USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume I > Part 60
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COURT MINUTES OF NEW AMSTERDAM.
Arrears of Ministers Salaries.
1671, May 16.
Whereas Domine Samuel Driseius has stated to us by petition, as well for himself as for the widow of Domine Megapolensis decd., that divers persons are still in arrears to the previous allowance of the Preachers of this City, notwithstanding this W. Court did on the 11th February 1668/9 order, that the arrears should be promptly paid within fourteen days time after date of the aforesaid Order, on pain of execution; requesting further that such order should be made by this W: Court, so that the petitioners may receive the arrears of their allowance: therefore the W: Court decree and order, that before the merits hereof shall be disposed of, the Beadle of the Church, Willem Verscheuren, shall speak to all persons who by the list delivered in are debtors yet and still reside here, on the subject of their arrears, and note down the answer of each in particular in the margin of the list and deliver it in to Court on the Next Court day .- Records of New Amsterdam, Vol. 6. 300.
Gov. LOVELACE TO THE MINISTER, ETC., OF SOUTHOLD.
Gent .- I have been petitioned by this Bearer, Mr. Booth, who according to his Insinuacon there alledged conceives himselfe very much aggrieved in that hard and cruell Distress you have made on his cattle, wherein not only himselfe prov'd a great sufferer, but his poore innocent little children deprived of their Dayly sustenance of Milke; when that extraordinary Indulgence was afforded you by my predecessor of ye Exercise of your Religion after your own manner; It was not thereby Intended that such Severity should be extended to those of a different perswasion to your discipline; noe more then you would accompt it hard for any of you that lived under another Church, in Conformity to his Majesty's Establisht Lawes should be soe rigorously dealt withall for your dissenting Opinion. 'Tis confest ye Labourer is worthy of his Hire, but then withall it must appeare hee proves soe to mee, and not to others only if hee expects any wages from mee. The Administracon of ye Sacrament of Baptism to Infants, and ye Lord's Supper to ye Children of Grace I acct. to be ye essentiall parts of the Ministeriall ffunction as well as ye dispensing of ye Word of Life; and hee that with holds either away from mee cannot be properly a Labourer in ye Lord's Vineyard, but a Capricious Distributer and applyer of ye meanes putt into his Hands by ye Lord of ye Vine- yard as his Humor shall direct him, refreshing some Roots with water and other nourishment and with holding it altogether from others; How consonant this is to ye discipline of true Christianity, Common Charity and ye Practice of ye Apostles (who would that all Men might be saved). I believe you better know, then (I fear) practice; And therefore I would desire you not to insist on such rigorous Courses
* The Rev. John Youngs was minister of Southold from 1640 to 1672.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
619
1671
against those who desire to live under ye knowne and Establisht Lawes of his Majesty's Dominions least I be forct to represent to his Royal Highness ye great Inconveniencyes that may arise by it, and you be Interrupted In ye Exercise of that Church ffunction you now soe peaceably enjoy. I have noe more but recom- mending ye pr'misses to your Christian Consideration, I remaine,
Your Loving Friend,
Francis Lovelace. - Doc. Hist. N. Y. III. 200.
Forte James, New Yorke July 10th 1671.
COURT MINUTES OF NEW AMSTERDAM.
Salary of New Minister.
1671, July 11.
Uppon his honnor ye Governor's Letter of Recommendation that ye Court together with some of ye Officers of ye Church should take into consideration how ye Salary for ye Expected Minister from Europe may be Raised ye Court thereuppon have thought fitt to appoint a private Court to be held on Friday next being ye 14th of this Instant in ye afternoone at - a Clocq and do further desire ye Late Aldermen together with ye present and ye Late Church Officers will give their attendance at ye said time to consult with them Conserning ye premises .- Records of New Amsterdam, Vol. 6. 309.
COURT MINUTES OF NEW AMSTERDAM.
Ministers' Salaries.
1671, July 14.
