USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume IV > Part 27
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We beg you that you will be pleased to judge both them and us, their letters and ours, impartially. We assure you that we have acted leniently with them. The requirement which you ordered in your first letter, which was written by Messrs. C. Houthoff and John Bakker, with reference to both us and them, was read to them; with the offer of letting them read the same themselves. We informed them that we willingly submitted ourselves to your requirements. And we still are doing our utmost toward the establishment of peace. For you may well think, that aside from the obligations resting upon us, the troubles and unrest distress us.
One other thing we ask of you. If it should please you to write to us again, will you kindly address the letters to Mr. Matthew Clarkson, Merchant in New York. For our letters are always delayed, before they come into our hands. Then we are accused of having kept them secret.
If we cannot effect peace through our own efforts, we shall choose impartial persons. We cannot yet report to you concerning this, as the majority live here far apart and scattered. We trust however, on our part to be always peacefully inclined, and well-disposed. It is our prayer and wish that the Most High will be pleased to crown your ministry, persons and families, with His lavish blessings.
We remain, Rev. and Highly-Learned Sirs, Your willing servants and Brethren, The Consistory of the United Churches of Raritan. In the name of all, T. J. Frelinghuysen, Cornelius Bennet, Albert Voorhees, Raritan, October 2, 1731. William Willemse, John van Dyck.
[See Postscript of March 23, 1732. Letter, long delayed.]
CHURCHES OF POUGHKEEPSIE AND FISHKILL, N. Y. DOMINE VAN SCHIE. OCT. 4, 1731.
1st. After calling on God's name, consistory meeting is again held with the con- sistories of Poughkeepsie and the Fishkill, and then all the articles made in the previous meeting of the 30th of September last are confirmed.
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2nd. Thereon the reckoning of expense incurred in the coming over of the Heer Van Schie with his wife is taken up and was fully acquiesced in, with unanimous resolution that the same be copied in both the church books of Poughkeepsie and the Fishkill, with written approval signed by both consistories.
3rd. In order that Dominie Van Schie may have perfect freedom in choosing the place most agreeable to him at Poughkeepsie and the Fishkill, all the consistories have declared that, whenever Dominie Van Schie makes his choice, they with perfect content shall consent to the same and shall fully acquiesce therein.
4th. Whenever Dominie Van Schie shall have chosen to reside at Poughkeepsie or at the Fishkill, there where he chooses to live, both congregations together (each bearing the half of the expense) shall buy six acres, build a house, and make a garden, and plant an orchard, in accordance with the stipulations on these points contained in the power of attorney call.
5th. In case it may come to pass at any time after both the congregations of Poughkeepsie and the Fishkill shall together have bought six acres at the place where Domine Van Schie shall have chosen to reside, and there shall have built a house and made a garden and planted an orchard, that the two congregations shall ecclesiastically separate from each other that each may have a preacher for itself, then shall the six acres, house, garden and orchard be appraised by four impartial men, (and the said four shall have power to choose a fifth) and the congregation at the place where the preacher shall have resided shall honestly give the just half of the sum for which all the aforesaid was appraised to the congregation in which no preacher's house was built with the coming of Domine Van Schie Subscribed.
All this was done at the place and times aforenamed in the presence of Domine G. Du Bois, as we, the undersigned testify.
Cornelius Van Schie. Pieter Parmentier, Pieter Du Boys, Johannes Van Kleeck, Abraham Boys,
Laurens Van Kleeck, Abraham Brinkerhoff, Hendrick -X Phillips,
his
his Myndert X Van De Bogaart. mark
mark
-- History of the First Reformed Church of Poughkeepsie. pp. 44, 45.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence in America.
The Consistory of the Raritan Congregations to the Complainants, Oct. 6, 1731.
Enclosure B; with the letter from the Consistory of Raritan, to the Classis of Amsterdam.
(Port-folio " New York ", Vol. i.)
For Peter du Mont, Simon Wyckof, Henry Vroom, at Raritan.
Letter B.
Sirs :- Inasmuch as you asked of us a speedy and written reply to your letter of September 18, 1731, we have used all diligence, to show our readiness for peace, or for business tending toward peace; and to satisfy you in this respect.
