Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume II, Part 30

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: 740


USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume II > Part 30


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everything has been done under pretext of pleasing King Wil- liam, and as if for the sake of religion; but in fact everything done was contrary to law, to King William, and to the Protestant faith.


Our ministers have been cast under suspicion through slanders against them ; while the populace, ever ready for any change, were advised not to contribute for the support of religious services or for ministers' salaries. Choristers and schoolmasters have been encouraged to perform ministerial duties. Members of the Coun- cil (of former Governors), who were also mostly Elders of the church, have been saluted by the unheard of titles (for them) of traitors and papists. Church officers and other members have been imprisoned and maltreated, put in irons, and confined in darkness. And not satisfied with doing such things, even the Sanctuary has been attacked with violence and open force. Domine Dellius, not being foolish enough to allow himself to be imprisoned, chose to fly (lit. chose the hare's foot - het haasen podt) and escaped to Boston. Domine Varick followed his exam- ple and fled southward to New Castle. No one remained to be troubled and plundered except Domine Selyns. Domine Varick, on his return home was attainted of high treason (crimen laesae majestatis). Domine Selyns offered himself and property as se- curity for him, but was refused and threatened with imprisonment himself. It would be too tedious, however, both for your Rever- ences and for us to write everything that was illegally done, and all that we suffered in this affair.


Their Excellencies, Mr. Slaeter (Sloughter) and Mr. Fletcher, have successively been our Governors. The former soon died. Fletcher is now our Governor, and is inclined to peace. He brought with him, under the advice of the King and his Council, a ratification of the sentence, declaring that Leysler and the rest of them were condemned according to law; but that the widow and children (of Leysler), having most humbly petitioned their Royal Majesties, should be allowed to receive back their (confis-


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cated) property, and to hold the same. Also those in prison were to be released upon due submission and upon promise of good behavior. But we ministers, possessing no power, and being only impotent servants of Jesus Christ, are treated with scorn, and paid in insults, and deprived of what is justly our dues, receiving no salary worth mentioning.


Yet during this year of troubles, a new church edifice of stone, is in course of erection, outside the fort and larger than the old one. In this we hope to bring to the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, many, who had a certain antipathy to the church in the fort. Domines Varick and Dellius will be compelled to leave, and Domine Selyns will be compelled to live on his own private means. Thus (by driving away Dellius) they are endeavoring to move away the candlestick at New Albany, and to quench the light which began to burn there for the conversion of the heathen. (The churches of) Bergen, Hackensack, Staten Island and Harlem have deserted us, yielding to the power of evil. They say that they can live well enough without ministers or sacraments.


Mr. Hobbe, (Rev. Jeremiah Hobart*) has left Hempstead for New England, on account of failure of salary ; and Domine Van- der Bosch, who was under censure, has left Esopus and gone to Maryland. We see no way to supply these places. Meanwhile, we must not omit to inform your Reverences, that the two French churches (New York and New Paltz) have been united, and that Domine Perrot will generally preach here in the city, while Domine Daillè will generally preach in the country. But the two constitute but one church, and the income will be divided equally between them. Mr. (John) Miller has come over as Chaplain here (for the British troops) ; and Mr. Cocx as chaplain in Mary- land. They are each of them men of considerable knowledge.


Your Reverences are earnestly requested to do all that is possible for our welfare, as well as for the welfare of the Church of God


* It has been generally said that Rev. Jeremiah Hobart did not leave Hempstead until 1696.


His daughter Dorothy, was the mother of David Brainard, the celebrated missionary to the Indians.


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here. Let our complaints, which are already lying on the table of your Classical labors and commiseration, be taken up, and poured into the chalice of the communion of the saints, and be communicated to the Christian Synods, that whatever is possible may be done. Should not your Reverences, or the Synod of North Holland, give information in some way, or else write a letter directly to the King (William III. of Great Britain), in behalf of our (American Dutch) churches and ministers ? Should not the Governor and Council here (in New York) be written to, and be informed that we (Dutch Ministers) were called with the full understanding of this (English) government ? Should not our Elders and Deacons, who bound themselves by special obligations before a notary, be admonished and aroused, to pay our salary more promptly and more adequately ? And should it not be plainly shown and proved to them, that such conditions as now exist here, are the reasons why no more ministers can be secured; and that such conditions tend to the destruction of both the church and all piety ; that they will turn Christians into savages; and will de- stroy, and bring utterly to an end, all the efforts heretofore made at New Albany, for the conversion of the heathen.


