Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume II, Part 44

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


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After calling upon God's name, the former and present Con- sistory were informed that a certain protest, without date, had been handed in, against the call issued by us, and relating also to some other matters, by Messrs. Samuel Staets, Johannes de Peyster and Dr. Joh. Kerfbyl, who were requested to be present, and are now here concerning this protest.


It was resolved, that the said protest should first be read and understood, before the said protesting parties should be admitted. When admitted, the protest was read a second time, and they were then asked, what their complaints were, against the call, and the other matters. They were granted time to speak as long as they wished, and their Reverence would hear them with pleasure.


They answered that they had written to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam concerning the call, and that was done with. But


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they yet objected to the manner of the choice of an Elder, and of the Church-Masters. They requested in these matters to be heard only by the governing Consistory. Upon withdrawing, they were promised a verbal report or a written communication.


The Rev. Consistory has considered this matter, having only the peace of the Church of Christ in view. They decided, in order not to omit anything for peace, that they would consider everything that was brought forward in the said protest, and answer it.


It was found to consist of four distinct parts, namely :


1. That they had frequently asked for a hearing in the presence of the former Consistory, and that this had not been granted.


2. It related to the call of a second minister, without consulting the members of former Consistories and the most prominent mem- bers of the congregation.


3. It related to the election of an Elder.


4. And finally, it related to the appointment of Church-Masters by the Consistory and the Church-Masters.


We should have wished, that the said protesting parties had allowed us and themselves to live in peace. However, to satisfy them and to lay the foundation for peace in the church with all amity, their protest shall be lovingly and quietly answered.


First: Our minutes and church-appointments prove that these gentlemen have been heard more than once, and that we then com- plained, and have since been obliged to complain, that all these evils must be ascribed to them. For, if it may comport with their self respect, it was they who kept back our papers and the sub- scription lists, contrary to the wishes of the Consistory, and actually never delivered them.


Secondly : After calling upon the Lord, and after full considera- tion, with subscriptions from all the principal heads of families and members of our church, we, agreeably to our Charter and the Rules of the Dutch Church, by circular letters, as usual, to all


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the Dutch churches in this Province, notified them of this call which we had made. These all, with the exception of Kingstouwne, approved of it and declared it praiseworthy in all respects. These answers were signed by the Rev. Ministers, Elders and Deacons, of the churches of Christ in New Albany, Schenechtade, Midwoudt, Amesfort, Breuckelen, Uytrecht, Bergen, and Haerlem. Without counting our own Consistory, these signatures counted forty one church officers. That nothing might be omitted that could be de- sired respecting this call, the old or former Consistory was invited and requested to examine it, to suggest what more could be done. They unanimously, nemine contradicente, approved, ratified and signed it.


Thirdly: As to the election of an Elder: When the votes are a tie, the deciding vote here has frequently been given by the pre- siding officer. For example, when Mr. Stephanus van Cortlandt, Colonel and Member of his Majesty's Council was elected to this office, there was no opposition (to such a casting vote.) It is also usual in all civil, military, consistorial, classical and Synodical meetings. There is no obligation to draw lots. When the question was put, it was so decided by five of the governing members of the Consistory against three doubting votes; and by six of the former Consistory against one.


The last is a small matter, not worth debating in a time of peace; to wit: That our Church-Masters should be chosen by the Consistory and the Church-Masters. This is not worth our time .* When our church was to be built, and Church-Masters were to be elected, the Church-Master, Fredrick Philipszen, voted with the Consistory. Consistory and Church-Masters vote for Church-Mas- ters, at Midwoudt. Their office and persons drawing no pay are most honorable. The majority of our governing Consistory are also of this opinion. If these should be voted for again, they would be the same persons. There were none of the former Con-


* Memorandum: It is said: " When our Church was to be built, and Church- Masters to be elected ". This must be explained and understood to mean: " When our Church was to be built and builders were to be chosen, who have since been called Church-Masters ", etc.


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sistory who were against it, excepting a single one, who was not willing to vote either way. We have resolved that our usual custom shall be continued.


