desirous of introducing among his people. On the arrival of Mr. Megapolensis at Rensselaerwyck, a contract was concluded for the erection of a dwelling for himself and family, but the contractor having failed in fulfilling his agreement, a house belonging to Maryn Adriaensen, constructed entirely of oak, was subsequently purchased for his use, for the sum of three hundred guilders, or one hundred and twenty dollars.


A church, thirty-four feet long, and nineteen feet wide - the first in this quarter - was erected in the course of the following year. Though humble in its dimen- sions, when compared with modern edifices of a similar sacred character, it was considered, at this time, sufficiently ample for the accommodation of the faithful, " for the next three or four years, after which it might be converted into a school- house, or a dwelling for the sexton." A pulpit, ornamented with a canopy, was soon added for the preacher, as well as pews for the magistrates and for the dea- cons, and " nine benches " for the congregation. The expense of all this neces- sary furniture amounted to the sum of thirty-two dollars. While providing accom- modation for the living, the dead were not forgotten. The " church-yard " lay in the rear, or to the west, of the Patroon's trading-house - in what is now very correctly called " Church " street: and in order " to be safe from the ravages of the Indians," the infant hamlet, living and dead, nestled close under the guns of Fort Orange. ¡


* This gentleman was the son of the Rev. Johannes Megapolensis, minister of Coedyck in Holland, and of Hellegond Jansen. He married his cousin Machteld Wil- lemsen, daughter of William Steengs, or Heengs, who was his senior by three years. See Appendix J; also Alb. Rec. v., 323, 339.


¡ The date of the erection of the above church is taken from Van Curler's letter to the Patroon, dated June, 1643, which will be found translated in part, under that date. Kieft, when proposing, in 1642, to erect a church in New Amsterdam,


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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS


SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, AT ENOKHUYZEN.


1642, Aug. 12 et seq. Art. 34. East and West Indies.


In reference to Art. 29, (1641), the Deputati reported, that certain Deputies from the Synods of Gelderland, South Hol- land, Utrecht and Overyssel, handed in to their High Mighti- nesses a doleantie, in which they complain that the Synod of North Holland arrogates to itself the care and supervision of the churches in the East and West Indies; and that such care ought to be common to all the churches of the United Provinces. At the same time they request that matters should be so ar- ranged, that upon the granting of New Charters (to the East India Company and to the West India Company) a casus corre- spondentiam might be decreed, consisting of Deputies from the Synods of all the United Provinces; that these should have charge of everything necessary for the welfare of the East and West India churches. Their Honors, however, have given such instructions to the Rev. Synod of South Holland, that the same has agreed to (hold) a conference between our (and) their Depu- ties, in the presence of the corresponding brethren. Finally the following proposition was submitted :


To prevent all estrangement and dissensions which would nec- essarily arise between the respective Synods, so is it, that the


referred to the then contemplated erection of this church in Rensselaerswyck. That it was erected in 1643, is evident from Megapolensis' tract on the Maquaas, pub- lished in 1644, in which allusion is made to it. The expense of the pulpit, pews, etc., is taken from the " Groet Boek der Colonie Rensselaerswyck," anno 1645-6, p. 56, in which we find to the credit of " Willem Fredericksz " the following entry :- " Voor dat hy in de kerck heeft gemaakt een Predickstool, het verwulf, een


voor de overicheyt, een ditto voor de Diaconie, een cosyn met 2 lichten, een kruys cosyn dicht gemaackt, en daerin een kusje, een hoeckje nevens de stool, met een banck in een winckelhaeck, en 9 bancken, te saemen voor, 80 fl." This church was sufficiently wealthy in 1647, (May 29,) to loan two hundred guilders to the Patroon, for which the Diaconie, or deacons, received the obligation of the colonial court, payable in one year after date, at ten per cent. See account-book F. Rensselaers- wyck MSS .; also the obligation itself in the Gerechtsrolle. A new "stoop," or steps, was added in 1651, to the front of the above building, which accommodated the faithful until 1656, when a second church was erected at the junction of what are now State and Market streets. In 1715, a new church was erected on the latter site, including within its walls that of 1656. The church of 1715 was finally pulled down in 1806 .- O'Callaghan's History of New Netherland, Vol. i. 328-331.


