USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume II > Part 40
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As also all and singular the rents, arrearages of rents and issues of the premises heretofore ariseing. due or payable.
2. Right to the Income from the Ministry Act of 1693.
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And our royal pleasure is, and we by these presents do declare that the said rector of the said parish church is a good sufficient protestant minister, according to the true intent and meaning of the said Act of Assembly, made in the aforesaid fifth year of our reign, entitled, “ An Act for the settling of a Ministry, etc.", and as such we do further of our like special grace, cer- tain knowledge, and meer motion, give, grant, ratify, endow, appropriate, and confirm unto the said rector of the parish of Trinity Church, within our said city of New York, and his successors forever, the aforesaid yearly maintenance of one hundred pounds, direct by the said Act of Assem- bly to be yearly laid, assessed, and paid unto the said sufficient protestant Minister, for his yearly maintenance.
(1) Said Income from said Acts limited to sole use of Trinity Church.
To have and to hold the said yearly mainte- nance of one hundred pounds aforesaid, unto
1696- 1697
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
THE DUTCH CHURCH, 1696.
THE ENGLISH CHURCH, 1697.
him the said rector of the parish of Trinity Church within our said city of New York, and his suc- cessors to the sole and only proper use, benefit and behoof of him the said rector of the parish of Trinity Church within our said city of New York, and his successors forever.
(2) The Civil Church-Wardens and Vestrymen must collect this in- come of Act of 1693.
And we do, by these presents, strictly charge, require and command the church-wardens and vestrymen yearly constituted, elected, and ap- pointed by the aforesaid Act of Assembly, made as aforesaid, that they faithfully, truly, and with- out fraud, annually and once in every year, for- ever, levy, assess, and collect the said yearly maintenance of one hundred pounds, current money aforesaid, according to the rules, direc- tions, and clauses in the said Act of Assembly mentioned, and under the pains and penaltyes therein contained.
(3) And must pay it to said Rector, etc.
And that the said church-wardens mentioned in the aforesaid Act of Assembly do annually, in four quarterly payments, pay the said yearly maintenance of one hundred pounds, levied, assessed, and collected as aforesaid, unto the said rector of the parish of Trinity Church, and to his successors, forever, as of right they ought to do, without any delay, let, hindrance, refusal, dis- turbance, or molestation whatsoever, as they and every of them will answer the contrary under the pains and penalties in the said Act of Assem- bly ordained.
(4) They may be prosecuted by said Rector in default of payment.
And we further declare, that upon any neglect or refusal of the said Church-wardens and vestry- men appointed by the said Act, of their levying, assessing, collecting, and paying the said yearly
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1161
1696- 1697
THE DUTCH CHURCH, 1696.
THE ENGLISH CHURCH, 1697.
maintenance of one hundred pounds as aforesaid, that it shall and may be lawful for the said rec- tor or incumbent of the said parish for the time being, to prosecute the said church-wardens and vestrymen, in an action of debt, in any of the courts of record within our said province, wherein no essoin, protection, or wager of law shall be allowed, anything contained in the said Act to the contrary hereof in any wayes notwithstanding.
(VII. Privileges of said Church. (Compare VII, under Dutch Church.)
And we do of our like special grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, give and grant unto the said rector and inhabitants of our city of New York, in Communion, etc., full power and authority, from time to time,
1. May change times of meeting. See p. 21.
To appoint, alter, and change such days and times of meeting as they shall think fit,
2. May receive members into the Church; elect officers.
See p. 21.
And to choose, nominate, and appoint so many others of our liege people as they shall think fitt, and shall be willing to accept the same, to be members of the said church and corporation and body politic, and them into the same to admit;
and to elect and constitute such other officers as they shall think fit and requisite for the orderly managing and despatching of the affairs of the said church and corporation, and their successors;
May change their Rules.
See p. 22.
and from time to time to make, ordain and constitute, or repeal such rules, orders, and ordi- nances, for the good and welfare of the members of the said church and corporation, so that those
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1696- 1697
THE DUTCH CHURCH, 1696.
THE ENGLISH CHURCH, 1697.
rules, orders, and ordinances be not repugnant to the laws of our realme of England, and of this our province.
May collect gifts for the finishing of the Church, and for charitable purposes. See p. 16.
