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I remain, Reverend, Pious, and Very Learned Gentlemen,
Fathers and Brethren in Christ,
Your obedient and affectionate brother,
Petrus Tesschenmaker. New York, Oct. 30, 1682.
P. S. I am going to Staten Island to engage in the ministry there, during the winter.
The Church of New York to the Classis of Amsterdam, Oct. 30, 1682. xxi. 251. Extract in Mints. Syn. of North Holland, 1683, Art. 11.
Reverend, Pious, Very Learned and Very Prudent Gentlemen, and Dear Brethren in Christ: -
We duly received your favor of the 6th of April at the hands of Rev. Domine Henricus Selyns, who, with his wife, arrived here in good health on the 6th of August (1682) to the joy of the inhabitants. His Reverence is very dear to us. His great gifts satisfy the whole congregation, while his increasing dili- gence edifies the inhabitants, both in the preaching of God's Word and in catechizing. Nor shall we on our side fail to give his
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Reverence full satisfaction, that he may not be hindered in his excellent zeal for this congregation. We wish to thank your Reverences for the great favor and service done us. We shall always feel under great obligations to you, and we pray God, that he will please to assist you and to bless your councils to the glory of his Holy Name and the salvation of many souls.
We cannot omit to inform your Reverences that the church of New Castle is not able to agree with their preacher, Domine Petrus Tesschenmaker. They have given him his discharge, and have asked the ministers of Amsterdam to call for them one Ja- cobus Coelman, who, as we hear, is a schismatic and holds sepa- rate meetings. We have thought it necessary to inform you of all this, that his coming might be prevented, and a more suitable man be sent over, if possible, to keep the church free from divi- sions, and to preserve its unity, to the honor of God and his dearly purchased church.
Closing we heartily greet you, Reverend Gentlemen, and com- mend you and your families to God and the Word of his Grace; we remain,
Reverend, Pious and Very Prudent Gentlemen,'
Your obedient servants and brethren in Christ, The Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Church at New York.
New York, Anno 1682, the 30th of Oct.
Jacob de Key, Joannes Kerfbyl, P. D. La Noy, Jan Harbendinck, Gerrit van Tricht, Pieter Stoutenburgh, Johannes van Brugh, S. van Cort- landt, Cornelius Steenwyck, Pieter Jacobs Marius, Nicholas Bayard, Coenraedt ten Eyck.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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Rev. Casper Van Zuuren to the Classis of Amsterdam, Oct. ? 1682. xxi. 253.
Reverend, Pious, Very Learned and Prudent Gentlemen, and Fathers in Jesus Christ :-
Concerning the condition of our churches in New Netherland I deem it necessary, to send these present lines to your Reverences. First, we are very grateful to your Rev. Body for the zeal and care, which you have bestowed upon the vacant church in New York, in sending the Rev. Domine Henricus Selyns, for whom they had asked. His gifts and manner of life are praised and lauded as before. During the vacancy I assisted said congregation to the best of my ability. At first, I preached once a fortnight, from March to November of last year; but from November to August, in the beginning of which his Reverence arrived among us, I preached every week, and administered the Holy Sacraments at the proper times. For this I have been richly compensated by them. You will learn the rest from his (Selyns) letter.
The church of New Albany together with that of Schenectady expect that the earnest desire of their souls will likewise be satis- fied by your Rev. Body. The church of the Esopus is, so far as I know, still in a good condition, under Domine Weeksteen. We wish we could say the same of the congregation at the South River. A year ago there arose a great difference between that congrega- tion and Domine Tesschenmaker about his annual salary. I strove to effect peace among them, but in vain. Yet I did obtain this much, that Domine Tesschenmaker went back there in October of last year, under his promise to strive for union and peace. The same was also promised by an elder of that congregation who was then at New York. This however produced no fruit, and Domine Tesschenmaker came back to us last spring, (1682). I cannot indeed say who was most at fault, but I know that the difference broke out with such violence and slander, that we were compelled to defer further negotiations for peace until the arrival of Domine
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Henricus Selyns. We thought the best that could be done in this matter was to persuade Domine Tesschenmaker that he should make an offer of peace and of the renewal of his services for a fair salary. This I had previously advised him to do. Whatever may be the result, we hope that the end of this difficulty is near. It is most desirable, that they should accept his services as offered. If, however, this miscarries, and they have nothing else against him personally, except what concerns this difference, then this must be considered as an honorable discharge; yet this, so far, they have refused to give.
