USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume II > Part 38
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THE ENGLISH CHURCH, 1697.
II. Property of Trinity Church.
1. No Church Building or property in 1693, in New York, for service of the Church of England.
And whereas at the same time when the aforesaid act was made there was not erected any public church or building within our said city, whereunto such a good sufli- cient Protestant Minister might have been inducted for his orderly officiating of his duty in the public worship and service of God, ac- cording to the rites and ceremonies of our Protestant Church of Eng- land established by our laws.
But such a Building now, 1697, is in Course of Erection on Broadway.
And whereas our trusty and well- beloved Benjamin Ffletcher, our captain-general and governor in chief of our said province of New York, and territories depending. thereon in America, hath, by his liberal and bountiful donations, as well as by his pious example, influenced many of our loving subjects, who have likewise reli- giously contributed according to their respective abilities, several sums of money, which by our said captain-general's direction, have been em- ployed and laid out for the erecting and building a church and laying the foundation of a steeple, within our said city, that the public worship and service of God, in manner aforesaid, might be more orderly and reverendly performed by the aforesaid minister.
2. A Lot North West of Church
lot.
Together with another lott of ground adjoin- ing to the north side of the said Church lott,
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1696- 1697
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
THE DUTCH CHURCH, 1696.
THE ENGLISH CHURCH, 1697.
abutting on the north side upon the lott of Hen- ricus Selyns, on the west side upon the alley newly laid out, on the east the lott of John Weet, and on the south the said Church lott; contain- ing, on the north, sixty three foot two inches, on the south, sixty five foot and a half, on the east, eighteen foot, and a half, and on the west, twenty two foot, English measure,
3. A Lot on Beaver Street.
And are also seized in their demesne as of ffee as in right of the said church, of and in a cer- tain messuage or toft of ground, situate, lying, and being within Our said City of New yorke, in a certain street called and known by the name of Beaver streete, being bounded on the west by the lott formerly belonging to Paulus Vander- beeck, and now in the possession of the widow of Nicholas Depue, on the east by the lott here- tofore belonging to Thomas Wandall, and now in the occupation of Jacob Lennen, on the north by the lott late appertaining to Ceonraedt Ten- eyck, and now in the tenure of Theunis De Key, and on the south by the said Bevers streete, con- taining in front towards the said streete, forty four foot one halfe in depth, on the west one hundred and thirty foot one halfe, on the east side one hundred thirty foot eight inches, and on the reere or north side forty five foot tenn inches, English measure,
4. The Manor of Fordham.
As also of and in a certain Mannour commonly called and knowne, by the name of the Mannour of Fordham, situate, lying and being within Our County of Westchester, in the Eastward of Har- lem River, near unto the passage formerly called Spiten divell, and now known by the name of Kingsbridge; being at the high woodland that lyes due northwest, over against the first point of the Maine land, to the east of Paparinam, there where the Kill Musketas is, and so goes along the said kill; the said land stretching from the high woodland afore-menconed, east, south- east until it comes unto Bronx kill; so westward
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1139
1696- 1697
THE DUTCH CHURCH, 1696.
THE ENGLISH CHURCH, 1697.
up along the Maine land, to the place where Harlem Kill and Hudson River meet, and then further alongst Harlem kill to the fresh spring or fountaine lying to the south of Crab Island, so eastward along Daniel Tormer's land, the high woodland belonging to Thomas Hunt, and then to Bonx kill, aforemenconed,
5. A Piece of Meadow.
As also of and in a certain parcell of meadow, No. 1 situate, lying and being on the said Man- nour of Fordham, beginning in the middle of a point to the north of Creger's house, beyond or above the small cove that lyes above the said house, and southwest in Harlem river, and ex- tends further northwest to the highway where the wooden bridge lyes;
III. Second Reference to Peti- tion for Charter, and request for grant and confirmation of these premises; and that the Officers and Members be in- corporated as a Dutch Church.
III. Reference to Petition of Man- agers of the Affairs of the Church of England, asking for a Grant of Land, and Confir- mation of Title to said Church and Land.
