USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume IV > Part 87
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1750, Feb. Trinity Church School-House burned, with all the Parish Registers, containing baptisms, marriages, burials .- Dix's Hist. Trinity Ch. i. 252.
PETITION FOR A BRIEF TO BUILD A LUTHERAN MEETING HOUSE* IN NEW YORK. APRIL 4, 1750.
To his Excellency the honourable George Clinton Captain General and Governour in Chief of the Province of New York and Territories thereon Depending in America Vice Admiral of the Same and Admiral of the White Squadron of his Majesties Fleet.
The humble Petition of sundry Inhabitants of this City, High Germans, in be- half of themselves and others of the same Country But now Incorporated Free- men of this City of New York most Humbly Sheweth
That Whereas, under his Majesties most mild and indulgent Laws and happy constitution of Government they do enjoy Liberty of Exercising their Religion according to their Conscience in peace and Tranquility (through God's Blessing) and which is and alwaies was in the way and according to the Faith and practice of Lutherans and it being after the method and manner of the High Dutch and in their Language occasions their being denyed and debarred the priviledge of As- sembling in Congregation with The other Lutherans in their present Church in the said City, who vary much from them, and more so, on the account of their Con- stant use and practice of their Religion in the Low Dutch Way, & who, by reason of very many ancient people as well as young Ones, most of them poor, Likewise in respect of the tenderness of Conscience, cannot be brought over to Learn their Language or Exercise of Religion in the Low Dutch way Therefore are and have been a Long time separate from any publick Congregation for the Performance of their way of Worship, which all others his Majesties Loyal Subjects in their perticular Perswasions Have the happiness and benefit of within this City of New York.
Now Your Excellency's most humble Petitioners, humbly pray that, as they
* The building here proposed to be erected stood afterwards at the north end of Cliff Street .- Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. iii. pp. 294, 295.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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have the present opportunity of a godly and worthy Minister to be a Preacher Amongst them from the same Country and of the same Religion and Language with Your Excellencys Petitioners, And legally ordained, as in and by his Creden- tials and credible Testimonials may and doth appear, So, Your Excellency will be pleased to grant us your paternal Permission, to goe about this City Amongst the Rest of our country-men and fellow Citizens to ask and Collect such benevolent contributions as they or any others Shall be willing to give or bestow for and towards the Building of a Meeting House for the Lawful and publick Exercise of their Religion as aforementioned & your Excellencys most humble Petitioners as in duty bound Shall forever Pray etc.
Philips Grim
Johannes fetz Johann
Christoffer Bott lieb Creutz
Mark Shaffer.
4th of April 1750. Granted.
JESUIT MISSIONS IN NORTHERN NEW YORK.
1750, April. The Abbe Picquet establishes missions near Fort Frontenac, and in northern New York for the conversion of the Five Nations of Indians. See elaborate account, Doc. Hist. N. Y. i. 277-286.
AFFIDAVITS OF JOHN H. AND GENEVIEVE LYDIUS. APRIL 5, 1750.
City of Albany, ss. John Henry Lydius of the said City, Esq., being sworn upon the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, maketh oath, that he hath frequently heard both from the Mohawk & Caknawage Indians, & that for about these twenty five years past, that the Land Northward of Saraghtoga, as far as the Rock Rogeo, did and does belong to the Mohawks; which Rock is scituated on the Lake Cham- plain about ten leagues North from Crown Point; neither hath he ever heard of any other Rock called by the Indians Rogeo, being a Mohawk word, and the name of a Mohawk Indian who was drowned, as the Indians in the Lake Champlain, near that Rock, long before Christians came amongst them; from whence the Mohawks call both the Rock and the Lake, Rogeo. And this Deponent saith that he knows that the Lake Champlain is called by the French Mer des Iroquois, as well as Lac Champlain; and this Deponent further saith, that he himself hath long had a Conveyance from the Mohawks, for Land five Leagues North from Crown Point which the said Mohawks did covenant with him to be their sole, lawfull and proper right. And he this Deponent hath always heard, that the pur- chase made by Godfrey Dellius in the year 1696, was commonly esteemed to extend to the Rock Rogeo; And he this Deponent haveing frequently enquired of the five Nations of Indians how far their right of hunting extended, hath allwayse heard them claim and assert, that they the Indians of the five Nations had a right not only to the land on the South side of Cadarokoui River, but also to the Land between Cadarokoui and the branch of St. Lawrence River, called Le Grand Rivier. And whilst this Deponent lived in Canada he hath heard some of the French people themselves own, that the lands on the South side of St. Lawrence River belonged to the English; And this Deponent further saith that he well knows that the Northern branch of Hudson's River extends at least twenty leagues further North than Crown Point, running thro' the Peninsula that divides Cadarokoui and Lake Champlain; he this Deponent having been that far up the said branch of the said River.