The meeting, at all times inclined to peace, repeated their hope, that the protesting gentlemen would hereby receive all possible satisfaction. We offered them our right hand of fellowship, that the breach might be healed, God's Church strengthened and built up, and that we might, as it was a few years ago, gather together in the house of the Lord with one heart and with one soul, at the Supper of our Lord.


Finally it was deemed proper and resolved, that a copy of these proceedings and resolutions should be delivered the next day to the said protesting gentlemen, to see whether, by these means, they could be persuaded to more brotherly love and peace.


Henricus Selyns, Minister of the Dutch Church at New York.


No. 17. Consideration, whether we, who have been constituted a Corporation, established as a Dutch Church, privileged by our Charter to call a minister or ministers and to support them, are not allowed to call any one, or pay a salary unless we have first consulted with the government of this Province. This is answered by (an extract from one of our) ecclesiastical letters to the Dutch Minister and Consistory of the (Dutch) Church (of Austin Friars) at London, dated the 27th of November last, (1698), which reads as follows :


" They have since tried to injure us with his Excellency, the Earl of Bellomont, our Governor, to whom we are ready to do all possible honor, and to show obedience to the best of our ability. It is said, that then (the time of this call), we had no Charter, and did more than the French churches. Now having a Charter, . with power to call one or more ministers, is it possible that we cannot do it, except with the consent of the government ? Shall this call, therefore, pious and praiseworthy as it is, be interfered with and given up? Your Reverences will please to inform us


1698


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what your duties and customs are as to notifying or not notifying the government; we would like to know the fact, and to act con- formably to your ecclesiastical customs. If any one ought to have been notified, after we had received the Charter, it should have been his Excellency, Colonel Fletcher, who was then Governor. For the call was then (first) decided upon, and the subscriptions were then made by the congregation, which these same gentlemen refused to deliver to the Consistory. Now, because Quakers do not engage pastors, they thus haggle, in order to smash the Charter and the Church."


No. 18. Second protest, made, as before, against the before- mentioned election, by Messrs. Samuel Staets, Johannes de Peyster and Dr. Joannes Kerfbyl, handed in on the 12th of November, 1698.


To the Rev. Domine Henricus Selyns, Minister and the other members of the Rev. Consistory in this City.


We, the undersigned, protest herewith against the unfair and improper proceedings of Domine Selyns. We asked in our former request, to be heard before his Reverence and the Rev. Consistory. Among them we trust and know the majority to be men, loving fairness and peace. Of this Domine Selyns is also himself per- suaded. If we could, therefore, have made our propositions be- fore the said Consistory, we could undoubtedly have presented such measures and expedients that these differences might have been amicably adjusted and cleared away. But instead of doing that, Domine Selyns calls in the former Consistory, before which we did not wish to be summoned, until the proper time had come, and he did this only in order to carry the matter by the majority of votes, our opponents being among them (the former Consistory), and thus to appear as having acted according to law. By these means he intended further to hoodwink, nay, even to deceive, the Rev. Classis. We complain and protest, with grief, against this detesta- ble way of proceeding; especially as it was promised last night


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by Domine Selyns, that a written reply to the two last articles of our request should be sent. The former had to be sent to the Rev. Classis. It was sent to us only on Saturday evening, so that we should have no time for an answer before the publication is again made to-morrow. We received instead of a satisfactory answer, a writing full of falsehoods, distortions and pretences of peaceful- ness, while not the least satisfaction is given to our request. We now see, it is impossible, that we or the congregation shall ever obtain anything from Domine Selyns towards the establishment of peace. We are therefore compelled to send an account of this in- sufferable assumption of authority and tyranny, with our other complaints, and of the treatment we have received, to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, our competent judges, and to show, that the broth is worth the cabbage: (- that it is really worth while.) New York, the 12th of November, 1698. (Written by the hand of Dr. Kerflby and signed by :)


Samuel Staets Johannes de Peyster Joannes Kerfbyl.


Note :- It was promised on Friday night that the report should be sent the next day, and this was done by delivering it on Satur- day, before night. It was not possible to send it earlier.


No. 19. Counter-Testimonials for Henricus Selyns, Minister of this Dutch Church at New York.


