USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume II > Part 2
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Vol. II-2
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house but one to the brewery of Oloff Stevensen Van Cortlandt. The eastern part of the Produce Exchange now covers the spot.
The allusion to the bedstead may be explained that in those days it was built as a part of the house, and not movable as at present. It was a low one-story house, with a thatched roof. In 1643 he was "weigh master." In 1647 he was provost, and in 1653 a member of the Burgher Corps. After this we hear nothing of him or his descendants, but as the first schoolmaster in this city his name should be held in continued remembrance. He left four children, and on March 9, 1646, Jan Stevensen, "schoolmaster," and others, were appointed curators of the estate of Lyntje Martens, "late wife of Adam Roelantsen." The succesor of Adam Roelantsen was the above named Jan Stevensen, "schoolmaster." and the West India Company granted him a "ground brief," or patent, for a house lot. This lot was on the west side of Broadway, and next south of the old burying ground. Morris street was originally a lane left to give Dominie Drissius access to his land, which lay between the burying ground and the river. This lot was ten rods and nine feet (Dutch measure), or about 130 feet, and was about 160 feet in depth "towards the river."
Although some preparations had been made for a school- house, yet none was actually built for many years, the money raised for that purpose being needed for other purposes. On November 11, 1647, it was stated that "owing to the want of proper accommodations no school had been held for three months." Governor Stuyvesant stated "that a convenient place for a schoolhouse and dwelling for a schoolmaster would be provided for the winter, either in one of the outhouses of the Fiscaals department, or any other suitable place that the dea- cons might approve." The only schoolmasters recognized were
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those connected with the Established Church, and no private school teachers could follow their calling without a license.
On August 13, 1649, Jan Stevensen, "late schoolmaster at New Amsterdam," sold his house and lot "north of the Fort," and went to Holland. He was succeeded by Jan Cornelissen. In 1649, among the complaints made, one was that "there has been a good deal said about building a schoolhouse, but the first stone is not laid," and it was desired "that the school should be provided with at least two good schoolmasters." Cornelis Van Thienhoven, the Schout (or sheriff), endeavored to shift the responsibility by stating that it was the fault of the deacons who had charge of the funds. In the meantime Jan Cornelissen had kept school in a place provided, and it is added that "other teachers kept school in hired houses, so that the youth are furnished with the means of education, though as yet there is no Latin school or Academy."
Jan Cornelissen did not remain long, and in his place the Classis in Amsterdam sent William Verstius, "a good, God- fearing man," who was to act as Ziekentrooster, or Consoler of the Sick, and schoolmaster. In 1654 he petitions for an increase of salary, and on January 26, 1655, he resigned his position and returned to Holland, and in his place was appointed Harmanus Van Hoboocken. His pay was to be thirty-five guilders a month, and one hundred guilders annually for expenses.
Among the private school teachers at that time may be mentioned Andries Hudde. Jacob Van Corlaer opened a school in 1658, without public authority, and was ordered to discon- tinue. He had repeatedly applied for a license, but received as a final reply, "Nihil actum." Jan Lubberts was permitted to teach reading, writing and arithmetic, "provided he con- ducted himself as such a person ought to do," which shows
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that the manners and morals of a teacher were taken into care- ful consideration. In 1659 notice is given that "Carel Beau- vois, of Leyden, arrives here intending to open a school."
On April 4, 1652, the directors of the West India Company wrote to Governor Stuyvesant that they had appointed Jan De La Montagne as schoolmaster, and that the city tavern might be used as a schoolhouse. The salary of the new school- master, who performed other duties as well, was to be 250 guilders. This, the first established schoolhouse, was also the city hall, and stood at what is now number 71-73 Pearl street. About the same time we find Joost Carelse, Adriaen Van Ilpendam and other private teachers following their pro- fession and having some trouble in collecting their dues.
In 1656 the first survey of the city was made, and there were 120 houses and 1,000 inhabitants. The school of Jan De La Montagne was a second school in addition to the principal one kept by Harmanus Van Hoboocken, whose schoolhouse hav- ing been partly destroyed by fire, he applied for permission to use "the hall and side chamber of the city hall." This was not granted, but it was agreed that proper accommodations would be provided, and the schoolmaster was to have 100 guilders yearly. The second school does not seem to have lasted long. The project of building a schoolhouse was still agitated, but nothing was done.
