USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume II > Part 64
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65
1 j 1
1
1423
1700
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(Saturday afternoon). too short to examine the credentials of both. Nevertheless, to prevent the disappointment which the good peo- ple would undoubtedly have felt, if these two new gentlemen had not each of them been offered the pulpit at once, I asked them in the name of, and by the unanimous wish of the Consistory, that they would be pleased to hold forth on the next day, Sunday ; Rev. Lydis (Lydius) in the morning, and Rev. Freerman in the after- noon. But it was to be well understood by each of them, that neither of them should preach an installation sermon. This plan
was also accepted and carried out. After these services, Messrs. Lydius and Freerman handed over their papers and letters to me. All the members of the Great Consistory were also requested to attend the meeting of the acting Consistory, at the ringing of the . bell on Monday morning, at the usual parsonage. There, I showed to them, besides the certificates and calls of each of the ministers, also the original (principal) of the second written request of the Consistory. This, the Rev. Freerman had brought with him. This having been read, it accorded fully with its copy, except only that in the original, was written at the top, the name of William Bancker, which was not in the copy. The copy begins thus : Messieurs : the copy ends in the same way, Messieurs, Your obedi- ent servants, the Elders and Deacons, etc. The original begins and ends thus also, except that, at the beginning, it reads: Mes- sieurs William Bancker, the address, nevertheless, being to " E. E. Leving van Schayck en Willem Bancker". Hereupon all the ex- Consistory members, to the number of thirty persons, flew to the table, to look. They were also shown a letter from William Bancker, which he had written and signed with his own hand. This referred to the expenses of the calling of Rev. Freerman. His (Bancker's) name as written there, was compared with his name as written in the original. These resembled each other sò perfectly, in every letter and characteristic, that no difference could at all be discerned. Every one looked long at them, and was silent. Hereupon I caused to be called a certain Robert Living-
1
1424
1700
1
1 1
1
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
ston, who had written this oft-mentioned original. When he came in, he acknowledged that all that was written in the original was in his own handwriting, but not the name, Willem Bancker. Thereupon the oath was administered to him, in the presence of all, by Mr. Peter Schuyler, his Majesty's Councilor, and at pres- ent also an Elder. In addition the oath was administered to Mr. Cuyler, at present, a Deacon. He declared that he had been pres- ent, and had carefully observed when Livingston wrote this original, but without the name. And inasmuch as a question was raised by the ex-Consistorymen, who contended for Rev. Freerman, and for the respect due, as well as the great wisdom and piety of Wil- liam Bancker, whether possibly the letters had not been at once sealed after they were written, and that therefore this name might have been inserted afterwards by some one else; it was therefore asserted by two under oath, and sworn upon the Bible, that imme- diately after they were written, they were sealed and despatched from Albany. Finally one of the old Consistory stated, under oath, that he had handed the same as he had received them, sealed, to Mr. John de Peyster in New York. All these and still other motions having been passed, I proposed, in the name of the entire active Consistory that the Rev. Lydius should be declared the law- ful minister of Albany. To this however, a large part of the Great Consistory would not consent. They said that they should be placed on an equal footing. But this did not meet with our ap- proval, and was refused, and as they were not to be moved by any kind of argument, they adjourned without effecting anything.
In the afternoon, two of the active Consistory, made a proposi- tion through a committee of two, to Rev. Freerman, whether he were not disposed to locate at Schenectady, in case that church had a liking for him and would call him; and to this end they would do their best. He replied in the affirmative, saying that he was perfectly disposed to do so. Afterward, however, he was incited and upheld by the opposing party, and he refused altogether to abandon Albany. But a little later coming to us, he appealed to
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1425 1700
the lawfulness of his call, placing it on a level, in legality and validity, with the call of Lydius. But the contrary of this was soon manifested, and proved to him. This was done so completely that Freerman now protested his own innocence, and that he could not help it; that William Bancker had done this wrong, and had be- trayed him, (caused him to fall through the basket), and placed him in this false position, (schuld), by reason of a word.