A. Certificate given this 19th of November 1698, by several of the late and of the present Consistories and other persons, who have been in office.


Whereas we have received and read the foregoing second protest, made by Messrs. Samuel Staets, Johannes de Peyster and Joannes . Kerfbyl, dated November 12th last, against the Rev. Consistory of our Dutch Church, or against Henricus Selyns, our minister and pastor, but more especially against him than against us and our Consistorial resolutions : Therefore, we, as well as those who have


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been present at all these occurances, declare and protest, that we are grieved, and are bound for the sake of truth, to testify what is true. We say, that what was done or resolved on in the last meet- ing, date as above, to wit the 11th of November last, is all true, and not equivocal. We are, however, sorry that our pastor, who has spared no trouble to attend to his duties in every respect, and that we ourselves, should be charged with falsehood, and pretences. They, not we, could thus be charged. Now, what we have done for the Church of God is known to God, and to the protesting parties and to the congregation. It rests with his Royal Majesty and the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam to judge of it. We also com- plain, that our pastor has been charged with arbitrary assumption of authority, and of tyranny ; but we testify, that we have never dis- covered it. Other matters mentioned in the protest are not worth an answer, except this - that neither we nor our pastor have hood- winked or in the least deceived the Rev. Classis. It is false, and would better have been omitted than written. We pray God to forgive them ; and we pray the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, that we may be considered as something better than deceivers. Done at New York, this 19th of November, 1698. And signed by,


Pieter Jacobsen Marius, Jac. van Cortlant, Jacob Boelen, Johannes Kip, Balth. Bayard, Isaacq de Foreest,


Boele Roelofszen,


Brandt Schuyler, Theunis de Key,


Steph. van Cortlant,


Jan Herperdinck,


B. Attestation or testimony, to be found in the Charter of our Dutch Church, at New York, dated the 11th of May 1696.


" And We hereby constitute our faithful and loving subject, Mr. Henricus Selyns, the present Minister of the said Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in our City of New York, who since the building and dedication of said Church for divine service, has well and religiously supplied the same in all religious offices for the service of God and the instruction of the members of the aforementioned Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, living


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in our City of New York, in the Christian faith, according to the constitution and rules mentioned above."


(This extract was translated from the original English into Dutch; and this is a free retranslation back into English.)


SECRET INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE EARL OF BELLOMONT. 1697, Aug. 31.


You shall take special care that Almighty God be devoutly and duly served throughout your Government the book of common prayer as it is now established read each Sunday and Holyday, and the blessed sacrament administered according to the rights of the Church of England. You shall be carefull that the Churches already built there, be well and orderly kept, and more built as the Colony shall by God's blessing be improved, and that besides a competent maintenance to be assigned to the Ministers of each Orthodox church, a convenient house be built at the common charge for each Minister, and a competent proportion of land assigned him for a Glebe and exercise of his industry.


You are to take care that the Parishes be so limited and settled as you shall find most convenient for the accomplishing this good work.


His Majesty's will and pleasure is that no Minister be preferred by you to any ecclesiastical benefice in that province, without a certificate from the Right Reverend the Bishop of London, of his being conformable to the Doctrine and discipline of the Church of England, and of a good life and conversation.


And if any person preferred already to a benefice shall appear to you to give scandall either by his doctrine or manners, you are to use the best means for the removal of him and to supply the vacancy in such manner as His Majesty hath directed. And also His Majesty's pleasure is, that in the direction of all church affairs, the Minister be admitted into the respective vestries.


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And to the end, the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the said Bishop of London may take place in that province as far as con- veniently may be, His Majesty does think fit that you give all countenance and encouragement to the exercise of the same, except- ing only the colating of Benefices, granting Lycenses for Marriages and probate of Wills which is reserved to you His Majesties Gov- ernor and to the Commander in Chief of his said province for the time being.


You are to take especial care that a table of marriages, estab- lished by the Cannons of the Church of England, be hung up in all the orthodox churches and duly observed.


