Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume I, Part 56

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 56


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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


573


1665


REV. MATHIAS NEVIUS IN NEW YORK.


1665, Feb. 16th.


Rev. Mathias Nevius,* minister at Montfoort, Holland, was one of the witnesses at the baptism of Sara Catrina, seventh child of Johannes Nevius of Zoellen, and Arientje Bleyck. This is the only reference to this Rev. Mathias Nevius being in America. There is no allusion to him in the Correspondence. In the General Catalogues, (Album Studiosorum) of the Universities of Utrecht and Leyden, there are the following allusions to Mathias Nevius. Born, 1628; entered University of Utrecht, coming from Zoelen, 1645; entered University of Leyden, as from Campen, 1648, aged 20, student of Law; in 1649, matriculates from Zoelen, aged 21, as student of Theology; in 1650, matriculates at Utrecht, as from Campen. In 1665, Rev. Mathias Nevius, witness to a bap- tism, as above.


In 1676 another Mathias Nevius, (perhaps a son of the above), matriculates at Leyden, aged 16, as a student of Philosophy.


The John Nevius of New Netherland, above alluded to, came to America about 1651. He was from Zoelen. He was a schepen, 1654-6, City Clerk and Vendue-master 1657-65; in 1670 he leased the Long Island ferry, and died in Brooklyn, 1672.


COURT MINUTES OF NEW AMSTERDAM.


1665, May 2 (O. S.)


Certificate as to Fidelity of Peter Stuyvesant.


We, the undersigned Schout, Burgomasters and Schepens of the City of New York on the Island of Manathan, formerly named New Amsterdam, Certify and Declare, at the request of the Honorable Petrus Stuyvesant, late Director General of New Netherland, and who now, on the change by the English is about to return to Patria, that his Honor has, during about eighteen years' administration con- ducted and demeaned himself not only as a Director General, according to the best of our knowledge ought to do, on all occurring circumstances, for the interest of the West India Company, but besides as an honest proprietor and patriot of this Province and a supporter of the Reformed Religion. Thus done and executed in


*A genealogy of the Nevius family has just been published by A. V. D. Honey- man, of Plainfield, N. J. The above Rev. Mathias Nevius, and John, probably his brother, are perhaps children of Rev. John Nevius, who died in 1636. He was from 1630-6 preacher at Weesop, and previously at Schellinkhout.


1665


574


ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS


our Court at this City Hall, ady, 2nd May, Old Style Anno 1665: in New York situate on Manathans Island .- Records of New Amsterdam, Vol. 5. p. 233.


The Director vs. The Preachers, at the Surrender of New Amsterdam.


Evert Willemsen Munnik declares that when the aforesaid frigates passed the fort, Director General Stuyvesant acted as if he would have ordered the constable to fire on them. But the ministers Megapolensis, father and son, led him aside and persuaded him to depart. Hol. Doc. xii., 25, 145; xiii., 54, 55, 94. The Directors in Holland subsequently censured Stuyvesant severely for his conduct on this occasion. "It is an act which can never be justified, that a Director General shall stand looking between the gabions whilst two hostile frigates pass the fort and the mouths of twenty pieces of cannon, among which were several demi-car- toons, and give no order to prevent it; but, on the contrary, lending an ear to preachers and other chicken-hearted persons, demeaning himself as if he were willing to fire, yet notwithstanding, allow himself to be led in from the bulwark between the preachers; and when the frigates had sailed past, became so troubled that he must then first go out to prevent their landing. The excuse that it was resolved not to begin hostilities is very poor, for the English had committed every hostile act."- O'Callaghan's History of New Netherland, Vol. ii. 526.


COURT MINUTES OF NEW AMSTERDAM.


Repairs of Graveyard.


1665, June 17.


It is further resolved, whereas the Churchyard of this City lies very open and unfenced, so that the hogs root in the same, to send for the Churchmasters for which purpose Govert Loockermans is sent for and he appearing, the above written is stated to him, and therefore the necessity of repairing the same: Whereunto he answered, that could easily be done, if there were money in the chest, and says to repair and bring the same into proper condition full five hundred guilders will be necessary, to realize which it was concluded, that a collection be made .- Rec- ords of New Amsterdam, Vol. 5. p. 253.


SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, AT HOORN.


1 1665, Aug. 1 et seq.


Art. 15. Extract from a letter from New Netherland written by Rev. Samuel Drisius, minister at Manhattan.


It refers to the transfer of the said place, by agreement, to the English. He intends to remain there to prevent the scattering of the congregation.


ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.


Letters of Drisius.