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charge of, or the correspondence with, the churches in the East and West Indies shall be maintained by, and left to, all the respective churches, Classes, and Synods, within whose bounds there are Chambers (of the Companies). They shall carefully see to it, that the churches in those far distant regions shall abide by the same doctrine of the truth, and ecclesiastical order and government as the churches of this land; and until such time and occasion as shall otherwise be determined at a National Coetus on the subject, and to the mutual satisfaction of the re- spective Synods, these following matters are provisionally sub- mitted and accepted : First: That all the churches and Classes where the Chambers are located, shall annually make a full (pertinent) report in their Synods of the state of the churches in the East and West Indies; what ministers and Ziekentroosters have been sent thither; and that a summary thereof shall be in- serted in the Actis Synodibus, and this brought to the knowl- edge of all the Synods of our land.


2. That the Correspondents shall, at their own expense, take with them copies of the Classical Acta, and of all other letters and documents which are of any pertinence to these matters.


3. That whenever any notable difficulties arise in these Indian Churches, touching Doctrine or Order, and which can not well be acted on in any one particular Classis or Synod, that then such difficulties shall be communicated to the several Synods of these lands, in order to obtain also their decisions thereon; and in case the matter did not permit any further delay, then the facts should be made known to the Revs. Deputies of the sev- eral Synods.


4. So, also, whenever any individuals from the Classes or Synods where there are no Chambers (of the Companies) might be inclined to serve the church of God in the East and West Indies; such shall address themselves to some Classes or Synod where there are such Chambers, and if they are provided with


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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS


proper certificates as to doctrine and life, caeteris paribus, they shall always be held in good recommendation.


This proposition the Rev. Synod of South Holland has ac- cepted provisionally, and the Rev. Brethren, the Correspondents, have promised to make it known to their respective Synods. On this occasion was also read a certain writing from the Classis of Walcheren, (in Zeeland), addressed to this Synod; they have also sent over their remarks on the abovementioned doleantie, (complaint) which were submitted to their High Mightinesses. In these they argue against this matter at great length, and request that these their remarks may be read at this Synod, and be properly considered; also that they may be informed as to what shall be resolved on in regard to this new proposition of the aggrieved Synods, as to the care of the churches of the East and West Indies. Thereupon their remarks were read to the Assembly. These having been listened to, some of the Rev. Brethren, the Correspondents, manifested their displeasure at such manner of writing, and requested a copy.


The Synod after looking into and considering everything well, in the first place, accepted the aforesaid proposition, drawn up at the last Synod of South Holland, at Gorkum.


2. They thought that the giving of a copy of that paper from Walcheren (Chamber at Middleburg on the Island of Walcheren) might easily cause some unpleasantness, and retard the accept- ance of the said proposition by the other aggrieved Synods. There- fore the Rev. Brethren, the Correspondents, were requested, in the interest of peace, to relinquish the demand for a copy; es- pecially, as the letter from the Classis of Walcheren plainly indicates that the oft mentioned proposition was not known to them at the time; otherwise they doubtless would not have sent their objections.


3. That the President of the Deputies, Wittewrongel, shall thank the Rev. Classis of Walcheren for the good correspond- ence maintained in this instance, and let them know in what


OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


161 1642


state this case is now; also that while recognizing their object as good, the Rev. Synod, nevertheless, could have wished that they had employed a somewhat gentler and less offensive man- ner of writing; especially, as the Rev. Brethren, the Correspond- ents had shown no little displeasure at the same. The Deputati were also thanked for their diligence and faithful care .*


CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.


Acts of the Deputies. John Jansen Smeet - John Cornelius Backer.


1642, August 19th.


