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Therefore the Director General and Supreme Council have been pleased by a certain writing dated the 4th of August, delivered to us, partially to reprove us for certain omissions and to urge upon us the great necessity to devise some ways and means, to support and maintain the civil and ecclesiastical service and the Military, who have come in the ships from Fatherland and are still expected to arrive in others, and to make provision for the payment of the quota of all the money taken up for the making of the public walls and works, etc .; in addition thereto that the Burgomasters and Schepens had obtained last year the receipt of the Tapsters' Excise from the Director General and Council on the condition, that the Church expenses be paid out of it and that the Burgomasters and Schepens should furnish something else as a supplement thereto.
Whereupon Burgomasters and Schepens of the City of New Amsterdam who consider nothing else, but the welfare, union and advantage of this City and their Superiors of this Province, in order then first to put everything on a solid founda- tion, have as precursors offered as their quota the sum of three thousand guilders, as appears by Resolution of the 10th of August, transmitted to the Director Gen- eral, and the other Courts contributing in proportion, they maintain, that the borrowed moneys and incurred debts can be paid off.
And whereas it has been decided by the Honorable Directors as Lords and Patroons of this Province, as appears from the 4th Article of the despatch sent to the Burgomasters and Schepens, that the excise shall be paid into our Treasury and be there received; Therefore we do, by these presents; offer to take upon us · to support henceforth at the expense of this City of New Amsterdam:
Of the Church - One of the Ministers, one Precentor, being at the same time Schoolmaster, one Dogwhipper (Beadle) .- Early Records of New Amsterdam, Vol. i. 232.
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329
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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BURGOMASTERS AND SCHEPENS TO THE DIRECTOR AND COUNCIL: SALARIES OF THE MINISTERS, THE CHURCH OF- FICERS, AUG. 31, 1654.
To the Noble, Very Worshipful, Honorable Director-General and High Council of New Netherland:
The Burgomasters and Schepens of the City of New Amsterdam show with due reverence and submission.
On the 20th of July, while in session, they were summoned before the Honorable Director-General, when his Honor In presence of two ministers, Domine Mega- polensis and Driesius, communicated to them the letter from the Noble Lords- Directors, Department of Amsterdam, Lords and Patroons of this Province of New Netherland, and what thelr Noble Worships demanded. His Honor thereupon admonished them not to remember what had passed before, but to live henceforth in harmony, which was promlsed by both sides. Then the Honorable Director- General delivered to the Burgomasters and Schepens the letter addressed to them by the Noble Lords-Directors, by which we are willing to govern ourselves, fol- lowing the directions contained therein.
Now the Honorable General and High Council have been pleased to censure us in a memorial sent us on the 4th August concerning some omissions and to lay before us the great necessity of providing a revenue, by which the civil administra- tion, the church and the military (arrived by the last ships and to be expected in the following ones) might be supported and maintained; also to determine our quota of the amounts to be paid for the loan, for the building of the walls and breastworks around the City, and to remember, besides, that the Burgomasters and Schepens had obtained last year the revenues from the Tavernkeepers' Excise under condition, that the expenses of the ecclesiastical establishment should be paid therefrom, and that the Burgomasters and Schepens should make good the deficit from other resources.
Whereas the Noble Lords Directors, as Lords and Patroons of this Province have consented, that the Excise shall be paid into the City's Treasury, as the 4th article of their letter to the Burgomasters and Schepens shows:
Therefore we agree and engage ourselves on behalf of this City of New Amster- dam to pay for the ecclesiastical establishment the salaries of
One of the preachers;
One precentor, who is to be schoolmaster at the same time; etc., etc .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 288, 289.
ANSWER OF THE DIRECTOR GENERAL AND COUNCIL TO THE LETTER OF THE BURGOMASTERS, ETC., DATED AUGUST 31 (1654), RE- FERRING IT TO THE HOME AUTHORITIES.
As the Burgomasters and Schepens do not fulfill their promise and carry out the conditions, to provide for some other revenue in place of the Tavernkeepers' Ex- cise, and as they have failed to let out the same for the purpose of paying the salaries of the clergymen and placing them above want; the Director General and Council are compelled to let out the said Excise to the highest bidder in con- formity with their resolution of the 13th of August last past, and to employ the proceeds in promptly providing for the support of the clergy. By these means the Burgomasters and Schepens will be excused and delivered from carrying out their offer, to support at their expense, one clergyman, one schoolmaster, and one
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beadle; the intentions and order of the Lords Directors will be executed, the jus patronatus will be preserved, and both the clergymen paid and placed above want.