1665, Sept. 7th.


A letter from Rev. Drisius minister in New Netherland was read. He told of his desire to come over to the Fatherland, but had been so far prevented from doing so. He requested the advice of the Classis how he must conduct himself in the unfortunate circumstances which had occurred, namely, the English conquest, (literally, unpleasantnesses.) The Assembly resolved that the


OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


575


1665


Rev. Deputati ad causas Indicas should encourage (animate) him to remain there, and to oppose the introduction of the English Lit- urgy into our Church, as much as possible. They will also write to Rev. Megapolensis on this latter point. vi. 384, 385; xix. 117.


COURT MINUTES OF NEW AMSTERDAM.


Salary of Evert Pietersen, schoolmaster.


1665, September 19.


The petition of Mr. Evert Pietersen, Schoolmaster and Precentor of this City, being read and considered, requesting, that he may have some proper fixed Salarium, as he was heretofore paid his wages by the Honorable Company and has been con- tinued in his employment from that time to the present. It is apostilled as fol- loweth :- Whereas order shall be shortly made relative to the salary of the Min- isters of this City, under which the Precentorship also comes, proper order shall then be made herein likewise. Ady, as above .- Records of New Amsterdam, Vol. 5. p. 294.


ABSTRACT AND EXTRACTS FROM STUYVESANT'S REPORT ON THE SURRENDER OF NEW NETHERLAND, IN 1664 TO THE ENGLISH.


1665, Oct. 19.


He refers to the poor condition in which he found New Netherland in 1647, when he assumed the government. With the exception of the three English villages of Hemstede, New Flushing and Gravesend, the Flatlands were so stripped of inhab- itants that there were only fifty bouweries, and the whole province could muster not more than two hundred and fifty or three hundred men able to bear arms :- That New England was constantly encroaching, and their population was fifty times greater than the Dutch; that Indian wars had destroyed or driven away many people, or caused them to retreat under the dilapidated walls of the Fort in New Amsterdam; that great improvements had been made during his adminis- tration, and far greater might have taken place if they had been properly sus- tained from home with suitable re-inforcements; that the New Englanders were finally re-inforced by four Royal ships, with many troops and stores, and the English on Long Island, joining with them, surrounded the Dutch and cut off all supplies; there was but a small supply of powder - not more than six hundred pounds fit for use; thus the gunner will also testify; that they were also short of provisions; that they were relieved from all fear of any English fleet approaching, by the last letter of the Directors, dated April 21, 1664, and received only one month before the arrival of the English frigates, in which letter was the following:


" On the other hand, according to the intelligence we receive from England, his Royal Majesty of Great Britain, being disposed to bring all his kingdoms under one form of government, both in Church and State, hath taken care that Commis- sioners are ready at present to repair to New England, and there to install the Episcopal government as in Old England; wherefore we are in hopes that as the English at the North have removed mostly from Old England for the causes afore- said, they will not henceforth give us so much trouble, but prefer to live free under us at peace with their consciences, than to trouble themselves to get rid of our authority and then to fall again under a government from which they had formerly fed ". (Compare Col. Docs. il. 432.)


Under such information, we continued to allow provisions to be exported; under which circumstances the people were unwilling to attempt to defend the place. Besides the English villages had already surrendered to the New Englanders, 1663,


576


ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS


1665


which we could not resist, because of an Indian war at Esopus, accounts of which had already been sent to Holland in Nov. 1663, but to which no answer had been returned. In these accounts, it had been said -- " If the Honorable Company give themselves so little concern about the safety of the country and its inhabitants, as not to be willing to send a ship of war to its succor, in such pressing necessity, nor even a letter of advice as to what we may depend on and what relief we have to expect, we are utterly powerless, and, therefore, not bound to defend the city, to imperil our lives, property, wives and children, without hope of any re-inforce- ment or relief and to lose all after two or three days of resistance ".


He then refers to the disrespectful speeches he was obliged to hear, when he sought to encourage them to defend the place; that some of the (English) soldiers had been heard to say -" We now hope to find an opportunity to pepper the devilish Chinese, who have made us smart so much; we know well where booty is to be got, and where the young women reside who wear chains of gold ". Many similar warnings came from the people of Long Island; and the people of New Amstel had suffered just these things from the dissolute English soldiery there; they had been "invaded, stripped, utterly plundered, and many were sold as slaves to Virginia ".


To prevent such calamities and in view of the untenableness of the place, and the warnings and supplications of the people, he and Council were compelled to come to terms with the English; and even if the surrender had not taken place, owing to the subsequent speedy war between Holland and England, we would soon have been overwhelmed by the New Englanders, who outnumbered us fifty to one. P. Stuyvesant. - Col. Docs. N. Y. ii. 365-370.


