USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume V > Part 37
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 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87
On Friday we left Albany. Mr. Woodbridge and I set out for Mount Johnson, about thirty-six miles off, on Mohawk river, to pay our compliments to Colonel
* I may not have another opportunity to observe concerning this gentleman, that he was always poor, and had a powerful party against him; but he rose to be the first man in the county of Berkshire, was always esteemed for his sense; but had few who wished to promote him. For many years he was at the Council board and sustained his station with reputation.
ยก The present Charleston, New Hampshire.
3402
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1753
Johnson, and obtain his countenance in favour of our mission. At noon we came to Schenectady, a town in some respects similar to Albany, but more pleasant. We crossed the ferry and by a letter from Colonel Jacob Wendell of Boston, were intro- duced to his friend Major Glen, who hospitably received us. Having dined, we proceeded, and had a very pleasant ride up Mohawk river, on the north side. At sunset we were politely received at Colonel Johnson's gate, by himself in person. Here we lodged. His mansion was stately, and situate a little distance from the river, on rising ground, and adjacent to a stream which turned his mill. This gentleman was well known in his civil, military, and private character. He was the first civil character in the county of Albany at that day; and after this by means of the war, which commenced in 1755, and his connexion with the Indians, of whom he was appointed sole superintendant for that part of the continent, he arose to great eminence. In 1756, he was made a baronet. It was favourable to our mis- sion to have his patronage, which I never lost. In the year 1765, I found him at another mansion, about eight miles from this, and four from the river. This last was a very superb and elegant edifice, surrounded by little buildings for the accom- modation of the Indians, when down upon treaties or conferences with him. Mr. Woodbridge and I took our leave of him in the morning, rode up to the ford, and crossed the river, and came over to the south side, and rode to what was called the Mohawk castle; near which was a stone chapel and a village of Indians, situate on Schoharry creek, not far from the place where it discharges its waters into the Mohawk.
We dined with the commandant of the garrison, which consisted of a sergeant and a few privates, under Lieutenant Butler, who resided there with his family. We heard the western news and that the French in great forces had passed the . Ontario lake, going, as it was conjectured, to the Ohio; where they erected the fort, which was called Duquesne, now Pittsburgh .* Mr Butler obtained for us an Indian guide, to conduct us across to Schoharry, about sixteen miles south, through a wilderness. We went up the creek. Our path was obscure and obstructed, and the travelling uncomfortable. We came to a resting place, and breathed our horses, and slaked our thirst at the stream, when we perceived our Indian looking for a stone, which having found, he cast to a heap, which for ages had been accumulating by passengers like him, who was our guide.i
We inquired why he observed the rite. His answer was, that his father practiced it, and enjoined it on him. But he did not like to talk on the subject.
I have observed in every part of the country, and among every tribe of Indians, and among those where I now am, in a particular manner, such heaps of stones or sticks collected on the like occasion as the above. The largest heap I ever observed, is that large collection of small stones on the mountain between Stockbridge and Great Barrington. We have a sacrifice rock, as it is termed, between Plymouth and Sandwich, to which stones and sticks are always cast by Indians who pass it.
This custom or right is an acknowledgement of an invisible being. We may style him the Unknown God, whom this people worship. This heap is his altar. The stone that is collected is the oblation of the traveller which, if offered with a good mind, may be as acceptable as a consecrated animal.
It was and is my business to declare his eternal power and Godhead, whom they acknowledged, but ignorantly worshipped ; and to declare his Son, the appointed mediator and Saviour, in his character, and unfold the truths of his gospel, which has brought life and immortality to light. But perhaps these heaps of stones may be erected only to a local deity, which most probably is the case. Mr. Woodbridge and I, with assiduity pursued our way, one after the other, through bushes, and sloughs, water and mire as our guide directed. And at dusk we arrived at the nearest houses between Fort Hunter and Schoharry ; but did not put up until we came to what was accounted a publick house, but very unfit for the entertainment of gentlemen strangers. It had only one room. In that room was what is called a slaw-bunk, with a straw-bed, on which we lodged. This however was not the worst of it; for we had been contented with coarse fare and ill accommodations, in
* This force passed Oswego on the 14th May, 1753. See Doc. Hist. ii. 365. t"Somewhere between Schoharie creek and Caughnawaga commenced an Indian road or foot path, which led to Schoharie. Near this road, and within the Northern bounds of Schoharie county, has been seen from time immemorial a large pile of stones, which has given the name 'Stone heap patent' to the tract on which it occurs, as may be seen from ancient deeds." Extract quoted by Barber & Howe in their Hist. Coll. of N. Y.