And we further declare, and by these presents do give, grant, license, and permit unto the said rector and inhabitants, etc. that the said church- wardens and vestrymen, or any other appointed by them, may, from time to time, and at all times hereafter, upon the Lord's day, after divine service, or at any other time or times when they shall think it convenient, take and receive the free and voluntary gifts, alms, contributions, and offerings of all or any of our loving subjects; which collections, gatherings, or receivings, shall be employed by them for and towards the finish- ing of the said church, steeple and premises, or any other pious and charitable work, as to them shall seem meet and convenient, any statute or law to the contrary hereof in any ways notwith- standing.
3. All to be held for sole use of said Church.
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all and every of the severall above re- cited lands, tenements, messuages, Mannours and hereditaments within all and every of their severall and respective limites and bounds above specifyed, together with all and every of their severall and respect- ive houses, buildings, edifices, tene- ments, closes, yards, tofts of ground, orchards, gardens, inclosures, fields, pastures, feedings, woods, under- woods, trees, timber, common of pasture, meadows, marshes, swamps, lakes, ponds, pools, waters, water-courses, rivers, rivo- letts, brooks, streams, fishing,
(VIII) 3. All to be held for the sole use of said Church.
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all and every of the premises,
together with all and singular
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1163
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
THE DUTCH CHURCH, 1696.
fowling, hunting and hawking, quarryes, mines, mineralls, (silver and gold mines excepted) and all other Royaltyes, jurisdiccons, fran- chises, preheminencyes, libertyes, priviledges, benefits, profites, here- ditaments and appurtenances what- soever to all and every of the sev- erall and respective above recited lands, tenements, messuages, Man- nours, hereditaments and premises belonging or in any way apper- taining unto them, the said Min- ister, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the City of New yorke, and their Successours,
in Trust to the sole and only use, benefite and behoofe of them the Minister, Elders and Deacons and other members in Communion of the said Reformed protestant Dutch Church in the City of New yorke, and their Successours for- ever.
4. Ownership of most Honorable kind.
TO BE HOLDEN OF US, our Heirs and Successours in ffree and common soccage, as of Our Man- nour of East Greenwich, in Our County of Kent, within Our Realme of England;
5. For a nominal rent.
YIELDING, RENDERING AND PAYING THEREFOR yearly and every year, forever, unto Us, our Heirs and Successours, on the feast day of the annunciation of Our Blessed Virgin Mary, at Our City
THE ENGLISH CHURCH, 1697.
the rights, customs, usages, bene- fits, members, advantages, advow- sons, presentations, mortuaries, ob- lations, offerings, fees, perquisites, profits, royalties, hereditaments, and appurtenances whatsoever, unto the said Church, church-yard, and premises belonging, or in any ways appertaining unto them the said rector and inhabitants of our said city of New York, in Com- munion of the Protestant Church of England, as now established by our laws and their successors, to the sole and only use, benefit and behoof of them, the said rector, in- habitants, etc., and their successors forever,
4. Ownership of most Honorable kind.
TO BE HOLDEN OF US, our heirs and successors, in free and common soccage, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, within our realm of England;
5. For a nominal rent.
YIELDING, RENDERING AND PAYING THEREFOR, yearly and every year, unto us, our heirs and successors, on the first day of the Annunciation of our blessed Virgin Mary, at our city of New York, the
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
THE DUTCH CHURCH, 1696.
of New yorke, the annuall rent of twelve shillings, Current money of our said Province, in Lieu and steade of all other rents, dues, du- ties, services, claims and demands, whatsoever, for the premisses.
6. Sure Validity of said Charter.
AND LASTLY WE DO FOR US, our Heirs and Successours ordaine and grant unto the said reformed protestant Dutch Church, within the City of New yorke, and their Successours, by these presents, That this our grant shall be firme, good, effectuall and available in all things in the law, to all intents, construc- cons and purposes whatsoever, ac- cording to our true intent and meaning, herein before declared,
7. Always to be construed most favorably for said Church.
AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED, reputed and adjudged in all cases most favourable on the behalfe and for the best benefite and behoofe of the said Minister, Elders and Dea- cons of the reformed protestant Dutch Church in the City of New yorke, and their Successours; al- though express mencon of the true yearly value or certainty of the premises or of any of them in these presents is not named, or any stat- ute, act, ordinance, provision, proc- lamation, or restriction heretofore had, made, enacted, ordained or pro- vided, or any other matter, clause or thing whatsoever, to the con- trary hereof notwithstanding.