And this Deponent further saith that the time that Mr. De Lachassagne, Gov- ernor of the Three Rivers, was sent from Canada to treat with His Excellency, William Burnet, then Governor of New York against the English building a Fort at Oswego, he, this Deponent, being in Canada, did at their Return hear Monsr. Demuseaux, (one of the Gentlemen that had accompanied Monsr. De Lachassagne), say that Governor Burnet had convinced them that the Land of the South side of St. Lawrence River of right did belong to the English.
John H. Lydius.
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Sworn before me Jacob C. Ten Eyck, Esq., Mayor of the City of Albany in the Province of New York, this fifth day of April 1750. In testimony whereof I have bereunto set my hand and Caused the Seal of the Said City to he hereunto Affixed. Jacob C. Ten Eyck, Mayor.
City of Albany, ss.
Mrs. Genevieve Masse, wife of John H. Lydius, of the City of Albany, Esq., born in Canada, and an Inhabitant there 'till she was the age of twenty seven Years, being duely sworn upon the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, maketh Oath, that while she lived in Canada she frequently heard that the English claimed the Lands on the South side of St. Lawrence River as far Northward as the River, and that she this Deponent hath heard several of the French people in Canada own that the English Right did extend so far. And this Deponent further saith, that the Settlements on the North side of St. Lawrence River were established long before there were any Settlement made on the South side of it. Genevieve Masse Lydius.
Sworn before me Jacob C. Ten Eyck, Esq., Mayor of the said City of Albany in the Province of New York this fifth day of April 1750. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the said City to be hereunto affixed.
Jacob C. Ten Eyck, Mayor. - Col. Hist. N. Y. vi. pp. 569, 570.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Dorsius.
1750, April 6th. Art. 8. In regard to the case of Rev. Dorsius the Messrs. Committee report, that as yet no satisfactory reply has been received from him. xii. 198.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies. [About April, 1750.]
Letters from Revs. Du Bois and Ritsema, of New York, dated Dec. 27, 1749. O. S.
The letter reporting that the extra session of Coetus which was stated in their previous letter to have been called in November, [1749] had been held already, but what was done there they do not report, referring themselves to the minute ef Coetus which will be sent us in the Spring.
2. In particular they complain sadly about the distressing experiences which they have encountered as a committee in the affairs of Long Island in the two counties, when Coetus had adjourned, since then all the complaints come to them. they do not wish to let these churches go uncared for, and yet their hands are bound for acting more seriously.
3. They propose with much modesty, whether at length Classis should not give power to the Coetus or its committee, to lay down the law to the obstinate ones, and to account those who refuse to be guided thereby as disturbers of the peace of the Dutch churches; this they think will be the only way to peace, and that otherwise the affair shall come into the hands of the judge, when probably the one party shall join themselves to the Presbyterians, and the other will make Itself independent of Coetus and Classis.
4. Further they announce that they are ordered by the Coetus to forbid Arondens
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
the exercise of his office in that congregation, wherein however they shall proceed slowly, even as they had already spoken with Arondeus by way of consultation, but he only seeks sly subterfuges. Rev. Goetschius has already been forbidden the ministry at Oyster Bay.
5. Regarding Kings County they observe that the status questionis is not there, who in that quarrel might have done some wrong, or not have done some wrong, but who is minister there, or who is not. They had made an attempt at asso- ciation, in order if possible to come into the world a lawful call on Arondeus, but Arondeus and his party want no colleagueship with Van Sinderen. They conclude with wish for blessing. xxiil. 151, 152.