We have also heard on good authority that through a prominent member of that congregation, one Jacob Coelman, formerly a minister, has offered his services to them on certain conditions unknown to me, and that he would bring over about two hundred and fifty of his hearers and followers. To this plan, as we have heard, many of the people there are inclined. In fact, so much so is this the case that they are said to have sent letters to the Father- land for the call of said Coelman. We have written to the Con- sistory of Albany (New Castle?) advising against such a scandalous project. We have warned them not to desire the addition of such persons. These, on account of rejecting the Forms and the Liturgy of the church, or adopting other ill ways, had proved their unfitness for service in the Fatherland. In calling a teacher we told them they should appeal to your Rev. Body; indeed, that it would be best for them to take back their old teacher, Domine Tesschenmaker, and bind him to their church by a decent salary. We must further submit to the consideration of your Reverences, as we are in doubt whether our proposition would do much good, whether it would not be well for you yourselves to send a letter there (to South River), that the call to Coelman, which threatens evil and scandalous consequences, may not be executed, and the unity and general advancement of our congregations may not suffer a rupture. Finally, concerning our church on Long Island,
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we are in the same condition, as I reported in my last letter, to which I refer you. I hope that in my next I may be able to give a better report. I close herewith. With cordial greetings I com- mend your Reverences, your families and your congregations to God and the Word of his Grace. I remain, Rev. Fathers in Christ,
Your humble, obedient servant and brother, Casparus Van Zuuren,
Minister on Long Island.
Midwoud, (Oct. ? 1682.)
Godfridus Dellius, called as Minister to New Albany.
1682, Nov. 11th.
A letter was read from Rev. Godfridus Dellius, called and or- dained as minister for New Albany. Therein he makes known that he had not been able to sail in the previous ship, via England, from Dover, since she had left before his arrival; that he had left his goods at Dover, and of these he had not been able to get possession again; that it would be expensive, and uncertain, for him to return by the same route, (to Holland,) in order to go with that ship which would now sail from here (Holland) within a day or so; for she would run into the Isle of Wight, and thence sail to New York. He therefore requests since very soon a ship is expected to arrive from New York, that he may sail with her when she shall leave. The Assembly resolved to reply to Rev. Dellius seriously; that he should have taken better care to be ready to enter upon the labors which he had accepted in the Lord ; and that he must now use every endeavor to depart as soon as possible. A letter of such purport was written to him. xxi. 248.
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1682
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence. The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. Godfridus Dellius, Nov. 11, 1682. xxvii. 159. Extract in Mints. Syn. North Holland 1683, Art. 11.
Rev. Brother, etc.
Yours of the 28th ult. style L. has been read before us by Rev. Rulaeus. From it we reluctantly perceive that you are still try- ing to delay the proposed journey to Albany, and the entering upon the service there, but that you are willing to proceed in a certain vessel, whose very arrival is yet uncertain.
We are of opinion that zeal for God's house, and the service of the church, which you have accepted in the fear of the Lord, ought to have spurred you up to make all possible diligence. And now that the first vessel has sailed without you, you should have been in readiness, at any rate, for the departure of the present one. We are of the opinion that you are yet under obligation to make all diligence to that end, and under no pretext whatever, to delay longer from entering upon the service which you have accepted. He can expect small blessing who does the work of the Lord tardily. In the hope, then, that you will not let either time or opportunity pass, in which you may depart, we close, com- mending you to God and to the Word of his Grace.