1. The Petition.
And whereas, in the said humble Peticon
they have likewise prayed our grant
1. The Request.
And whereas, our loving subjects Col. Caleb Heathcote, one of our council of our said province; Major William Merret, mayor of our said city of New York; John Tuder, James Emott, William Morris, Robert Lurting, Thomas Clarke, Ebenezer Willson, Samuel Burt, James Evetts, Nathaniel Marston, Michael Hawden, Thomas Wenham, John Crooke, and William Sharpas, citizens and inhabitants of our said city of New York, and the present managers of the affairs of our said Church of England within our said city of New York, have, by their petition presented unto our said trusty and well-beloved Benjamin Ffletcher, our said captain-general and governor in chief of our said province of New York, and territories depending thereon in America, prayed our royal grant and confirmation of a certain church and steeple that hath been lately built
.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1696- 1697
THE DUTCH CHURCH, 1696.
THE ENGLISH CHURCH, 1697.
and confirmacon of all and every of the premises,
within our said city of New York; together with a certain piece or parcel of ground thereunto ad- joining, situate, lying, and being in or near to a street without the north gate of our said city, commonly called and known by the name of the Broadway; containing in breadth on the east end, as the said street of the Broadway rangeth north- ward, three hundred and ten feet, untill you come unto the land lately in the tenure and occu- pation of Thomas Lloyd, deceased; and from thence towards the west, in length by the said land, until you come unto Hudson's River: and then southward along the said River three hun- dred and ninety five feet, all of English measure; and from thence by the line of our garden east- ward, unto the place of the said street in the Broadway where first begun.
2. That said Property be Conse- crated to the Rites of the Church of England.
And that the said Church, together with the cemetery or church-yard thereunto adjoining, may forever hereafter be dedicated and conse- crated to the public worship and service of God, according to the rites and ceremonies of the Protestant Church of England, as now estab- lished by our laws; which said Church and steeple, situate, lying, and being within our said city as aforesaid, having been built and erected at the charge of our said trusty and well beloved Benjamin Ffletcher, our said captain-general and governor as aforesaid, and of several other of our loving subjects, inhabitants within our said. city and province.
2. That the said Church may be Incorporated as a Dutch Re- formed Church.
And that we would be graciously pleased to make them and their Successours forever capable to hold and enjoy the same, by incorporat- ing the members of the said Dutch
3. That said Church be made Paro- chial and be Incorporated as a Church in Communion of the Protestant Church of England.
And whereas our said loving sub- jects, in their said humble peti- tion, have likewise prayed that we would be graciously pleased, for the better accommodation and con-
1141
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1696- 1697
THE DUTCH CHURCH, 1696.
Protestant Congregation in our City of New yorke, aforesaid, into a body politick and corporate in deed and name, by the name and style of the Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protes- tant Dutch Church of our City of New Yorke.
THE ENGLISH CHURCH, 1697.
veniency of the inhabitants of our said city of New York, that the same church might be made Paro- chial and incorporate into one body politic in fact and name, by the name of " The Rector and Inhabi- tants in Communion of the Protes- tant Church of England, as now established by our Laws"; and that, as such, they and their suc- cessors may have, hold, use, occupy and enjoy all the rights, benefits, advantages, privileges, immunities, mortuaries, and appur- tenances, as are usually held and enjoyed by all or any of our Parochial churches, of Our Church of England, within our realm of England.
4. That the money to be raised un- der Act of 1693 be appropriated to said church; also certain land.
And also, that we would be further graciously pleased to appropriate unto our said church, the aforesaid yearly maintenance of one hundred pounds, enacted by the aforesaid act, and make our further royal grant of a certain quantity of our land, near adjoining to the said church, unto the said petitioners, in trust for the use of our said church and corporation.
IV. Requests granted.
1. Reasons.
Now know Yee, that in con- sideracon thereof
as well as Wee being willing, in particular favour to the pious pur-
IV. Requests granted.
1. Reasons.
Now know ye. that in considera- tion of the great charge that our said trusty and well beloved sub- ject Benjamin Ffletcher, our cap- tain-general as aforesaid, and the rest of our aforesaid loving sub- jects, inhabitants within our said city, etc. have been at in the erect- ing of the said church, and laying the foundation of a steeple; and the further great charge that must unavoidably accrue for the finish-
1142
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1696- 1697
THE DUTCH CHURCH, 1696.