3403
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1753
case we could have had quiet rest ; but the unhappiness of our case was, that it was the end of the week ; and to spend their wages three or four old countrymen came in, and gamed and drank through the night, within a foot or two of our bed. We remonstrated and complained, but in vain. Having had broken rest through the week, we needed balmy sleep to refresh us, but of which we were denied.
Lord's-day. 27th. Having found our interpreter and company at the upper end of the town, we went and had a meeting at the Mohawk village, where I preached and prayed in the forenoon. In the afternoon, Mr. Woodbridge and I went to the Dutch meeting in that vicinity. Those who are in meeting behave devoutly in time of service. But without, they are at play. I have been at their meetings, when the boys through the service, and even at the celebration of the Lord's Supper, have been playing bat and ball the whole term around the house of God. Coming out of meeting, we observed the lower orders at all sorts of recreation. To us, who had been used to the strictness of a New England sabbath, it appeared very profane. But custom will make anything familiar.
Monday, 28th. T-day we were very busy in collecting stores and necessaries for our journey, designing the next day to plunge into that immense wilderness that lies to the southward and westward of us, and inhabited only by savages. We provided two sacks of flour, which we bought at very moderate rates, and hired a man and horse to carry it over land to the Susquehanna. Our company from Stockbridge was Mr. Woodbridge, Mr. Ashley, and wife, and myself, and three or four blacks. Here we had volunteers, and particularly one fellow named Pallas, a vagrant Indian, whose company we had reason to regret, but could not refuse upon our mission.
Tuesday, 29th. Having assembled our company, we ascend a steep mountain, directing our course almost west. Our way was generally obstructed by fallen trees, old logs, miry places, pointed rocks, and entangling roots, which were not to be avoided. We were alternately on the ridge of a lofty mountain, and in the depths of a valley. At best, our path was obscure, and we needed guides to go before us. Our interpreter was on a single horse, which was very sure footed, but she needed every attention. She passed this wilderness for the last time. In the afternoon we came to rivulets which empty their waters into the Susquehanna, and the land becomes more level, and the travelling not so dangerous and difficult. Night approaches ; we halt by one of these streams; a fire is kindled ; the kettles are filled ; we refresh ourselves ; and we adore Divine Providence, returning thanks for the salvations of the day, and committing ourselves to God for the night, whose presence is equally in the recesses of the solitary wilderness, and the social walks of the populous city. With the starry heavens above me, and having the earth for my bed, I roll myself in a blanket; and without a dream to disturb my repose, pass the night in quiet, and never awake till the eyelids of the morning are opened, and the penetrating ray's of the sun look through the surrounding foliage ; when we arise refreshed, and again address that great and good being, whose constant visitation supports, cheers, and refreshes us ; and invoke his protection, direction, and blessing. And this is our practice, extraordinaries excepted, through the journey, both in the morning and at evening. Our enterprise naturally inspire us with devotion ; and the august and stupendous works of creation fill us with awe. We read God's name in capitals.
It may not be impertinent to observe, that in this wilderness, we neither hear nor see any birds of musick. These frequent only the abodes of man. There is one wood bird, not often seen, but heard without any melody in his note, in every part of the wilderness, wherever I have been. In some parts of this extensive coun- try, the wild pigeons breed in numbers almost infinite. I once passed an extensive valley where they had nested ; and for six or eight miles, where the trees were near and thick, every tree had a number of nests upon it; and some, not less than fifteen or twenty upon them. But as soon as their young are able, they take wing and are seen there no more.
Wednesday, 30th. Having met with nothing remarkable, we arrive at Towanoenda- lough in the afternoon. Here were three wigwams, and about thirty souls. We were impatient to see the famous Susquehanna ; and as soon as we came, Mr. Wood- bridge and I walk down to its banks. Disappointed at the smallness of its stream, he exclaimed, " Is this Susquehanna ?"
