USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume I > Part 36
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Peter Tonneman, Secretary.
.
1657
367
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1657
On the 13th of January, 1657, at Amesfoort on Long Island, In New Netherland.
Having received and read the foregoing petition of the Court of Amesfoort, dated the 13th of the month of January, the Director General and Council of New Netherland find the request therein contained to be just, and therefore the sald Magistrates of Amesfoort are authorized to carry out their tax levy and to proceed legally against renitent parties.
Done at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 16th of January 1657 .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 378, 379.
PETITION OF THE MAGISTRATES OF BROOKLYN AGAINST THE AS- SESSMENT FOR THE MINISTER'S SALARY AND OBJECTING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF REV. POLHEMIUS.
[Jan. 16, 1657.]
1
Noble, Very Worshipful, Very Learned, Wise and Prudent, Honorable Director General in New Netherland etc. Very Worshipful Sir:
Pursuant to the resolution adopted by your Honor on the 29th of November (sic:) last past at Breuckelen in our meeting, the delegates from Midwout and Amesfoort being present, Midwout was to contribute to the yearly salary of the Rev. Domine Polhemius four hundred florins, Breuckelen three hundred florins and Amesfoort three hundred florins which we then thought a heavy tax and took in consideration to inform and submit to your Honor our decision after having made our calculation. Now we, your Honor's humble servants, the Magistrates of Breuckelen, report and submit to your Honor the impossibility to contribute yearly three hundred guilders, because this sum cannot well be collected from a weak and impoverished community, many members of which have suffered great losses and damages in the times of war through surprises by the Indians and otherwise, which have disabled them. With the best they can do, some will not be able to raise what they would like to contribute; nor has the said Domine Polhemius ever been called or engaged by us as pastor, but he has intruded here against our wishes, desiring to preach in the public street in the open air; on account of which the house of the Schepen Joris Dircksen here in Breuckelen was provision- ally given him to avoid giving offence to any one. The burghers and inhabitants of Breuckelen generally and the neighbors say, that for such meager and unsatis- factory service as they have had hitherto, even if they could, they would not resolve to contribute anything, for during the two weeks he comes here only for a quarter of an hour on Sunday afternoon, gives us only a prayer instead of a sermon, from which we learn and understand little and when we think, that the prayer or sermon, whatever it be called, is beginning, it is already over, so that he gives small edification to the congregation. It has happened to us only on the Sunday before Christmas, the 24th of December last, that in place of a sermon, which we had expected to have, we had to listen to a prayer so short, that it was over, before we had collected our thought; it was also nearly evening, before he, Polhemius, came over, so that he had really not much time and was compelled to break off and leave hastily to return home, and this was all the edification - little enough - which we have had during the Christmas holidays. We maintain therefore, that we shall enjoy the same, if not more edification by appointing some one of our midst to read a sermon from a book of homilies (huys postille) every Sunday, than we have hitherto received by the sermon or prayer of said Domine Polhemius.
We do not intend, however, by this our request and remonstrance anything to the dishonor of the said Polhemius or to the injury of his good reputation, but say only, that his great age is the cause of all and that his faculties are evidently not what they were formerly; we see also, that Polhemius is not deficient in good will, but as he has not been called by us, we cannot conclude to con- tribute to his support aside from our inability already explained and submitted to your Honor. Although we, the Magistrates of Breuckelen, have resolved to
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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contribute to the salary of the said Polhemius, the congregation here cannot come to such a resolution, as there are many, who cannot make any contribution and whom it would be more necessary to support; there are besides many bouweries unoccupied and vacant, for instance that of Mr. Paulis, the one of Frerick Lubbertsen on the strand, while a very simple and poor man lives on his other bouwery, who is also unable to give anything, and Lodwyck lives upon the Poor Bouwery while his lot is vacant, the same as Peter Cornelissen's, Elbert Elbert- sen's, the land of Black Hans, Grabiels land, Peter Mallemocque, Peter Manist, Jean Martyn and others more of whom there is quite a number. From the fore- going your Honor may well consider and conclude, what can be raised and given here and although every one shall be assessed by us and put on the tax list, nobody will be able to resolve to contribute anything for such slender services, as we have hitherto enjoyed. We finally submit with due respect, that whereas the people of Midwout have engaged Polhemius alone without our knowledge or consent, we are very willing and well satisfied, that the Midwout people shall enjoy the services of Domine Polhemius alone, if the Domine wishes again to perform the service and prayer instead of a service as formerly, we shall not be bound by it to anything, except to what from inclination and free and un- biased will may be added to his salary, as several among us here are well inclined to him, although we do not enjoy his, Polhemius', services. Closing herewith we commend your Honor to the gracious protection of the Almighty and wish a Happy New Year besides a prosperous and blessed administration until the end, and commending ourselves to your Honor's good favor we are and remain
Your Honorable Worship's humble servants The Magistrates of Breuckelen, Albert Cornelissen, Joris Dircke, Willem Bredenbent.
