USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume I > Part 5
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
Governor Andross.
dieation of stone there, for along the edge of the water below the fort there is a very large rock extending apparently under the fort, which is built upon the point formed by the two rivers. It has only one gate, and that is on the land side, opening upon a broad plain or street called the Broadway. Over this gate are the arms of the Duke of York. During the time of the Dutch there were two gates, namely, another on the water side, but the English have closed it and made a battery there with a false
65
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
gate. In front of the church is inscribed the name of Governor Kieft, who cansed the same to be built in 1642. It has a shingled roof, and upon the gable towards the water there is a small wooden tower, with a bell in it, but no clock. There is a sm dial on three sides. The front of the fort stretches east and west, and consequently the sides run north and south."
The condition of the fort and the other fortifications of the city in 1688 is very plainly given in a report made by order of Governor Sir Edmund Andross, who appointed Francis Nichol- son, Colonel Nicholas Bayard, William Beeckman. Stephen Van Cortlandt, Matthew Plowman and Gabriel Minveill to make a careful survey of the same. On November 15th they reported that they had taken "two carpenters, a mason and a glazier," and report :
"The fence about the Fort, the Posts rotten, several pannels fallen down, and to replace the same would require 150 posts, 300 clap boards, 25 nails, 100 rails, and the whole cost with work- manship would be £10, 13s, 5d. There were formerly about the Fort, stockadoes of about 9 feet high and 10 feet from the walls but none now. To make it up again would require 1800 short stockadoes, 2400 of 12 foot long. the thinnest edge 6 inches, at 12d each, making a cost of $120. Upon the Flag mount there are 6 brass guns demieulverins, with new carriages. The stone wall about the Fort was in an indifferent good condition. The Flagg staff was rotten and a new one would cost $5. Upon the wall curtain were two brass seekers, and another brass cannon. Two brass mortars, one 716 inches, and the other 816. The whole Platform was rotten, and would need 1400 feet of three inch plank, and 30 sleepers, each 20 feet long. The wall of the old Battery, hangs over and needs buttresses. The old well having fallen in there wants a new one which will cost $25."
This clearly indicates that there had been a well there in Dutch times. Upon the magazine mount were six demienlverins. New platforms were needed which would require 1150 feet of plank. Upon the iron mount were fon seekers. Upon the Vol. I-5
66
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
merry mount (the northwest bastion) were four seekers and two brass culverins. The breastworks upon the wall were most part quite ont of repair. Out of the fort, under the flag mount (the southwest bastion) near the water side, there were five demi- culverins. The "Great House," and all the other buildings were greatly ont of repairs. In short, according to this report. everything was out of order, and required great and extensive repairs.
The report goes on to describe the conditions of the other fortifications of the city. Before the Town Hall (at Coenties Slip) was a half moon battery, most ruined and washed away by the sea. Upon this were three demi-enlverins, and three rot- ten carriages, fit for nothing. A stone wall had been built along the water side, from there to another half-moon battery by Bur- gers Path (Old Ship), but it was washed away, and the half- moon was ruined and beaten down by the water. "There were four seekers and one minion," but no carriages. From this place to the water gate (foot of Wall street) a stone wall had also been built, but had been washed down by the water. "But there are new lots laid out before them to low water mark, for people to build upon, which will be wharfed out by the several owners of said lots." These "half-moon batteries" were built upon a low, artificial embankment, upon which was a platform of planks, and on this the guns rested. There were three of these batteries, ---- one at Coenties Slip, in front of the old City Hall, one at Old Ship, and the third at the water gate, at the foot of Wall street. The report next proceeds to state the condition of the wall, or fortification, along the north side of Wall street, and from which the street derives its name :
"The Curtain from the Water Gate to the Artillery Mount was formerly double stockadoed, and a ditch with breast works within of salt sod. and now all down. The ground is laid out in
67
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
lots, some built, some a building and layd out to build upon. The Artillery Mount has no guns, the walls indifferent good, the sod work out of repair, as also the Diteh and Stockadoes ruined. A small old house in ve middle of ye mount."