Then follow a number of documents in support of his Report. Domine Aegidius Luyck's name appears among these papers, showing that he was then in New Amsterdam: 370-6.


The following Extract from Cornelius Van Ruyven's letter, refers to the advice of the ministers urging the surrender :-


W. Extract of a letter from the Receiver, Cornelius van Ruyven, addressed to the Directors of the Incorporated West India Company, Chamber at Amsterdam, dated 9th May, Anno 1665.


Your Honors' despatch, dated 28th November, 1664, by the ship 't Gecruste Hart, was received by me on the 25th February last. Much could be said on the dis- satisfaction conceived by you at the surrender of this Province, but I shall only briefly remark, that when you will come to consider rightly all the circumstances of the case and the imperative necessity and difficulties in which your Honors' faithful Ministers and servants were placed in regard to the vast, overwhelming force of the assailants, the refusal of assistance by all the towns on Long Island; the cutting off of all supplies of provisions; the scarcity thereof within, and of powder and lead; the little inclination of the inhabitants, inasmuch as they were aware that it was impossible to keep the place, as is to be seen by their petition and protest; your Honors being aware and informed of this, agreeably to truth and uprightness, and not according to the perverted passion and appetite of those who would rather have seen all murdered and ruined, from which neither the State nor your Honors would have derived any profit, but only a few bloodsuckers and spendthrifts of their own and their Masters' substance, because then they would not have to render any account. I feel assured that you will entertain an entirely different opinion of your faithful Ministers, the rather when your Honors will but once cast your eyes over what has, long before now, been so frequently and seriously set before you chiefly on this subject of the so repeatedly besought and prayed for Boundary settlement or re-inforcement of ships, people and ammu- nition, with a frank declaration that, otherwise, the country was lost, as the sad result has now proved to the loss of us all; namely, of such as have engaged in the improvement of your Honors' conquest and invested all their means therein, which they must surrender for want of men and necessary means. This ought not to be imputed to the prejudice of your Honors' faithful Ministers, for no man is bound to perform impossibilities.


-


OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


577 1665


Your Honors doubtiess know what has been effected, from time to time, by your Honors' servants against the invasions, usurpations and pretensions of the English, and that we have spared neither trouble or pains, nor allowed ourselves ever to tire in maintaining your Honors' right; the same has been the case with your Honors' Ministers; but perceiving the impossibility of making a longer defence, they did not consider it proper, nor did they resolve to surrender the place until they were of necessity forced thereto from without and within, as General Stuy- vesant, to whom may God the Lord grant a safe voyage, will be able fully to demon- strate by sufficient documents. This, I hope, will deserve, from your Honors, more credit than the altogether too licentious prating of a few dissolute soldiers and others who had their eyes fixed more on robbing and plundering either stranger or Inhabitants, than on the defence of your conquest. Had your Honors been person- ally here and seen no hope of any relief or re-inforcement, you would, without doubt, have considered it better and more Christian-like to agree to some Condi- tions than to be obliged to look upon the ruin of the place, the murder of the poor people, women and children, without being able to do anything to prevent it.


I therefore request and pray your Honors to consider, according to your wonted wisdom, the matter as it is, and not as represented by perverse information, that your Honors' Ministers may be excused and relieved from the blame which is unjustly attached to them .- Col. Docs. N. Y. ii. 377.


Resolutions of the States General Oct .- Dec. 1669, on Stuyvesant's Report .- Col. Docs. N. Y. il. 378-9.


Rejoinder of the States General to Sir George Downing's Reply, respecting Eng- lish Conquest of New Netherland, with further action of the States General .- Col. Docs. N. Y. ii. 379-425.


See also " Additional Report " 1666, of Stuyvesant, 429-477. Appendices, 448.


COURT MINUTES OF NEW AMSTERDAM.


The City advances money to repair Graveyard.


1665, Nov. 13.


The Churchmasters of this City, Sieurs Govert Loocquermans and Joannes de Feister entering Court and being asked, if there be so much money in the Church Treasury as will fence the grave yard of this City, answer no: and that still many small debts are due here and there, which they have not been able to pay as yet in consequence of the trifling income.


The Mayor and Aldermen resolve to advance from the Burghers excise of this City to the Churchmasters as much as shall be required for the fencing off of the graveyard, on condition the same be repaid from the first incoming money - which the abovenamed Churchmasters promise to do. Ady, as above .- Records of New Amsterdam, Vol. 5. p. 313.