We remain, Rev. Brother,
Your obedient servants and brethren, The Deputati ad res transmarinas, R. Rulaeus, p.t. Praeses. Gault. Bodaen, p.t. Scriba.
Amsterdam, Nov. 11, 1682.
ACTUM FOR THE BUILDING OF A MINISTER'S HOUSE.
1682, Nov. 15.
At a meeting of the Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Dutch Church of the City of New York, with the advice and consent. of the undersigned, former Elders and Deacons, the necessity of pro-
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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viding a suitable dwelling for the minister of this congregation, was taken into consideration. It was found through God's grace and blessing that the Deacons' treasury contained enough funds to build a dwelling, as well for the minister as for a Deacons' Cham- ber. Whereupon it was unanimously resolved that the Deacons, begin to build such a dwelling as soon as possible. And the Elders, in the name of the congregation, promise for themselves and their successors, to pay to the Deacons for such a house for the min- ister a proper rent, such as shall hereafter be equitably agreed on. Actum New York, Nov. 15, 1682.
Cor. Steenwyck - Elders.
Johan. Van Brug Former
Boele Roelofszen
Peter Jacob Marius Elders.
Nicholas Bayard
Thos. Laurenszen
Jacob de Key
Former
Joh. Kerfbyl Peter de la Noy John Harbending
1 Deacons. Garret Van Tricht John Darvall
Deacons.
According to the original,
Henry Selyns.
THANKSGIVING AND FAST-DAY.
1682, Dec. 31.
A day of special Thanksgiving, Fasting and Prayer, for the Dutch Reformed Churches, to be observed Jan. 7, 1683.
Honored and Beloved Special Friends and Associates :-
Since it has pleased God the Lord in his incomprehensible favor and undeserved grace, to visit this Province, and especially this City of New York with abundant blessings; to guard the same from all mischiefs and misfortunes within and without; and chiefly - while many in other parts of the world have been dis- tressed and oppressed for their religious opinions - to leave us
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1682
in the enjoyment of the pure doctrines of the Gospel and the free exercise thereof :
The Consistory of the above named Church, considering these circumstances in the fear of the Lord, feels itself officially bound, after communicating with the authorities, to appoint a special day of Thanksgiving, Fasting and Prayer, to be observed eight days hence, that is, on Sunday January 7, 1683: That on that day of rest in the new year, we may praise God and glorify his name for his undeserved goodness and mercy to this land in general, and this city and church in particular ; that we humble ourselves be- fore his High Majesty, and with humble and hearty prayers en- treat, that it may please his Fatherly goodness to bless his Royal" Majesty of Great Britain, (Charles II), and the Duke of York, (James, afterward James II), and this whole land, city and church, with all spiritual and temporal blessings; to keep us in health, prosperity, peace and love, once given to the saints, and to justify us all through Christ's blood, who - God help us - are burdened by many sins and heaven-high transgressions, and in his long-suffering, ward off the judgments we deserve.
We therefore, as interested in your welfare, earnestly entreat you, our faithful congregation, to observe the said day with Thanksgiving, Fasting and Prayer, and laying aside all unright- eousness and levity, to come in dust and ashes to the House of God, with thankful hearts and souls, that, together, we may call upon and magnify God's name, to the highest welfare of our land, city and church, and especially to the salvation of our souls.
Actum New York, in our ecclesiastical meeting, the last day of December, 1682.
In our name, and by authority,
Henry Selyns, Minister of the Gospel.
Nicholas Bayard Elders.
Cornelis Steenwyck )
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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PETITION OF MADNAN'S NECK AGAINST REV. MR. HOBART AND IN FAVOR OF THE REV. MORGAN JONES.
1682.
