USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume IV > Part 40
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Nevertheless, the Consistory of Raritan, before the three months fixed by the Classis had elapsed, had made them an offer; but as the Consistory represents it, the real reasons were, that the majority, at least of the Commissioners, do not seek peace. This, the Consistory confirms by the disaffected ones' own words and acts: namely, that the people of North Branch (Readington) had hired, as they express it, as their preacher, for a year, one Rev. (John B.) Rieger, who went there (to America, in 1731,) without a call, with the Germans from the Palatinate; that he had already preached for the disaffected ones at Millstone (Harlingen), and that these also (as the rumor runs) had accepted him as their minister; notwithstanding that he held several of the ideas of the corrupt pietists: being an enemy of Predestination, and an advo- cate of the Restoration of all things: and that even reprobates have heard these things out of his own mouth, and have disputed with him about them. They say further, that the disaffected ones, who reside in the localities called Six Mile Run and Three Mile Run, hold meetings on the Sabbath among themselves, at which a sermon is read, even when there is preaching in the vicinity;
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nevertheless, this is with little hurt to their churches; for, in spite of this, they are becoming too small. That during all this time no salary was paid to Rev. Frielinghuysen, and nothing was given towards the erection of the church; although these disaffected ones had been requested to do so, and they were assured at the same time that they should have the same rights in the church with the others: that they demanded many conditions of the Consistory, and lay many burdens upon them. Now all of these things they look upon as proofs that the disaffected desire no peace.
They submit, therefore, for consideration, whether it would [not?] tend to more disquiet, if the Classis of Amsterdam should call and send a minister for those of Millstone, (Harlingen), since the Millstone river was a dividing line, and the hearers of Rev. Frielinghuysen live on either side of it. Of these some belong to the church of North Branch, (Readington), and others to that of Raritan, (Somerville); and some to that of Six Mile Run. Thus the Millstone (Harlingen) congregation, consisting of disaffected ones, lying scattered among the four churches of Rev. Frieling- huysen, belonged to his congregation. Therefore, the Consistory of the four churches of the Raritans think that no other minister should be appointed during the life of their present preacher, or at least without his consent; or that by the same, any other church should be set up, (organized), as this would conflict with God's Word and the Netherland Church-Order.
They think, moreover, that it will be too hard on them to aid in building a house for the Millstone (Harlingen) minister, inasmuch as hitherto, they have supported their pastor alone, and without the half of the disaffected ones; and as this touches the pocket, it can hardly be settled to every one's satisfaction. They are of the opinion that it were better, and would more fully serve towards peace and edification, if, not the Classis, but they (the Consistory) with the disaffected ones, made out a new call for a second minis- ter, who should preach as a colleague with theirs, as is done on Long Island; and they (the Consistory) should determine their
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turns (of preaching) as well as their salaries, among themselves. They could not at this time call a Consistory meeting, on account of harvest. In the matter of a preacher in the English language, they say, that there are now three English ministers, who are not tramps, as the Classis has been wrongly informed, but are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Classis and Synod, and who have been called for the English and by the English Dissenters, as all such are named, (excepting Romanists,) who differ from the English (Episcopal) Church.
They excuse themselves that some of their auditors hear Eng- lish Presbyterian ministers, of the Westminster Confession, when their own minister preaches at a great distance from them, and they also pay for it; and he cannot prevent it, lest he create the suspicion that it is done from an envious spirit; but they declare that it is against his advice, that some Germans (Dutch) help along in calling the English, so long as orthodox German, (Duytsch, Dutch) can be had.
They ask whether they have not the liberty, at the request of some auditors, (church-goers), most all of whom understand the English language, to allow a Presbyterian minister, a member of the Presbytery and (of the Presbyterian) Synod, to preach in some of their churches? This they have done, and yet do, with Mr. Tennet, a Presbyterian minister, called in their manner, examined and ordained, a member of their Classis (Presbytery) and Synod. They judge that if those who are ordained after the Scotch method, must be avoided so far that they may not preach, or be listened to, in a Dutch Church; that then neither could English ministers be admitted to the Rev. Classis (in Holland).
As to the denial of the Holy Supper to ignorant (uninstructed) persons, they point to what has been done by Reformed ministers, as appears from the book, "Truth Triumphant", by Mr. Verschuer.
