USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume V > Part 8
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(1). That Rev. Lischy be ordained, and also the two Dutch candidates, David Marinus and Jonathan Du Bois, after previous examination, etc., etc.
(The remainder of this Synod's action relates exclusively to Pennsylvania, etc. )
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1751
CHURCH OF NEW YORK.
Delegates to the Coetus.
New York, Aug. 19, 1751.
At the regular session of the Consistory held before the cele- bration of the Lord's Supper, the elders Abrm. Lefferts and Abel Hardenbroek, with Christian Bancker and J. Rosevelt as alter- nates, were chosen, to sit with the ministers at the session of the Coetus, to begin Sept. 10, 1751.
J. Ritzema.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA. Peter de Wint to Rev. Theodore van Schelluyne, Aug. 20, 1751. Portfolio, New York, Vol. ii.
Bergen, August 20, 1751.
Rev. Theodorus Van Schelluyne,
Rev. Sir :-
This letter is to let your Rev. know of my arrival here after a very stormy voyage. Jehovah be praised for delivering us out of every danger. My desire is that this letter may find your Rev. as also your family in health, of which I shall be always glad to be informed.
My dear Sir, I took up my studies again, in 1748, at Harderwyk. Finally, I asked the Professor for a Testimonium Linguarum et Theologiae. These I obtained, to present them to the Rev. Classis of Harderwyk (Neder Veluwe) with a view to my examination for licensure. It happened of an evening that a certain minister came to my room. I informed him of my purpose and told him that I wished to be exam- ined before long, as after three weeks I was to leave again for the West Indies. Thereupon this gentleman asked me whether I would not accept a call in case I should receive one. My answer was, No, as indeed it had never entered my mind to accept a call.
Thereupon that same minister said to me: "Why should you be put to such an expense? I can give you a Testimonium which will be valid for your preaching as a candidate." "Your time is also short", said he: "the Classis does not meet for six or seven weeks; therefore it is best to accept this offer." I asked him in turn, if he intended to sign the paper himself. He replied, that he would not, but that he would get the signature from the minister who this year was appointed for that purpose. He said that this would be as good as if I had been examined, seeing that I did not intend to accept a call any way. Upon his advancing several other reasons I gave thereto my consent; and two or three days later he handed me the Testi- monium. I asked him how much I owed him for his trouble; and his reply was that he would be satisfied with what ever I was pleased to give him. I had not supposed that he would take anything from me; but this was the present I made him-six ducats. I was obliged also to promise him that I would never speak of the matter here, at Harderwyk, though I was at liberty to show the Testimonium in other places. It was thus that this thing came to pass, as I can truthfully testify.
To be brief: I came to New York and presented my Testimonium to the ministers here which I had received from that particular minister. Thereupon they asked me to preach, which I did; and thus have I come to preach here several times. My increasing zeal forced me frequently to beseech God, if it so pleased Him, to place me over some people as their minister. So I applied to the Coetus over here, and requested their Revs. to write to the Rev. Classis, asking that, if it should happen that I should receive a call over here, I might, after presenting my Testimonium, be
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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examined by their Revs. They resolved to write to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam as I requested. This was done, and answer was received to the effect that such examination could not be allowed. But, before we had received this answer, a call was extended to me by the churches of Bergen and Staten Island which I accepted in the fear of God, praying God that he might enable me to learn more and more of his ways, so that I might be an example to those over whom I should be appointed. Now then, Rev. Sir, to come to the real matter, immediately after the Coetus had read to me the letter not allowing me to be examined for the ministry here, I resolved to betake myself to the Rev. Classis, as with the consent of my churches I have done.
Your Rev. can easily understand that, if I had certainly known that this my Testi- monium from that certain minister of Harderwyk was not valid, I would not now have applied to your Revs .; since it could easily have been found out at Harderwyk whether or not it was all right. But, since I have been deceived in this, as I now find to be the case, I humbly request the Rev. Classis not to reject me, although I am conscious that your Revs. have sufficient reason to do so. As I have been to such great expense, deal with me now in a brotherly spirit. I throw myself upon your fatherly favor. It would cause me deep grief to be by your Revs. cut off from these churches of mine. For I find that my preaching in these churches has not been in vain, but is followed by the blessing of God. In my churches on Staten Island there were many who, while they were without a pastor had gone over to the English churches, and many also to the Herrnhutters. But they rejoiced when I came among them, and they have all come back to my preaching. I, therefore pray God that he may favor me with his grace to preach the Gospel among them in love; and thus if it be possible, to lead those who are still walking in byways, back to Christ Jesus by God's help.