poses of our said loving subjects and to secure them and their Suc- cessours in the free exercise and enjoyment of all their civill and religious rights, appertaining unto them in manner aforesaid, as Our loving subjects, and to Preserve to them and their Successours that liberty of worshipping God accord- ing to the constitutions and direc- cons of the reformed churches in Holland, approved and instituted by the Nationall Synod of Dort,
2. Perfect Religious Freedom giv- en to the Dutch Church, with the Confirmation of their Prop- erty.
THE ENGLISH CHURCH, 1697.
ing the said church and steeple, and the providing it with suitable ornaments; and also for the erect- ing and providing a house, near the said church, for the habitation of a minister to officiate in the said church, in manner aforesaid, as well as of our pious inclinations. to promote, propagate, and encourage all our loving subjects within our said province, in that reverend and godly duty in worshipping and serving God according to the com- mendable rites and ceremonies of our Protestant Church of England, as now established by our laws,
2. Trinity Church made the Parish Church, and consecrated to the rites of the Church of England.
(1) Freedom of Worship to Dutch Church.
Have therefore thought fitt and do hereby pub- lish, grant, ordaine, and declare, That Our royall will and pleasure is, that noe person in com- munion of the said Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, within our said City of New yorke, at any time hereafter shall be any ways molested, punished, disquieted, or called in question, for any differences in opinion in matters of the protestant religion, who do not actually disturb the civill peace of Our said Province, but that all and every person and persons in Communion of the said reformed protestant Dutch Church may, from time to time, and at all times hereafter, freely and fully have and enjoy his and their own Judgements and consciences in matters of the protestant religion concernments of the said re- formed protestant Dutch Church, according to the constitutions and direccons aforesaid, they behaving themselves peaceably and quietly, and not using this liberty to licentiousnesse and pro- fannesse, nor to the civill injury or outward dis-
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1143
1696- 1697
THE DUTCH CHURCH, 1696.
THE ENGLISH CHURCH, 1697.
turbance of others; any law, statute, usage or custome of Our realme of England, or of this, our Province, to the contrary hereof in any wayes notwithstanding.
(2) Their property confirmed to them as a Dutch Church.
And that they may be in the better capacity to hold and enjoy the premises. Wee have further thought fitt, and at their aforesaid humble request, wee are graciously pleased to ordaine and declare that the aforesaid church, built and erected as aforesaid, and scituate, lyeing and being within the limites aforemenconed, and the ground thereunto adjoyning and inclosed and intended to be used for Ceme- try or Church-yard of the minister, elders and deacons, and other mem- bers of the reformed protestant Dutch Church of Our City of New Yorke, and the same is hereby de- clared to be forever separated and dedicated to the service of God, and to be applyed therein only to the use and behalfe of the members of the said Dutch Church Inhabitants from time to time inhabiting and to inhabite within Our said City of New yorke,
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(3) To have a perpetual Succession of Ministers. The First Min- ister.
And that there shall be a minis- ter to have care of the souls of the
Confirmation of their property as a Church of England
Have therefore thought fit, and do hereby publish, grant, ordain, manifest, and declare, that our royal will and pleasure is, and by these presents do grant and de- clare, that the aforesaid church, erected and built as aforesaid, situ- ate in and near the street called the Broadway, within our said city of New York, and the ground there- unto adjoining, enclosed and used for a cemetry or church-yard, shall be the parish church, and church-yard of the parish of Trinity Church, within our said city of New York; and the same is hereby declared to be forever separated and dedicated to the service of God, and to be applied thereunto for the use and behalf of the in- habitants from time to time inhab- iting, and to inhabit within our said city of New York, in communion with our said Protestant Church of England, as now established by our laws; and to no other use or purpose whatsoever, any statute, law; custom, or usage to the con- trary in any ways notwithstanding.
(2) To have a perpetual Succession of Rectors. The First Rector,
And that there shall be a Rector, to have care of the souls of the in-
1144
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1696- 1697
THE DUTCH CHURCH, 1696.
members of the said reformed pro- testant Dutch Church Inhabitants from time to time inhabiting and to inhabit within Our said City of New yorke, and a perpetual Suc- cession of Ministers there.
And we do by these presents, constitute Our trusty and very lov- ing subject, Mr. Henricus Selyns, the present Minister of the said re- formed protestant Dutch Church in Our City of New yorke aforesaid, who hath, since the building and dedication of the said Church to the service of God very well and religiously supplyed the same in all divine offices for the service of God and the instruccon of the members of the said reformed protestant Dutch Church inhabiting within Our said City of New yorke, in the Christian faith according to the constitutions and direccons aforesaid;
THE ENGLISH CHURCH, 1697.
habitants of the said parish, and a perpetual succession of Rectors there.