His Majesty does further direct that no schoolmaster be hence- forth permitted to come from England, and to keep school within his Province of New York, without the lycence of the said Bishop of London, and that no other person now there, or that shall come from other parts, be admitted to keep school without your Lycense first had.


You are to take care that drunkeness and debauchery, swearing and blasphemy be severely punished, and that none be admitted to publick trust and employment whose ill fame and conversation may bring scandal thereupon.


And you are to permit a liberty of conscience to all persons (except Papists) so they be contented with a quiet and peaceable enjoyment of the same, not giving offence or scandall to the Gov- ernment .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 287, 288.


CHURCH OF NEW YORK.


Second Minister for the Dutch Church of New York.


1697, Sept. 15.


In the presence of six civil persons, and seventeen ecclesiastical persons, and at the request of fourteen petitioners, it was Resolved to call a second minister from Holland, and to appoint four per- sons to record the names and amounts of voluntary subscriptions for the same. Lib. A. 6.


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MESSRS. SCHUYLER, DELLIUS AND WESSELLS TO GOVERNOR FLETCHER.


Sept. 28, 1697.


May it please your Excellency.


Three Sachims and several Captains of the Coyougers Nation come to Albany and made ye following proposals.


Present - Coll. P. Schuyler Dellius Major Wessells


Brethren:


Wee come here to lay before you our poverty and that wee are menanced by the French and Twightwicks Indians, both our enemies.


Wee beg that you'l please to assist us with powder and lead that we may be capasitated to defend ourselved and anoy ye enemy.


They lay down two otter and four beavour skins.


Brethren:


Wee are sorry to have it to tell you the loss of our brethren the Sinnikes suffered in an engagement with ye Twichtwichts Indians; our young men killed several of the enemy, but upon their retreat some of their Chief Captains were cut off.


You know our custome is to condole ye dead by Wampum, therefore wee desire you give us some for these Beavours; soe laid down ten Beaver skins. The Wampum was immediately given them for the said skins, and the day following appointed for a conferance upon the first proposition made by them for powder and lead etc.


The next day wee accordingly mett, and the said Sachems and Captains being present wee addressed ourselves to them saying; - You desire of us powder and lead, what occasion have you for those necessaries of warr, or how can you ask for such assistance from us when in the meantime you have prively sent mes- sengers to the French Governor of Canada (our enemy and yours) with Belts of Wampum, desireing to make a peace. Whereupon the said Sachims and Captains replyed that they were wholy ignorant of ye matter and had no hand in it, directly or indirectly, or ever heard of such a thing till they arrived at Onondage (upon their Journey hether) where they were informed that messengers were sent to Canada from thence but with no design or intent of peace, but purely to delude that Governor and to gaine time that their young men might hunt in safety.


And as for their own parts they assured us that they would never make peace or agree to it with the French Governor of Canada, without the consent and good likeing of Cayinquiragoe and the whole Canossioone, (The Five Nations) and that they would always keep bright and clean the Covenant Chain with Cayinquiragoe and never suffer any rust to grow upon it.


Upon which wee gave them fifty pounds of powder and soe much lead of the late stores sent up by your Excellency for that purpose, as alsoe some rum to Cheir up their hearts.


With submission to your Excellency wee thought it proper to put some notions in the heads of those Indians to keep them warme in the warr, and that Canada might bee alsoe in an allarme of a design on that place this winter; therefore desired that each nation should furnish us with twenty pair of snow shoes about Christmas time; upon which we gave them seaven hands of wampum to communicate the same to all the Five Nations.


Two days after wee dispatched these Indians there arrived with us at Albany three Sinnikes Sachems and brought to Coll. Schuyler four Beaver skins, desireing they might have wampum for them; which they had; who assured us the same as the afore mantioned Cayugers.


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Wee are further to inform your Excellency that wee design to dismiss the Bush- lopers, their service being chiefly in the sumer. Wee engaged to pay them when discharged, which wee shall doe by our particular bonds, if money be not remitted soe timely as to answere the same; which wee doe not doubt Your Excellency's directions in, when is paid by the country; being witness of your Excellency's tender care of the whole Province in generall and this frontier in particular, and also your Excellency's prudent conduct in the management of affairs with the Five Nations, keeping them firm to his Majesty's interest to this very day, not- withstanding their many waverings occasioned by the tediousnesse of the war and the bribes and treats of the French of Canada.