In Obedience, To his Honor ye Governor's Letter and in pursuance of this Courts Order thereuppon this day, Appearing in Court ye former Magistrates together with ye present & former Church Officers of this Citty, unto whom ye Worshipfull Court Manifested ye Reson of this present Meeting, tendring onely for to advise together, how the sallarie, which is promised towards ye Maintenance of ye Ex- pected Minister might be raised, Whereuppon ye following proposalls where made and presented to this Court :-
Imprimis. That, whereas ye Great Excyse in the first beginning was Reysed, onely towards the Maintenance of the Ministers, that therefore the Minister ought to be paid out of the said Excyse altough some advancem should be made thereupon.
2ndly That ye Burger Excyse might be Raised soo Much as will Maintaine ye Ministers and Satisfie other Necessarie Charges.
3rdly That the Costumes uppon ye Importation of Rom and Wines might be Raised from four to five per Cento or more.
4thly That the Imposition might be Raised uppon Rom going up for Albany & Esoopus.
5thly That all Townes Charges might be Levyed by a General taxe, as itt is practicable by ye Neighboring Townes, provided ye Excyse be taken off.
Uppon which proposals, answer was made, that Je Sallary of the Ministers by ye English, ussually is Levyed, by a taxe, & that about two years since, ye Minister was paid by the townesmen. Whereuppon itt was Replyeth that in Case ye Necessity should Requiere a taxe itt should be much better that a Levy be made uppon any other account as for the Maintenance of a Minister & Secondly that ye Ministers abowt two Yeares since were paid by the townes Men was onely occasioned by the tyme of Warre, when the Government was not able to Maintain them & therefore it was then likewise proposed to Continue but for one or two, yeares, by a volluntarie Contribution; finally upon Severall Debates, Concerning ye
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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former proposals, Itt was mutually Condiscended unto for to Returne for advise viz. !
That itt would occasion a Great discontent amongst the people, to be both taxed & to pay Excyse Wherefore itt is in general proposed, that ye Grand Excyse should be something Raised, & that an imposition should be Laid uppon Rom going to Albany & Esopus and that ye selling of Licquors to the Indians should be per- mitted as it is throughout all the Government and some Excyse or Imposition should be Raised thereuppon, or otherwyse that all the Excyses should be totally abolished; and a general taxe for all towne Charges be made .- Records of New Amsterdam, Vol. 6. p. 311.
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, AT HOORN.
1671, Aug. 4 et seq.
Art. 12. Indian Affairs.
An extract from a letter from the Elders and Deacons of the Consistory of New York, of June 5, 1670.
In this they ask for a preacher. They add that the Governor had promised an honorable salary for the preacher called there, namely, one thousand guilders Dutch money, a free dwelling, and free fire wood. They also exhibit the authentic Act of the Governor thereon.
There was sent off by the Classis of Amsterdam, the Rev. Wil- liam Nieuwenhuysen to New York, as minister; Rev. Abram Oudewater to the Castle D'Elmina, (in Guinea ) ; and Rev. Thomas Menslage to Smyrna.
ORDER FOR A NEW ASSESSMENT TO PAY FOR A PARSONAGE IN
BROOKLYN.