The artillery mount mentioned, appears to have been abont half way between Pearl street and Broadway. In the map of the city, called the "Duke's Plan." made in 1664, five of these artil- lery mounts are noted-one between Pearl and William streets, another between William and Nassau streets, a third at Nassau street, and the fourth at the "Land Gate" at Broadway. There was another west of Broadway. The report proceeds :
"The Curtine from ye Artillery Mount to ve land gate mount. formerly double stockadoed, with a ditch and breast works, now all gone. The mount by the land gate, ve stone wall to the north west post, ruined, ye breast or sod work also, ve ground laid out to build upon."
Grant Thorburn in one of his works states that when some excavations were being made at the north corner of Wall street and Broadway. the remains of a very large red cedar post was discovered. A very old man who was present said that it was the original post of the land gate, in years long gone by. The report then says :
"The land gate ready to fall down. The curtine from ve town gate to ye Locust Trees, formerly stockadoed with a ditch and breast works, now gone. The King's Garden by ve Loeust trees, all ruined. The Pasty Mount formerly stockadoed, about now falling down. There are 2 seekers, one old carriage, all rotten."
The " Locust Trees" stood near the river shore, at the foot of Thames street. The " Pasty Mount" was the half-moon bat- tery, so frequently mentioned as the "Oyster Pasty." This stood at the foot of Oyster Pasty lane (now Exchange Place, west of Broadway). This is mentioned in some histories as
68
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
having been built in the time of Jacob Leisler, but from the above must have been built long before. There seems to have been originally a line of stockades along the shore, but is not mentioned in the report. The report adds :
"The Curtine from the Pasty Mount to ve point of ye Merry Mount of Fort James (the north west bastion) was all Stockadoed and breast work but none now."
Such was the condition of the fort and the fortifications as they were in the time of Governor Andross. It is needless to say that after the English conquest the name of the fort was changed to Fort James, in honor of His Royal Highness James, Duke of York and Albany, the Proprietor of the Prov- ince; but during the brief time after its capture by the Dutch it was named "Fort Orange." Up to the time of the Revolu- tion, it received in snecession the names of the rulers of Eng- land, and was known as Fort William, Fort Ann, and Fort George.
After the Revolution it was fully recognized that the fort was utterly useless for the purposes of defense. By an Act of Legislature, March 29, 1784, it had been placed under the con- trol of the governor. In 1788 a careful survey was made of the fort and the adjoining land. After some consultation with the city authorities, an act was passed, March 16. 1790, reserving to the People of the State all that part of Fort George "begin- ning at a stake standing on the easterly side of the Broadway continned at a place which is 86 feet distant on a course south 37 degrees 45 minutes east from the southeast corner of the dwelling house of Captain Archibald Kennedy (No. 1 Broad- way), and running thence easterly to the northeast corner of the old secretary's office on Whitehall street, thence southerly, along the west side of Whitehall street to the ground of Cap- tain Thomas Randall, then westerly along the north side of his
1
Government House.
71
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
ground. and along the rear of the lots which front on Pearl street. as far as they extend, then north 57 degrees and 45 minutes west, until a course north 32 degrees 15 minutes east will strike the place of beginning, and thence north 32 degrees 15 minutes east to the place of beginning." All the re- mainder of the fort and lands adjoining belonging to the State, which included the battery, were granted to the city for the pur- pose of ereeting buildings and works of defense, but without power to sell.
Upon the land reserved to the State, a committee consist- ing of Gerard Bancker, Richard Varick and John Watts were to erect " a proper house" for the use of the government. to be applied to the temporary use and accommodation of the Presi- dent of the United States. during such time as Congress shall hold their sessions in the city, and the sum of eight thousand pounds ($12.000) was appropriated for that purpose. The city was to cause the fort to be demolished, and to erect a new bulk- head "from the end of the bulkhead lately erected by them." and continue the same to the southwest bastion of the battery. This meant to fill in the river to the line of Greenwich street. The west line of the part reserved is the east line of State street, which was then opened to Pearl street.
When the fort was destroyed and the land leveled, many relies were found. There were three burial vaults under the chapel, or old Dutch Church. In one was the remains of the wife of Governor Hunter, who died August 8. 1716. Another contained four or five coffins. among them that of Lord Bella- mont, who died in 1701. The third contained only a few bones. There was also found a stone with a Dutch inscription :
"In the year of our Lord 1642 William Kieft. Director General, caused the congregation to build this church."