And we do by these presents con- stitute our right trusty and well be- loved the Right Reverend Father in God, Henry, Lord Bishop of Lon- don, and of our privy council, the first Rector thereof.
(4) Incorporation of said Minister with the Elders, Deacons and Members of the Dutch Church. Name of Church.
Wee have further thought fitt, and at the humble peticon of the presons aforesaid, are graciously pleased to create and make them
a body politick or corporate, with the powers and priviledges here- after mentioned, and accordingly Our will and pleasure is, and of
(3) Incorporation of said Rector, and his successors, with the in- habitants of New York in Com- munion of the Church of Eng- land. Name of Church.
And we have further thought fit, and at the humble request of our said loving subjects, are graciously pleased to create and make him, our said right trusty and well be- loved Right Reverend Father in God, Henry, Lord Bishop of Lon- don, and his successors, rectors of the said parish, together with all the inhabitants from time to time inhabiting, and to inhabit in our said city of New York, and in com- munion of our aforesaid Protestant Church of England, as now estab- lished by our laws, a body corpo- rate and politic, with the power and privileges hereinafter mentioned: And according to our royal will and
1145
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1696- 1697
THE DUTCH CHURCH, 1696.
Our special grace certaine knowl- edge and meere mocon Wee have ordained, constituted and declared, and by these presents for us, Our heirs and Successours, do ordaine, constitute and declare, that they the said Henricus Selyns, Nicholas Bayard, Stephen Cortlandt, Wil- liam Beeckman, Joannes Kerbyle, Joannes De Peyster, Jacobus Kipp, Isaac De foreest and Isaac De Rey- mer, the present Minister, Elders and Deacons, and all such others as now are, or hereafter shall be ad- mitted into the Communion of the said reformed protestant Dutch Church, in Our City of New yorke, shall be, from time to time, and at all times forever hereafter, a body corporate and politick, in fact and name, by the name of
" THE MINISTER, ELDERS, AND DEACONS OF THE RE- FORMED PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH OF THE CITY OF NEW YORKE";
V. Rights and Privileges of said Corporation.
1. Rights in Law.
And that by the same name they and their successours shall and may have perpetual Succession and shall and may be persons able and capa- ble in the Law to sue and be sued, to plead and be impleaded, to an- swer and be answered unto, to de- fend and to be defended in all and singular suites, causes, quarrels, matters, accons and things of what kinde or nature soever;
THE ENGLISH CHURCH, 1697.
pleasure is, and of our special grace, certain knowledge, and mere mo- tion, WE HAVE ordained, consti- tuted, and declared, and by these presents, for us, our heirs and suc- cessors, do ordain, constitute, and declare, that he the said right trusty and well beloved Right Rev- erend Father in God, Henry, Lord Bishop of London, and his suc- cessors, and all such of our loving subjects as now are, or hereafter shall be admitted into the com- munion of the aforesaid Protestant Church of England, as now estab- lished by our laws, shall be from time to time, and forever hereafter, a body corporate and politic, in fact and name of
" THE RECTOR AND INHABIT- ANTS OF OUR SAID CITY OF NEW YORK, IN COMMUNION OF OUR PROTESTANT CHURCH OF ENGLAND, AS NOW ESTAB. LISHED BY OUR LAWS ";
V. Rights and Privileges of said Corporation.
1. Rights in Law.
And that by the same name, they and their successors shall and may have perpetual succession, And shall and may be persons able and capable in the law to sue and be sued, to plead and be impleaded, to answer and be answered unto, to defend and be defended, in all and singular suits, causes, quarrels, matters, actions, and things of what kind or nature soever;
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1696- 1697
THE DUTCH CHURCH, 1696.
2. Rights in Property and Income.
And alsoe to have, take, possess, acquire, and purchase lands, tene- ments, or hereditaments, or any goods or chattells, and the same at least, grant, demise, aliene, bar- gaine, sell and dispose of at their own will and pleasure as other liedge poeple or any corporacon or body politic within Our Realme of England, or this, Our Province, may lawfully do over and above the rents, lands, Tenements, messuges, Mannours and hereditaments hereby settled on the said Corpo- racon and their Successours,
not exceeding the yearly value of two hundred pounds, current money of Our said Province;
THE ENGLISH CHURCH, 1697.