Whereas Adriaen Heggeman being heretofore Schout of Breuckelen dureing ye Dutch Government, did together with Albert Cornelyssen and other ye Schippens of that Dorpe by ye Consent of ye Governor then in being cause a Rate to be made for ye raiseing of a certaine summe of money upon ye Inhabitants there for ye building and Erecting a House for ve Minister which accordingly they did, but did not collect ye whole summe, many delaying or refuseing to pay ye same, and although by ye alteration of ye Government ye said Schout and Schepens are long since dismist of their Employment yet are lyable to pay for ye worke about ye said House, and have by ye Court of Constable and Overseers been Condemned soe to doe, although they have noe power to constraine ye Persons in Arreare to pay their proporcons, which although it be for a publique worke, yet without Reliefe had therein is like to redound to their particular Losse and Detri- ment, haveing taken ye pr'misses into serious consideration I have thought fitt by and with ye advice of my Councell to Order and appoint that ye Judgement of
621
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1671
ye Court of Constable and Overseers against ye sald Adriaen Heggeman, and others upon this Accompt be made null, and hee ye sald Adriaen Heggeman, Albert Cornelyssen, and those concerned with him givelng in an Accompt to ye Constable and Overseers of what they have received, and what Is In Arreare they shall be clearly acquitted and discharged from any further Trouble hereupon; And ye Con- stable and Overseers of Breuckelen are and shall be hereby Invested with ye same Power which heretofore ye sald Schout and Schepens had to Levy ye Summes of Money in Arreare, upon ye Persons or Estates assessed If to be found; But If ye Summe intended to be risen shall come short (diverse of ye Inhabitants being elther dead or removed) the said Constable and Overseers have power to make a New Rate for ye Remainder upon ye whole Towne; And for soe doeing this shall be their warrant. Given under my Hand and Seale at Forte James In New Yorke this 10th day of August 1671.
Ffran. Lovelace. Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 652, 633.
PERMISSION TO DOMINE FABRICIUS TO PREACH HIS FAREWELL SERMON.
An answer to ye last petition of ye Lutheran Minister Mr. Jacobus Fabricius, wherein hee requested liberty to give his congregacon a Valedictory Sermon, and to install the new Come Minister accordinge to ye Custome used by those of thelr Religion.
The Contents of this Peticon being very reasonable, and (as I am informed) according to ye Custom of ye Augustine Confession, I doe very well approve thereof and grant the petitioner's Request. Given under my hand at ffort James In New Yorke, this 11th day of August 1671. -
Francis Lovelace. - Doc. Hist. N. Y. Ill. 242.
COURT MINUTES OF NEW AMSTERDAM.
Support of a Poor Lutheran. 1671, Dec. 5.
The deakons of the reformed Church of this Citty ys. day makeing their report, uppon the former order sent to them upon the Petition of Jno. Fossacre returned for answer that the said Fossacre had Lived on Longe Island, Weshester & Onckeway* about eighteen yeares and since the Lutherish Domine preached here, come to this place, and he being a Member of their Church, the sald deakons Judged that the said Church ought to Maintaine him. The Court Ordered that the Deakons of the Lutheren Church should be sumoned to appeare in Court the next Court day .- Records of New Amsterdam, Vol. 6. p. 34S.
COURT MINUTES OF NEW AMSTERDAM.
Each Church to Maintain its Own Poor.
Att a Mayors Court held in New Yorke the 21st of December Anno 1671. Present Capt. Matthias Nicolls, Mayor; Mr. Jno. Laurence, Mr. Corn. v. Kurren, Mr. Jno. v. Brugh, Mr. Is. Bedloo, Aldermen; Mr. Allard Anthony, Sheriff.
Uppon Complaint made by the daekons of reformed Christian Church of this Citty, that they are Charged with some of the poore of the Lutheran profession notwithstanding a Collection is made for the poore in the said Lutheran Church; as alsoo that the Deakons of the said Lutheran Church do not according to Cus- tome in a Publicq Meeting deliver up thelr accounts how they have disposed of
* Fairfield, Conn.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1671
the monney soo collected as aforesaid; Whereuppon the deakons of the said Lutheran Church being summoned & appearing in Court, and haveing heard their answer thereuppon; The Worshipfull Court ordered that each Church should for the future Maintaine their owne Poore; and that the Deakons of the said Lutheran Church should yearely deliver up their Accounts in a publicq Meeting in the same Manner as in the reformed Christian Church of this Citty until this day hath bene practicable.
Uppon Complaint of the Deakons of the Lutheran Church, It is Ordered that they shall give no more allowance to Jno. Fossiker, til further oeder .- Records of New Amsterdam, Vol. 6. pp. 352, 353.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Two Preachers to East India.
1672
1672, Jan. 5th.