THE ENGLISH CHURCH, 1697.
yearly rent of one pepper-corn, if the same be lawfully demanded, in lieu and stead of all other rents, dues, duties, and demands whatso- ever for the premises.
6. Sure Validity of said Charter.
AND LASTLY WE DO FOR US, our heirs and successors, ordain and grant unto the said rector, inhabi- tants, etc., and their successors, by these presents, that these our grants shall be firm, good, effectual, and available in all things in the law, to all intents, constructions, and purposes whatsoever, according to our true intent and meaning herein before declared,
7. Always to be construed most favorably for said Church.
AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED, reputed, and adjudged in all cases most favorable, and on the behalf, and for the best benefit and behoof of the said rector and inhabitants, etc., and their successors, although express mention of the true and yearly value in certainty of the premises, or any of them, in these presents, are not named; or any statute, act, ordinance, provision, proclamation, or restriction hereto- fore had, made, enacted, ordained, provided, proclaimed, and re- strained, or any other matter, clause or thing whatsoever to the contrary hereof in any ways not- withstanding.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1696- 1697
THE DUTCH CHURCH, 1696.
THE ENGLISH CHURCH, 1697.
8. The Dutch Church Charter not to be interfered with by Trinity's Charter.
AND WE FURTHER DECLARE it to be our royal will and pleasure, that nothing herein con- tained, nor any clause or article herein above mentioned, shall be construed or taken to abridge or take away any right, privilege, benefit, liberty, or license that we have heretofore granted unto any church in communion of our Protestant faith within our said Province of New York, anything contained herein to the contrary hereof in any ways notwithstanding.
8. Signed and Sealed.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, we have caused the great seal of our said Province to be hereunto affixed. Witness our trusty and well beloved Benjamin Fletcher, our Captaine Generall and Gover- nor in chief of our Province of New yorke and the territories and tracts of land depending thereon in Amer- ica, and Vice Admirall of the same, our Lieutenant and Commander in Chiefe of the militia, and of all the forces by sea and land within our Colony of Connecticutt, and of all the fforts and places of strength within the same, in Councill at our ffort in New yorke, the eleventh day of May, in the eighth year of our reigne, Annoq Domini, 1696.
Ben. Fletcher.
By his Excellency's Command,
David Jamison, Sec.
9. Signed and Sealed.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, we have caused the great seal of our said province to be hereunto affixed. Witness our trusty and well-beloved Benjamin Ffletcher, our captain-general, and governor in chief of our province of New York, and the territories and tracts of land depending thereon in Amer- ica, and vice-admiral of the same, our lieutenant and commander in chief of the militia, and of all the forces by sea and land within our colony of Connecticut, and of all the forts and places of strength within the same, in Council, at our fort in New York, the sixth day of May, in the ninth year of our reign, annoq Dom., 1697.
Ben. Ffletcher.
By his Excellency's Command,'
David Jamison, Sec.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1696
REPORT OF THE LORDS OF TRADE, HOW TO MAINTAIN FRIENDSHIP WITH THE INDIANS.
1696, May 11, N. S.
It is absolutely necessary to continue these five nations in his Majesty's interest in order to preserve those Colonies, and the · most proper method to effect it is by renewing (as they express it) the Covenant Chain which is always done at Albany by giving of presents to them, which at this juncture would be most gratefull and acceptable to the Indians who are now very poor, because the Warr has disturbed and prevented their Beaver hunting by which they mostly subsist. Eight hundred to one thousand pounds ster- ling value laid out in such goods as they most esteem, if well ap- plyd, may accomplish this design. The persons most proper to treat with them, being very much beloved by them, in the Provinces of New York and Albany, are Mr. Peter Schuyler, late Mayor of Albany and one of the Councill, Mr. Dirck Wessells, Justice of the Peace at Albany, and Domine Godefridus Dellius a Dutch Minis- ter, these always treated with them by the help of one Aornaut Cornelisse a poor Englishman their Interpreter who has lived a long time with the Indians and frequently converses with them. - Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 170.
GOVERNOR FLETCHER TO THE DUKE OF SHREWSBURY.
May it please Your Grace. I have received the joyful news, of that happy deliverance to His Majesty, and his Government from the base, and horrid conspiracys, and plotts of his Ennemies, and a day of thanksgiving is appointed, throughout the province, to be observed by all His Majesty's subjects, who I may say, are unanimously rejoyced.