On Tuesday forenoon the active Consistory summoned the en- tire congregation, in order to make a thorough settlement of it, (to fill up the measure full for them), to meet at the parsonage. I was not present at this meeting. They wanted to ascertain what they would promise for Rev. Freerman, and whether he could be maintained as a second minister. But this meeting was fruitless and without success. Some held only to their former pledge, for one minister; others would indeed pledge more, but would not. sign, unless the two ministers were placed on the same footing, and they could sign for both together. In the afternoon, in my presence, the Consistory confirmed and accepted Rev. Lydius as their lawful pastor. They inducted him into the parsonage, and requested him to have his installation sermon ready for the fol- lowing Sunday. All this was done, although the opponents, mean- while, made great threats as to what they would do through my lord, (the Governor). But his Excellency, on coming to Albany, did not wish to trouble himself with their church-quarrel, and left the matter as it was. Thereupon the Rev. Freerman was called by the church of Schenectady, which call he also accepted. He soon preached his installation sermon, but without regard to Church-Order. This, Reverend Sirs and Brethren, is what I have deemed it necessary and proper to make known to you. Commend- ing you to God and the Word of His Grace, I remain,
Reverend, Pious and Highly Learned Sirs, and Brethren in Christ,
Yours, etc.
J. P. Nucella ..
90
1
.
·
1
1426
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1700
LORDS OF TRADE TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.
To the most Reverend Father in God, the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury.
My Lord :- The Earl of Bellomont having several times represented unto us the great want of some ministers of the Church of England, to instruct our Five Nations of Indians on the frontiers of New York, and prevent them being practised upon by the French priests and Jesuits, who are conversant amongst them, and very industrious in perswading them by pretences of religion, to espouse the French Interest: We have therefore represented to their Excellencies, the Lords Justices, our humble opinion that if a fund can be found for the maintenance of such ministers, they may be of very great use and service, as well for the propagation of the Reformed rellgion, as for improving the interest of England.
We have also lately recelved from hls Lordshlp some further advice upon the same subject, of which we send Your Grace the inclosed extract; desiring Your Grace would be pleased to consider of the most speedy and effectual means for the promoting of so good a work, We are,
Your Graces most humble servants,
(signed)
Stamford Wm. Blathwayt
Whitehall, October 25, 1700.
Jno. Pollexfen Abr. Hill
Geo. Stepney Mat. Prior.
We have recommended the same thing to the Lord Bishop of London .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 769.
LORDS OF TRADE TO BELLOMONT.
1700, Oct. 30.
Wee have considered all the papers recelved, with the last of your forementioned letters, relating to the Indians; and though we hope the care already taken here, upon the first intimation of an insurrection designed by them or others, and the arrival accordingly of the recruits, cloathing, presents, money etc., at New Yorke, will long ere this time, by your Lordship's good management have alter'd the state of those affairs; yet we have now made a further use of those papers, by sending extracts of what relates to the want of ministers, to His Grace, the Lord Bishop of Canterbury, and the Lord Bishop of London, that they may take it into consideration; and are also at the same time taking what care wee can otherwise, that something may be effectually done therein. Wee have likewise sent extracts of what relates to the practices of the French amongst our Indians to Mr. Secretary Vernon, to be laid before his Majesty, that orders may be pro- cured from the French Court for the preventing of such like practices for the future .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 772.
BISHOP . OF LONDON TO THE LORDS OF TRADE.
Endorses Dellius.
1700, Nov. 1.
To the Right Honorable the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantation.
My Lords :- I am very sensible of the just care the Earl of Bellomont has ex- pressed for the conversion of the Five Nations, and I wish with all my heart that I had five Apostles for them. But you may be assured I will make it my business to find out fit persons for the work, when I can know how they shall subsist. It was a great unhappiness that Domine Dellius, a Dutch Minister In Albany, fell
1
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1427
1700
under his Lordship's displeasure; for he was the only man that understood how to converse with the Mohacks, of whom he had converted several to the sincere embracing of the Christian Faith; and had gained such an interest in them as proved of great service and security to the whole colony. But he is banished. Another thing I would humbly suggest, that since there is still so much need of emissarys, His Lordship, if his Commission does not already impower him, might have a new one, to call the gentlemen of New England to an account, how they have bestowed that considerable yearly revenue, which was given for this very purpose from their first planting. However I shall most readily obey your com- mands in this or whatever else may be in the power of
My Lords,
1 Nov. 1700.
Your Lordships most obedient humble servant, H. London .* - Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 774.