In order to call two ministers to the East Indies, there were nominated in all, Rev. Gualterus Pereyzinus, Rev. Rudolphus Varick, Rev. Petrus Durant, and Rev. Petrus de Lange. From these there were chosen by majority of votes, Rev. Gualterus Pereyzinus, pastor at Ommeren, in the Classis of Tiel, and Rev. Petrus Durant, candidate for the S. S. Ministry, at Sprange. These shall be presented to the Directors by the Rev. Deputies. After obtaining their approval they shall appoint the time for the final examination of Rev. Durant. He was provisionally given the text, Acts 17:23. vii. 27. xix. 158.
LIBERTY GRANTED BY. YE GOVERNOR TO MARTIN HOOFMAN A MEM- BER OF YE AUGUSTINE CONFESSION TO GO TO DELAWARE, TO COLLECT MONEY TOWARDS YE ERECTING THEM A CHURCH.
Whereas ye Minister and Officers of ye Church of the Augustane Confession or Lutheran Congregacon in this City under the protection of his Royal Highness ye Duke of Yorke, have requested my Lycence to build and Erect a house for their Church to meet in, towards the which They doe suppose all or most of their Pro- fession will in some measure Contribute, and there being diverse of them in the South River at Delaware, to which place a Sloope being now bound a Conveniency presents, soe that they have pitcht upon Martin Hoofman, to Negotiate there for them; These are to require all Persons that they permitt and suffer ye said Martin Hoofman to Passe out of this Porte in the Sloope belonging to Capt. Martin Creiger bound for New Castle in Delaware, and ye Officers there are likewise required noe way to hinder or molest ye said Martin Hoofman in his Endeavor of Collecting 'ye Benevolence of such of ye Lutheran Profession in those parts, towards their Intents as aforesaid Provided It doe noe way hinder or tend to make Division or Disturbance amongst ye People, nor shall Occasion ye Breach of the Peace, the which all his Majesty's good Subjects are obliged to keep, Hereof They are not to fayle. Given under my Hand at Fort James in New Yorke the 16th day of January 1671/2 .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xii. 494.
To all whom this may Concerne.
623
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1672
COURT MINUTES OF NEW AMSTERDAM.
Domine Luyck Pald for Hls Services.
1672, March 5.
The Court this day allowed to Domine Luyck, by way of gratuity for Preaching before Domine Newenhuysen's Arrival, the somme of four hundred gilders seawtt. Vallue and ordered the Secretary to make payment thereof .- Records of New Amsterdam, Vol. 6. p. 365.
AN ORDER MADE ON BEHALF OF MR. CHARLTON FOR GETTING IN HIS MONEY FROM YE TOWNE OF HEMSTEAD, FOR TEACHING SCHOOLE THERE.
Whereas I am given to understand that ye major part of your Towne did at a publick Meeting Contract with Richard Charlton to keep a Schoole to Instruct ye Children and Youth there to write and read, the which hee hath performed for ye whole time of ye Contract, yet diverse of the Towne although they have received the Benefitt thereof, doe refuse or too long delay the payment contracted for; These are to require you to cause speedy payment to bee made unto him, according to your Contract, that Persons of that calling bee not discouraged, otherwise hee will have good remedy against you at Law to your greater charge and Disparage- ment. Given under my Hand at Fort James in New Yorke this 21st day of March 1671/2.
Fr. Lovelace. - Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 661, 662.
To ye Justices of the Peace, Constable, and Overseers at Hempstead.
COURT MINUTES OF NEW AMSTERDAM.
Church in the Fort to be Repaired.
Anno 1671/72. Ady 21, March.
Read the petition of the Kerkmeesters of the Reformed Church of this Citty representing in substance, how necessary it is, that the roof of the Church in the Fort be renewed; requesting to this end the Courts assistance for this work by furnishing as much money from the City's revenue, as is possible and interceding with the Honorable Governor that his Honor may be pleased likewise to contribute thereunto from the public fund of the Province etc.