By their order,
Peter Tonneman, Secretary.
Breuckelen, January 1657.
After having read the foregoing letter the following answer was made:
Mr. Tonneman is hereby commissioned by the Director General and Council to remind the people of Breuckelen once more to fulfill their obligation and promise concerning the salary of their pastor, Domine Polhemius, else the Director General and Council will give such orders and make such dispositions as are necessary. Date as above (16th of January 1657.) - Col. Docs. N. Z. xiv. 380, 381, 382.
LETTER OF THE MAGISTRATES OF BROOKLYN TO THE DIRECTOR AND COUNCIL ABOUT THE SALARY OF THEIR MINISTER.
Noble, Worshipful, Honorable, Very Learned, Wise and Prudent, your Honors the Director General and Council of New Netherland. Gentlemen: We respect- fully submit as our answer to the decision made by your Honors on the 16th of January of this year 1657, by which we were to find means to supply the amount of three hundred florins yearly for the salary, promised without our consent and knowledge by the people of Midwout and Amesfoort to the Rev. Domine Pol- hemius, that we of the Court of Breuckelen do not know, that we have ever promised or agreed to pay anything, but requested only time to gather informa- tion and make a calculation, whether it was feasible and means might be found; that we fear and apprehend, it cannot be done in so weak and impoverished a congregation, as ours and the neighborhood. It was not our intention or wish, to be constrained thereto by the Director General and Council and therefore, not desiring to oppose the Director and Council herein, we have resolved at last to collect and contribute the said three hundred florins, how or where ever we might be able to collect it, on condition that from the expiration of the first year of Domine Polhemius' engagement, which is on the 7th of April 1657,
369
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1657
we shall be excused for this and the following years, unless in the meantime we should hear of improvements and favorable changes (God grant it) here in this country and the Fatherland, as we hope, when we shall make a proper agree- ment with Domine Polhemius and promise to fulfill our former conditions, to which we have bound ourselves, but we cannot engage ourselves for subsequent and more years as above stated.
Closing herewith we commend your Honors to the gracious protection of God wishing a prosperous and happy administration until the end and commend our- selves to your Honors' good favors, with which we are and remain,
Your Honors' humble servants, the Schepens of the Court of Breuckelen. Albert Cornelissen. 1 Joris Dircksen,
The mark X of Jooris Rapallhe, William Bredenbent.
By their order, Peter Tonneman, Secretary.
(January, 1657.) - Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 382, 383.
PETITION OF INHABITANTS OF MIDDLEBOROUGH (NEWTOWN) L. I. , ABOUT THE HOUSE BUILT FOR THEIR PASTOR. ORDER OF THE DIRECTOR THEREON.
To the honorable gouernor worthie ser we whose names are underwritten desire to make our humble requests knowen, in respect to the house bulded here by the towne of Midleburrough for publicke use for a minister for continewance and some of the towne hath given it away to mr more for his owne proprietie; and his affer him wherein we thinke we are wronged and the towne left destitute if mr more please to leave us or if he should die for we know men are mortal we are to seke both for minister and house to entertaine him into therefore we doe humbly entreat your Honor that you would be pleased to take it into con- sideration and accordingly Judge the equitie of the thing and the damage that may ensew; thus leauing you to God and his grace we rest.
John Burroughes.
The mark IL of John Laiton The mark RP of Robert Pudington Francis Swaine
The mark of Thomas Hornish
The mark E of Nikles Carter Samuell Coe. Janeuaries the 22nd (sic.) 1657 .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 383.
Anno 1657, 25 January.
Answer to the foregoing writing.