COURT MINUTES OF NEW AMSTERDAM.


Salary of Evert Pietersen, Schoolmaster.


1666, February 20.


Mr. Evert Pietersen appearing in Court, requests that a suitable allowance be granted to him, inasmuch as the W. Court had, on the 19th of 7br. last, promised that an order should be made also regarding his stipend, whenever the preachers were granted their salary, which has now been done. The W. Court having heard the petition decree absolutely, that he shall receive some satisfaction for his service. But whereas the City Treasury is at present so low, that the daily expenses can scarcely be met, the petitioner is requested to wait still awhile. Ady, as above .- Records of New Amsterdam, Vol. 5. p. 340.


217


578


ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS


1666


AEGIDIUS LUYCK.


1666, April.


No. 2. I, Aegidius Layck, undersigned, late Principal of the Latin School in Amsterdam, in New Netherland, and at present Theologiae Studiosus here, aged about twenty five years, do hereby certify and declare in witness of the truth, at the request of Mr. Petrus Stuyvesant, late Director-General in New Netherland that not alone from the Gunner's own mouth have I heard that the gunpowder was short, bad and unfit for use when the English arrived in New Netherland .- Col. Docs. N. Y. il. 470.


A LETTER SENT TO MR. SMITH OF NESAQUAKE.


Minister's Support at Seatalcott.


New Yorke 3rd April, 1666. Mr. Smith :-


I am moreover to put you in minde of your former engagement before his Honor, to contribute to ye allowance of the Minister of Seatalcott, untill you shall be otherwise provided, which will be expected from you; These particulars were given mee in charge to deliver to you from the Governor.


I am,


Your Loving ffriend,


M. Nicolls.


To Mr. Richard Smith of Nesaquake on Long Island.


- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 576.


An Agreement made before the Governor, between the Officers of the Towne of Seatalcott, and Richard Smith of Nesaquake.


and likewise that hee pay towards ye maintenance of the Minister at Seatalcott, during the Terme in ye said Patent mentioned, or until he shall bee otherwise provided;


Dated at New Yorke this 5th day of April 1666 .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 576.


Rent for school-house to be paid. May 8, 1666.


Captain Steynmets entering demands payment of a year's rent of his house, hired to the city as a city school, due on the first of this month, amounting to the sum of two hundred and sixty florins. Petitioner is requested to wait yet awhile, as there is at present no money in the chest .- Dunshee, 35.


COURT MINUTES OF NEW AMSTERDAM.


Election of Churchmasters, New York. June 13, 1668.


Whereas the time of the Church-masters or Kirkmeesters, is expired, and it being Necessary that in their Rooms some other fit persons should be appointed, the honnerable Court have made choice of Mr. Poulus Leendersen Vande Grift & Jeronimus Ebbingh to be Kerkmeesters of this Towne one whole yeare Commencinge. from the date hereof by these Presents Requiringe the Late Kirkmeesters to de- liver unto the said persons all the Bookes, accounts, & what estate belonging to the Church yet under their Custodie. Ady ut supra .- Records of New Amsterdam, Vol. 6. p. 18.


OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


579


1666


COURT MINUTES OF NEW AMSTERDAM.


Aug. 7, 1666.


Johannes Van Brugh, Plt: v/s Thomas Wandel, Deft: The Plt: declares that the deft: is Indebted unto him for the Rent of Domenes Point,* according to agreement made & Concluded uppon betwixt Annetie Bogardus deceased & the Predecessr. of the deft: Wm. hark alsoo deceased bearinge date the 16th of March Anno 1657: for the space of eight Yeares Commencinge from the first of April 1657 & expiring the Arst of April 1665 New Stile, at one hundred Guilders in good pay per annum, amounts the Summe of eight hundred florins in good pay, besides a Barne, which the deft: was ingaged to build uppon the said Land uppon his owne Proper Charges etc.


CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.


Correspondence from America.


1666, Aug. 16th.


Rev. John Megapolensis to the Classis of Amsterdam.


(Letter not found. An abstract in Acts of Deputies, below ; and in Minutes of Synod of North Holland, 1667, Art. 12.)


C. Van Ruyven to Stuyvesant.


1666, Aug. 17.