To his Excellency Thomas Dongan, Governor of his Majesty's Province of New York
The humble petition of ye Inhabitants of Madnan's Neck Humbly Sheweth unto your Excellency that ye greatest part of us have lived upon Madnan's Neck about twenty yeares and have lived without any minister amongst us and at ye first settling of this Necke it was consented to by the Inhabitants of Hempsted that Madnan's Neck people should not pay to any Minister at Hempsted provided they would or could maintain one among themselves and whereas in ye month of June 1682 we entertained one Mr. Morgan Jones amongst us to be our minister and were very well satisfied with him, But soe it is May it please your Excellency that Mr. Hobart that is now Minister of Hempsted did forbid the said Jones of living amongst us, in manner as afforesaide whereupon he was forced to goe away from us to our great damage and our children and whereas your Excellency was pleased to order ye said Mr. Hobart to come and preach amongst us once a month ye which he hath not performed on ye Sabboth Day the most convenient times for ye worship of God but he hath bin here three times on the week dayes which is very inconvenient for your petitioners: for in ye week days we must labour to Maintaine ourselves and our families notwithstanding the said Mr. Hobart Demands Salary for foure years of us without any benefitt that we have received by his ministry and his Collectors doth threaten to disstrain upon us for his pay and will we humbly conceive unles it bee prevented by your Excellency's gracious relieve. Now may it please your Excellency we doe not only want a minister to instruct ourselves but alsoe one that will instruckt our children for other wise we cannot expect but that Atheism or Irreligion will grow up amongst us for we have neare three score children upon Madnan's Neck afforesaide, and we have motioned it to ye saide Morgan Jones to come againe to live amongst us and find him willing to live amongst us again. If your Excellency think it meet your petitioners therefore humbly crave your Excellency to take ye premisses into your serious consideration and to release us from paying to ye minister at Hempsted from whome we can receive noe benefitt, because we live soe farr remote from Hempsted and to grant ye saide Mr. Morgan Jones Induction into Madnan's Neck afforesaide if your Excel- lency shall think it meet and convenient and your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray, etc.
Edward Here Constable in the behalfe of the inhab- itants of Madnan's Neck within named.
Endorsed.
Petn. Inhabitants Madnan's Neck .- Doc. Hist. N. Y. iii. 211.
PETITION OF FRANCOIS MARTINOU, JOHN BOULYN AND OTHERS OF STATEN ISLAND ASKING TO BE EXCUSED FROM CONTRIBUT- ING FOR THE SUPPORT OF A MINISTER.
To the Right Honorable Captain Anthony Brockholst Commander in Chiefe, and the Honorable Councel of New Yorke, etc. -
The humble petition of Francois Martonou and Jno. Boulyn inhabitants of Staten Island, for themselves and in behalfe of the Major Part of the Inhabitants of said Island.
Most humbly shew and complaine, That at the last Court of Sessions held at Gravesend, your petitioners when ordered to Contribute towards the Maintaniance of a Certaine person called Joanes Morgan a pretended minister in orders but by reason of his ill life and Conversation, much doubted of by your petitioners,
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
which said order of the Court of Sessions was obtained by the meanes of Justice Stilwel without any Summons given to the petitioners but only upon the misin- formation of the said Stilwel alledging that the Major part of the Inhabitants had consented thereunto, which your petitioners are reddy to make appeare is a great falsehood, for soe it is that the Major part of the said Inhabitants although several times attempted by the said Stilwel and some few others to dispose the petitioners thereunto, yet the petitioners have always refused, and still do refuse, to give any consent to the calling or maintainance of the said Joanes; And your petitioners are further Informed that the said Stilwel is Empowered to make the taxe for the same at his discretion; and are threatened by the Constable Thomas Walton for to straine uppon your petitioners Estates for the same.