EARL OF BELLOMONT TO THE LORDS OF TRADE.
New York, 28th November 1700.
Mr Livingston assured me that to his knowledge there was a pact or league between Coll. Schuyler, Major Wessels, Mr. Dellius the late Minister of Albany, and as he thought one Banker made the fourth man, and some of the principal Sachems of the Five Nations, whereby those Sachems obliged themselves to transact nothing of business without the privity and approbation of those four men; and that they had made several presents to the leading Sachems at the King's charge. Those four men and one Pinhorn were they that Coll. Fletcher granted the Mohack's land to.
The twenty four masts I have articled for will serve a first and second rate man of war; the biggest in Mr. Taylor's contract was thirty seven inches diameter, as your Lordships will see in the paper of his prices which I sent you with my said letter of the 22nd of June. I have agreed for two masts of forty inches diameter which will be a rarity when sent home. These pines I fancy will be found to grow on Mr. Dellius's grant in partnership with Coll. Schuyler, Major Wessells, Captain Banker and Mr. Pinhorn; therefore it behoves your Lordship to get that Act con- firmed by the King, which vacated some of Fletcher's grants.
If it were not for Coll. Fletcher's intolerable corrupt selling away the lands of this Province, it would outthrive the Massachusetts Province and quickly outdoe them in people and trade. The people are so cramped here for want of land that several families within my own knowledge and observation are removed to the new country (a name they give to Pennsylvania and the Jersies;) for, to use Mr. Graham's expression to me and that often repeated too, what man will be such a fool to become a base tenant to Mr. Dellius, Coll. Schuyler, Mr. Livingston (and so he ran through the whole role of our mighty landgraves) when for crossing Hudson's river that man can for a song purchase a good freehold in the Jersies? But Mr. Graham has since changed his note and turn'd tail; but his being false to the King does not make the breaking all these grants less honest or less necessary for the' publick good .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 781, 783, 785, 791.
* Dr. Henry Compton. He died July 7, 1713.
1
1428
1700
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Concerning the Call of Rev. Verdieren.
1700, Dec. 6th.
The letter which was expected, whereof see the acta of July 5, 1700, was sent over to our Classis by certain members of the Con- sistory of New York. It was read by Rev. Zegers. It told of the calling of Rev. Hieronymus Verdieren, about which indeed they complained on account of certain improprieties connected there- with. At the same time they declared, that since they are well satisfied with Rev. Gualterus du Bois, they gladly forgive and forget all that went before. With this the Rev. Classis regards the affair as settled, and therefore that it is unnecessary to render a decision whether said call was lawful or not. The brethren of the committee will write only that which will serve towards the peace of the church (of New York.) viii. 339; xix. 261.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the Rev. Consistory of the Nether- land Reformed Church at New York, Dec. 6, 1700. xxvii. 268.
Our Classical Assembly has received at different times, two letters : the one from Rev. Seleins and several others, members of your Church ; and the second from Elder Peister and four other brethren. We learn from these letters that God has been pleased to bless your call of Rev. (Gualterus) du Bois with happy results ; for he himself personally, as well as his services, are acceptable to the Consistory and the congregation. While this has been highly gratifying to us, yet some sorrow is engendered, since we perceive that there still remains an evil residue of the difficulties and strifes which previously existed. Our Assembly has therefore debated, whether it would be expedient to demand from the complaining brethren, the documents and proofs upon which they think the justice of their complaint rests. We have, however, come to the
l
CO
b tł
3
m
D in sa CI p ar in
a
C
1429
1700
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
conclusion that this might only increase the alienation. They therefore propose the following as the way to peace:
Inasmuch as, through God's gracious guidance, your course of action has led to this good result - that you have obtained a min- ister to the common satisfaction of all; that therefore, all former difficulties ought not to be so much as thought of henceforth, much less ought anyone to open his mouth to recall anything which might disturb the peace; that every one, forgetting the things that are behind, ought to spend all his strength in advancing what may conduce to the general welfare of the churches. On such a course as this, which would be for the best interest of, and most salutary to your Zion, our Assembly wishes the Most High may bestow his blessing. Our Classis is very grateful for the announcement of the good condition of your church, and prays for the increasing growth of your prosperity. We commend you to God and the word of his grace.