Whereas Wee ware informed that the house off the Minister (being bild for a publicq use and successively for the Ministerij:) by som off the inhabitance off the Towne off Middleborch was disposed off, and given unto Meester More, for his private use, it beeingh soo, as wee doe not hope, or thinke, then this are to require the Magistraats off the said Towne, to make their appijrance before us, for to give information and reasons, uppon wath Grounds, and Wherefore it was done alsoo; In the mayntyme the Magistraats are required and ordered to pro- ceed no further against the bearer John Layton. Soe after mee Love ij rest.
1 Your friend and Gouvnernr. Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 384.
. 24
370
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1657
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
Feb. ? 1657.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the Church of New Amsterdam, Feb. 15, 1657. (According to Dr. Thos. De Witt, Dec. 15, 1656). Referred to in letter of Megapolensis and Drisius of Aug. 5, 1657.
Acts of the Deputies. (Gouwester. New Netherland.)
1657, Feb. 12th.
Jacob Pietersen Gouwester, living in the Boomdwars straat, next to the King Solomon (straat) desired to go to the East Indies or to New Netherland. He gave good satisfaction in everything. xx. 368.
Correspondence from America. 1657, March 6. Rev. John Megapolensis to the Classis of Amsterdam.
March 6th, 1657.
ADMINISTRATIVE MINUTES OF NEW AMSTERDAM.
Election of a Church Master.
1657, March 8.
Whereas according to extracts from the Resolves of the Honorable Director General and Council of New Netherland dated 6th March of this year Pieter i Tonneman is elected from those nominated by Burgomasters and Churchmasters in place of the retiring Nicasius de Silla, the said Tonneman is therefore hereby requested and authorized to attend to and fill the said office of Churchmaster for the ensuing year with Govert Loockermans. Done this Sth March 1657, at the Court of Burgomasters of this City of Amsterdam in New Netherland .- Records s of New Amsterdam, vol. vii. p. 142.
ADMINISTRATIVE MINUTES OF NEW AMSTERDAM. Accounts of Churchmasters.
1657, March 9.
Whereas one Churchmaster is retired and another having been appointed in his stead, it is customary according to the practice of our Fatherland, that a/c be rendered of their administration; Burgomasters have resolved to communicate it to the Honorable General, to know whether a/c shall be rendered to his Honor, or to the Burgomasters .- Records of New Amsterdam, vol. vii. p. 144.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
371
1657
RESOLUTIONS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AMSTER- DAM RESPECTING NEW AMSTEL, DELAWARE.
1657, March 9.
The Directors of the new Colonie in New Netherland have stated, through the Burgomasters, that they had collected about three hundred Colonists, and there- fore requested permission to engage a Minister, and to employ one of the city's ships for their conveyance, and for the advancement of everything, to be allowed to raise the sum of thirty six thousand guilders. Which, being considered, it is resolved that the city's ship called de Wage be employed for that purpose, a Minister engaged, and the aforesaid sum of thirty six thousand guilders borrowed by them either from the Orphans Chamber or the Exchange Bank, according as the Burgomasters deem proper. It is, also, further resolved that the Treasurers be requested to pay attention to the employment of this and the foregoing moneys, and to keep the account of the one and the other .- Col. Docs. N. Y. ii. 4.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
New Colony in New Netherland .- Call of a Minister to New Netherland.
1657, March 19th.
In pursuance of the request (lit. outwriting) of this Classis, Rev. Deputati ad causas Indicas have rendered a report and ac- count (opening) of the entire situation of the Church of the New Colony (on the Delaware) in New Netherland; that other relig- ions, and especially the Lutheran, have crept in there, and what efforts they had made about this affair in respect to the Burgo- masters and the committee of the Directors ad hanc causam; and that finally, after all their efforts they had secured consent to call a competent and ordained minister and to send him to those regions.
The Rev. Assembly took this matter into serious consideration and exercise, in the fear of the Lord, as to what person would best be invited and called for this purpose. After mature con- sideration of every point, it was resolved to find out (to cast the eye upon) some ordained minister. The Rev. Assembly at length let its eye fall with favor upon the Rev. Nicholas Mullerius. He was waited on, (saluted) and spoken to as to his inclination. He declared himself disinclined to undertake such a call and journey.
372
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1657
The Rev. Assembly then suffered its thoughts to turn towards other candidates. Having invited several to appear before them, who also came, and after calling upon the name of the Lord, the Rev. Everardus Welius was finally called. The call having been accepted by him, his examination was set for the 10th of April. He will expound (preach) Psalm 127. verse 1. vi. 39-40. xix. 41.