Given at New Amsterdam in New Netherland September 16, 1654. P. Stuyvesant .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 291, 293.
ORDER ON A PETITION FROM THE COURT OF MIDWOUT AND AMES- FOORT RESPECTING CHURCH MATTERS.
The Magistrates of Midwout and Amesfoort presented to the Council a petition, which is copied into the Book of Petitions, and to which the following answer was given.
It is resolved upon the petition of the Court of Midwout and Amesfoort, first concerning the proposition to continue the teacher; that they must proceed in this matter according to the rules of the Church, and await the answer of the Lords Directors to the request made by the said Court or its deputies. Meanwhile the Director General and Council are satisfied, that the present teacher, Domine Polhemius, attend to the divine service among them, until further orders shall have been received from the Fatherland; and they also consent, that he shall receive for his ministrations a proper and fair remuneration in conformity with the teachings of the Apostle Paul, " that he, who serves at the alter, shall live by it ".
Thus done etc. New Amsterdam, Oct. 13, 1654 .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 294.
NOTE ON CHURCH AT MIDWOUT AND DOMINE POLHEMUS. 1654.
Hitherto, however, the Dutch towns on Long Island had neither clergyman nor church, and the inhabitants, of necessity, attended divine worship at New Amster- dam. The Reverend Johannes Theodorus Polhemus, who had been previously minister at Itamarca in Brazil, having now arrived in the province, received a call from Midwout, where a small cruciform church, some sixty feet by twenty eight, was soon after erected by general subscription. It was the first Dutch church on Long Island: the congregation was composed of the adjoining towns, and here divine service was performed every Sunday morning; the afternoon sermon being preached alternately at Breukelen and Amersfoort .*
* N. A. Rec .; Alb. Rec. iv., 179; ix., 238, 302; x., 332. Domine Polhemus was joined by his wife, Catherine, in 1656. He had two children Theodorus and Daniel, from whom have descended all those of the name in this country. By the arrival of the Rev. Mr. Selyns, in 1660, Breukelen was separated from the church of Flat- bush. In 1665, the congregation of Amersfoort demanded to be put on an equal footing with that of Flatbush, in respect to church service, and that Mr. Polhemus should preach each alternate Sunday forenoon to them, for which they would pay him four hundred guilders a year, "light money," being the same as he got from Flatbush. The latter congregation objected to this arrangement, and persisted in retaining the Domine at four hundred guilders per annum, " wampum currency." This caused his Reverence to appeal to Gov. Nicolls, who decided that each church should have equal attendance, that is, morning and evening service on alternate Sabbaths, for which Amersfoort (now Flattlands) should pay a sum equal to what it agreed to give the Company for tenths, and Midwout four hundred florins a year, until her tenths would be due, when these were to be appropriated as those of Flatt- lands. Midwout (or Flatbush) would not agree to this, and a sharp letter (June 1st) came in consequence from the Governor's secretary. This was submitted to the congregation on the 18th, who resolved unanimously to content themselves with a Precentor, (voorleezer,) as the congregation was still weak. On the following day a resolution to the same effect was passed at a meeting of the constables, magis. trates and consistory of the villages of Amersfoort and Midwout, and Domine Pol- hemus was dismissed. (Flatbush Rec.) He died 9th June, 1676, " the worthy and beloved pastor " of the church of Brooklyn, whereby (the Records of that church say) the congregation was " deprived of his pious instructions, godly example, and edifying preaching, especially in the administration of the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper." - O'Callaghan's History of New Netherland, Vol. ii., 272.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
331
1654
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies, and their Correspondence.
1654, Nov. 11th.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the Ministers in New Netherland.
XXVI. 174.
Reverend, Godly and Highly Learned Brethren, the Ministers of the Divine Word of the Church in New Netherland :-
The Hon. Directors of the West India Company have requested us to look about for a suitable person to be sent as pastor to New Netherland. We have already given diligence to find such a person, but objection is made to the meagreness of the salary; for only six hundred guilders are promised. If now the salary could be increased and brought up to twelve hundred, or even one thousand guilders, we might hope to send a suitable person; but no one desires to undertake such a journey on so small a salary. There is also a certain William Vestensz, Visitor of the Sick, in New Netherland, who has discharged the office of sexton for four years and who has not been compensated therefor. Worthy Brethren, we unite with him in kindly requesting you, to be pleased so to manage that he may receive some compensa- tion therefor.