Letter from Rev. de Ronde of Paramaribo, August 20th, 1749.
(Refers exclusively to affairs of Paramaribo or Suriname, at the very end saying:) and places Rev. E. T. Van Hoevenberg entirely in the wrong. xxlii. 152.
Letter from Rev. De Ronde from Paramaribo, December 10, 1749.
In which he says:
1. That he had written that he would send up some current pieces (Loop stukken) of Divine Truth, in Dutch and Negro-English; it is indeed in order and ready, but his condition does not permit going on with it. (See Corwin's Manual, Art. De Ronde.)
2. For the fulness of labor and the possible opponent for three years, would not have deterred him, but the impossibility of being able longer to preach in that climate, having been beset for a year with a great oppression on the chest, even with spitting blood, whereof the doctor had forbidden him to preach for a while; having let two turns pass he went on again, but found that his oppression in- creased, wherefore he announces that he is no longer fit for service there, but finds himself compelled to repatriate, wishing also to lay this before the consistory the gentlemen of the government, and the conventus in February.
3. To this is added a statement by the Doctor of Medicine, that he can no longer preach in that climate, unless he would make his disease incurable, and turn it into a consumption.
4. Rev. De Ronde however would be useful to that church with the pen, and if he recovers, by preaching to churches in other regions.
5. He complains further how much the two Dutch ministers have to suffer from their French Colleagues, whereof he expects to make a full verbal report, giving as a specimen, only, how the Classis there tries to make one suspected of the greatest unfaithfulness and folly; a copy of a letter which Rev. du Voisin (after having retired from the Consistory of Paramaribo shortly after the receiving of our letter to the same) sent round to the houses of the brethren by the sexton, is given.
6. Rev. De Ronde does not believe that the consistory will answer our letter to the same, before the Conventus has been held, because many matters are men- tioned in it, belonging to that assembly. Further concludes with salutation. xxiii. 152.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Rev. Deputati ad res Exteras.
1750, April 7th. Art. 6. These made a report upon the letters from New Netherland and upon the Acts of Coetus. Extracts of these are to be found in the Acta of the Deputies. Further there
A 55
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was read the drafts of letters to the Coetus (in New York), and to Revs. Du Bois and Ritzema; also the three members of (the church of) Jamaica; and to the officers of the five congregations on Long Island. All of these were approved by the Classis, with thanks to the Rev. Deputati for their discretion and the pains taken by them. It was requested that these letters be sent off as soon as possible. Quod factum. At the next Classis Rev. Beels shall preside. xii. 200.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. L. De Ronde, April 7, 1750. Vol. 30, page 177, No. 102. To the Rev. Mr. De Ronde.
Dear Sir, and Beloved Brother :----
The contents of your letter of May 26, 1749, were communicated to us by Rev. Mr. Visser. We did not at once answer it, because we deemed it necessary to await the writing of the Consistory of Paramaribo concerning the case of which you complain. This writing has at length arrived and been answered. From this you may observe that we do not indeed approve of the conduct of Rev. Yver in proposing Rev. Mr. Van Hoevenberg; nevertheless we request and advise you to retain no displeasure on that account.
You further remark on this case other unpleasant experiences, in a letter of August 20, 1749, that " Levius fit patientia, quidquid corrigere est nefas " ; and that no one, if retaining a pure conscience, has ever regretted on his death-bed that he has endured and forgiven too much. We trust that your respected fellow- servants, following after those things which make for peace, and wherewith one may edify another, will afford themselves an agreeable rest, as well as give us a cause for gladness.
We are also glad to notice that you endeavor to remove the reproach of an indo- lent servant by performing much preaching and catechising, and that your labors are not unblessed. Although the work may be somewhat arduous, do not let your hands grow slack, for there is a reward after your labor. May the Lord grant you further desire and ability to labor, and crown it with his own almighty work of grace in the saving change of many hearts.
Respecting your intention to print a sketch of First Truths in Negro-English by the side of the same in Dutch; Classis judges that it would be useful, but thinks it necessary first to transmit a copy for examination and approbation. The Classis is moveover pleased with the clearer view which you give of a so- called "Order of Knights;" and especially with the added statement that you have no connection with any Societies from which any offence or suspicion might arise.