In reply to your letter, know then that we are willing to submit ourselves to the decision of Rev. Classis. But inasmuch as, according to your explanation of the Classical letter to you, it does not in all respects seem well to agree with their
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letter to us, it would be best, according to our way of thinking, that these two letters should be brought together. Thus could we the better understand the complete opinion and object of the Rev. Classis.
For it does not appear to us, either from the previous letter, or from the present letter of the Rev. Classis to us, that they really consider the ban executed against you as illegal; or that they nullify it as such, as you imagine; but they only say that they release you, on account of your persistent longing and heartfelt desire for the Supper, and your diligent employment of every means In behalf of peace; and what ever else there may be of this character. If these feelings are really in your hearts, they will not forsake you. But how Is it that we see no frults thereof, but rather the contrary. Because, as you say, the Rev. Classis has been moved to release you from the Ban, you ask us to consider you as so released. And because we are aware of the love of peace of the Rev. Classis, and of thelr prudence, we offer to subject ourselves to Its plous judgment; therefore, we do not wish in any wise to antagonlze their action in this business. But inasmuch as the Rev. Classis has not in vlew so much your release from the Ban, as reunion and peace between ourselves and you: therefore, we think that you as well as ourselves, should endeavor to comply with the view of Classis; and you should regard and accept the Reformed doctrine as taught among us by Rev. Frllinghuysen as orthodox; and join yourselves again with us, with proper subjection to the regula- tions of our church. Therewith, for the present, we will hold ourselves content, in order thus to satisfy the decision of Classis.
Understand also, that by these presents, we also promise you that we will endeavor to preserve pure among us, as also we are in duty bound, the true Re- formed Doctrine, agreeably to, and in accordance with the Dutch Church-Order. This shall be done in all particulars, so far as is possible in this land, for the common welfare and edification of the church.
From all this you can well perceive our object, as well as our readiness for peace. We conclude herewith, hoping that the God of peace will pacify us. We also request by these lines, and for the same reasons mentioned in your letter, a speedy reply and an amicable account of your sentiments in this connection.
D. By the Consistory of the Four United Churches at Raritan.
By and in the name of all, T. J. Frelinghuysen ? Mynne, Van Voorhees, Elder Abraham Ouke, Elder
Actum October 6, 1731.
Agrees with the original. G. du Bois, V. Antonides, Henry Boel.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
Classis of Amsterdam to the Ministers in New York, October 19,
1731. xxix. 86. No. 16.
Reverend, Godly and Learned Gentlemen,
Dearly-beloved Brethren :-
We have received no letter from you during this year. We know not the reason for this. We doubt not you received the letter of the Deputati ad res exteras, written in December 1730,
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together with the Minutes of the Synod. The Rev. Classis charges us not only to send you, as well as the other churches in that region, the Minutes of the Synod of 1731, as we do by this present; but also to request you to inform us, as soon as possible, whether there is any certain information of the arrival of Rev. Weiss in his congregation in Pennsylvania. He was in Holland with a rep- resentative of the church of Schipback, (Reiff), and collected some funds here, and took them with him to Pennsylvania, as you were informed in the last letter. Since then the Classis has received neither report nor letter from him. This appears strange to many of us, as we cannot imagine the reason for it. It would be agree- able if you could give us any information.
We have nothing more to mention, except that, by God's favor, the Church of Christ is at peace. May Jehovah God favor you in the very important work of your ministry with all desirable bless- ings and with his precious grace.
J. Bekker, Dep. CI. Amst. ad res Exteras.
Amsterdam,
October 19, 1731.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. George M. Weiss, of Penn- sylvania. October 19, 1731. xxix 87. No. 17.
Reverend Sir and Brother :-
The Rev. Classis is greatly astonished that hitherto, since your departure, no tidings have reached us of your arrival in Pennsyl- vania and among your congregation; nor in what manner the funds which were placed in your keeping, have been used for the benefit of the churches over there. Therefore the Rev. Classis has directed us to inform you of their astonishment and anxiety, and earnestly and kindly to request you, as we do by these pres- ents, that you will please neglect the matter no longer; but at
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
the very earliest opportunity, inform us, by letter, of your con- dition, and what has been done with those funds, and what is the condition of the churches in those regions. Meantime we be- seech and admonish you to promote peace and love with Rev. Boehm, about which we have also written him. To these, we further refer ourselves, expecting that you have also read them, or have understood their contents, and that you will inform us and Rev. Boehm of all matters.