They further request an impartial judgment of themselves and the disaffected ones, and mature consideration of the whole matter.
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They are of the opinion that the Rev. Classis will discover, that any minister who should come there, from Holland, would be an object of pity; although they, according to their duty, would cause him no trouble.
They give further assurance that they will follow up the de- cision of Classis; and conclude with salutations.
Was signed by the Consistory of the four combined congrega- tions of Raritan, and in the name of all
T. J. Frielinghuysen, Minister.
David Nevius, Elder at Six Mile Run.
John Van Neste, Elder at Raritan.
Andrew Ten Eyck,
Roelof Voorhees, Elder at Three Mile Run.
Raritan, July 8, 1735. xxii. 331, 332.
[Here followed the Peace Articles, as read from the pulpits in Raritan in Jan. 1734; but they are transferred to their proper date in these documents, although entered here in the Acts of the Deputies.]
REV. MR. COLGAN TO THE SECRETARY.
Jamaica on Long Island, 1735.
Reverend Sir: According to my duty I take this opportunity for sending to the Venerable Society the following accounts of affairs relating to my mission .- In my last I gave the information concerning the Church that has been lately erected here, of the flourishing and peaceable condition it was then in, and in this happy state (by the Blessing of God) it is at this present.
Those of the Independent persuasion who formerly, through their ignorance or unreasonable prejudice, conceived it to be a crime to join with the Church in Divine Worship, do now very freely & with all the seeming sanctity & satisfac- tion that can be, come to our Church, when there is no service in their meeting house. And several of the Quakers of Flushing, (which is a town inhabited chiefly by those sort of people), do as often as it is my turn to officiate there, attend upon Divine Service. This it is that opens a clear prospectus of the con- version of many Souls, which God in his own time will make to the true Church of Christ; since my removal into this parish I have baptized a considerable num- ber of Children, and several grown people; but what may be thought worthy of particular notice herein is the case of two persons, a man and a woman, who were brought up in the principles & lived many years in the profession of Quakerism; the Man, when upon his death bed, sent for me; accordingly I visited him often, and he confessed before witnesses that he had been ignorant of the true soul saving knowledge of Christ. That now God was pleased to open the eyes of his understanding and to give him repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. He earnestly desired to be baptized and said he could not die with that peace of mind or conscience till it was done; & he received at my Hand the Sacrament of Baptism, & to all outward appearance died a penitent Christian. The Woman when upon a sick bed sent for me, & after some discourse with her, desired Christian Baptism; but her nearest relations and friends who were about her, who were Quakers, endeavoured all they could to dissuade her from it; asking her whether she thought the sprinkling a little water on her face, would
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carry her immediately to Heaven; bidding her to remember what she had learned of them in her younger days, and not depart from it. But though I was so passionately opposed in the discharge of my duty, and this poor woman so rudely beset, at so Solemn a season as that must be of a seeming departure, yet I pro- ceeded in the Office of Baptism, and she as readily received it. But what may give the Venerable Society some further assurance of the success of my ministry here, through the blessing of God, is the account I can now give them of another Church erected last April in this Parish, at a place called Newtown, about five miles from Jamaica, where there is a considerable body of people belonging to the Church of England. They are a people who by their lives & conversations adorn their religion & profession, and I have hopes that others, seeing their good works, will be induced to follow their example. I have one thing now to add, & that is, to beg of the Honourable Society in behalf of many poor mistaken and ignorant people here, that they would be pleased to send to this Parish a few Common Prayer books, and some of the late Dr. King's books, concerning the Inventions of men in the Worship of God, which I verily believe would be of great service among them; I shall if they come to my hands carefully dispose of them where 'tis likely they will do most good. In the meantime I beg leave to subscribe myself etc., etc., etc.
Thos. Colgan. - Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. iii. pp. 191, 192.
SECRETARY POPPLE TO GOVERNOR COSBY. FEB. 25, 1736.
Feb. 25, 1736.
Mohawk Flatts. Sites of Churches. To Col. Cosby.