Be assured, Rev. Sirs, that from the testimony of others you may learn all about me, that I am inclined to peace, and that I perform my duty as a minister ought. And, if your Rev. should find it otherwise, I would not think it so hard to have my licensure declared illegal.
Thus I anticipate a fatherly and favorable reply, that I may perform my ministry with greater joy. For your Revs. can understand well enough that I must be some- what uncomfortable. My consolation, however, depends on your fraternal affection.
Possibly, Rev. Sirs, you would much like to know who that person is who gave me those papers. Had I not lost or else torn up, the letter which I received from him, while I was in Amsterdam, I would send it on to you. This would show that he made me understand that I must not mention his name. It would be a difficult matter now to prove this about him. Therefore I dare not name him or make him known.
Further: I wish for every blessing from God upon your Revs., your families and your work. May God spare you all together, each one in his own place, over which you have been set as ministers for the building up of Christ's Church and the win- ning of many souls! With this I remain with all reverence and respect,
Very Rev. Sirs,
Your ever willing servant, Pieter de Wint.
N. B .- My dear Mr. T. Van Schelluyne: I began this letter, addressing it to you alone, but, as I went on writing, I thought the time might fail me to write a sepa- rate letter to the Rev. Classis. It is for that reason that I address what follows to their Revs. as well. So I ask your Rev. that, when my matter comes up, you will show this letter to the Rev. Classis and oblige me who calls himself,
Very Rev. Sir,
Your Rev's. Obedient Servant,
Pieter de Wint.
P. S .- After I had written this letter and showed it to the Revs. du Bois and Ritzema as well as Mr. Banker, and read the same to them, they were not satisfied with it, but requested me to give the name of that certain minister. To which I replied that I would be glad to give his name, but that I had lost the letter, written in his own hand, by which I would be able to prove that he was the person from whom I got my Testimonium. I stated to the said gentlemen, that I did not dare, for that reason, to give his name, as now it would be a difficult matter for me to
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1751
prove the fact. However, at their repeated request, I could not refuse to give that minister's name; as I also hereby, do, with a true and sincere belief or confession, avow, holding myself at all times ready to declare under oath, that that certain minister was Rev. Petrus Wynstok. But whether he obtained the Testimonium from Rev. Medenbach, I do not know, for I know nothing of Rev. Medenbach.
So I remain, Your Rev's. obedient servant,
Pieter de Wint.
ACTS OF THE DEPUTIES. (ABOUT SEPT. 1751). Letter from New York, by Revs. Du Bois, Ritzema and De Ronde,
dated May 10, 1751. (Abstract. )
Notwithstanding the agitations of Satan to hinder the proclama- tion of the Gospel, it seems that the Lord is willing to grant an open door to the Word, over there, and wishes to give more Dutch ministers to that English Colony. The flourishing church in New York, where nine men are now laboring, may serve as an evidence thereof; as well as the open country. Three churches over there have cast their eyes upon three young men who are studying there:
These are Barend Vrooman, for New Paltz, cum annexis; Jacob Frielinghuysen, for Marmel, (Marbletown), cum annexis; and Ferdinand Frielinghuysen, for Kinderhook. Upon each of these three, a full call has been made out by the churches named, and they are making ready for the journey to Holland, in order to present themselves before our Classis. The hope and wish is, that they will give us satisfaction. This, they doubt not, because of the generally excellent reports; and they look forward, with longing, to the proper time, in the expectation that their work will be blessed. They say, in particular, regarding the Church of New Paltz, that some time ago the aid of Coetus had been re- quested, that they might obtain a lawful minister; that protection is desired, against the irregular action of Kingston, which has placed some of them under the ban; and that they had allowed Van Drissen of Amsterdam to preach, although this authority, the consistory of Kingston had arrogated to itself, claiming that that church belonged to it. Rev. Mancius had written a letter to Rev. Ritzema about it, which was also handed over, by him to
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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Coetus. As to the particulars of that letter, and how it was answered by the said churches, they can not, indeed, exactly. declare, since that letter is in the hands of Fryenmoet, and the answer has not yet arrived. They say that the people of the Paltz had never entered into the slightest ecclesiastical relation (or union) with Kingston, although some of them must have been received as members there, and allowed their children to be bap- tized there, etc., as long as they could not secure a minister. They thought, therefore, that we (the Classis) ought to give no heed to Kingston's complaint, much less, that its call should be sus- tained. Especially was this so, because not only New Paltz vil- lage, but also a committee from two other associated villages, had addressed Coetus, and requested the approval of the call. They submitted themselves, with the minister called, to Coetus, and asked their intercession with the Classis, etc. That document was signed by the delegates and ten consistory-members. They by that Classis, therefore, will acknowledge the lawfulness of their call, and qualify the called one, if found capable. They conclude with salutations. xxiii. 51, 55.