Finally, we are of opinion that the candidate Blok has, with reason, been denied the pulpit. We understand that there are grievous rumors about him also in this country. Here we close, wishing for you all needed grace and every desirable blessing from heaven, while we profess to be,
Rev. Sir and Esteemed Brother. Amsterdam, Jan. 15, 1750 .?
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the three members of the Consistory at Jamaica, L. I., April 7, 1750, Vol. 30, p. 179. No. 107.
To the three Consistory members of Jamaica.
Very Worthy Sirs and Brethren :- We have read with much grief and with dis- approbation the letter of the 10th of May, signed by Douwe Ditmars, Dirk Amer- man and John Noordstrant, and by two Justices of the Peace besides. We should have passed by the perversities contained therein, if we had been informed that our writing of the 5th of the month, which arrived subsequently, or the efforts of the Rev. Coetus, had made any modifications in the sinful dissensions on Long Island. But, as we have learned nothing to that effect from that section, but from other quarters, that things are going worse than ever, to the destruction of all edification, peace, and lawful Church-Order, we cannot refrain from making some serious remarks on that writing.
We notice in it hardly anything else than accusations and vituperations against the Coetus, as well as against most of the ministers who have joined themselves to that body. These are all of a character so destitute of proof, so bitter and so uncourteous, that they do not seem to have flowed from the heart or pen of one who seeks to cultivate Christian or even civil propriety.
Consider, we pray you, calmly, for a moment, whether such a course of conduct is calculated to diminish that discord and bitterness which is now prevailing between elders as well as between lay members, and which actions are so con- trary to the spirit of the Gospel; or whether it is not calculated to make them beyond remedy. Yea, judge ye also, whether or not the Classis ought to take any notice of such a style of grievances. If so, then there is hardly a minister in New Netherland who is not liable to censure. But then, others can, with equal right, demand that we take notice also of the heavy accusations against Rev. Arondeus. Could there not be any number of charges made about his running from one church to another, in a disorderly and unlawful manner? and especially, if one should take into account a writing, signed by four of the elders made by him, eight months after his return from the Raritans, and which they want to have pass as a lawful call to the church of Jamaica? Our Assembly, however, wishes to be impartial in these matters, and will act only with a view to the peace and welfare of your churches; but that we should pass a just judgment on your affairs is impossible to us, owing to our distance from you, and to the contra- dictory reports that come to us.
We must once again, therefore, urge you most earnestly to submit your griev- ances and all your interests, in a modest manner, supported by proper arguments, to the judgement and decision of the Coetus. The Classis sends at this time also a letter to that body, requesting and authorizing it to settle your affairs; and yet this is done in such a way, that any one who feels himself aggrieved by the decision of the Coetus, shall have the liberty of addressing himself in an orderly way, to our assembly, with the reasons of his grievances, and with proper proofs. Thus the matter may come to us in such a shape that we can give a decision on it.
If, however, this, our well-intentioned admonition, is again fruitless, what else can we conclude but that your affairs cannot bear too close a light on them? And what other result can there be, than that the Classis must either pronounce judgment upon those who reject its wholesome counsel - which would be far from pleasant to us; or that it must cut off all correspondence with such particu- lar churches, and leave the responsibility for their total ruin with those who de- stroyed our only possible way of helping them? We pray God that He may pre- vent such a result! and that for your own welfare, as well as for the peace and eternal salvation of the people of these churches, He may cause our counsels to be acceptable to you. It is also our earnest desire, that God would enable each
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one of you to understand, for his own contrition and improvement, in what he is to blame, in order that righteousness and peace may flourish where now so many roots of bitterness are springing up. With this wish we remain in love, Very Worthy Sirs and Brethren,
Your Revs. obedient servants and brethren - The Members of the Classis of Amsterdam.
In the name of all. M. Snethlage, Depp. Cl. h. t. President. Johan Temmink, Depp. Cl. h. t. Scriba.
Amsterdam, April 7th, 1750.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the members of the Consistories of the Five Congregations on Long Island, April 7, 1750. Vol. 30, page 181. No. 108.