The Rev. Jacob (James) Laurentius, and Matthias Meursius, reported, that according to their commission, they had been be- fore the meeting of the Directors of the West India Company, and had presented before them the name of John Jansen Smeet as Krankbezoeker, making mention at the same time of the meagerness of his knowledge of writing, and also of their doubt whether indeed heretofore he acted as schoolmaster in Brazil, as he said. Whereupon the Messrs. Directors aforesaid, taking no account of these objections, accepted him in the said capacity. They did also at the same time speak with the said Directors about the case of John Cornelius Backer. The Classis long ago resolved to advance him as minister to Curacoa, and then re- quested their Honors that, if it were possible, they would for- ward him thither as soon as convenient, inasmuch as he was getting distressed by the long delay and the consumption of his means. They answered, that for the present, they saw no op- portunity of sending him thither, as no ship would sail for Cura- coa for a long time. They added that a resolution had been adopted by the Assembly of the Nineteen that they would ac-


* Zeeland stood by North and South Holland, because there were Chambers of the Companies also in Zeeland. There were no Chambers of the East India Com- pany in the bounds of the complaining Synods. The West India Company had a Chamber in the bounds of the Synod of Friesland only, besides those in Holland and Zeeland.


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cept no more as ministers in their service. But hav- ing reflected further on this matter, a few days later they let some of the Brethren of the Committee (the Deputies) know that their Honors, through some of their Committee, would once more enter into negotiations with us in this matter. They wished to inquire what was best to be done for the satisfaction and solace of the said person. For long before that resolution of the Company, he was examined by the Classis with the knowl- edge and approval of their Honors. Their request was accepted by the Brethren. xx. 84, 85.


John Cornelisz Backer.


1642, Sept. 22nd.


Appeared at the meeting, John Cornelisz Backer. He said that he had spoken with some of the Directors of the West India Company, and had understood that their Honors had dis- cussed the question whether they should remove their people from Curacoa and abandon the island, or whether they should still keep it. In case they should wish to keep their people there, then that they would send him thither as minister. He requested that the Assembly would please to assist him in this matter as much as possible. It was now a long time since he was examined. The Assembly resolves to await the action of the Directors as to the Island of Curacoa, in order to act properly.


At this same time the Rev. Laurentius and Swalmius told of a conversation with some of the Directors, in reference to said John Cornelius Backer, as is indicated on page 84; that, finally, the Directors presented him for his solace and satisfaction in one sum, one hundred Ryks-dollars ($100.) They also promised him, in addition, that in case he should not go as minister to Curacoa, they would employ him in that capacity on some other good opportunity, either in Guinea or at Angola, or at some other place, only excepting Brazil. Thereupon the said John Cor- nelisz answered their Honors that he would consider their offer. The matter for the present remains in this condition. xx. 92.


OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


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1643


John Cornelisz Backer.


1642, Oct. 16th.


The Assembly has understood that the Directors of the West India Company, at their General Meeting of the Nineteen, had decided to maintain the Island of Curacoa and their people on it; that thereupon they had accepted John Cornelisz Backer to serve there as minister. To this end John Cornelisz Backer was ordained by the laying on of hands to that same service, and his Instructions were given him to take with him upon his intended voyage. xx. 94.


Affairs of the Brethren in Zeeland.


1642, Oct. 16th.


There shall be communicated to -" The Committee of the Classis of Zeeland* on the ecclesiastical affairs in the West Indies " - what our Classis has decided on, in regard to the mat- ters which were discussed by us and by them, in reference to the Acta of the Classis of Brazil. Of these mention is made pp. 80, 89, and 93. xx. 96.


To write to Brazil.


1642, Oct. 16th.


At this time a letter shall also be written to the churches of Brazil, both in regard to the observations on the affairs pre- viously related, in the Acts of their Classis; as also concerning the Brazilian pamphlet by Rev. David á Doreslaer, (?) and some other matters; in reply to their letters sent at various times to our Classis. xx. 96.


1. :


THE CHURCH IN THE FORT.