Back end of Vol. xxiii.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. The Letter from Rev. Wynstok.
1751, Sept. 6th. Art. 9. As Peter de Wind had not yet been received, he shall be written to about it in the name of Classis. Quod factum. xii. 254. [See May 12, 1751.]
Letters from Rev. E. T. Hoevenberg.
Art. 10. In regard to these letters, the Depp. ad res Exteras brought forward their suggestions (pre-advice) and the draft of a reply. This was approved by the Assembly, and will be sent to him in a letter. Quod factum. xii. 254.
ยท
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
3171
1751
ACTS OF THE DEPUTIES AND THEIR CORRESPONDENCE. -
The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. E. T. Van Hovenberg,
Sept. 6, 1751. Vol. 30, page 218, No. 127.
Rev. Sir and Much-beloved Brother :-
We safely received your two letters, the one dated New York, November 27, 1749; the other Jan. 3rd 1750, but without men- tion of place ; also two other letters, sent successively, but neither dated nor signed. The contents of them have been communicated to Classis, which sincerely pities your unfortunate condition, yet does not find a way to serve you in any of your requests. By our Committee we conferred about your business with the Honorable Directors. The reply was as we anticipated : " Gentlemen, we have done with that case; we will not trouble ourselves further about it."
We wish from the heart that the Lord would grant you light and sanctified powers, that you might please him in all things, edify the Church of God, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
We sign ourselves,
Signed as above.
In Classical Assembly,
Sept. 6, 1751. 1
,
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF NEWBURGH, N. Y.,. SUCCEEDED BY THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.
Petition of Colden, Albertson and others for the Palatine lands
at Newburgh. Sept. 6, 23, 1751. (See March 3, 1752.)
To his Excellency the Honorable George Clinton, Captain General and Governor 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 etc.
In Council
The Humble Petition of the Proprietors and Inhabitants of a Tract of Land above the Highlands at a place called Quaissaick now commonly called Newburgh Patent in Ulster County.
Most humbly sheweth
That while Lord Lovelace was Governor of this Province, he had promised, (Pur- suant to an Instruction from the late Queen Anne or a letter from the then Secre- tary of State), a Grant to nine Palatines, of a tract of land above the Highlands, at a place Called Quaissaick: and Accordingly the same was Surveyed by the then Surveyor General, and laid out in nine Lotts for them, with a Glebe of five hundred
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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acres for their Minister: The whole Tract Containing two thousand one hundred and ninety Acres. But nothing further was done therein during the life of Lord Lovelace, nor during the Government of Brigadier Hunter.
But after his Departure from this Province, Coll. Peter Schuyler then President of the Council, on the Eighteenth of December, 1719, by Letters Patent of that date, Granted Eight of the Lotts so laid out to Fight of the said Palatines and their Families; and the ninth Lott to one Burgher Myndertse, a Black-Smith, who had purchased a Right of one of the said Palatines; And by the same Letters Patent Granted to Andries Volck and Jacob Webber and their successors forever-as Trus- tees for the Benefitt of a Lutheran Minister, to have the Care of Souls of the Inhabitants of the same, two thousand one hundred and ninety acres of Land, a Glebe of five hundred acres of the same Tract, To Hold the said Glebe to them as first Trustee During their natural Lives, and their Successors forever, But for the Sole use of a Lutheran Minister to have the Care of Souls of the Inhabitants of the same two thousand one hundred and ninety acres of Land; and upon the Death or Absence of the Trustees or their successors, it should be Lawfull for all the Inhabit- ants of the same Tract, being Males, and above the Age of twenty one years, to meet upon the Glebe Land, and by Majority of voices to Elect other Trustees in the room of those Dyeing or Removeing, which persons so chosen should be Trustees of the same Glebe Lands.