William Vestensz also requests, since he intends to return, that some one else be sent in his place. We are not unwilling to look about for a substitute.
Herewith closing, we commend you, Reverend, godly and highly learned gentlemen, to the protection of the Most High, and pray God that he may bless your labors.
In great haste, Amsterdam, Nov. 11, 1654. In the name of the Classis,
Your obedient, Simon Wilmirdonx,
Minister of the Gospel in Amsterdam.
(1654, Dec. 13. Robert Livingston, born at Ancram, Scot- land .- Doc. Hist. iii. 434.) ·
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APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONERS FOR BUILDING A CHURCH AND PARSONAGE AT MIDWOUT.
A vote having been taken on the request of the commissaries of the village of Midwout to have a Church built there and accommodation for the minister; it was resolved to prepare and build in the village of Midwout a house of about sixty or sixty five feet in length, twenty eight feet in width and twelve or fourteen feet high under the crossbeams, with an extension in the rear, where a chamber may be partitioned off for the preacher; while the divine service can for the present be held in the front part, until we have more funds and the material necessary for a Church has been collected. Then this building shall be used for a parsonage and barn.
To promote this work the Rev. Domine Megapolensis, Minister of the Gospel in the City of New Amsterdam, Jan Snediger and Jan Strycker are hereby appointed and authorized to make public and private contracts, as they may deem it most useful and advantageous for the community.
Thus done etc. New Amsterdam December 17, 1654 .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 310.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Herm. Blom.
1655, Jan. 4th.
1655
Rev. Rudolphus vander Meer, Hermannus Blom, Theodore Sas, Paul Broeckhuysen, John a Burem, (or Burum), having handed in their credentials, beg to be received, as recommended. The credentials having been approved, and the propositions treated by them, having been heard with pleasure, their request is granted upon their signing the Formulae .- v. 359.
Rev. Polhemus.
Rev. Langelius informs us that he has understood that the Rev. Polhemus has arrived in New Netherland, and that he (Langelius) has been requested by the wife (of Polhemus) to assist her in obtaining his arrearages of salary; also that intel- ligence has been received here; that the church there was seek- ing the Directors' approbation, of the call made upon him; meanwhile, they were already employing him.
The Assembly resolved that the Rev. Deputies assist the wife of Rev. Polhemus, and that they also seek to obtain from the Directors the approbation of his call, (to Long Island.) - v. 360 ; xxvi. 175.
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1655
William Vestiensz.
1655 - January 26.
" William Verstius, [Vestiensz.] Schoolmaster and Chorister in this city, solicited the Council by a petition, as he had completed his service; and whereas there were now several persons fully competent to acquit themselves in this charge, that he might be favored with his dismission, and permitted to return to Holland in the frst ship."- Dunshee, 22.
Council Minute. Domine Polhemius asks for pecuniary assistance. Aid asked for building a Church at Midwout, Long Island.
Tuesday the 9th of February (1655).
Before the Board appeared Domine Polhemius, provisional preacher in the village of Midwout, who asked pecuniary help producing a letter from the Honorable Gen- eral, which read as follows:
Copy. His Honor the Fiscal will please to assist and accommodate during my absence the bearer hereof, Domine Polhemius, in some matters required by him, with wampum and also five or six pounds of powder. Done at New Amsterdam, the 15th of November, 1654. Signed
P. Stuyvesant.
Being asked several times, how he might be accommodated and assisted now, he answered he would ask for no more than the Honorable Council was willing to give. The Council replied, that he had already received considerable sums and there was still some to be paid for his account to the merchants. He answered, that he would be satisfied to have thirty florins in wampum now. Their Honors directed the Receiver to give him that amount if feasible.
At the request of the Commissaries of Midwout for assistance by the inhabitants of Breukelen and Amesfoort in cutting and hewing timber to erect a building for the exercise of divine service, for which they received the permission by a resolu- tion of their Honors, the Director General and Council in 1654, it was, upon the vote being taken, resolved that after the celebration of the Lord's Supper now at hand, a committee of the High Council shall go there with Domine Megapolensis.