May the Lord give patience to us; and to your Reverences, energy and zeal, both to pity and to help us. We were called and sent here by your order, and here we will gladly remain.


Your Reverences willing and affectionate brethren in Christ Jesus,


Henricus Selyns. Rudolphus Varick. Godfridus Dellius.


In our Clerical Meeting


October 12, 1692.


Memorandum: If any vacancies occur at Curacoa, Suriname, or in the East Indies, I, who am suffering and have suffered so much, as shown by this, and other letters heretofore mailed to you, offer myself and my services for said places. It will be con-


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venient to reach them directly from this place, without going over to Holland. I only await to be transferred by the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam. It is impossible for me to live any longer such a life. My colleagues here, Dutch, English and French, are ready to give me all necessary testimonials. Let these facts be made known wherever it may be proper.


Called by the Classis, I am still willing to follow their advice and obey it. Awaiting such advice and call from your Rever- ences, I remain,


Gentlemen and Brethren in Christ, Yours, etc.


Witnesses ;


Rodolphus Varick.


Henricus Selyns. Godfridus Dellius.


COUNCIL JOURNAL, NEW YORK.


1692, October 24.


Governor Fletcher's opening address.


And first: That we may the better hope for a blessing from Almighty God, I recommend to your care that pro- vision be made for the support and encouragement of an able ministry, and for a strict and due observation of the Lord's day. p. 25.


INSTRUCTIONS TO GOVERNOR FLETCHER.


William R.


Instructions for our Trusty and Welbeloved Benjamin Fletcher Esq., our Captain Generall and Governor-in-Cheif in and over our Provinces of New York and Pennsylvania and our Country of New Castle and all ye Territories and Tracts of Land depending thereon in America.


And whereas by our said Commission we have thought fitt to authorize and direct you to administer to our said Lieutenant Governor and to every of the members of the Council and Assembly and all other officers and Magistrates what- soever the oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy. In case there should not be found Persons enough within our said Province of Pennsylvania and Countrey of New Castle of good estate and abilities for the said Trusts who are willing to take the said Oaths, you are nevertheless to cause such of them as shall refuse to take the said Oaths Instead thereof to subscribe the Declaration of Fidelity contained in the Act of Parliament made at Westminster in the third year of our Reign Entituled an act for exempting Their Majesties Protestant Subjects Dissenting from the Church


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of England from the Penalty of certain Laws. Whereupon you are to admitt the said Persons to the exercise of their respective offices and Places. Given at our Court at Whitehall the 28th day of October 1692, In the fourth year of our Reign. By His Majesty's Command,


Nottingham. - Col. Docs. N. Y. iii. 861.


CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.


ACTS OF THE DEPUTIES.


New York. 1692, Nov. 10th. Extract from a letter, dated De- cember 30, 1692, New York, signed by Rev. Selyns.


This refers to his previous letter of October 12, (1692), and of which, a copy accompanies the present, by the way of Curacoa. With the Governor and Ministers of this place they are in cor- respondence.


Varick sticks to his purpose, and asks to be placed some where else. They had attempted to remove him to Esopus, thinking that his church might be restored to peace by the letter from the Governor. But it was found to be too expensive, and probably it would have little effect.


The newly erected church (in Garden street, New York) he thought of consecrating the next day.


He also relates what an agitation there has been at Boston since his last letter, on account of pretended witchcraft, or an unknown sickness.


He has also sent over, on a separate paper, some examples of persons who, on this account have paid the penalty with their lives. He relates that he had had a conference on this subject, as soon as was possible, with the first Dudley* there. Upon the joint petition of his Dutch, English and French Colleagues, they requested to have their judgement (on these sub- jects) in writing. Thereupon the persecution for such cause ceased. xxi. 338.