And further Granted That the said Trustees and their successors forever there- after, should be one Body Politick and Corporate, in Fact and in Name, of the Trustees of the Palatine Parish of Quassaick, and by that name to Sue and be Sued, etc., with Power to the Trustees for the time being to Lease the said Glebe Lands or any part thereof, but for no longer term than Seven Years, at any one time; and by the same Grant, one pepper Corn only, per Annum, was Reserved as a Quitt Rent for the said five hundred acres of Land; Which Grant of the said Glebe Lands your Petitioners Conceive was in order to Encourage other Palatine Familys to settle and Improve other Vacant Lands near to the aforesaid Tract;
But so far was it from having the Effect Intended, That sometime after the Pass- ing the said Grant, all the said Palatine Familys sold their several Lotts in the said Tract to your petitioners and those under whom they claim, and they, with the aforesaid Trustees, Removed into the County of Albany or some other parts: And your Petitioners further shew, That the said Trustees being so Removed, The Male Inhabitants of the said Tract above the Age of twenty one Years, on the Twenty Third Day of June in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty seven, met upon the. said Glebe Land, and by Majority of Voices Elected your Petitioners, Alexander Colden and Richard Albertson, Trustees of said Glebe Land, who took the Possession thereof. But as your Petitioners are all English Protest- ents, the Grant of the said Glebe if confined to the use of a Lutheran Minister only, would be entirely useless. But your Petitioners are Advised and Conceive, That if the Palatines had continued on the aforesaid Tract, and they or their Descendants had conformed to the Church of England, They might have called and chosen a Minister of the Church of England to have the care of Souls there, who would in that case have had the benefit and use of the aforesaid Glebe Lands. And that if the said Palatines could have done so, Consequently his Majesty's Naturall Born Subjects who now by purchase Succeed the said Palatines in the right they had in the same Lands, may do the same.
And your Petitioners Do also further shew That the Trustees of the said Glebe Lands, having Power by the said Grant to Lease the said Lands for no longer Term than seven years, Prevents the same being improved, or of that advantage that it might be, had they the power to Grant three Hundred Acres thereof forever in acre Lotts, Reserving no less than five Shillings for each acre as a Rent forever; Which Rent would in part Support a Protestant Minister and Schoolmaster to have the Care of Souls and the Instruction of the Children of your Petitioners and the neigh- bouring Inhabitants; and the Remaining two hundred acres thereof would be suffi- cient for such Minister and Schoolmaster; and had your Petitioners Power to Hold a Fair on the said Lands, on the Second Tuesday in April and October, annually, it would not only be an advantage to your Petitioners, but to all the Inhabitants of that and the Neighbouring Counties.
Wherefore your Petitioners most humbly pray His Majesties Grant and Confirma- tion of the aforesaid Five Hundred Acres of Land to the present Trustees and their Successors to be Chosen Pursuant to the Directions of the aforesaid Graut with
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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1751
such further Power and under such Regulations and Restrictions as to your Excel- lency and Councill shall seem proper.
And your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall Ever Pray etc.
Edmund Concklin, Jr.
Caklass Leveredge
Henry Smith
William Mitchell
James Denton
Alex Colden
Nathan Furman
William Smith Richard Albertson Thomas Ward Joh. Wandle
Daniel Thuston
Michael Demott
Duncan Alexander
September 6th, 1751.
Province of l ss. Samuel Morell of the County of Ulster in the said Province, New York. S Yeoman, of full age, being sworn upon the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, Deposeth and saith, That he was present on the twenty third Day of June in the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred and Forty Seven, on the Glebe at or near a place called Quassaick, in Ulster County, aforesaid, Granted as this Deponent is informed, in trust, to Andries Volck and Jacob Webber, by her Majesties Letters Patent, dated the eighteenth Day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven Hundred and nineteen. When the majority of the Male Inhabitants of the said Tract of Land Granted by the said Letters Patent, who were above the Age of Twenty one years, being Assembled on the said Glebe made choice of Alexander Colden and Richard Albertson to be Trustees for the said Glebe according to the Directions of the said Grant; and that the Said Alexander Colden and Richard Albertson have ever since acted as Trustees for the said Glebe Lands. Samuel Morrell.
Sworn this 23rd of September 1751 before me Cadwallader Colden.