The Association is signed by me, and the Councill, and copys thereof transmitted to each county to be signed, by all Officers, Civil and Military, Freeholders and inhabitants whatsoever.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1696
There is but one Gentleman in the City has refused, he is a Roman Catholick, and had made application unto me. A copy of his petition is herewith sent .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 149.
New Yorke the 30th May 1696.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Charter of the Dutch Church of New York. 1696, July 16.
Having received the foregoing charter, and privileges of our Charter, dated May 11, 1696, from Governor Fletcher, in the name of his Royal Majesty, for the use and advantage of our Church, Church-buildings and lands, it was asked of the Old and .
New Consistories, where, and to whom, the said Charter should be committed and entrusted. They requested Domine Henricus Selyns to receive and accept the charge. This, he finally, but re- luctantly, consented to do, with the understanding that he must not surrender to any one what he had received, qualitate qua, unless with the consent of the said Consistories.
Henricus Selyns, Minister at New York. Lib. A. 24.
Notes from Charter of Dutch Church of New York. 1696.
The Charter requires that four elders and four deacons should be appointed from time to time by the members of the Church; that the moneys collected in the churches shall be employed by the minister, elders and deacons, for such pious and charitable purposes, as they or their successors should judge fit; that the Consistory could make and revoke their own Rules and Orders, provided they do not conflict with the Laws of England, or the Synod of Dort. That they were to pay for the Church and its property each year, twelve shillings, querens. (The rents, up to May 17, 1699, were paid on January 19, 1699. Lib. A. 5, 6, 24.)
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1696
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1696, July 23.
PROCLAMATION BY GOV. FLETCHER, TO SOLICIT FUNDS FOR THE BUILDING OF TRINITY CHURCH.
" Whereas the inhabitants of the City of New York professing the religion of the Church of England, have with a pious and good intent, proposed and begun to erect and build a church within the said City for the publick service and worship of God; at the humble request of the managers of the said building, and for their encouragement to carry on and finish the same, I have, there- fore, with the advice and consent of the Council, given and granted, and by these presents doe give and grant, free liberty to the said managers to gather and receive of and from well-disposed persons such sum and sums as shall be voluntarily contributed, for the more speedy carrying on of the said building ".
Preceding this Proclamation, even the Jews had contributed : e. g. for building the steeple, Lewis Gomez, one pound two shill- ings ; Abram Luilna, one pound; Rodrigo Pachico, one pound; Jacob Franks, one pound; Moses Michaels, eight shillings three pence .- Wilson's Mem. Hist. N. Y. i. 500-1.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
1696, July 26.
Resolution as to the method of thanking Hon. Benjamin Flet- cher, our Governor, for the Charter of our Church.
Report was made by Messrs. Stephen Van Cortlandt, Nicholas Bayard, Jacob Van Cortlandt and Brandt Schuyler, the Committee ad hanc rem, that his Excellency, Benjamin Fletcher, our Gov- ernor, was very favorably disposed towards our Church, or the Dutch Reformed Congregation of this City, to incorporate us by Patent, under the Great Seal, and endowing us with much profit, and especially with many privileges. Such is our Charter and is so found in the front of this Record. The Consistory therefore resolved, after consideration, to give thanks to his Excellency, in
1696
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 1169
recognition of all this; and besides in place of the usual fee, to make him a present of silver plate, to the value of seventy five pounds or eighty pounds, in the currency of this Province. The Deacons will provide this in the way of a loan, and they shall be reimbursed in due time, from the Manor, or from other revenues of the Church. Messrs. Jacobus Van Cortlandt and Barent Schuy- ler are herewith requested to tender this compliment to his Excel- lency.
Signed, Henricus Selyns. Lib. A. 91.
COMMISSION OF DELLIUS AND OTHERS TO MAKE TREATY WITH THE FIVE NATIONS.
Benjamin Fletcher Captain General and Governor in Cheife of his Majesty's Province of New Yorke, etc., To Peter Schuyler Esq. one of his Majesty's Council for the said Province, Mr. Godfrey Dellius Minister at Albany and places adjacent, Major Dirck Wessells [Mayor of the City of Albany] and the Mayor of the City for the time being. I doe by virtue of the power and authority to me given by his Majesty's Letters Patents under the Great Seale of England, hereby impower you or any two of you to treat, confer and consult with the Five Indian Nations of the Maquaes, Oneydes, [Caijouges] Onondages and Sinnekes who have hitherto been faithfull to my Master his Majesty of Great Brittain, France and Ireland etc., and to hold a correspondence with them pursuant to such instruccons as you shall from time to time receive from me, so as by your endeavours they may be confirmed in their fidelity and allegiance. And from time to time you are hereby required to give a constant and minute account of all your proceedings to me and his Majesty's Council for the Province of New Yorke, and I doe hereby supersede vacate and make null any former warrant or commission granted in this behalfe. Given under my hand and Seal att Albany the tenth day of August in the eighth year of his Majesty's reign Anno Dni. 1696.