We heartily wish you God's enlightening, sanctifying and com- forting grace, and that the God of love and peace may be fully with you, and prosper your way and work in every manner.
In the name of all,
J. Bekker, Dep. Classis Amst. ad res Exteras. Amsterdam,
October 19, 1731.
TRINITY CHURCH, NEW YORK.
Trinity Church to the Society for Propagating the Gospel, Oct. 30, 1731.
On the death of Mr. Thomas Huddlestone, it was ordered by the Vestry,
That Mr. Vesey, the Church Wardens, Mr. Livingston and Mr. Chambers, be a committee to prepare an humble address to the Venerable Society for propagating the Gospell in foreign parts, that they will favourably be pleased to appoint Mr. Thomas Noxon their schoolmaster in this city, and to continue their salary for that purpose. And the said Mr. Noxon having undertaken that the office of Clerk to the Church shall be officiated to the satisfaction of the Vestry, he is thereupon appointed and chosen Clerk accordingly. This address was drawn up, and signed, in the words following, to wit:
New York, the 30th of October, 1731.
Reverend Sir:
It having pleased Allmighty God to take unto himself Mr. Thomas Huddlestone, the Society's Schoolmaster, in this city, wee, the Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestry of Trinity Church, most humbly entreat that Venerable Body to continue that charity, which has hitherto been of great use and service to the poor children of this place, as well as a nursery to our Infant Church, in bringing up and in- structing them in the principles of our Most Holy Religion; and if the Society would be favourably pleased to appoint Mr. Thomas Noxon, of this city, in that office, we should esteem it a singular favour, he having been for many years past (and still is) one of our Vestry, a person of exemplary piety and vertue, and instrumental in bringing several persons to our Communion, and one whom we persuade ourselves will discharge that duty with the utmost diligence and faith- fulness.
Sir, we conceive it necessary to acquaint you, we are informed the Widdow Huddlestone, mother to the deceased, immediately after her son's death got an address drawn up to the Honorable Society, in order to have the school and their bounty conferred on her; and as she or her daughter carried the same about, they got several Inhabitants of this city to sign the same in her favour, some of them, as we believe, induced thereto by meer compassion, and others not only by that,
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but also believing it was approved of and countenanced by us; and this address we expect will be transmitted you by this or the next conveyance, in which, had it been offered to us, we would readily and heartily have joined, could we have thought Mrs. Huddlestone, in her advanced years, a person proper or capable to discharge a trust or duty of such great importance both to the City and Church.
But as we cannot recommend her as such, yet we humbly beg leave to recommend her and her poor family to the Venerable Society, as objects worthy of their charity, both husband and son having been faithfull servants to them in the discharge of their respective duties.
We are Reverend Sir,
Your most obliged and most humble servants.
- Berrian's History of Trinity Church, New York. pp. 50, 51.
REV. MR. CAMPBELL TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY FOR PROPAGATING THE GOSPEL.
New York, November 3rd, 1731.
Rev. Sir: Mr. Poyer is a much better man and Christian than himself (Mr. Vesey is referred to) he endeavors to remove from his Mission in Jamaica; he is a Grandson of Coll. Poyer who died in the gallant defence of Pem- broke Castle in the time of Oliver Cromwell, which alone I hope will recommend him to the favor and protection of the sensible and generous Dr. Humphreys; he is a good natured, honest man, and is beneficent to his neighbors, which I take to be qualities superior to any Mr. Vesey is possessed of; He has prevailed with Mr. Poyer to send a letter home desiring to be recalled, which would infallibly ruin the poor Gentleman and his numerous family. Therefore I entreat you to take care that the Society's answer may entirely leave it at his own choice; whether to go home or not; this I write at the desire of his best friends.
The secret of this is that Mr. Vesey wants to get quit of Mr. Colgan, and send him to Jamaica, tho he must needs be sensible that Mr. Poyer will be ruined, if he goes home or leaves his Mission.
- Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. iii. p. 189.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letter from Rev. Peter van Driessen.
1731, Dec. 18th. A letter arriver also from Rev. Peter van Driessen, minister at New Albany, together with a treatise (pam- phlet) on the first twenty two Lord's days of our Catechism. The examination of the contests of the one as well as the other, was referred to Rev. Deputati ad res Exteras. xi. 62.