72
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
This stone was placed in the Garden Street Dutch Church, and remained till the church was destroyed in the great fire of 1835.
The new building was called "The Government House," but was never occupied by the President. Before it was com- pleted the seat of national government was removed to Phila- delphia. The governor of the State occupied it for some years, and it was afterwards used as a custom house.
In 1808 Bridge street was extended to State street, and this left a narrow strip of land on the south side of the street, which was sold by the Governor, Daniel D. Tompkins, to the owners of the lots which fronted on Pearl street. The lots so sold were short, and as the line was not straight, they were of different lengthis. The remainder of the traet was conveyed to the City of New York by the State; the Government House was de- stroved ; the land was divided into lots, and sold at anction on Tuesday, June 16, 1815. Upon the north side, fronting Bowling Green, seven elegant residences were erected, and, being oc- eupied by wealthy citizens, it was called "Quality Row," and was a fashionable part of the city. About forty years ago these elegant houses were abandoned as residences, and almost all of them were used at steamship offices. In 1899 the entire block was purchased by the United States for a new Custom House, and the work of demolishing the buildings began in February, 1900. When Whitehall street was widened in 1852, the greater part of Lot 1 was taken.
Rev. Everardus Bogardus.
CHAPTER VILL. THE DUTCH CHURCH.
Of all the institutions of the city, the Dutch Reformed church ranks as the oldest, and from the time of its beginning to the present day. its usefulness and importance has constantly increased.
At an early period of the Reformation, the Protestants were divided into two bodies-the Lutheran, and the Reformed. The latter became dominant in the Netherlands, and maintained their religious liberties only after a long and bloody struggle against the mighty power of Spain. So calamitous was their condition before the eighty years war, that they gave themselves the name of "The Church under the Cross." In 1566 the deputies of the churches met in Antwerp and adopted the Belgie confession, which continues to this day to be one of the doetrinal standards of the Reformed church in Holland. About the same time the Heidelberg catechism, which had been issued in the German language in 1563, was translated into Dutch and widely cireu- lated in the Netherlands. Various doctrinal differences had arisen among the Reformed, and in 1618 was convened the famous Synod of Dort, to which all the Reformed churches of Europe were invited to send delegates (except Anholt ), and they all did so; but the delegates chosen by the French churches were forbidden by the King to attend. The Belgie confession and the Heidelberg catechism were revised, as well as the Rules of Church Goverment. The church in Holland, thus fully orga- nized, became distinguished for learning, soundness in the faith. and practical godliness. Holland became the common refuge of
76
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
all the perseented believers in Europe. The Huguenots from France, the Waldenses from Italy, the Covenanters and Puritans from England-all found a safe refuge on her hospitable shore.
The early settlers in New Netherland brought with them the Bible and the Catechism, and two church officers who were called the Krank-bezackers or Ziekentroosters (consolers of the siek). It was also their duty in the absence of a minister, to gather the people together and read to them select passages of the Scripture, suitably arranged for instruction and comfort. The first men to hold this position, alike necessary and honor- able, were Jansen Kral and Jan Huyck.
When the Rev. Jonas Michaelius arrived in 1628, he for- mally organized a church. which is probably the oldest Prot- estant church on this continent. The first thing was to appoint two elders for the assistance of the minister, and these were the directors, Peter Minuit and his brother-in-law, Jan Huyghen, who was the store-keeper of the West India Company. At the first administration of the Lord's Supper there were fifty com- municants-Walloons and Dutch, who formed the great majority of the small population. At an early date branch churches were established in various parts of the colony-at Albany (then called Fort Orange). in 1642; at Flatbush, on Long Island. in 1654; and in Brooklyn. in 1660. Others were established in the settlements on the Hudson and Mohawk rivers, and in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In 1771 the number had reached seventy.