Wherefore your petitioners, do humbly Implore to your Honors humbly request- ing that a Stopp may be made to the Illeagell proceedings of the said Stilwel; and that your Honors will please to graunt the petitioners, with the said Stilwel a hearing of the whole matter, or otherwise that the same may be remitted by way of an appeale to the Court of Assizes; where the petitioners doubt not but will be releived from the oppression of said Stilwel, and obtaine justice and equity.
And as in duty bound shall ever pray viz.
This is the mark M made by Francois Martinou. Jan boilin.
January 15th, 1682-3.
- Col. Docs. xiii. 567 ..
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letter from New Netherland.
1683, Jan. 18th.
Rev. Deputati ad res Maritimas report that they had received a package of letters from New Netherland, addressed to this Classis. They are requested and directed to read these letters, make extracts therefrom, and to favor (serve) Classis with their advice. vii. 336; xix. 212.
Rev. Dellius.
1683, Jan. 19th.
Rev. Rulaeus gave information that Rev. Dellius had indeed received our last; that he would gladly have complied with the injunction of the Deputies given him therein to depart for New Albany as speedily as possible, via England; but that it had been impossible for him to do so, because he did not have possession of his goods. He promised to go in the spring, with the first ship, and to enter upon the office which he had accepted there, (in Albany.) xxi. 254.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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LETTERS FROM JUSTICE STILLWELL TO SECRETARY WEST IN RE- LATION TO THE FOREGOING PETITION (OF FRANCIS MARTINOU, ET ALT.)
The Salary of Rev. Morgan Jones.
Staten Island, Jan. 19, 1682-3.
Sir :-
I received yours of ye 15th instant and was much Surprised when I perused ye inclosed Petition, but more to see ye confidence or rather ye impudence of ye Sub- scribers, who assume to themselves a power which I am very confident they can no more produce, then they are able to prove what they have in the said Petition alleadged - I have discoursed with severall of ye Inhabitants of this Island since the receipt of yours and have not yet found one man, that knew anything of the Petition, either English or Dutch, and if there be any others concerned in it beside ye Subscribers they are onely some few of ye French and Walloons, As to the matter contained in ye petition it is all false, for Mr. Morgan Jones was hired publiquely at a Towne Meeting, most of ye Inhabitants being present and in par- ticular, Francis Martino one of the Petitioners, who did then and there approve of the Choice as will be most easily proved; Soe did likewise the major part of ye rest, and afterwards at another Towne meeting the said Mr. Morgan Jones was againe confirmed and his salary voted to be paid him as by the enclosed will plainly appeare. At this Towne Meeting there were present Sixty nine of the Inhabit- ¿ants; the greatest appearance I ever Saw at Such a meeting on this Island, and it "was carryed in favour of Mr. Jones by the Major part the Subscribers of ye `Petition being both then there present: Afterwards the said order was presented "to the Court of Sessions who confirmed the same and this is the whole truth of "the matter, I never did anything of myself but by ye good likeing and by ye appro- *bation of the major part of the Inhabitants, neither did I ever heare that Mr. Jones was a person soe Scandalouse as they represent him, nor doe I know anything concerning his ordination but from his owne mouth, but I believe hee was quallified as hee ought to bee, because hee was recommended to us by Sir Edmund Andros who I presume would not knowingly encourage Soe ill a man - As to what they 'charge me withall about my being impowered to make a taxe for his payment according to my discretion 'tis a very great untruth for I never concerned myself further therein, then by my warrant to Convene the Comrs. who by the Unani- mouse consent of the whole Island are annually Chosen and appointed to make all rates and taxes for the defraying publique Charges, and it was by them the Rate was made and none else. The Reasons formerly opposed against Mr. Jones "when his time of payment drew neere, were none of those specified in the petition: All that ever was alleadged against him was by the French and Dutch, who said "hee not being of their Nation they could not understand him, and therefore were not obliged to pay an English Minister pleading the articles made with Generall Nicolls; and in truth those are their reasons still, although in their petition they Cloake it with other pretences, however they were allwayes out voted and every- thing was concluded according to the opinion of the Major part as the Law directed. "Thus Sir I have given you the whole truth of ye matter, and doe desyre that Cap- taine Brockholls and ye Councill may be therewith acquainted not doubting but "they will take into consideration the abuse which is offered to mee, in this false and Scandalouse Petition, when my reputation is soe neerely Concerned, and my authority brought into contempt, for if such things as these are countenanced, it will tend to ye distruction of ye peace of this Island, which I have hitherto care- fully preserved and for the future will doe my endeavor to continue the same whilst it is committed to my Charge, having noe reason but to hope I shall be justified in all my lawfull actings by their Authority - If my presence bee needful at New Yorke upon advice given mee I shall be there, and am ready to confirme what I have here writt by sufficient evidence in the meantime it is my humble Request to the Councell that noe stop may be put to our proceedings in this
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
847 1683
business for Mr. Jones hath beene long out of his money: wants it extreamly and 'tis a great shame hee is not yet paid, having honestly performed his part, Pray give my humble Service to Captain Brockholls and accept the same yourself from Your affectionate friend and humble Servant, Richard Stilwell.