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New York, Dec. 20, 1731.
Consistory held, after calling on God's name. Time when the Deacons give in their account. It was unanimously Resolved,
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1. That the yearly salary of Jan Van Aarnheim, as foresinger in the New Church, on Sundays, and at all other usual times, ac- cording to the pious custom of the Reformed Church, shall, dur- ing his faithful service, be £12, 10s. New York currency.
2. Aarend Van Hoek shall be appointed sexton of the New Church; and also not only bell-ringer of religious meetings there, but also to keep the church clean, and as free from noise as possi- ble; to open and close it seasonably, the inner or outer doors as may be required; and further, to obey all orders of the Consistory in general, and the Church Masters in particular; for which, so long as he serves to the satisfaction of the Consistory, he shall receive £10. New York currency. The second year of service of both Van Aarnheim and Van Hoek, shall commence from the 6th of December last.
Meanwhile, as Aarent Van Hoek was appointed by some of the inhabitants of this city to ring the bell of the New Church, he shall thereon act and receive payment just as Jan Mantaque did, according to the rules laid down.
3. Jan Mantaque and Aarend Van Hoek shall each receive a present of £3. for their extra services in the year past.
4. After the roof of the Old Church is glazed, the Church Masters shall see that the Old Church is furnished with a new roof, provided the direction thereof is left entirely to their folks.
5. Since many in the Old Church, both men and women, com- plain that they are compelled to sit too close to each other; therc- fore, whenever a place in any bench or pew comes back to the Church, either by death or removal of the owner, or in any other way; then at the request of those who belong to that bench or pew, the vacant seat shall not be sold to any one else; yet not more than one such seat shall be done away with, in such bench or pew.
Lib. B. 101.
1731. English language only to be used, henceforth, in all Courts of Justice .- Census of New York; Col. Docts. N. Y. v. 921; Doc. Hist. N. Y. i. 471.
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CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
Rev. R. Erickson to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, January 13, 1732. (Port-folio " New York ", Vol. i.) Extracts in Vol. xxii. 210-211.
Reverend, Very-Learned and Pious Gentlemen and Brethren in Christ :- John Van Driessen sometime ago arrived at Albany. His traits of character are as well known to you as to us. Nevertheless, Peter Van Driessen, his brother, who is minister at Albany, put him in his pulpit to conduct public services, although he had never been promoted (to the ministry,) and had not even a certificate of mem- bership in our Church. Subsequently at the suggestion of his brother, he went to the Independents in New England (at New Haven) to receive ordination at their hands. Having secured this, he was installed by his brother, the minister of Albany, as pastor of two places, called Kinderhook and Claverack. But these con- gregations belong to the Dutch Reformed Church.
Meanwhile, although these two churches had been commended to his care and supervision by his brother, he could not content himself with them. He must needs run up and down the river from Albany, to seduce away, if possible, still other congregations. Among others, he is now busy at Kingston, in the congrega- tion of Domine Vas, and is causing there a great division and schism, as appears under his own signature.
We accordingly hope and expect that you will show that you take to heart the general welfare, as well as the rest and the peace of Christ's Church in these distant regions. We think that one blessed method for preventing any more con- gregations from being seduced, in their simplicity, by him, and for promoting the quiet of the churches, would be, for the High Rev. Classis to indicate in a letter, as speedily as practicable, written in such Dutch that plain men can understand it that his ordination (from New England) gives him no lawful right to occupy the minister's office in our church. And let it also show how far his Brother, Peter van Driessen, has exceeded his power in this matter, and how we are, therefore, to regard him. We also greatly desire and need a certified statement from the High Rev. Classis, regarding that false certificate from Professor Driessen; wherewith he, (John Van Driessen) appeared before the Rev. Classis; as also regarding his further conduct as well-known to you. But all of this makes him totally unfit to enter the ministry.
Herewith we conclude, in the hopes that the Rev. Gentlemen and Brethren will take to heart the welfare and the quietness of Christ's Church in these far off regions; and that they will comply with this, our request. Praying for all real prosperity upon the distinguished Classical Assembly.
Reverend Sirs and Brethren,
Your well-wishing Servant and Brother in Christ, Reinhart Erickzon, Minister at Schenectady.