Done at Amsterdam in New Netherland, date as above .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 311, 312.
COUNCIL MINUTE. REPORT OF DOMINE MEGAPOLENSIS ON THE BUILDING OF A CHURCH IN MIDWOUT, L. I.
2nd of March (1655).
Before the Board appeared the Reverend Domine Johannes Megapolensis, minis- ter of the Gospel in the City of New Amsterdam in New Netherland, as representa- tive of the inhabitants of the village of Midwout, who showed, that the people of Mid- wout had received from their Honors, the Director General and Council, permission to erect a meeting house and make it in quarters for the preacher and that whereas such a work must cost a considerable sum, the people of Midwout aforesaid have asked the inhabitants of Breukelen and Amesfoort for assistance, promising to do the same for them under similar circumstances; that the latter pretended to be willing to contribute to the meeting house, but said in regard to the preacher's quarters, that if the people of Midwout desired them, they could make them them- selves. He requested directions as to what he should do and the Honorable High Council replied, that the resolution of the 9th of February 1655 should be carried out.
Done at New Amsterdam in New Netherland, date as above .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 312.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1655
i, CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies.
1655, March 8th.
Rev. Herman Langelius in the Chair. XX. 315.
The report, in the name of the Classis, of the Rev. Lange- lius, concerning the wife of Rev. Polhemus.
1. On account, received nothing as yet; on loan, two hundred guilders, (florins).
2. The request for the approbation (by the Directors) of Pol- hemus, as minister in New Netherland. Thus far, no answer; had heard certain rumors, to judge from the Classical record, not found to his disadvantage.
3. William Vestens, Comforter of the Sick, and Schoolmaster at Manhattan, requests by letter, as before, an increase of salary on account of his burdensome family.
Correspondence from America.
1655, March 18th.
Rev. John Megapolensis to the Classis of Amsterdam.
Reverendissimi Domini, Fratres in Christo, Synergi obser- vandi :-
I feel it my duty, to answer the letter of your Reverences, dated the 11th of November, (1654.)
We have cause to be grateful to the Lords-Directors and to your Reverences for the care and trouble taken to procure for the Dutch on Long Island a good clergyman, even though it has not yet resulted in anything. Meanwhile, God has lead Domine Joannes Polhemius from Brazil, over the Carribean Islands, to this place. He has for the present gone to Long Island, to a village called Midwout, which is somewhat the Medi- tullium of the other villages, to wit, Breuckelen, Amersfoort and Gravesend. There he has preached for the accommodation
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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of the inhabitants on Sundays during the winter, and has ad- ministered the sacraments, to the satisfaction of all, as Director Stuyvesant has undoubtedly informed the Lords-Directors.
As to William Vestiens, who has been schoolmaster and sex- ton here, I could neither do much, nor say much, in his favor, to the Council, because for some years past they were not satis- fied or pleased with his services. Thereupon when he asked for an increase of salary last year, he received the answer, that if the service did not suit him, he might ask for his discharge. Only lately I have been before the Council on his account, and spoken about it, in consequence of your letter, but they told me that he had fulfilled his duties only so-so (taliter qualiter) and that he did little enough for his salary. Some Jews came from
Holland last summer, in order to trade. Later a few Jews came upon the same ship as De Polheymius; they were healthy, but poor. It would have been proper, that they should have been supported by their own people, but they have been at our charge, so that we have had to spend several hundred guilders for their support. They came several times to my house, weeping and be- moaning their misery. If I directed them to the Jewish mer- chants, they said, that they would not even lend them a few sti- vers. Some more have come from Holland this spring. They report that still more of the same lot would follow, and then they would build here a synagogue. This causes among the congre- gation here a great deal of complaint and murmuring. These people, have no other God than the unrighteous Mammon, and no other aim than to get possession of christian property, and to win all other merchants by drawing all trade towards themselves. Therefore we request your Reverences to obtain from the Lords- Directors, that these godless rascals, who are of no benefit to the country, but look at everything for their own profit, may be sent away from here. For as we have here Papists, Mennonites and Lutherans among the Dutch; also many Puritans or Independents, and many Atheists and various other servants of Baal among the
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1
1655
English under this Government, who conceal themselves under the name of Christians; it would create a still greater confusion, if the obstinate and immovable Jews came to settle here. Closing I commend your Reverences with your families to the protection of God, who will bless us and all of you in the service of the di- vine word,
Your obedient
Johan. Megapolensis.