Ben. Fletcher.
(The words in the above Commission, within brackets, are from the Record in New York Council Minutes, vii., 210.)
And it is hereby further directed by and with the advice of those of his Majesty's Council here present that the sume of one hundred pounds be lodged in the hands of Mr. Dellius towards the defraying the necessary charges of these persons thus employed for his Majesty's service for which he is hereby obliged to give a par- ticular account to me and his Majesty's Council at New Yorke or to the Governour and Council for the time being. Given under my hand and seale at Albany the tenth day of August in the eighth year of his Majesty's reign Anno Domini 1696.
(Signed) Ben. Fletcher. David Jamison Cl. Concilij. - Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 177, 178.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1696
INFORMATION FURNISHED BY THE REVEREND MR. MILLER RE- SPECTING NEW YORK.
Whitehall Sept. the 4th 1696.
At a Meeting of His Majesty's Commissioners for Trade and Plantations.
Present - Lord Keeper
Mr. Pollexfen
Duke of Shrewsbury
Mr. Locke
Sir Philip Meadows
Mr. Hill
Mr. Miller late Chaplain to His Majesty's Forces in New York, attending, shewed a Generall Order from Colonell Fletcher to Mr. Gilbert Heathcote for his Pay dated the 22nd Aprill 1693. But a servant of Mr. Heathcote's accompanying him produced a letter of Col. Fletcher's to Mr. Heathcote dated the 29th of May 1695, in which the state of his Accounts is limited to the 1st of June 1695. And said that Mr. Heathcote had paid him all that he had ordered for. Wherewithall nevertheless Mr. Miller not being satisfied his complaint arising upon an account between him and Col. Fletcher he was thereupon told that the decision of that matter did not belong to this Board.
Being then further enquired of about the state of that Province he gave these following answers.
That there are about three thousand Families in New York and about five thou- sand Families in Connecticut.
That he was at Albany when the French came down that way in the year 1693. It was into the Mohacs Country, beyond Schenectidy. There were of them about two or three hundred, and as many of their Indians. The Force sent against them was from Albany much about the same number (English and Indians) under Major Schuyler, who speaks the Indian Language. Other forces sent from New York came too late. Major Schuyler's Order from Col Ingoldsby who commanded in Albany was that when he found he was near the Enemy he should fortify himself; He did so; And in the meantime while sent out detachments who in severall attacks killed about thirty or forty of the French party, whereupon the rest fled, and have not since returned. This was the only incursion of any moment that was ever made upon that Country before his coming away in June 1695.
That the Town of Albany is fortifyed only with stockado. There is about one Minister of the Church of England and one Schoolmaster in the whole Colony of New York. A Dutch Minister there had instructed some Indian children. But the English in New York had not endeavoured it. There are many Interpreters.
That the Trade of Albany is chiefly Beaver. Formerly it may have been to the value of ten thousand pounds a year but is now decay'd, by reason of the Warr between Our Indians and the French, not diverted to any other place. The burdens also of that Province have made two or three hundred families forsake it, and remove to Pennsylvania and Maryland chiefly and some to New England.
That the Presents usually given to the Five Nations are not distributed to par- ticular men amongst them, but in general to the whole. It is done. in the Gover- nor's name as by order from the King. Their returns are in Beaver and Otterskins to the value of twenty or forty pounds. Those presents of theirs are made to the Governor. He is doubtfull if not sometimes mentioned for the King .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 182, 183.
PLAN SUBMITTED BY MESSRS. BROOKE AND NICOLL FOR SECURING NEW YORK.
That the best and securest means would be the dispossessing the French of Canada and settling an English Colony in that place.
That five or six hardy youths (of good natural parts and well understanding grammar) at least may be sent to reside among those Indians to learn their language
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perfectly, and be acquainted with their customes and manners, that thereby the government may have the better insight into their measures and designe, and with more facility treat with them whenever it is necessary.
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