I Intended to have communicated some news to you, but, contrary to expectation, notice was sent round for all passengers to go immediately on board. I have men- tioned some intelligence in the letter to our beloved nephew, young Wilmerdoncx. I have hitherto had great reason to be thankful to God the Lord for our health and present condition, and it has afforded me much pleasure to learn the same of you; but 'twould afford me much greater satisfaction to be able to see it personally or to hear it from your own lips, which I eagerly desire. Father* is old and weak; preaching by turns in the outside villages does not help him much. Mother is also sometimes ailing. Since you left there have died here, to my knowledge, Abraham Klock, Hans Kierstede; and Bartel Mannekin van der Doncx' widow will enter again into possession of Nipperha. She claims also land in Mespadt. She likewise recently spoke to me about some ironwork you caused to be hauled from there, but I know nothing about it. Many old matters are ripped up and misinterpreted, but they are wisely disregarded by Governor Nicols, so that a man remarked to me, that it was the Governor's policy to follow the same course you had observed in the case of Governor Kieft.


Wherewith, after hearty greeting and wishes for good success, quick dispatch and safe return, I shall recommend your Honor to God's gracious protection and remain, Sir, and kind friend,


Your obliged servant,


(Signed) C. v. Ruyven.


Manhatans, 7/17 August, 1666.


- Col. Docs. N. Y. ii. 473.


* Domine's Point, or Domine's hook, took its name from Domine Bogardus, who was its original proprietor, from whom it passed to Annetie Jans, his widow. It eventually was acquired by Union College, Schenectady, and is situate at the entrance of Mespat Kill, Newtown, L. I .- Records of New Amsterdam, Vol. 6. p. 28.


* Van Ruyven was son-in-law of Domine Megapolensis.


580


ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS


1666


ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.


Call of the Rev. Henricus Selyns to Waverveen.


1666, Sept. 6th.


Rev. Clerquinius, deputed by the Classis to preside at the call- ing of a minister in the church at Waverveen, made known, that, after calling on the name of the Lord, there was chosen on Sept. 5th, out of the four nominations, but with good order, and by the united efforts of the Consistory and the members of that church, and by a large majority of the votes cast, as their regular pastor, the Rev. Henricus Selyns, late minister in New Nether- land; also that he, at the request of the people of Waverveen, had gone with them to the house of the Hon., the Bailiff of Amstel- land, to request his approval thereof, but that his Honor for some reasons, raised an objection thereto, altho he did not absolutely refuse; he asked the Rev. Classis, whether this should be further urged upon his Honor, and that Stante Classi, (during the present session of Classis). The Assembly decides by all means, in the affirmative; and that the Rev. Clerquinius, if he pleases, will, furthermore, put this into effect.


Hereupon entered Peter Jansz, elder, and Henry Laurents, deacon, delegates from the Consistory of Waverveen. They like- wise declared that the church there had called Rev. Henricus Selyns as their minister, and requested that the Rev. Classis would be pleased to approve the said Call, and to make arrangements for the installation of Rev. Selyns in their Church. To this end they handed over the written instrument of the Call, with the written approval of the Hon. Bailiff of Amstelland, secured by Rev. Clerquinius and the people of Waverveen. Both of these having been read and found to be in proper form, (except that something novel was added to the approval by the Hon. Bailiff), the Classis also approved the call of Rev. Selyns, and then de- cided that the same shall be offered to Rev. Henricus Selyns by


581


OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


1666


Rev. Clerquinius and the delegates from Waverveen, and if the same be accepted by him, arrangements would be further made for his installation.


Resolution of Classis about the written approval (of the Bailiff ?). Call of Rev. Selyns.


Classis also resolved that the Hon. Bailiff be waited on by Revs. Clercquins and van Noordt, in regard to that novel addition to his written approval, and he shall be earnestly requested in the name of Classis, that his Hon. be pleased to erase and remove that addendum: the brethren having conferred with his Hon., made known that his Hon. could not be induced so to do, but prom- ised that he neither wished nor would effect anything therewith to the prejudice of church-rights; this having been in turn re- ported to the meeting, the Classis decided that these brethren shall again address themselves to his Hon., and notify his Hon. that the Classis, notwithstanding the addendum, nevertheless regards and accepts the same no otherwise than as a simple approval, like those given by his Hon. heretofore. This having been done by the brethren, the Bailiff agreed thereto (allowed himself to be pleased therewith), declared further, that he had added this now only to clear himself of his duty the better before the Gentlemen of the Countship (some sort of local district) who claimed some privileges in connection with this church of Waverveen in particu- lar, as it had been built at their expense; but not in the least to the prejudice of church-rights, as he repeatedly declared ; yea, he rather promised that he would in every way aid in defending the same. Whereupon he was further humbly requested (to act) with the Brethren, with the promise of their gratitude. His Hon. likewise agreed thus to do.




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