Very Worthy Gentlemen and Brethren :- The Classis perceives with sorrow from A letter of May 12th 1749, signed by certain members of the Five Consistories on Long Island and by Six Magistrates, the sad condition of your churches, occasioned by bitter and partizan conduct of certain so styled leaders, whereby you bite and devour one another.
We have observed, first, that Rev. Van Sinderen has been placed under censure an'd his saiary, which was to be paid by the inhabitants stopped; then, also, how he is grievousiy despised, while Rev. Arondeus is highly praised; and finally, your conclusion is, that it will be in vain for us to attempt a reconciliation or any- thing eise, except to give the final sentence as to which one must seek another place; yet at the same time it is asserted that neither Classis nor any other body shali get Arondeus away.
Upon the first matter we remark, that if congregations, or certain parties in them, against the desires of others, deal thus with iawfully cailed ministers, with- hoiding aiso their salaries, it will be impossible to find capable ministers for such people, and all good order will be trampled under foot .- In reference to the next matter, we declare, that while we do not defend all that Rev. Van Sinderen says or does, yet no proper reasons are given why he should so peremptorily be put under censure .- In reference to Rev. Arondeus, however, while we ought not much to heed even grave rumors to his injury, yet we know too weil, notwithstanding the commendations bestowed, how he unlawfully gads about from one congregation to another. Even if he has no intention of temporal advantage therein, he cer- tainly does occasion much disturbance and bitterness. Yet at the conclusion of your letter you dictate plainly enough the law for the government of Ciassis in their decision, viz., in favor of Arondeus. But if we should decide according to our knowledge, it is easy enough for you to understand toward which side we incline.
In order, therefore, to avoid ali appearance of partiality, we assert that we can- not understand how either of these ministers can continue to serve with edifica- tion and peace on Long Island as long as bitterness and discord are cherished by . leaders and others. We wish, therefore, that opportunities might be found for settling each of them somewhere else, under lawfui calls, and of having others unanimously, and in a regular way, chosen in their place. But because every- thing seems so obscure, as represented to us, we have to-day written to the Rev. Coetus. requesting and authorizing that body conscientiousiy to investigate the whole matter and settle this Long Island affair. Should anyone feel aggrieved in the decision, the way is open to all reasonable appeals or complaints to the Classis. The Classis will also then be put in a position rightly to understand the true condition of the business. Such is the present decision of our Assembly. It was not our intention at our last writing to leave it absolutely to your choice by whom your business should be judged, whether by Coetus or Ciassis, as Rev. Arondeus wrote to Rev. Du Bois.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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We see no means of bringing your affairs to order and rest in any other way than that proposed, so long as one writes one thing, and another another, accord- ing as each follows views influenced by passion, or party, or private considera- tions. We therefore request and exhort you, not only for our sakes, but for your own sakes, to follow the course we have marked out for your peace and edifica- tion. This plan will not be in opposition to Church Order, but is calculated to maintain it. If you do not heed us, we will be obliged to leave the results, sinful and destructive as they are, to your own responsibility, and we declare we will have no more part in them. Refresh us, therefore, we beseech you, for we heartily desire the peace of your Zion. So we will also ever wish that the peace of God may reign in your hearts, in all your Assemblies, and in your congregations. We remain affectionately,
Amsterdam, April 9, 1750.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence.
The Classis of Amsterdam to the Coetus of New York, April 7, 1750. Vol. 30, page 183, No. 109. To the Rev. Coctus of New York.
Rev., Godly and Very-learned Sirs, and Beloved Brethren :- The Minutes of your Meeting of September 12, 1749, prepared by Rev. Du Bois, as Extraordinary Scribe, from the notes of Rev. Haeghoort, we have received. We thank you for your brotherly correspondence which we also desire affectionately to maintain, and we send herewith the Minutes of our last Synod of North Holland. (1749.) We also learn from a remark of Revs. Du Bois and Ritzema, that another Coetus was held in Nov. 1749, but we have not yet seen the Acts of the same in reference to the affairs of Tappan and Long Island. If we had, we would have been in better condition to express our views about those offensive disturbances on Long Island. But as far as we can form any idea from the former Acts, from the letters of certain congregations there, and from the letters of the two gentlemen who con- stitute the committee on the subject, we may make the following observations:
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