Province of { ss. William Ward of Ulster County in the said Province, Yeoman, New York. 5 and Margaret his wife, both of full age, being Duly Sworn upon the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God, Depose and say: that they very well remember Andries Volk and Jacob Webbers, the First Trustees of the Glebe at or near a place called Quassaick, in Ulster County, mentioned in the before written affidavit of Samuel Morell: That upwards of Twenty years ago the said Andries Volk and Jacob Webbers removed to the province of Pennsylvania, and that after their Removal, no other Trustees (were) chosen for the said Glebe, until the twenty third day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty seven, when the Inhabitants of the Tract of Land Granted to the said Andries Volk and Jacob Webbers, (in Trust for themselves and other Palatines), by Letters Patent Dated the eighteenth Day of December one thousand seven Hundren and nineteen, being males above the age of Twenty one years, assembled upon the said Glebe, and by a majority of votes Chose Alexander Colden and Richard Albertson to be Trustees of the said Glebe, according to the Directions of the said Grant; and these Depon- ents further say That all the said Palatines to whom the said Tract was Granted, or their Descendants, have sold and Disposed of their rights in the said Grant, and as they verily believe to English Protestants, and that not one person professing the Lutheran Religion now Resides upon any part of the said Tract, except This Depon- ent, Margaret Ward, who was formerly entituled to Fifty Acres of the said Tract, which these Deponents long since sold and Disposed of; and the said Margaret Ward further saith, That she is now willing and Desirous to conform to the Church of England as by Law Established.
her
William Ward, Margaret X Ward. mark
Sworn this 23rd of September 1751 before me
Cadwallader Colden.
Endorsed. The Petition of Alex Colden and others praying that the 500 a. of land formerly granted to Trustees for Maint. of a Lutheran minister at Quaissaick in Ulster County, may be granted to the said A. Colden & R. Albertson, in Trust, for the Maint. of a Minister of the Church of England and a Schoolmaster. 1751 Nov. 4, Read and Granted. In Council. G. Banyar, D. Clk., Con.
-- Doc. Hist. N. Y. iii. 357-9.
William Ward Jacob Wendel
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
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CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Correspondence from America. The Coetus to Rev. J. Arondeus, Sept. 9, 1751.
Dear Sir :- Since the members of the Rev. Coetus, who are now in the city, have seen fit to open the letter from the Classis of Amsterdam, they find that the con- tents thereof, so far as concerns you and yours, have already in part been made known to you by the Rev. Assembly. Hence they counsel you and your friends to present yourselves tomorrow afternoon before the Assembly, in the Consistory Chamber, in order to hear what the Assembly may have to make known to you in the name of the Classis, and to propose further.
Wherein we remain, in the name of all,
Your obedient servants,
(Signed,) G. Du Bois J. Ritzema.
Collatum Concordat.
ACTS OF THE COETUS, HELD AT NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 9-17,
1751.
In Acts of Classis, Vol. xxii, 259. Referred to xxiv, 13. Tuesday, September 10-Forenoon.
1. Opening of the Assembly .- The Rev. Coetus was opened with prayer by the President of the last meeting. Domine Van Sinderen succeeded, ex ordine, as Presi- dent; but the Rev. Assembly judged it more becoming, since the disputes in Long Island were to come upon the table, to defer his Presidency until a future occasion. Domine Van Sinderen assented. and Domine Goetschius became President, to whom, with the assent of the Assembly, Domine Du Bois was joined as Adsessor.
Members Present.
Dom. G. Du Bois,
Elder, Abra. Lefferts.
66 R. Erickson,
Haeghoort,
J. Schuyler,
J. Ritzema,
66
E. Bancker.
66
J. Du Bois.
66
Ab. Lott.
J. Brinckerhoff.
66 J. H. Goetschius,
H. Fisher.
J. Steg.
.. C. Fryenmoet,
A. Van Kamp.
66 L. De Ronde,
J. Roosevelt.
J. Frelinghuysen,
66 S. Van Arsdalen.
66 P. De Wint,
66 J. Van Houten.
J. Haring, of Tappan, G. Van Wagenen, of Aquackanonck.
3. New Members .- Dom. L. De Ronde, with his elder, asked to be received as members of the Assembly, which being put to vote, was unanimously granted. Dom. John Frelinghuysen, with his elder, made the same request, with the same result.
3. Reading of Letters .- The things which, by order of the Coetus, had been sent to the Classis of Amsterdam, were read, and afterwards, the replies, etc., of the Classis.
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