At the time of the English conquest in 1664. one of the Articles of Capitulation was :
"The Dutch here shall enjoy the liberty of their consciences and divine worship and Church discipline." The first religious services, which took place after the arrival of Dominie Michael- ius, were held in a large upper room of the mill, which had been
77
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
erected in the fort. In the spring of 1633, the first church was erected. which was a plain wooden building. The site of this church is now Number 33 Pearl street, and the Onde Kirk or old church is frequently mentioned. When a new church was erected in the fort, the old church and lot were sold to Jacob Wolfertsen Van Cowenhoven, who sold it to Isaac De Forrest, September 1, 1656. In 1667, a Patent of Confirmation was granted by Governor Nicolls to Isaac De Forrest. His widow sold it to Allard Anthony. "A certain lot of ground with a house thereupon, then commonly called the Onde Kirk, or Old Church, being on the Strand towards the East River. Bounded north by the street called the Bridge street, west by the house and ground of the heirs of Cornelius Van Tienhoven, south by the Strand or Water side, and cast by the house and ground of Jan Hendrickse De Bruyn."
This document is dated June 30, 1682. The price paid was 10,200 guilders.
This primitive church building was described by a historian of the time as more like a barn than a house of worship, and an invidions comparison was made between it and the more ele- gant edifices erected in the towns of Puritan New England. Other reasons made it very desirable to have a new church, and the story of its origin is told in amusing style. On one occasion a wedding festival was given by Dominie Bogardus in honor of the marriage of his daughter to the surgeon, Hans Kierstede. "The Director (William Kieft) thought this a good time for his purpose, and set to work after the fourth or fifth drink, and he himself, setting a liberal example, let the wedding guests sign whatever they were disposed to give toward the church. Each then with a light head subscribed away at a handsome rate, one competing with the other, and although some heartily repented it when their senses came back, they were obliged to pay ; noth- ing could avail against it."
This new church was erceted in the fort, and it is very conspicnons in all the early views of the city. It was seventy
78
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
feet long, fifty-two feet wide, and sixteen feet high, with a peaked roof. On the south end was a high tower, and in it hung a bell, on which was cast the Latin inscription, "Dulcior E. Nostris tinnitibus resonat aer. P. Hemony me fecit, 1674." (The air resounds sweeter from our ringing. P. Hemony made me.) It was called The Church in the Fort, but was officially St. Nicholas church. In front was a stone tablet with the in- seription :
"AN. DOM MDCXLII W. KIEFT DIR. GEN. HEFT DE GEMENTE DESE TEMPEL DOEN BOWEN"
(A. D. 1642. W. Kieft, being Director General, has caused the congregation to build this temple.)
This church is plainly visible in a drawing made by Laurens Hermans Block, as seen from the ship Lydia in 1650. A much plainer view is given in a drawing accompanying the manuscript Journal of the Labadists (which is elsewhere mentioned), and made in 1679.
In a vault under this church Lord Bellemont, one of the royal governors, was buried, and the wife of Governor Hunter.
In 1687 this church had become too small for the increasing number of the worshipers, and a lot was purchased on the north side of what in ancient Dutch times was called Tuyn Straat, or Garden street, and NOW Exchange Place, east of Broad street. This lot was bounded on the north by the orchard of the widow of Dominie Drissins, who had owned a large tract of what in old times was the "Sheep Pasture," on both sides of Broad street. The new structure was built of brick, with a steeple and a large square foundation, and over the vestibule was a room for meet- ings of the consistory. It is claimed to have been the finest church edifice in the colonies, and was dedicated in 1693. The
79
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
windows were long and narrow, and fitted with small panes of glass set in lead, on which were the coats-of-arms of the principal parishioners. The bell. pulpit and furniture of the old church
First Dutch Church in Garden Street.
were transferred here, and many escutcheons of leading fam- ilies hung against the walls. The people contributed silverware and money, which was sent to AAmsterdam and made into a com- munion set and a large baptismal basin. The first church organ
80
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
in New York sounded within these walls, for in 1720 Governor Burnet brought one over and presented it to the consistory.
The friendly connection and relations with English congre- gations is shown by the fact that Rev. William Vesey, the first rector of Trinity elmurch, was inducted into that office in this building, that church not being yet completed, and, at the request of the English governor, two ministers from the Dutch church assisted at the service. It was in the churchyard adjoining that the famous but ill fated Jacob Leisler was buried, when his re- mains were removed from their original burying place where they were laid after his execution. In 1766 the church was en- larged and repaired. In 1807 it was taken down, and a more commodions edifice erected on its site, and remained till its de- struction in the great fire of 1835. The congregation then di- vided into two parts. One built a church on Murray street. where they worshiped for many years, and then built a new edifice on the southwest corner of Fifth avenue and Twenty-first street. Some years later they removed to a new building on the southeast corner of Thirty-fourth street and Park avenue, where they still remain, and retain the name of the "Old South Church." The other part built a church on the sonth corner of Washington Place and Washington Square. This was after- wards sold to the Asbury Methodist Episcopal church. The old congregation became scattered, and no longer exists.