2. Rights in Property and Income.
And also to have, take, possess, receive, acquire, and purchase lands, tenements, hereditaments, or any goods or chattles, and the same to use, lease, grant demise, alien, bargain, sell, and dispose of at their own will and pleasure, as other our liege people, or any corporation, or body politic within our realm of England, or this our province, may
lawfully do, not exceeding the yearly value of five thousand pounds; the statute of Mortmaine, or any other statute, law, custom, or usage to the contrary hereof in any ways notwithstanding;
3. Duties of said Rector; Right to a Parsonage.
And that the said Rector shall have the care of the souls of the inhabitants within the said parish, and in the communion of our said protes- tant Church of England, and now established by our laws; and have and enjoy to him and his suc- cessors forever, one messuage or tenement, and appurtenance, intended to be erected on part of the said church-yard, or near thereunto as con- veniently as can be procured.
.
4. How Rectors are to be appointed. The Right vested in the Church- Wardens and Vestrymen. How to be inducted into office.
And our royal will and pleasure is further, that the patronage, advowson, donation, or presenta- tation of and to the said rectory and parish, after the decease of the said first rector, or the next
1696- 1697
1147
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
THE DUTCH CHURCH, 1696.
THE ENGLISH CHURCH, 1697.
avoidance thereof, shall appertain and belong to, and be hereby vested in the church-wardens and vestrymen, together with either of the church- wardens of Trinity Church for the time being; and that all the succeeding rectors of the said parish and parish church (except the first rector thereof hereby constituted) shall be presented, collated, instituted, and inducted as other rectors, parsons, and vicars respectively are accustomed to be.
5. The Rector shall have the same perquisites as the Rector of St. Mary Bow, London.
And we further declare it to be our royal will and pleasure, that the first rector, and all the suc- ceeding rectors thereof, shall and may have, take, and enjoy, such and the like oblations, mortu- aries, Easter-books, or offerings, and other eccle- siastical duties arising within the said parish of Trinity Church, as the vicar, rector or parson of St. Mary Bow, within our city of London, in our realm of England, now enjoyeth; and shall have such and the like profits of burials in the said church as the same shall be limited in the instru- ment of dedication thereof.
3. Right of the Dutch Corporation to a Seal.
And further, that they, the said Minister, Elders and Deacons, and their Successours, shall and may forever hereafter, have a common seale to serve and use for all mat- ers, causes, things and affairs what- soever, of them and their Suc- cessours, and the same seale to alter, change, break, and make new, from time to time, at their will and pleasure, as they shall think fitt;
6. Right of the English Corporation to a Seal.
And we further declare, that the said rector of the parish of Trinity Church, in communion of our Pro- testant Church of England, within our city of New York, as now es- tablished by our laws, shall and may, for ever hereafter, have a common seal, to serve and use for all matters, causes, things, and af- fairs whatsoever, of them and their successors; and the same seal to alter, change, break, and make new from time to time, at their will and pleasure, as they shall think fit.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1696- 1697 THE DUTCH CHURCH, 1696.
VI. Regulations for the said Corpo- ration.
1. Number of Elders and Deacons; to be chosen from the members of said Church; their duties.
And further Wee will and or- daine, and by these presents, for us, Our Heirs and Successors, doe declare and appoint that for the bet- ter ordering and manageing the affairs and businesse of the said corporacon and Successours, there shall be four Elders and four Dea- cons, from time to time constituted, elected and chosen out of the mem- bers of the said Dutch Church in- habiting in Our said City of New yorke, for the time being, in such manner and forme as is hereafter in these presents expressed; which person's, together with the Minister for the time being, shall apply themselves to take care for the best dysposing and ordering the generall businesse and affairs of and con- cerning the lands and heredita- ments herein menconed to be granted and of all others that shall be acquired as aforesaid.
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2. Naming of the First Minister, Elders and Deacons; and term of office of the two latter.
And for the better execution of Our Royal pleasure herein, Wee do for us, Our heirs and Successours, assigne, name, constitute and ap- point the aforesaid Mr. Henricus Selyns, to be the first and present Minister of the said Church and the aforesaid Nicholas Bayard, Stephen Cortlandt, William Beeck-
THE ENGLISH CHURCH, 1697.
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