The church erected by Director Van Twiller, had, by this time, shared the fate common to all the public buildings constructed during his administration, and was now in such a state of dilapidation, that it was considered nothing better than "a mean barn". The necessity of a new church was admitted by the Director and council so far back as 1640; when, with a view to supply the funds requisite to


* There was no Synod of Zeeland, but only a Classis.


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defray the expenses of a new building, a portion of the fines imposed by the court of justice was appropriated to that purpose. But nothing practical eventuated from this arrangement. The accommodation continued to be of the most wretched description, when Captain David De Vries urged the matter anew on the consider- ation of the Director General. "It was a shame," he said, "that the English should see, when they passed, nothing but a mean barn in which public worship was performed. The first thing they did in New England, when they raised some dwellings, was, on the contrary, to build a fine church. We ought to do the same," he continued; " we had good materials, fine oak wood, fine building stone, good Ilme made from oyster shells, which was better than the lime in Holland." This reasoning, backed by the intelligence that the colonists of Rensselaerswyck had it in contemplation to raise a church also, had considerable weight with Director Kieft. He seemed desirous to leave behind him a monument to perpetuate the memory of his zeal for religion, and forthwith inquired who should superintend the good work. There were not wanting " friends of the Reformed Religion." Joachim Pietersen Kuyter, " who was a good Calvinist, and had a good sett of hands," was elected deacon, and with Jan Dam, Captain De Vries, and Director Kieft, " formed the first consistory to superintend the erection of the projected church."


These points having been arranged, the next question to be decided was, the site of the building. It was ordered to be erected within the fort. But this was looked upon in the light of " a fifth wheel to a coach," and excited considerable opposition among the commonalty, who represented that the fort was already " very small," and that it stood on the point, or extremity of the island, whereas a more central position ought to be selected for the accommodation of the faithful generally. It was, moreover, particularly urged that the erection of a church within the fort, would prevent the southeast wind reaching the grist-mill which stood thereabout, and thus cause the people to suffer, especially in summer, through want of bread .*


These objections were, however, overruled. It was with justice remarked that the building would be more safe from the attacks of the Indians, within than with. out the fort. As to its being an impediment to the working of the wind-mill, it was remarked that the walls of the fort then impeded the action of the southeast wind on the mill, and prevented its working even before the erection of the church .*


Nought, therefore, now remained but to find ways and means to defray the neces- sary expenses. Director Kieft promised to advance a few thousand guilders from the public chest. The remainder was to be raised by private subscription.


It happened about this time that the daughter of the Rev. Mr. Bogardus was being married. This was considered a favorable opportunity for raising the re- quired subscription. So when the wedding party was in the height of good humor, and mellow with the host's good cheer, the Director General called on the guests to subscribe. The disposition to be generous was not wanting at such a time. Each guest emulated his neighbor, and a handsome list was made out. When the morn- ing came, a few were found desirous of reconsidering the transactions of the wed-


* Men spraake, dan, van de plaatse waerse staende soude. De Directeur wilde en oordeelde datse in het fort staen moest, daerse oock tegens wil en dank van de andere geset is; en immers soo wel past als het vyffde wiel aen een wagen; want behalve dat het fort cleyn is, op een punct leyt, dat meer importeren soude in cas van populatie. De Kercke die de gemeente, diese becostight hebben, eygen behoort te wesen, soo breeckse en beneemt den zuytoosten wint aen de koren-molen, die daeromtrent staet; het welcke een mede oorsaek is, dat men des zomers dick- wils by gebreek van maalen sonder broot is Van der Donk.


Eer de kercke gebouwt was, conde de coornmolen met een zuyt oosten wint niet malen, doordieu de wint door de wallen van't fort sestut wiert .- Van Tienhoven's Answer to Van der Donck.


From Valentine's History of New York.


NORTHEAST AND SOUTHEAST CORNERS OF BROAD STREET AND EXCHANGE PLACE, NEW YORK CITY, AT THE CLOSE OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.