When we returned, our young Indians, who had halted came in, looking as terribly and ugly as they could, having bedaubed their faces with vermillion, lamp- black, white lead, etc. A young Indian always carries with him his looking glass
72
3404
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1753
and paint; and does not consider himself as dressed until he has adjusted his countenance by their assistance.
I visited from house to house, and found a child but just alive, I pray with it; was desired to baptize it, but excused myself on account of my not being ordained. The Mohawks are fond of christening their children. The Indians on Mohawk river, I suppose, are all baptized. Some of them being at Stockbridge, at the birth of a child, were affronted, when the missionary there scrupled to baptize it. Indians are fond of rites and ceremonies.
The sick child died, and there were the most dolorous howlings among them at the event, which affected us.
Mr. Woodbridge and Mrs. Ashley, our interpreter, could not travel any further by land. We, therefore, concluded to get a canoe and convey them by water. From this place to Onohoghgwage, is three day's journey ; and how bad the travelling is, we cannot tell.
May, 31st. We met with difficulty about getting a canoe, and sent an Indian into the woods to get ready a bark, but he made small progress.
In the afternoon came from Otsego lake, which is the source of this stream, George Winedecker and another, in a small batteau, with goods and rum, going down to Onohoghgwage upon a trading voyage. We agreed with them to carry the inter- preter and Mr. Woodbridge in their batteau ; and bought a wooden canoe to carry our flour and baggage.
We soon saw the ill effects of Winedecker's rum. The Indians began to drink, and some of our party were the worse for it. We perceived what was coming.
Our lodgings was not in their wigwams; but in a little store-house set up on crotches, six feet and more from the ground, into which Mr. Woodbridge, myself, the interpreter, and her husband, could but just enter and lie down. This night we went to sleep with some apprehensions. We were awoke by the howling of the Indians over their dead. The whole village was agitated. We arose very early in the morning. We soon saw the Indian women and children skulking in the adjacent bushes, for fear of the intoxicated Indians, who were drinking deeper. The women were secreting guns, hatchets, and every deadly or dangerous weapon, that murder or harm might not be the consequence. Poor unhappy mortals ! without law, religion or government ; and, therefore, without restraint.
June 1st. 1753, is with me a memorable day, and for forty years and more has not passed unnoticed. We got off as silently as we could, with ourselves and effects. Some went by water ; and others by land, with the horses. I was with the land party. The Indians, half intoxicated, were outrageous, and pursued both the party by water, in which was Mr. Woodbridge, and the party by land. One came so near us as with his club to strike at us, and he hit one of our horses. We hastened. Neither party met till we arrived at Wauteghe, at which had been an Indian village, where were a few fruit trees and considerable cleared land, but no inhabitants. Here, being unmolested and secure, we all refreshed ourselves. But Pallas was the worse for his rum ; was so refractory, that Mr. Ashley's hired man, who had been in the canoe with him, did not like to proceed with him. I reproved him; got into a canoe with him, to keep him in order ; was young and inexperienced ; knew not Indians, nor inuch of mankind ; whereby I endangered my life.
We went with the stream, till we came to slack water, when Pallas, took his gun, to aim at fowl ahead of us. I was apprehensive of his gun; for I perceived him to be in liquor. I took a paddle, and was turning the canoe, when the ducks rose, and took wing. The Indian was taking in his piece, which at that instant was dis- charged, and had it not been for the turn of my body, and particularly my head, the charge must have been mortal. Mr. Woodbridge who had his eye upon me, looked to see me drop ; and was surprised, when he saw me unhurt. I had no certainty, but always suspected that Pallas designed to have murdered me.
This unexpected event filled us with amazement, and with such feelings and affections, that we immediately landed on the west bank of the river ; and passed the day in pensive and silent recollection, and such meditations as were natural to men in our situation. I retired from company. Here a small stream empties into the river, and our horses were turned out to graze on its margin ; but in the night three or four of them returned to Wauteghe, which is twelve miles back.
June 2nd. Our Indians did not recover the horses till late in the morning; and to-day we fall down the river only six or eight miles, and lodge by the Kaghneanta- sis or whirlpool, because there was herbage for our horses at that place. Mr. Wood-
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
-
3405
1753
bridge made many observations concerning the consequences which would have followed, in case I had been killed.