* This was no doubt the celebrated Joseph Dudley, 1647-1720, who was frequently active in Massachusetts affairs. He was a philosopher, scholar, divine and lawyer. In 1690, he was made Chief Justice of New York .- E. T. C.


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Letters from New York.


1693, Jan. 19th.


Rev. Westenhof, as Deputy ad res Maritimas, read at the meet- ing a certain letter written at New York signed by Revs. Selyns, Dellius and Varick.


In this they very greatly complain about several matters re- lating to the general state of the church there, as well as about their own personal circumstances, as is more fully exhibited in their letter. They add the request that notice should be given of these matters, either by the Rev. Classis, or by the Rev. Synod of North Holland, to the King of England, (William III. of Orange) ; and also that the same matter should be presented in prudent (weise) terms to the Governor of New England, (New York and New England were then under one Governor) that re- dress may be sought from him, and that these brethren may receive all proper help, and be placed henceforth beyond the necessity of complaint.


These three aforesaid brethren also write, that if they should be called to any other foreign churches, whether to Curacoa, or in India, or anywhere else, and should be informed thereof, by letter, that they would be glad to follow up such a call.


The Classis was embarrassed and grieved on account of the distressful condition of those churches, and of the ministerial brethren there, and heartily wished they might serve and aid them in their necessities and inconveniences, according to their desire.


But inasmuch as, in the meantime, another letter of a some- what different character and which was also written by Rev. Selyns, has been handed in by Rev. R. Eelandt; therefore the Assembly, after reading this letter, resolved that for the present nothing should be done in this case, except that the Deputies on the affairs of foreign churches, should write a letter, and send it thither (couched) in earnest terms. In this shall be recommended to the Ministerial brethren and elders there in the most elegant


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(earnest ?) manner, mutual brotherly love, peace, and harmony. In the meantime the said Deputati ad res Maritimas shall keep the Rev. Varick favorably in mind, since he in this later (letter) seems yet to insist on a change, when any fit opportunity presents itself for another settlement. viii. 166-167; xix. 247.


GOVERNOR FLETCHER'S OPENING ADDRESS.


1693, March 22.


I remember that in the last sessions of Assembly I did recommend to you the settling of a ministry in this Province, that the worship of God may flourish amongst us, without which we cannot but expect a judgment to follow us and all our under- takings : I do not understand that you have made one step towards it; therefore I recommend it to your particular care this session. Council Journal, 35.


JOURNAL OF ASSEMBLY, NEW YORK, 1693. 1693, April 1st, page 30.


Ordered, That the committee formerly appointed for the set- tling of the Ministry and Schoolmasters, do forthwith proceed on that business.


CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.


CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.


Rev. Rudolphus Varick to Classis of Amsterdam, April 9, 1693. Reverend Fathers and Brethren in Christ :-


I reported in my former letter, how lovingly I was received by my congregation, and how this love continued for some years : but now for about four years this love has been turned into excessive hatred. The cause was the change in the government here, the common people having called their old authorities traitors, papists, etc. The ministers, knowing that this was unjust, tried to per- suade the people of the fact, but they only drew forth the same vituperative expressions upon themselves. The furor of the com-


1049 1693


OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


mon people ran very high, so that every body who did not escape, was taken by the throat, or, on feigned pretexts, thrown into prison. Merchants were forcibly stripped of their goods, in the name of the King. They went on plundering, in the name of the pretended magistrates. On our island, many Englishmen, especially, were robbed; and from time to time unheard of tyranny was exercised, which is too tedious to write about.


A new garrison, with its officers, arrived here in January 1691. The (new) Governor remained behind for some time, because he had to land another Governor at the Bermudas. The delivery of the fort was refused to these officers; the soldiers were not ad- mitted. The people rushed from their houses to the fort, as (if to defend it) against a public enemy. They opened a brisk fire, and two were killed, and some wounded. Finally Governor Slater (Sloughter) landed, but the fort was three times refused to him. At last the mob deserted their leaders in fear, and the Governor took possession. Eight of the leaders, and among them two of my Elders, were condemned to death. Two of them were actually exe- cuted, and six recommended to the mercy of the King.