Mr. West.
I wrote you at large on the 19th of this instant in answer to yours of the 15th but the badnesse of ye weather hath not afforded an opportunity of conveyance, Since which I have heard that ye Petitioners have made it their business to send round ye Island to perswade ye people to deny their former act and deed, con- cerning Mr. Jones with promises if they would soe doe that they should pay him nothing, and otherwise telling them that they must pay a great deal more than they really ought to pay; I am greatly troubled at such proceedings and now hope that ye Councell will consider how much I am hereby affronted, and by their authority put a stop to such irregular dealings which will be acknowledged as an obligation by Sr. Your friend and servant, Richard Stillwell. - Col. Docs. N. Y. xiii. 567, 568.
Statten Island, Jan. 24th 1682-3.
This for Mr. West, Secretary att New Yorke.
INSTRUCTIONS OF JAMES, THE DUKE OF YORK TO GOVERNOR
DONGAN.
1683, Jan. 27.
Extracts, relating to an " Assembly " for New York, which established Freedom of Religion; and to Morals.
You are also with advice of my Councill with all convenient speed after your arrivall there, in my name to issue out Writts or Warrants of Sumons to ye sev- erall Sheriffes or other proper Officers in every part of your said government wherein you shall express that I have thought fitt that there shall be a Generall Assembly of all the Freeholders, by the persons who they shall choose to rep- resent them in order to consulting with yourselve and the said Councill what laws are fitt and necessary to be made and established for the good weale and government of the said Colony and its Dependencyes, and of all the inhabitants thereof, & you shall issue out the said Writt or Sumons at least thirty dayes before the time appointed for ye meeting of the said Assembly, which time and also the place of their meeting (which I intend shall be in New York) shall alsoe be menconed & expressed in the said Writt or Sumons, and you with advice on my said Councill are to take care to issue out soe many writts or sumons and to such Officers, in every part, not exceeding eighteen, soe that the planters or inhab- itants of every part of ye said government may have convenient notice thereof and attend at such ellection, if they shall thinke fitt. And when the said Assem- bly soe elected shall be mett at ye time and place. directed, you shall let them know that for the future it is my resolution that ye said Generall Assembly shall have free liberty to consult and debate among themselves all matters as shall be apprehended proper to be established for laws for the good government of the said Colony of New Yorke and Dependencyes, and that if such laws shall be pro- pounded as shall appeare to mee to be for the manifest good of the Country in generall and not prejudiciall to me, I will assent unto and confirme them In the passing and enacting all such laws as shall be agreed unto by the said Assembly, which I will have called by the name of the Generall Assembly of my Colony of New Yorke and its Dependencyes wherein the same shall be (as I doe hereby ordaine they shall be) presented to you for your assent thereunto.
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