In 1729 the consistory purchased a large lot on the east side of Nassau street, including the entire front between Liberty and Cedar streets, or as they were then called, Crown and Little Queen streets. This naturally became known as the "New Dutch Church." and remained till recent years.
In the early days all church services were condneted in the Dutch language. but a new generation had sprung up. to whom English was a mother tongue. In response to the request of a
Vol. 1-6
This CBCRCH was founded
IM.HenryBoel
ADI731
. Ministers
To the Honourable RIP VAN DAM. Esq PRESIDENT of His Majesty's Council for the PROVINCE of NEWYORK This View ofthe New @utth Church is most humbly Dedicated by yourHonour's most Obedient Sere tenBurgis
REDUCED FAC-SIMILE OF PRINT PUBLISHED 1731
Engraved by W. HowLANO.
83
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
large number of those who worshiped in this place, the use of the latter language was introduced. The first sermon in English was preached in April, 1764, by Rev. Dr. Laidlee.
During the Revolution the British troops nsed this sacred edifice as a prison, and also as a riding school. The entire in- terior was destroyed, leaving only the bare walls. After the Revolution it was restored and refurnished and services were resumed. and it was kept in constant use until 1844, a period of
Second Dutch Church in Garden Street.
one hundred and fifteen years. From 1845 to 1875 it was oc- enpied as a postoffice. On the corner of Nassau and Cedar streets is a bronze tablet bearing the inscription :
HERE STOOD THE MIDDLE DUTCH CHURCH ERECTED 1729, MADE A MILITARY PRISON 1776. RESTORED 1790 OCCUPIED BY U. S. P. o. 1845-75. TAKEN DOWN 1882.
In 1769 another church was built, on the northwest corner
S4
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
of Fulton and William streets. This was the first one erected exclusively for English services. It was first opened for wor- ship on Thursday, May 25, 1769. At that time New York was emphatically an English city, and the use of the Dutch language was the exception rather than the rule. This church remained until 1875, when it was taken down. From the time of its build- ing it took the name of the "North Dutch Church," while the one on Nassau street became known as the "Middle Dutch Church." The first stone of the new church was laid July 2, 1767, by Mr. Jacobns Roosevelt, the senior elder. The walls were ready to receive the roof June 17, 1768. During the Revo- Intion the British also took possession of this church, removed the furniture. and turned the place into a hospital and prison. It is said that the pulpit was taken to England and was used there in a parish church. After the war the building was re- stored and opened for worship. In this church the Fulton street prayer meeting, which has a world wide reputation, was first organized.
In 1839 a fourth church was built on the northwest corner of Lafayette Place and Fourth street. At that time this was considered very far up town. It was built of granite, and in front had eight beautiful Ionic columns, each a monolith. In form it resembled the Temple of Erectheus, at Athens. There was a beautiful pulpit of statuary marble. In 1887 it was taken down. It was proposed to remove the beautiful columns and erect them in Central Park, but the project failed, and they were thrown down and broken in pieces to facilitate their re- moval. In the place of this a new church was built on Second avenne and Seventh street. This still stands, and is the only instance in which a church has been moved "down town."
The beautiful Marble Church on the northwest corner of Fifth avenue and Twenty-ninth street was opened for worship
HOWLAND. SC
North Dutch Church.
87
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
in 1854. In the conrt vard stands the bell which was cast in Amsterdam in 1795 for the old North church on Fulton street.
The church at the corner of Fifth avenue and Forty-eighth street, was dedicated in 1872. In the tower hangs the old his- torie bell, cast in Amsterdam in 1731, and presented to the church by Colonel Abraham De Peyster, and hung for many years in the tower of the old Middle Dutch church on Nassau street. At the time of the Revolution it was taken down and secreted, but was replaced after the evacnation.
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.