The Lutherans in New Netherland.
1657, March 19th.
Whereas the Lutherans in New Amsterdam, and principally in New Netherland, are strengthening themselves and are putting forth every effort to establish their position (lit. foot), and Forms of worship, therefore did the Rev. Deputati ad causas Indicas re- port their heavy hearted considerations thereon to the Assembly. They request advice as to what is to be done in the matter, in order to counteract this approaching evil. The Rev. Assembly deems it in the highest degree necessary to watch against this thing; and that the worthy burgomasters of the city of Amster- dam as well as the committee of the Directors of this New Colony shall be very earnestly addressed, and also waited on by the Rev. Deputati ad causas Indicas, and shall seek to persuade them with all serious arguments on the subject in order to check at the be- ginning this toleration of all sorts of religions, and especially of the Lutherans, lest God's Church come to suffer more and more injury as time goes on. v. 41; xix. 42.
LETTER FROM THE DIRECTORS TO STUYVESANT: WAMPUM; CUR- RENCY; RENSSELAERWYCK; NEGROES; CULTIVATION OF SILK- WORMS; LUTHERANS. THE CURRENCY .*
Duplicate. The 7th of April 1657.
We send herewith the small bell, which the inhabitants of Fort Orange and the village of Beverwyck requested for their newly built little Church; as the twenty five beavers, brought over by Dirck Jansen Croon to pay for making a
* Wampum, peage, wampumpeage or sewant were the names given to the Indians' currency which the Dutch found in use among the aborigines, when they came to settle on the Hudson. Wampum was black and white perforated
373
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1657
puipit, have arrived much damaged and therefore the proceeds therefrom were not sufficient; we have at his request advanced for this purpose the sum of seventy five florins as an encouragement to the community there. As to the other two beiis for the villages of Midwout and Hemstead, we shail have them made here aiso and send them to you by the first ships, when ready.
We have by no means the intention, to grant to the Lutherans any more liberty regarding the exercise of their religion, than stated in our letter of June 14, 1656, by which we still stand .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 386, 387, 388.
ADMINISTRATIVE MINUTES OF NEW AMSTERDAM.
Oath of Burghers. 1657, April 9.
Follows the Oath taken by the Burghers; drawn up by the Right Honorable General and Council.
I, N. N., promise and swear in the presence of Almighty God to be true and faithful to the sovereignty of the Noble, High Mighty Lords States General of the United Netherlands and Supreme Jurisdiction of the Honorable Lords Di- rectors of the Privileged West India Company as Lords and Patroons of this New Netherland Province, their Director General and Council already appointed or hereafter to be appointed; and to shew in the first place them, the Burgo- masters and Rulers of this City, present and future, all respect and reverence and to obey them in all honest and just matters as a faithful subject and good Burgher is bound to do, as long as I shall continue in this Province. So Truly Help me God Almighty .- Records of New Amsterdam, vol. vii. p. 154.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Everardus Welius.
1657, April 10th.
The candidate Everardus Welius having expounded the text Psalm 127:1, was then examined on the principal heads of the Christian religion. He gave the Assembly excellent satisfaction in both. They therefore gladly permitted him to be invested with the Sacred Ministry, in that New Colony in New Nether-
beads from three sixteenth to three eighth of an inch in length and one eighth in thickness. The Quahaug or Whelk (Buccinum undatum), a shellfish formerly abounding on the coast of Long Island, but now rather rare, furnished the material, from which the black (in reality it was dark purple), and more valu- able, also called Suckauhock, was made. The white beads were made from another shellfish, called Meteauhock, Periwinkle (Turbo littoreus, Lin.) and were more strictly the wampum. Isaac de Razieres, Treasurer of New Nether- land in 1627, introduced wampum in the New England Colonies, much to the disgust of the inhabitants, who declared it the "Devil's work and money ". See in Laws of New Netherland the Ordinances rel. to wampum .- B. Fernow.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1657
land, (Delaware,) which is under the jurisdiction of the city of Amsterdam. Unto this field he was elected by the Classis, with the approval of the Worthy Burgomasters. He was also ordained to the office with the laying on of hands in the presence of the Assembly, and the rich blessing of the Lord was invoked upon him .- vi. 44.