Sir: Mr. Livingston and Mr. Storke having petitioned his Majesty for a large Tract of Land upon the Mohawks River of about Six Miles square, that Petition is referred to My Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations who not being apprized whether some part of the said Land may not already be granted to some other persons and whether the Mohawk Indians may not be seated on part thereof in which case it will be highly improper to give them any umbrage, I am commanded to send you a Copy of the said petition, and to desire you will as . soon as possible send to their Lordships Your opinion and Observations at large concerning the said Petition and that you will inform them whether the Tract of Land surrender'd to the City of Albany by the Mohawks in trust for them- selves is not contained in the Tract now petitioned for. I am further to acquaint you that their Lordships think it highly improper that you should make any Grant of any part of the land described in the aforesaid petition before his Majesty shall have determined thereupon.
It was with great pleasure that I was informed by a letter from your Secre- tary that you are recovering from your late dangerous Illness: I hope the next letters will bring news of your being quite well again, and am, Sir,
Your most humble Servant,
A. Popple.
Whitehall, Feb. ye 25th, 1735/6.
- Col. Hist. N. Y. vi. p. 42.
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ADMINISTRATION OF LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR GEORGE CLARKE, MARCH 10, 1736-SEPT. 2, 1742.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.
1736, March 12. Church of Schoharie to Classis of Amsterdam. Not found.
COMMISSIONERS FOR INDIAN AFFAIRS TO PRESIDENT CLARKE.
Mohawk Flatts. Sites of Churches.
Albany, May 17, 1736.
May it please your Honor.
Sir: Captain Collins has communicated to us the Commissioners of Indian affairs, your letter to him of the 11th instant whereby we perceive you desire our opinion concerning a Tract of Land Mr. Storke and Mr. Van Burgh Livingston has petitioned His Majesty for, and whether any of them be already granted to others, whether the Mohawks be seated on any part of it and whether the Mohawk Flatts be included in said Tract.
We observe with you that there is one course left out but are certain that a great part of the Land we take to be petitioned for is already granted to others, and as we are informed some purchases made in the usual way tho' not yet granted by Patent and that some of the Mohawks Indians live upon part of it but do not think that the Mohawk Flatts are included therein But are humbly of opinion that that way of granting Land before purchasing from the natives may be of ill consequence and alienate the minds of the Indians from His Majestys Interest and occasion great divisions among the people of this Province. We most earnestly desire that your Honor and Council will be pleased in the strongest manner to recommend to the Lords of Trade to discountenance such Practice.
We are,
May it please your Honor,
Your Honor's most obedient humble Servants,
Signed. Dirk Ten Broeck In De Peyster Edward Collins
Reyer Gerritse Con. Cuyler
Mynder Schuyler
Rutger Bleeker
Stevanus Groesbeck
Abraham Cuijler
John Schuijler, Jr.
John Lansing, Jr. Edward Holland Nicolaes Bleeker. - Col. Hist. N. Y. vi. pp. 58, 59.
COMMON COUNCIL OF ALBANY TO PRESIDENT CLARKE.
Albany, May 18th, 1736.
May it please your Honor: The Mayor communicated to this Board your letter of the 11th instant directed to Captain Collins, whereby we perceive that you would have our opinion of a certain Tract of Land in the Mohawks Country peti- tioned for Messrs. Storke and Van Brugh Livingston to his Majesty. We therefore shall endeavor to give you our opinion of it and its consequence according to the best of our Capacity and understanding. In the meanwhile we join with your
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Honor in Opinion that there is a course left out. However we can partly guess where the Land petitioned for lyes, and are well assured that great part of said Tract is already patented and we are credibly informed that there are several purchases made from the Mohawks in the regular method for part of said Tract. We are also assured that some of the Mohawks Indians are seated on part of it. But cannot conceive that any of the Mohawks Flatts are included in those imperfect Boundaries. We are confident that the method made use of by those Gentlemen first to obtain a patent for Lands before a purchase made from the Natives will prove of ill consequence and alienate the Indians from His Majestys Interest and create great animosities and strife between them and us and in the end drive them to the French So we most earnestly entreat your honor that you would in the strongest manner you can sett forth the ill consequences of such proceedings to the Lords of Trade and desire them to discountenance any such practices. We are,
May it please your Honor,
Your Honor's most obedient humble Servants, Signed. Edward Holland, Mayor. Cornelius Cuyler, Alderman. Johannes Evert Wendell, Alderman. Leendert Gansewort, Alderman. Tobias Ryckman, Alderman.