How the court (in England) looked upon this affair, is shown by the fact, that the expelled Lieutenant Governor (Nicholson) was appointed to a similar office in Virginia three years ago; the for- mer members of the Council, who were imprisoned or had fled, were re-appointed by the King; and so far, no one of the other party has been appointed to an office in the government of this country.


It was our misfortune, that the first Governor, (Sloughter ) lived only a few months. Then the rabble pricked up their ears again ; that Governor had been a Popish run-away; and their side was said to be approved at Court. The acting ministers, etc., were to hang. We feared a second revolt for almost a year. If it had occurred it would have cost much blood.


Our second Governor, Benjamin Fletcher, arrived about six months ago, bringing the Court's approval of the proceedings here.


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At first he employed mild measures with the people; but having been several times provoked by them, he was forced to show his colors, and now they fear him; but at heart they are still the same.


I was in prison for about five months ; but, not like my fellow- prisoners with nailed up windows, or underground, or with irons on my legs. I was in a lighted chamber, with an imprisoned French Captain, from whom I thankfully learned French. I had done nothing else, than to warn my nearest neighbor, an Elder, who is still under sentence of death, that he should desist from acting so cruelly against respectable people; that the English had been greatly provoked by their losing the fort a second time; and that such conduct would work his ruin. Ten months afterward, I was imprisoned and declared guilty of high treason. What our present Governor thinks of these proceedings is proved by an enclosed letter of his to my Consistory. This I have had authenticated by the Secretary of the Government, who understands Dutch. My greatest fear was of being murdered while in prison. I was told to my face, that with the first shot from the fort all prisoners would be cut down on the spot. My wife because she was constantly threatened with pillage had to fly with everything. I have suffered much both by my imprisonment, and by the loss of goods, which were taken from me at New York in the name of the King.


I have not written to you for a long time, because I wanted to see the end of this tragedy, and did not wish to scatter my congre- gation. I always hoped to be able to continue here, as I still heartily desire to do, because the country suits me well, if only the people were better. But on the 12th of October 1692 I re- quested your Reverences to send me a Classical dismission, and a call to East India, Suriname or Curacoa, where I can go directly from here, and I still adhere to it (necdum muto factum) for the following reasons:


In the first sermon after my imprisonment, I forgave every- thing; but for two years now I have not reached the fourth part of my former hearers as they were little more than rogues under


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punishment. I have received but little of my salary in four years, and that only from a few special friend's in my congregation: I do not yet see how I am to obtain my back pay. Ministers who serve here will have to live on their own fat.


Our Governor, a very wise and pious man, has done his duty well towards the assistance of our church, as your Reverences may see from his letter. He has been the chief one to act in my behalf, and' has spoken severely to certain ones. He also summoned my Con- sistory to appear before him in New York. He wrote me a second letter, dated the 10th of February 1692, that I should report to him the names of all deserters from the church, in order to frighten them etc. He has brought it about, that I now receive more of my salary, and that one half of the congregation comes to church. Lately I had one hundred and two communicants, out of five hun- dred members. But many remain obstinate, and want neither one thing nor another. Others are more influenced by fear, than by love.


Two of my neighbors, excellent English ministers, have removed from here within two years, because of lack of support. I hear, that there are still four or five English ministers who remain at the East end of this island, for the people there are more pious and take better care of them.


Formerly I preached twice a year on Staten Island and at Hack- ensack, and also administered the Lord's Supper, but on account of the difficulties mentioned they do not ask me any more. I hear now, however, from their neighbors, that there is a certain cooper from Sluys, William Bertholf, who is also school-master and pre- centor there. He is a man well known to me, of courageous but stubborn spirit, a Coelmanist by profession. He has violently urged on the revolting party. They chose him for about one fourth of our usual salary, to be their teacher, and he is about to take ship at the first opportunity, to be ordained by some Classis, perhaps that of Zeeland, or Sluys. If he succeed, there will soon more of his kind follow. I have another of the same temper and


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style of thought under me; and then they will make the ministers here afraid enough, as already they are, even if these (ordina- tions ?) could be prevented.