In the name of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, Your breth- ren and obedient friends and servants,
The Deputati ad res Maritimas. Lambertus Zeegers, V.D.M. Amstelod. Adrian Van Oostrum, Eccles. Amstelod. Johannes de Vries, Eccles. Nardensis.
Extracts from Defence of Rev. Dellius against Mylord Bello- mont.
1700, Dec. 6th.
A long paper was read by Rev. President, drawn up by Rev. Dellius, now minister at the Olyfberg, (at Antwerp.) This was intended to justify himself against the manifold, and severe accu- sations contained in a letter of Mylord Bellomont, written to our Classical Assembly. It was resolved that although this had been postponed so long, the Rev. Deputati ad res Maritimas should now answer his Lordship's communication, in very courteous terms, indeed, but, also actually to send over an extract from the above
1
1430
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1700
mentioned paper (of Dellius) ; but all this must be conducted with great prudence. In case Mylord Bellomont should be pleased to allege anything more against Rev. Dellius, his Lordship shall be informed by the Brethren, that he is no longer under our judica- tory, but under the Christian Synod of South Holland. viii. 340; xix. 261.
EARL OF BELLOMONT TO SECRETARY VERNON.
New York the 6th December, 1700.
The trouble of this usage makes me very indifferent as to the truth of what's reported here of my being speedily to be called home. 'Tis said the Bishop of London has writ to the Minister of this place Mr. Vesey, who herds with the angry party, that by Easter he and his friends will be rid of their grievance. Mr. Basse too has writ to several people in the Jersies that I shall speedily be displaced and he shall be a main instrument in getting it done. As to the good Bishop he has espoused Fletcher, with all his corruptions, against me: I have nothing to say to him but that he is as wise as he is learned. Basse is the most a scowndrel that I ever knew; he will bragg and lye with any man living, even with Col. Fletcher, and is a rank coward, was Kick'd on board the Deptford in our voyage from Barbadoes hither. I saved Mr. Heathcote and his partners some thousands of pounds that Bradish and his associates ran away with, and they have been such clowns as never to send me a line of thanks. I am, with respect, Sir,
Your most humble and faithfull Servant, Bellomont. - Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 817.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the Earl of Bellomont, Lieutenant Governor of the Provinces of New York, Boston, Albany, etc. December 29, 1700. xxvii. 269.
My Lord :- We have received your Excellency's letter, dated October 13, 1699, written from Boston, in New England, concern- ing Rev. Dellius, pastor in New Albany, and have considered the same, with all respect, in our Classical Assembly, held December 6, 1700. We request that your Excellency may be pleased to put the most favorable construction upon the long protracted delay in answering, and not in any wise to infer that we had considered the contents of your letter as unimportant to us. For, in addition to the fact that the members of our Classical Assembly ordinarily meet only six times a year, and that there is no daily opportunity
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1431
1700
to send letters to New York; we have also been obliged, in order to write more conclusively, first, to hear the defence of Rev. Del- lius. Then, this matter being one of great importance, required also time for mature deliberation.
The Classical Assembly, after having carefully weighed all things, has charged us as her Deputati ad res Maritimas, to send your Excellency the following answer :
In general, and in the first place, we thank your Excellency for your fatherly care for the welfare of the Netherlands churches in those regions, and your diligence to keep away all offences from them, and to clear the vineyard of the Lord of all stumbling-stones.
But coming to the particular contents of your Excellency's letter, we make a distinction between certain classes of charges against Rev. Dellius : First, so far as he may, as a citizen, have offended against the Magistracy and Civil Government; secondly, so far as he may, personally, without any reference to the Civil Govern- ment, have conducted himself in a manner unbecoming a minister of the Gospel.