Wee have not to add, but shall be always ready and cheirfull to observe your Excellency's commands and remain,


Your Excellency's Most humble and obedient servants


+


P. Schuyler Dellius


Dirck Wessells. - Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 294, 295.


New Albany, the 28 Sept. 1697.


A true Copy. (Signed) David Jamison, Cl. Concilij.


TRINITY CHURCH.


(1697, Nov. ? )


Ordered, That the following address should be signed by the Church Wardens in behalf of this Board, and forthwith presented to his Excellency and Council, viz.


TO HIS EXCELLENCY BENJAMIN FLETCHER, CAPTAIN GENERAL AND GOVERNOR IN CHIEF OF THE PROVINCE OF NEW YORK, ETC.


The humble petition of the Church Wardens and the Vestrymen of Trinity Church in the city of New York,


Sheweth,


That there is a certain sum of money raised by virtue of a Lycense from your Excellency, with advice of the Council, from the voluntary contributions of the Inhabitants of this Province and others, towards the relief of Christian Captives in Sally, which did belong to this Province, and in case of their death, or other escape, or that it be impossible to relieve them; by ye said Lycense it is to be to ye like or some other pious use as your Excellency ye Governor and Council shall appoint.


That it so happens ye said Captives are escaped, dead, or otherwise not to be relieved.


That ye Church Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Church for and towards the furnishing of said Church did, upon their humble application by your Excellency's favor, obtained from your Excellency in Council on ye 2nd of December 1697 an order for ye payment of said money to the Church Wardens of said Church, towards ye finishing of said Church, upon condition that if any of ye said Captives be in captivity, and to be relieved, ye Corporation of Trinity should procure their relief and redemption at their charge.


And as the persons intrusted by your Excellency with the management of said money towards ye redemption of Captives, viz., Col. Stephen Van Courtlandt, Peter Jacobs Morris (Marius), Doct. Kerfbyl, and Capt. John Kip, will not meet together at ye request of ye said Church Wardens, to deliver up ye account of ye amount of ye said money and to assign the same;


Therefore your Excells. Petus humbly pray your Excel. to order that ye said persons be summoned to appear before your Excel. and give an account of ye


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amount of the said money, and be ordered to assign ye said money, to the said Church Wardens, for ye aforesaid use of Trinity Church without further delay.


And your Excels. Petus, as in duty bound, shall ever pray, etc .- Berrian's Trinity Church, 19, 20.


At a Councill held at his Majesty's Ffort in New York, the 2nd of December 1697.


Present his Excellency Benjamin Fletcher, etc.


Ffred Phillips - Steph. Cortlandt


Nicholas Bayard


Esqrs.


Gab. Minvielle


Thomas Willett - William Pinhorn


Esqrs.


John Lawrence Caleb Heathcote


The petition of the Church Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Church was read and considered. One of the Captives having escaped is come home, the others are dead onely one, named Barthol Rouston is removed up into the Country who by the report of him who is escaped from Salley cannot be redeemed; His Majesty's Chappell is allmost finished and Trinity Church being a Publick structure erecting for the service of God by the voluntary Contribution of some people, Which is a publick and pious use and much is wanted to finish it.


It is resolved and agreed, nemine contradicente, that the money raised by virtue of the Lycense bearing date the 8th day of June 1693, for the Redemption of the said Captives in Salley be applyed to the use of Trinity Church to finish the building thereof any former order of Council Notwithstanding Provided always that if it be possible to purchase the redemption of the said Bartholomew that the said Corporation of Trinity Church be accountable for the like sume or so much thereof as will answer the Redemption.


And it is ordered the first Trustees Col. Steph. Cortlandt Mr. Peter Jacobs Dr. John Kerbyle and Mr. Johannis Kip doe deliver over the Papers and all things relating the said money with full power to have use and receive the same to Mr. Thomas Wenham and Mr. Robert Lurting present Church Wardens of Trinity Church aforesaid.




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