Jacob Tien Eyck. Gerrit Brat. Anthony Brat.
- Col. Hist. N. Y. vi. pp. 57, 58.
PRESIDENT CLARKE TO SECRETARY POPPLE.
New York, May 28th, 1736.
The Petitioners intend they say to bring over Palatins to settle the Land but they don't propose to oblige themselves to do it, nor do they mention any time for it nor any number of familys, they forsee perhaps that a few years may people the Province from Germany, Ireland, and other Parts of Europe and are preparing before hand to lay in for themselves an estate on easy Terms, for Sir having often reflected on the great concourse of People that for almost twenty years have flocked to Pensilvania, from Germany and other Parts of Europe and have informed myself of the nature of the Soil in General of that Province, of the price that the proprietors sell their Land for and the Rents they reserve I concluded that if one could induce some familys to come to this Province from Europe, they would find the lands so much better than any that are now bought of the Proprietors of Pensilvania and the Terms on which they may be bought or leased so easy that multitudes on their report of these things, would follow them. I drew up therefore some proposals, showed them to Gov. Cosby and having had his approbation and that of the Attorney and Surveyor General, we laid them before the Governor and Council in 1734 desiring they would make some resolves engaging the honor and faith of the Government for the performance of the Proposals, as they very readily did and ordered them to be advertised printed dispersed in Europe but those being only printed papers some merchants in Dublin and Amsterdam desired that they may have the proposals under the Seal of the Government assuring us that they could then procure people to come In this we complyed and sent it to them last fall under the seal of the Province, and under the hands of the Governor and Council and hope to hear further from them this Summer. The proposals were these to grant no dealers of Land in the Mohawks Country in two hundred acres to a family to the first five hundred protestant familys that shall come from Europe, the Grants to be made gratis and the Lands to be purchased for them the only difference that they are to be at (besides the Quitt Rent which is to commence from the date of the Patents) will be the surveying it, which will be very little, we have already some Lands pur- chased which we design for this use if the people come in reasonable time: and this is such encouragement as Messrs. Storke and Livingston cannot give them
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and such as they cannot have in any other Province, for no Proprietors will give away their Land when they can have twenty-five pounds and more a hundred for them. By the proposals for giving away one hundred thousand acres I shall be at considerable expense, for parchment, wax, engrossing Books for recording the Patents and Certificates etc., the Governor and Surveyor General at none at all for they will only sett their names to the Surveys and certificates, the Attorney General will only be at the expence of copying paper for the Drafts of the Patents. The prospect of advantage to us arises from the Expectation that after these one hundred thousand acres are settled great numbers of people will follow who must purchase of the Indians and take grants at their own expense or if they are not able must become Servants to others who are able and will readily do it.
- Col. Hist. N. Y. vi. pp. 59, 60, 61.
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK. Rules for ringing the bell.
!
New York, June 6, 1736.
Consistory held. It was unanimously Resolved, That hence- forth, in the months of May, June, July and August, the last ringing of the bell, before Church-time on Sunday mornings shall be at exactly half past nine o'clock; in the months of September, October, March and April, it shall be at a quarter before ten; and in the months of November, December, January and February, at exactly ten o'clock.
G. Du Bois, p. t. Praeses.
DUTCH CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
New York, June 14, 1736.
Consistory held. Resolved, unanimously,
1. That the bond of Wessel Wessels be put in execution.
2. That pew No. 27 in the New Church, be sold for £4.
PRESIDENT CLARKE TO SECRETARY POPPLE.
Mohawk Flatts. Proposals for Protestant Settlers.
New York, June 18, 1736.
Sir :- Yesterday I received from Mr. Coldens own hand who is now in Town the enclosed Map and Letter concerning the Land petitioned for by Storke and Livingston. You will perceive Sir, by the Map that most of the Land contained within the square of six miles is already granted, that which is ungranted of it is supposed to be scarce worth the expence of a Patent, the Petitioners therefore had without doubt some further view and most probably it was to get a Grant of all the Lands on that side of the Mohawks River about one hundred and thirty
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miles in length and six miles wide. If they had succeeded it would have opened a door to endless Law suits and contentions between them and the present Patentees and possessors of great part of those Lands, and purchasers from the Indians on valuable considerations of other parts not yet patented. It would hinder the Settlement of the country. Notwithstanding their pretence of people- ing it it would rob the King in His Quitt Rents of nigh six hundred pounds a year and would undoubtedly drive the Mohocks and Oniades two of the Six Nations from us to Canada; for the Onidaes own the uppermost part of what is called the Mohocks country.