To the first class, we refer all those matters relating to Captain Leysler and Mr. Jacob Milbourne; as well as those plans into which Rev. Dellius may have entered, to obtain possession of very extensive tracts of land, such as were granted to him by a patent from Lord Governor Fletcher .- Now we request that your Excel- lency will not take it ill, if we decline to enter into political mat- ters, but pass them by in silence. We think that the deep respect, which we owe to his Majesty of Great Britain, and his wise gov- ernment, obliges us not to thrust our sickles into that grain; that the reproof given by the Egyptian to Moses, "Who made thee a Prince and a Judge over us " ? be not applied to us. This is our duty all the more, because we are ecclesiastics, and ambassadors of Christ, who declared, when standing before Pilate, that his King- dom was not of this world.
Touching the other matters laid to the charge of Rev. Dellius, they are dreadful (if true), and can in no wise be tolerated in any
1
1432
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1700
one who names the name of Christ, much less in a minister of the New Testament, and a steward of the mysteries of God. The charges are these: That Rev. Dellius had been guilty of pride, self-conceit, lying, drunkenness, a defender of schisms in the church ; that he has been suspected of adultery, to which occasion was given by a letter from Canada, written by a French woman, who charges Rev. Dellius as the cause of her pregnancy, and which letter is now in possession of Rev. Nucella, pastor at Kingston. Mr. Dellius has also been suspected of inclining to the religion of the Jesuits. This suspicion is the greater, because a letter was intercepted, written by a Jesuit to one of their missionaries among the Five Nations of English Indians, in which the Jesuit twice mentions Rev. Dellius with the utmost expression of good will; and finally, it appears as if he himself might be the writer of his own certificates, which testify of his godly life.
My lord, even as we, on the one hand, are sure that these things were written by your Excellency with a hearty sorrow over such evil conduct, so unbecoming a minister of the Gospel, and the cause of so great scandal among papists and heathen; so, on the other hand, we trust that nothing can be more pleasant to your Excellency than further information concerning these matters. And as we have mourned with your Excellency, as we read and pon- dered your Excellency's letter, and the things therein contained against the Rev. Dellius ; so may your Excellency, from the heart again rejoice with us, upon hearing from the defence of Rev. Del- lius, that the Romanists have no reason to defame the Protestants on account of the conduct of Rev. Dellius; nor have the heathen any reason to blaspheme the name of God, on this account.
But now in reference to the particular faults of Mr. Dellius :
1. That he is a proud and self-conceited man, and a great liar, as your Excellency has been informed. We do not find in the an- swer sent us by Rev. Dellius, that he much concerns himself with the refutation of those charges : perhaps, because he feels secure in those commendatory testimonials, which he knows we have received
1433
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1700
from time to time from the church of Albany, concerning his ser- vice and conduct, long before these difficulties arose. Nor could he have done otherwise, without boasting of the possession of the contrary virtues, which is contrary to all modesty, and ought rather to be done by another than by the party himself. To this, there- fore, we may add that Col. Fletcher, in a letter written to Mr. Del- lius from London, April 19, 1700, calls him a humble, hospitable, affectionate man ; and a Father, beloved by his entire church; and not only by them, but by the military as well.
2. As regards the charge of drunkenness; the Hon. Staats of New York has assured your Excellency, that Mr. Dellius, among other failings, is addicted to this vice, and that he has been obliged to assist him twice on one day, from falling from his horse, on ac- count of his being drunk. In reference to this, Mr. Dellius briefly writes, that he denies ever having been out on horseback in com- pany with Hon. Staats. Hence one must conclude that that story of falling from his horse, falls to the ground. And among our- selves, there is not one, who has known Mr. Dellius either before his departure for New Albany, or since his return, who considers him, either through their personal knowledge of him, or through the reports, to be guilty of such a charge.
3. As regards the matter, that he is a defender of schism in his church, as your Excellency has been informed: It appears that your Excellency yourself, has a better opinion of Rev. Dellius, than those who have made those charges before you. For Rev. Dellius writes us that your Excellency, having given to Col. Schuy- ler and himself a commission, to negotiate certain matters concern- ing the Province of New York with the Lord Governor of Canada, does in a letter written by your Excellency from New York, April 22nd 1698, to Count de Frontenac, the Governor General of Can- ada, call them both, “ Gentlemen of character and merit, in order to convince you of the esteem I entertain for a person of your rank ; (tous deux gens de condition et de merité pour vous marquer l'estime que j'ai pour une persone de votre rang, etc.) (See full letter, Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 338-9.)
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.