Domine Selyns is no more loved by the factious party, than I am ; but his Reverence has more of the better element in his congre- gation, than I have.


Domine Dellius betook himself away for fully half a year, in order to escape the late troubles, but it was against the wishes of his congregation. Although there too the people were divided, yet the church was not so much interfered with.


I hope that your Reverences will duly consider the troubles of my condition during many years past. I have lived under con- stant hatred and contempt, such as I cannot express. Although I am friendly towards every body, and have all along interceded for many in distress ; I can give but little edification to the party opposed to me, having observed that the bitter feeling only in- creases from time to time ; and although the letters and the threats of the Governor frighten them, they also provoke them.


As to my salary : It is true that I have long had authority from the government to enforce execution, but that would only embitter them still more. This causes me to renew my humble request that some pecuniary assistance be sent to me. You can write by this same brigantine, the " Dolphin ", which will quickly return here; so that in case of extreme necessity I may retreat to the East or West. I cannot sufficiently praise the kindness of the English and Dutch authorities of this Province, in trying to rescue me from my troubles.


Before closing, I shall add something in regard to my journey or rather flight to the South River on the 7th of June 1690. I found in the whole of Pennsylvania only one Protestant Lutheran pastor, an old blind man. In passing I came to a Swede, called Capt. Israel .* He received me kindly. Upon hearing that I was a


* In another translation it is " Captain Seagrove ". There was an Israel Helme in Pennsylvania.


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minister, he said that they would make an agreement with me to be their pastor, as their own minister had died the year before. I replied, You are Lutherans. He replied, There is, indeed, a lit- tle difference about the communion, but we shall not trouble our- selves about that. Then I told him that I had not come with any such design. I then came to a Dutch village, near Philadelphia, where, among others, I heard Jacob Telner, a Dutch Quaker, who preached there. Subsequently I lodged at his house in · Philadel- phia. This village consists of forty four families, twenty eight of whom were Quakers; the other sixteen are of the Reformed Church. I addressed those who had been received as members by Mr. Oyer ( ?). The Lutherans, Mennonites and Papists, all of whom are much opposed to the Quakers meet lovingly every Sun- day, when a Mennonite, Dirck Keyser from Amsterdam, reads a sermon from a book by Joost Harmensen. I was also en passant at Sluyter's, alias Vosman's, in New Bohemia. They received me civilly. They were about sixteen in number, in their community (cloister) attending to agriculture.


Coming at last to New Castle I preached there on three Sun- days, and administered the communion ; I had there a little church full of people, Dutchmen, Swedes and Fins, (or French ?)


In closing I wish for your Reverences God's strength and bless- ing, both on yourselves and your service, in maintaining and build- ing up God's distressed church in these dangerous days.


I remain,


Your Reverences very obedient servant and brother in Christ,


Rudolphus Varick.


On Long Island, in New Netherland, the 9th of April, 1693.


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ACTS OF DEPUTIES. LETTERS TO NEW YORK.


1693, April 10th.


In execution of the Article of the Rev. Classis, the let- ters have been drawn up and despatched to Rev. Selyns at New York, and to the brethren Varick and Dellius. This is recorded in the register of letters. xxi. 339.


GOVERNOR FLETCHER'S OPENING ADDRESS.


1693, April 10.


" Gentlemen, the first thing that I did recom- mend to you at our last meeting was to provide for a ministry, and nothing is done in it. There are none of you but what are big with the privilege of Englishmen and Magna Charta, which is your right ; and the same law doth provide for the religion of the church of England, against Sabbath breaking, swearing, and all other profanity. But as you have made it last and postponed it this ses- sion, I hope you will begin with it the next meeting, and do some- what towards it effectually." Council Journal, 39:


LIST OF CIVIL OFFICERS IN NEW YORK AND THEIR SALARIES. 1693, April 20th.


The total of these amount to one thousand seven hundred and twenty eight pounds. Among them occurs the following: " Allowed to Godfreedus Dellius, for teaching and converting the Indians, per annum sixty pounds .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 26.




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