Amsterdam in New Netherland the 18th of March, 1655.
Addressed to the Reverend, Pious and very Learned Deputies ad res Ecclesiasticas Indicas, in the Classis of Amsterdam.
Polhemus.
1655, Mar. 22nd.
The Rev. Deputies report that they have secured for the wife of the Rev. Polhemus assistance from the Directors of the West India Company, to the amount of one hundred guilders, not on salary, but as a loan. But with respect to the approbation of the call of Rev. Polhemus, they had received answer, that that mat- ter was not so urgent; that they had also learned something dam- aging to him, and therefore requested the Rev. Deputies to as- certain if aught of this had been brought before the Classis. XXVI. 177.
(Vol. xxvi. is the first of the volumes of the Correspondence ; but contains, at first, sometimes, a few items of the Acts of the Deputies.)
Harmanus Van Hoboocken.
1655, March 23.
Whereas, William Vestiens, Chorister and Schoolmaster of this city (New Amsterdam) has earnestly and repeatedly sought per- mission to return to the Fatherland, his request is hereby granted. Therefore the Honorable gentlemen of the High Council, with the consent of the Rev. Consistory of this city, have appointed Har- manus Van Hoboocken as Chorister and Schoolmaster of this city
Tomas Michaelons.
OLD MANUSCRIPT.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
337 1655
at thirty five guilders per month, and one hundred guilders extra, per year, for expenses. He promises to conduct himself diligently and faithfully according to the instructions given, or which may be given him hereafter.
Nicasius De Sille.
Done in Amsterdam, in New Netherlands, March 23, 1655 .- Dunshee's School, 23.
Affairs of Rev. Polhemius.
1655, March 23rd.
The Rev. Deputies report that they have secured aid for the wife of Rev. Polhemius so far that she has been assisted by the Directors of the West India Company to the amount of one hun- dred guilders, not on account of his salary, but as a loan. In re- gard to the approval of (the call on) Rev. Polhemius, they (the Deputies) had been answered that this matter needed no great haste; that they had learned of something detrimental to him, and to this end (the Directors) requested that Rev. Deputies would inquire if anything of that nature had come to the knowledge of the Classis. v. 367.
Polhemius.
1655, April 5th.
The wife of Rev. Polhemius makes known to the meeting, that her husband had requested in letters, that she, with her children, should come to him to New Netherland. Having arrived there, he had great hope of being called to the service of a church in that locality. She requested the advice of this Assembly as to what she should do in the premises. Whereupon the Rev. Depu- tati ad causas, reported that the Messrs. Directors of the West India Company had written to the Governor asking his position, in reference to this call. To this inquiry no answer had yet come. Therefore this Assembly cannot yet advise her to address herself to that journey, until further information is received. And
22
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1655
whereas, in the meantime, she and her four children are plunged (lit. stuck fast) in the utmost poverty, it was resolved that the Deputies shall do their utmost to obtain something for her sup- port from the Worthy Directors. The Classis assigned for her immediate need the sum of a hundred guilders .- v. 371; xix. 1.
DIRECTOR IN HOLLAND TO STUYVESANT : JEWS :
26th of April 1655. Honorable, Prudent, Pious, Dear, Faithful:
We would have liked to agree to your wishes and request, that the new territories should not be further invaded by people of the Jewish race, for we foresee from such immigration the same difficulties, which you fear; but after having further weighed and considered this matter, we observe, that it would be unreasonable and unfair, especially because of the considerable loss, sustained by the Jews in the taking of Brasil and also because of the large amount of capital, which they have invested in shares of this Company. After many consultations we have decided and resolved upon a certain petition made by said Portuguese Jews, that they shall have permission to sail to and trade in New Netherland and to live and remain there, provided the poor among them shall not become a burden to the Company or the community, but be supported by their own nation. You will govern yourself accordingly.
The preacher Polhemus, arrived there from Brasil, has informed us by letter of his willingness to remain in New Netherland and take charge of the congregation at Midwout. If you think he is wanted there and the said Polhemius is found to lead an irreproachable life, we have no objection to his becoming minister there provisionally and until our further order at a salary already provided for by the congregation, without becoming a burden to the Company .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 315, 317.
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