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ding feast. But Director Kieft would allow no such second thought. They must all pay without exception .*


He entered, as churchmaster, into a contract, forthwith, for the mason-work, with John and Richard Ogden, of Stamford, who engaged to build a church of rock-stone, seventy two feet long, fifty two feet broad, and sixteen feet over the ground, in a good and workmanlike manner, for the sum of two thousand five hun- dred guilders, equal to one thousand dollars. The churchmasters were to furnish the lime; to transport the stone from the river side to the spot where the building was to be erected; and to allow the use of the company's boat to the contractors, who were to receive also a douceur of one hundred guilders, equal to forty dollars, should the work be finished to the satisfaction of the employers. t


With such energy now was the work pushed forward, that the walls soon rose to their proper height, and the shingle roof soon followed. To commemorate the zeal both of the Director General and the commonalty on this occasion, a marble slab was placed conspicuously in front of the building, with the following inscription engraved thereon :-


Anno 1642; . ..


WILLEM KIEFT, DIRECTEUR-GENERAEL; " heeft de gemeente desen Tempel doen bouwen." §


1642. The old church had now become dilapidated; and De Vries, dining with Kieft, told him it was a shame that the English, when they visited Manhattan,


* De Directeur hadde dan besloten een kerck te doen timmeren, en dat ter plaetse daer het hem goet docht. Het man queert hem aan de penningen; en waer die te becomen? Het gebeurde om desen tyt, dat den Predikant Everardus Bogardus eene vrouwvoordochter bestede. Dese gelegentheyd oordeelde de Directeur een bequame tyt tot zyn voornemen te wesen, dat hy, naer den vierden off vyffden dronck oock in 't werck stelde, en hy selffs met een goet exempel voorgaende, liet de bruy-looffsgasten teyckenen, watse tot de kerckgeven wilde. Ider, dan, met een lichthooffd, teyckende ryckelick wech, de een tegen de ander; en hoewel het eenige wel beroude, doen de sinnenweder 't huys quamen, sy moesten even wel betalen, daer viel niet tegen .- Van der Donck.


* The following is a copy of the contract :- " Appeared before me Cornelis van Tienhoven, secretary in behalf of the General Privileged West India Company, in New Netherlands, the Honorable Wm. Kieft, Churchmaster, at the request of his brethren, the Churchmasters of the Church in New Netherlands, to transact, and in their name to conclude the following business; So did he, as Churchmaster, agree with John Ogden, about a church in the following manner :- John Ogden of Stam- ford, and Richard Ogden, engaged to build, in behalf of said Churchmasters, a church of rock-stone, seventy two feet long, fifty feet broad, and sixteen feet high, above the soil, all in good order, and in workmanlike manner. They shall be obliged to procure the stone, and bring it on shore near the fort at their own expense, from whence the Churchmasters shall further convey the stone to the place where it is intended to build the church, at their own expense. The Churchmasters afore- said will procure as much lime as shall be required for the building of the afore- said church. John and Richard Ogden shall at their own charge pay for the masonry, etc., provided, that when the work shall be finished, the Churchmasters shall pay to them the sum of two thousand five hundred guilders, which payment shall be made in beaver, cash, or merchandise, to wit :- if the Churchmasters are satisfied with the work, so that in their judgment the two thousand five hundred guilders shall have been earned, then the said Churchmasters shall reward them with one hundred guilders more; and the further promise to John and Richard Ogden to assist them whenever it is in their power. They further agree to facili- tate the carrying the stone thither, and that John' and Richard Ogden may use, during a month or six weeks the company's boat; engaging themselves and the aforesaid John and Richard Ogden, to finish the undertaken work in the manner they contracted. Done in Fort Amsterdam, in New Netherlands. (Signed) Willem Kieft, John Ogden, Richard Ogden, Gysbert op Dyck, Thimas Willett."-Alb. Rec. iii., 31 These Ogdens are the ancestors of the present families of that name in New York, New Jersey, etc.




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