Lord's-day, June 3rd. To-day we embarked and proceeded down the river, and about noon passed a considerable village; some families of which were of the Hous- sautunnuk Indians, and of the same language with the Stockbridge tribe : But as it was the christian sabbath, we did not permit Winedecker to land. They stood on the bank and beheld us. Here we left Pallas. At this place, from the N. W. rolls into the Susquehanna a river, which is navigable with canoes a day's journey. Its name is Teyonadelhough. Five or six miles below, we landed on the west bank, and put up for the night.
June 4th. In the afternoon appeared at a distance Onohoghgwage mountain, and shewed us the end of our journey and the object of our wishes. It rained. Wet and fatigued, we arrived near night. The Indians flocked around us, and made us wel- come. Our hopes were raised by favorable appearances. But our accommodations, considering our fatigues, were not very comfortable. Our lodgings were bad, being both dirty and hard ; and our clothes wet.
June 5th. To-day there were many the worse for the rum that came with us. One of our horses hurt an Indian boy ; and this raised and enraged such a party against us, as Ashley, his wife the interpreter, and the Indians at whose house we lodged, hid themselves, and would have me and Mr. Woodbridge get out of sight; but we did not think proper to discover the least symptoms of fear, although they threatened us in the most provoking and insulting manner. In the afternoon came chiefs of the Onohoghgwages, and assured us that those insulting and ill-behaved Indians did not belong to them,* but were foreigners. We pointed out to them the ill effects of intemperance, and remonstrated against their permitting rum to be brought among them; and that it was necessary in future it should be prohibited, or the dispensing of it regulated, in case we founded a mission and planted chris- tianity among them. In short, we now opened a treaty with them upon the affairs of our advent, and the importance of our business in every view. Having shewn our credentials, Mr. Woodbridge addressed himself in a well adapted speech of consider- able length, to an assembly who were collected upon the occasion.
It affected them, and they appeared to be religiously moved, convicted, and even converted. But I must reserve a further account of our mission to another time, when I may copy our addresses, and the answers returned by the Indians thereto.
I am etc. Gideon Hawley.
Rev. Dr. Thacher.
THE SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, JULY 31-AUG. 9, 1753. VOL. 63. Article 36.
" Rev. John Schuneman, candidate, has been finally examined and ordained, Jan. 9, 1753, at Amsterdam, to be minister at Catskill and Coxsackie in the county of Albany, in the Province of New York."
Article 45. Pennsylvania Affairs.
[About collections in England and elsewhere for the Pennsyl- vania churches. Success of Rev. David Thompson, of the English Presbyterian Church at Amsterdam, in securing moneys in Eng- land.]
* This paper was partly the case.
Note .- See Doc. Hist. ii., 366 for a letter from Mr. Woodbridge to Sir W. John- son dated Albany 26 June, 1753, on his return from Oquaga, enclosing a remon- strance from these Indians against the introduction of rum among them.
-Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. iii. pp. 627-634
3406
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1753
" As regards the request of the Christian Synod of South Hol- land, made last year through the Correspondent of this Synod, Rev. Tyken, touching the bringing about of a correspondence between the Pennsylvania Coetus and that of New York, the Classis can as yet not determine anything."
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.
Rev. John Frelinghuysen to the Classis of Amsterdam, Aug. 1753. Portfolio " New York," Vol. ii. Vol. xxiii, 390. Ref. xxiv. 28. Addressed : Very Reverend Fathers in Christ, Members of the Classis, assembled at Amsterdam.
Very Reverend Fathers in Christ :
We should never have troubled your Revs. with a request like this, nor have been willing even to accept your Revs. offer were it not that the heavy blow which clothes us in deepest sorrow, compels us to do so. My two brothers, those amiable men, beloved in their lives, my pupils, yea, even like sons, in their deaths were not divided. On board the ship in which they were joyfully expected to arrive in their earthly Fatherland, (America) they died. The one, seven days after the other, each stricken down with the small pox. But in full assurance, and enjoying happy foretastes, they reached the Heavenly Land. The other two arrived safely. [The first two were Ferdinand and Jacobus Frelinghuysen. In July, 1753, they set sail for America. The other two were Messrs. Vrooman and Schuneman.]