Which petition being this day taken into consideration by the Worshipfull Court, their Worships, with the previous knowledge of the honorable Governor provision- ally allowed the petitioners from the City chest, the sum of five hundred guilders sewant value .- Records of New Amsterdam, Vol. 6. pp. 367, 368.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Rev. Rensselaer, Accepted, as Expectant for Foreign Churches.
1672, April 4th.
Rev. Nicholas van Rensselaer having come within, exhibited certificates from some members of the German (Dutch) church
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1672
in London, as well as from the Rev. Consistory at Leyden, as to his doctrine and life. He requested to be advanced for the churches in foreign lands. After delivering a sermon he was admitted among the " expectants ". vii. 30. xix. 159.
Correspondence from America.
1672; Spring? The Church of New York to the Classis of Amsterdam.
No date. (1672)
Reverend, Pious, Very Learned, Very Prudent Gentlemen and Dear Brethren in Christ :-
The particular care, which the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam has already shown for building up the Church of Jesus Christ, as well at home as in foreign lands, is well known to us, and has been verified several times heretofore. The indefatigable dili- gence again employed by your Rev. Assembly, to provide our vacant church in these parts with a pious and learned minister, is highly gratifying to us, and especially so because, notwithstand- ing the change of government in this country, and the disinclina- tion of certain licentiates to come over here, yet your Reverences have not rested, until you had legally called Domine Wilhelmus van Nieuwenhuysen, L.A.M. as pastor and overseer of our con- gregation; and you also persuaded him to accept the call. He arrived safely here last July and delivered us your letter. His person is very agreeable to us, and his gifts fully satisfy the congregation. He labors daily and diligently in edifying our peo- ple, either by preaching God's Word, or by catechising the young. Therefore we shall always consider ourselves obliged to show very great gratitude towards your Reverences for the fatherly interest you have shown us, and are compelled to pray ardently to the supreme Shepherd of souls, that he will still more greatly bless the councils of your Rev. Assembly, to the glorification of his Holy Name,' the edification of his dearly bought church, and the gain of many souls.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
625 1672
We should earlier have sent you our dutiful thanks, if we had not waited so long in order to consult about a good way for paying the salary promised to our minister. This way has now been found to the full relief of his Reverence and the satisfac- tion of the congregation.
There is nothing more to say, Rev. Gentlemen, except to convey our cordial greetings, wherewith we commend your Rever- ences persons and families and property to the word of His grace. We remain meantime,
Reverend, Pious, Very Learned, Very Prudent, Gentlemen,
Your obliged Servants and Brethren in Christ,
The Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Church at New York. In the name of all,
Oloff Stevensen van Cortlandt, Elder. Jeronimus Ebbinck, Deacon.
(The points of this letter are given at a meeting of the Depu- ties, Sept. 13, 1672, (Vol. xxi:127,) and hence the date would probably be the first half of 1672. There is also an extract of the same in the Minutes of the Synod of North Holland, 1673, Art. 12, p. 20.)
Correspondence from America.
1672, July 13th.
Agreement between the Pastor and Consistory of New York concerning his salary. xxvii. 147.
Pastor and Consistory being assembled, it is determined that in the payment of one thousand guilders, Dutch currency, as the annual salary of Rev. Nieuwenhuysen, the beavers shall never be valued higher or lower than six guilders each; that silver money shall be according to Dutch value; and the sewant shall
40
626
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1672
be valued according to the exchange. This shall remain un- changed so long as Rev. Van Nieuwenhuysen continues here. Signed,
Oleft Stevens Cortlandt, Johannes De Piester, Peter Jacobse Marius, Jacob Leisler, Jeronimus Elbing, Pieter Stoutenburg.
Wilhelmus Van Nieuwenhuysen,
as Pastor.
Subscript :
This copy corresponds to the original in the church-book, to which testify, etc.
Acts of the Deputies.
1672, Sept. 13th.
Rev. Laurentius in the Chair.