In confirmation of the above writing, signed with my own hand,
Peter Vas,
Minister at Kingston.
Kingston,
January 13, 1732.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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GRANTS OF LAND.
1732. Colden's Report on Lands in New York. Consequences of large grants. Vacating such grants. (Implied reference to Rev. Dellius.)
REVIVALS, 1732-1742.
New York, November 3rd, 1731.
The Great Awakening. See Tracey's Hist. of Alexander's Log College, with Accounts of the Revivals .- Murphy's Presbytery of the Log College, (also con- taining accounts of the Revivals .- Lives of Whitefield .- Demarest's Life of Fre- linghuysen.
REV. ALEX. CAMPBELL TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY FOR PROPAGATING THE GOSPEL.
New York January 25th 1731 (O. S.) 1732.
Sir: About ten dayes ago died the Rev. Mr. Poyer Missionary at Jamaica on Long Island. The Presbyterians by the sly tricks & quirks of the common Law, got the Church, the Parsonage house & lands, into their possession, & now they are resolved to deprive the next Missionary of sixty pounds currency settled as a yearly Salary by an Act of Assembly. The next Missionary may depend upon it, he must either engage in a law suit against the Dissenters or throw up the Salary above mentioned; and if he is not a man of tolerable good sense and resolution, they will get his Salary also into their possession and that Mission will be entirely lost. I thank God I am very well beloved by all the Gentlemen of sense, honor and virtue in this Province, & if the Honorable Society will be pleased to nominate me as Missionary in the room of Mr. Poyer, By the assistance of God, the merit of a good cause, & a faithful application, no doubt but that I shall be able to obtain the continuation of the Salary to the Missionary of Jamaica, and perhaps recover what is already lost, notwithstanding the number, cunning and power of our adversaries; this I leave to the consideration of the Society, & hope they will either remove me to Jamaica, or by a yearly bounty put me on an equal footing with my neighbouring Missionaries, which I am persuaded will be thought both a modest and a reasonable request. Be so good as to lay this before the Society at their next meeting, which will add very much to your former favors of this kind. I am etc. Alex Campbell. - Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. iii. p. 190.
FROM MINUTES OF THE CLASSIS OF THE HAGUE, VOL. IV. 380. Regular Classis, held February 4, 1732. President, Rev. Pama; Clerk, Rev. Manger.
After the name of the Lord had been invoked by Rev. Does- berg: 1. Rev. Wittebol laid upon the table a letter, in regard to a request for a subsidy (subsidie) for Peter van Driessen, in consideration of expenses incurred in behalf of the church of Al- bany in America. This had been addressed some time ago to
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Mr. Gromme, and was handed over by his children, after his de- cease, to Rev. Wittebol. The Rev. Classis referred this affair to him, with his fellow Deputies, to deliberate thereon and to ad- dress the writer as may seem proper.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence in America.
The Complainants to Rev. T. J. Frelinghuysen, Feb. 7, 1732.
(Enclosure, with the letter of the Raritan Complainants, to the Classis of Amsterdam.)
(Port-folio " New York ", Vol. i.)
To Theodorus Jacobus Frilinghuysen and his Consistory at Six Mile Run; with the other enclosure; Letter C. (Same as A?)
Domine Frelinghuysen and his Consistory :- Your letter of October 6, was handed to us on October 17. It expresses the desire that the letter of Classis written to us, be laid by the side of the one written to you. In our last to you, we communicated, not the general declaration but the very words themselves, of the Rev. Classis to us, so far as these related to you and us; and these alone are to the point just here. Our views on - whether the ban was really illegal or not - we have already expressed in our letters to you in the year 1729.
Now the Rev. Classis has taken pleasure in this, namely they have declared that they have released us from the ban, and nullified it. If this is not yet evident to you, we cannot help it. Nevertheless, since this has been settled by the Rev. Classis, we must each of us abide thereby. The Rev. Classis desires, not that you should release us, but that you should consider us as already released; and that each of us now should diligently employ every means toward peace. Therefore nothing more is now required of us. Whatever else your letter happens to enumerate, as, for example, to acknowledge your Reformed Doctrine as orthodox; upon this we have already expressed ourselves to you in our letter of the year 1729. In reference to this, the Rev. Classis writes to us, that it is satisfied. There- fore beyond this, there is nothing more now to demand of us.
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