This letter cannot express to you the grief and sadness which that blow has caused us and our Zion ; but it must now serve another purpose. The youngest of my brothers, Hendrik Frielinghuysen, student in Sacred Theology, would probably have already started, in order to be ordained (in Holland by you) to the sacred ministry, even as his brothers were sent with that design, if this blow had not hindered us. Not only has the loss of those two fine young men inflicted upon us a wound so severe, that we have the less courage now to let Henricus run the risk of the sea as well as other dangers; but he is the Benjamin, in our family, and he has never had the small pox. Churches (Marbletown, etc.) have also already ex- pressed their desire to have him as their minister. My humble request, therefore, of your Revs., is, that our Coetus may be authorized, upon evidence of his ability, to ordain (promote) him in the name of the Classis. Our case is an extraordinary one, and so there are extraordinary arguments for this request.
Rev. Fathers, remember these facts. (1) Four of our family, in order not to trouble you, by asking of you the favor of being promoted to the sacred ministry in this country, have risked their lives and fortunes to attain the ministry in a way more agreeable to you ; and, as we also thought in a way which would be more use- ful to us. The last two, the most excellent of us all, have lost their lives by it. We have only one left-the hope of our house. For him is now asked this favor, which we should never have craved, nor even accepted if offered, were it not for this heavy blow.
(2) The one in whose behalf we make this request, you may have good reason to believe, is a capable person, so far as his education goes. He has been a student from his youth up, and in education is not unlike his four brothers who are known to you. Professors Irhovev and Risuerus can also testify to the fact that he was well-grounded in the sciences, when he came to them.
(3) The church (Marbletown, etc.) which desires him is one of those which shares with us the sorrow for our brothers loss. For they have been deprived of their minister (Jacobus) whom they had called. By sending him over to you (for ordina- tion), that church has sufficiently shown its submission to our Doctrine and Church Order.
(4) Your Revs. may take into account, also, all those other common reasons, which have been laid before you by the pens of others, and which have induced your Revs. to allow several persons to be promoted, in your name, in this country. Let it not
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
3407 1753
offend your Revs. that I do not make this request by the mouth of the Coetus ; because it is not now in session ; and also, because I would not undertake to break their determination never again to ask such a thing of your Revs.
(5) And finally : I wish to make request that I may hear the result of your action soon, in order that a long delay may not cut off the opportunity for taking other measures in case your answer should be a refusal. Meanwhile, I will indulge the hope that your Revs. will cause us to rejoice in this matter, and will authorize our Coetus to bring about the end desired. But, however it may be, may the Lord grant that we may ever look to Him and to His guidance.
Commending your Revs. to the Lord, I sign myself, Very Reverend Fathers in Christ.
Your Revs.' Obedient Servant and Brother in Christ,
Raritan, Aug. , 1753. John Frielinghuysen.
No. 201. Received Jan. 8, 1754.
CHURCH OF NEW YORK. Manor of Fordham.
New York, August 7, 1753.
Consistory held, after calling on God's name. The following report upon the matter of the Manor of Fordham was presented by the committee appointed by the consistory on the 16th of July :
The undersigned, a committee of the consistory of the Low Dutch Congregation at New York, to enquire into the means of making free the Manor of Fordham, bequeathed to the congre- gation aforesaid by Mr. Cornelius Steenwyck and his wife Mar- gareta de Riemer, Nov. 20, 1684, hereby report to the Consistory that the legacy of the Manor aforesaid runs thus : " To the behoof of the Low Dutch Congregation of this city, New York, for the better support and maintenance of its minister, called according to the Church Order of the Netherlands, being now present or hereafter to be called and to come, without the least contradiction or opposition of any one : yet none of the lands of the Manor shall be transferred, alienated, or otherwise disposed of, contrary to the tenor of this, but shall forever remain as an inheritance for the support, and maintenance of the church service of said congrega- tion and not otherwise."
Whence it appears that the release of the Manor can be accom- plished in no other way than one which will fully meet the object of the testator.
As we now see that the Manor has been held by the congrega- tion more than sixty years, and has but little answered the aim
3408
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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.