A letter without date, written by the elders and deacons in New York, was read. Therein they inform us, that they had received our letters, and that Rev. William Nieuwenhuysen, sent to them as their pastor, had safely arrived, and that he was highly satisfactory to them, edifying the church by his preach- ing and catechising; that they are indebted to the Rev. Classis for the trouble they had taken, and should have written sooner, but delayed, in order to be enabled to decide first concerning the best means of meeting the requirements of the salary prom- ised. This had now been fixed to the full satisfaction of his Reverence as well as of the congregation. xxi. 127.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
627 1672
EXPLANATION OF CONCESSIONS MADE IN 1664-5 BY JAMES, DUKE OF YORK, AND CARTERET AND BERKELEY.
(From Leaming and Spicer.) 1672, Dec. 6.
II. As to the 8th Article, it shall be in the Power of the Governor and Council, to constitute and appoint such Ministers and Preachers as shall be nominated and chosen by the several Corporations, without the General Assembly, and to establish their maintenance, giving Liberty besides to any Person or Per- sons to keep and maintain what Ministers or Preachers they please. Page 33.
This was renewed in 1674, after the resurrender of the Prov- ince to the English. Page 55.
PETITION (NOT SIGNED) FOR A GRANT OF FOUR THOUSAND ACRES OF LAND ABOVE AND BELOW THE FALLS ON THE DELAWARE, WITH THE PRIVILEGE OF LIBERTY OF WORSHIP, CALLING A MINISTER, HOLDING COURT, ETC.
Right honereabill Ed. Andros, Governor:
1672?
For wee thought good to propound ffew things unto your honners Consideration for the seatilment of ourselves and famelies at the falles of Delaway River.
First we Request of your honner such a trackt of Land in the please aforesaid Contayneing ffowar thousand eakers of Land lying by the River that is to saye ffowar miles above the fales and ffowar miles Belowe with the ijlands therebye and that the ijland callid by the name of Mr. Olderidges (Airichs) ijiand may be procuarid ffor us and that your honner wolde be pleased to give us such a Pattin ffor the same: whereby it maye be Confermid unto ourselves and ayares or suck- sesars ffor ever and bodies this ffowar thousand eakeres of Land we Request a nother parte of Land to by as Comman and ffree ffrom any payments but for the ffowar thousand Akeres after the exspireation of seven veres paying ffor every hondred eakeres one scipell of wheate yerely shail then be ffreid ffrom any other payments as to the publick.
2ly that we may have our Liberty in point of worship and the Choise of our owne Ministar and that nothing may be imposed upon him which may be offensive unto his Conshence.
3ly that we may have the Liberty ffor the judging of such difaranses as may any way hapin amongt as to give a ffinal determination thereof exsept of matters which moste properly belong to the Courte of Asisis. That we may have the Liberty of treade and make the best of what we shall Rayes or maye produce and tranceporte into any partes of his Majesty's Dominyons either Yorke Boston or Barbadoes or where we maye make the best of what we shall any waye produce. provided we paye the Kings Custome as in New Yorke we then be ffree to trance- porte it where we please without any ffurdar paymente .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xil. 521, 522.
628
1673
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, AT EDAM.
1673, Aug. 8 et seq.
Art. 12. Indian Affairs.
Extract from a letter, undated, written from New York by the Elders and Deacons there.
1. It makes known that Rev. William Nieuwenhuysen, sent to them by us as minister, safely arrived there in the last of July ; that he (his person) was very acceptable to them, and that he edified the congregation by his preaching and catechising.
2. They would have written sooner, but were delayed in their efforts to devise some good plan for his payment. This had now been accomplished to his satisfaction, and the pleasure of all the people.
1673, Aug. 9.
[Reconquest of New Netherland by the Dutch. See Col. Docs. N. Y. ii. 569-732; iii. 199-227; Doc. Hist. N. Y. iii. 45-65. Amsterdam Correspondence and Documents, 1673, onward. Also Brodhead's New York, ii. 204-260.]
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