Lutherans and Sects in New Netherland.
1657, April 10th.
Rev. Deputati ad causas Indicas report that they have fulfilled their commission of opposing the free and public exercise of wor- ship by the sects, and in particular, by the Lutherans in New Netherland, both in respect of the Messrs. Directors and the Wor- shipful Burgomasters of Amsterdam, and the Directors of the New Colony. It was found that not only have requests to that end been addressed to the Directors, but that a resolution has already been adopted, tending to permit free worship of the sects, by connivance; but that they had employed all diligence and labor to induce the gentlemen, by many arguments, and powerful motives, never to consent to the permission by connivance, or in any other way. This had borne some fruit, but not so perfectly that it should heal together out of existence. However it was resolved by the Directors to abide by the resolution of the pre- ceding year. The Lutherans are to be permitted quietly to have their exercises at their own houses; a copy of which resolutions were copied by the brethren ad causas Indicas. In conformity with this resolution, the gentlemen have written to New Nether- land. As regards the Burgomasters in particular, they showed hesitation in expelling the minister which the Lutherans had there (in Amsterdam); but upon the urgent request of the Rev. Breth- ren, accompanied with powerful arguments, they had taken the subject under advisement, and would give heed thereto at the proper time. Now inasmuch as all these things are fraught with anxious considerations, and do not place the Assembly completely
375
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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at their ease, it was further resolved that every endeavor should be made to prevent these evils, both with regard to the Burgo- masters and the Directors, as well as the Commissioners of the New Colony (on the Delaware.) It was also resolved to encourage the Rev. Consistory in New Netherland, (New Amsterdam,) to continue in their good zeal, to check these evils in every possible way. The Rev. Heydanas and the Deputati ad causas Indicas shall attend to these matters .- vi. 45.
ADMINISTRATIVE MINUTES OF NEW AMSTERDAM.
Petition of Jews denied.
The 11th April, 1657.
Jacob Cohin Hendricus, a Jew, appears in the Court of Burgomasters; request- ing permission to bake and sell bread within this City, as other bakers, but with closed door. Which being deliberated on, 'tis decreed, as this is directly contrary to the privilege granted by the Honorable Director General and Council to the Burghery of this City and also against the orders given by the Honorable Lords Majores, the petitioners request cannot be granted.
Asser Levy, a Jew, appears in Court; requests to be admitted a Burgher; claims that such ought not be refused him, as he keeps watch and ward (tocht en wacht) like other Burghers; shewing a Burgher certificate from the City of Amsterdam, that the Jew is Burgher there. Which being deliberated on, tis decreed as before that it cannot be allowed, and he shall apply to the Director General and Council .- Records of New Amsterdam, vol. vii. p. 154.
VICE DIRECTOR ALRICHS TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE COLONIE ON THE DELAWARE.
1657, April 13.
I also fully hope, and have placed my entire reliance on a Clergyman coming over in the first ship, so that all our work may begin in the fear of the Lord, and obtain the blessing of the Almighty; that those who have little knowledge or light may not become backsliders; and those who are still weak in the faith may be further strengthened. A learned and aged man who hath good gifts and is well acquainted and conversant with Church government, would be of much use there. This should not be deferred, as it is a scandal not to have either' Church or Minister there, whenever any of the neighboring people, and even of those who intend to settle, come. I, therefore, request that this may be taken into the greatest consideration, with an effort to accomplish it most speedily .- Col. Docs. N. Y. ii. 7.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Acts of the Deputies.
1657, April 23rd.
Rev. Schoonhovius in the Chair.
The Commissioners of the new colonies in behalf of the city of Amsterdam, have satisfied Rev. Mr. Welius concerning the conditions, and a call will be placed in his hands as soon as pos- sible, according to the custom in vogue in such matters
The Brethren have reported their several endeavors with the Messrs. Directors in relation to the strife among the sects, es- pecially the Lutherans. They have at last received as answer that the old resolution should remain in force, in accordance with what the Messrs. Directors had before written to the General, and the Council of New Netherland. It was judged expedient to tran- scribe verbatim in the journal the extracts from that communica- tion, which the Brethren requested permission to make.
Extract from the communication in behalf of the West India Company, to the Governor, Peter Stuyvesant, and the Council in New Netherland, June 14, 1656. See this elsewhere .- xx. 372-3.
Rev. Welius.
1657, May 7th.
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