We are in no part of the Province more careful not to grant Lands till they are first purchased of the Indians than in the Mohocks Country, the same caution ought always to be used, but I am persuaded their Lordships will discountenance all attempts to the contrary - I am with profound Respect and Honor
Sir,
Your most obedient humble Servant, Signed. Geo. Clarke. - Col. Hist. N. Y. vi. p. 67.
Alured Popple, Esq.
PRESIDENT CLARKE TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE.
New York, July 26, 1736.
My Lord: I do myself the honor to send to your Grace a Copy of my letter of the 18th of June, I hope Mr. Oglethorps apprehensions of hostilities from the Spaniards are pretty well over, for we hear nothing of it. I heartily wish success to the settlement of Georgia on every account. If the people have their health they will in a few years be too numerous to fear any attacks from the Spaniards and become a strong barrier to Carolina, and I think those places that are frontiers both against the Spaniards to the Southward, and against the French to the Northward ought to have encouragement to extend their settlements, and to make them as populous as possible. It was principally with this view and to augment his Majesties Quit rents that I projected a Scheme to settle the Mohacks Country in this Province, which I have the pleasure to hear from Ireland and Holland is like to succeed. The scheme is to give grants gratis of an hundred thousand acres of land to the first five hundred protestant familys that come from Europe in two hundred acres to a family, these being settled will draw thousands after them, for both the situation and quantity of the Land are much preferrable to any in Pensilvania, the only Northern Colony to which the Europeans resort, and the Quit rents less. Governor Cosby sent home the proposals last Summer under the Seal of the Province, and under his and the Council's hands, but it did not reach Dublin till the last day of March; had it come there two months sooner I am assured by a letter which I lately received, directed to Governor Cosby, that we should have had two ships belonging to this place (then lying there) loaded with people but next year we hope to have many both from thence and Germany. When the Mohocks Country is settled we shall have nothing to fear from Canada; - our Beaver trade will be well secured, and greatly augmented, and the Naviga- tion and Trade of the Province in general vastly increased, and the hempen manu- facture set on foot, and I presume to hope the scheme will receive your Grace's approbation and protection. Col. Hist. N. Y. vi. pp. 71, 72.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Rev. Schuler (Schuyler) Called to Schoharie.
1736, Sept. 3rd. The Rev. Deputati ad res Exteras further report as to a letter from the Consistory of Schoharie, (New York), containing a notification that they had called as their pastor
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Rev. Schuler, (John Schuyler) S. S. Theol. Stud., with the request that this Classis would be pleased to approve this call. This was done in accordance with the approved report (pre-advice) of the Messrs. Deputies, provided he be previously examined by the Ministers of New York; but this circumstance is not to serve as a precedent for the future. xi. 228.
Letter from the Rev. van Schie, Minister at New Albany.
Subsequently the Messrs. Deputies reported a letter from Rev. van Schie, in which he makes known that having been located seven quarters of a year, (one year and nine months) at Pacceep- sie, (Poughkeepsie) was called thence to New Albany and was in- stalled there 1733. xi. 228.
Rev. Weys (Weiss).
They also reported a letter from Rev. Weiss (George M. Weiss) of Pennsylvania, announcing that he had brought the matter of the collected moneys, legally before the judge, and was suing Ryff (the elder). xi. 228.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Rev. Schuler (Schuyler) Called to Schoharie.
1736, Oct. 1st. Rev. Schuler (John Schuyler) called to Scho- harie, as well as the answer to Rev. Fraanwendorf, which was read and approved, remain in statu. xi. 229.
Letter from Rev. van Schie.
It having appeared to the Assembly that a certain letter from Rev. (Cornelius) van Schie was only a private letter, no further remarks were made thereon. Rev. Van Son was requested, how- ever, to inform him, in his reply, that this Assembly had received no letter from him, and to stir him up to a better correspondence with this Assembly. This was agreed to. xi. 229.
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