In 1659 the Dutch colony on the Delaware was in great dis- tress. So many left that there only remained thirty families. Among those who came to New Amsterdam was Evert Piet- ersen, who had been schoolmaster from the beginning, and he was employed here as a colleague of Van Hoboocken. He shortly after went to Holland. He was desirous of having a permanent engagement in New Amsterdam, and the directors accordingly appointed him "consoler, clerk, chorister and schoolmaster,"
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May 2, 1661. He was to have thirty-six guilders ($15) a month, and 125 guilders ($52) "annually for his board," and "he is now embarked in the ship 'Gilded Beaver.' " He was also to be provided with books and stationery.
Harmanus Van Hoboocken, who was thus superseded, was afterwards employed as schoolmaster and clerk on the Bowery of Governor Stuyvesant. The location of this school is said to have been where Tompkin's market now stands, at Sixth street and Third avenue. And so at that time there were two regular schools in the city.
In 1662 the burgomaster petitioned that a lot in the Brewer street (Stone street) "opposite the lot of Johanes De Peyster, be granted for a schoolhouse, and a lot outside the gates for a burying ground." The director, Stuyvesant, declined to do so, and deemed it more proper that the school- house be erected on part of the present churchyard. No school- house, however, was built. Shortly after this came the English conquest, which changed the whole order of things. Up to this time the Dutch church school had in succession seven school- masters. The full name of the then schoolmaster was Evert Piertersen Keteltas, a name that still remains. Among the private school teachers, up to that time, were: David Provoost, 1647; Hans Steyn, 1652; Jacobus Van Corlaer, 1657; Jan Lub- bertsen, 1658; Jan Jurianse Beeher, 1660; Frans Classen, 1660, and Johanes Van Gelder.
On September 19, 1658, a petition was sent to Holland, stating that the youth of the city were increasing, and most of them could read and write. But some of the citizens would like to send their children to a school, "the Principal of which understands Latin," and are not able to do so without sending them to New England. They therefore petition that a Latin teacher be sent, and they "would endeavor to find a fit place
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in which the schoolmaster shall hold his school." In accord- ance with this the West India Company sent Dr. Alexander Carolus Curtius, a Latin schoolmaster from Lithuania. On July 4, 1659, he met the city officers to arrange their terms. He was to receive 500 guilders yearly, and to have fifty in advance, He was also to have the use of a house and garden, and was permitted to charge six guilders (about $3) per quarter for each scholar, and he was also allowed to practice medicine. The schoolmaster's life at that time, as well as in the present, was not always a happy one. Some complained that he did not keep proper discipline, and he replied that his "hands were tied," as some parents forbade him to punish their children. Curtius returned to Holland and was succeeded by Rev. Aegidius Lwyck, who had been tutor to the sons of Governor Stuyvesant, and he became principal in 1662, and under his charge it attained a high reputation.
The conquest does not seem to have made much change in the school. Evert Piertersen still continued to teach and Cap- tain Steynmets brings in his bill for "the use of his house for a city school." At the time Evert Piertersen was advanced in age, and was succeeded by Abraham De La Noy.
The English governors were anxious to make New York an English city, and ministers and schoolmasters from England were encouraged to settle in the country. The only exception was that of Lord Cornbury, who imprisoned two Presbyterian ministers for preaching without his license, and broke up the Dutch schools on Long Island, and he also gave notice that no Dutch schoolmaster or minister could exercise his calling with- out a license from the governor.
From 1705 to 1726 there is a hiatus in the records of the Dutch church. In the latter year Barent De Forest was engaged to give instruction in the Low Dutch language, and the elements
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of Christian piety. The school was to be opened and closed with prayer and singing, and the children were to be taught to spell and read and write and cipher, and also the usual prayers in the catechism. He remained in this capacity until 1732, when he was arrested and imprisoned for debt, which is not surprising when we consider his meager salary. The church refused him any relief, but afterwards paid five pounds four shillings for him.
C
Gerrit Van Vagenen Schoolmaster 1733.
On March 21, 1733, Gerrit Van Wagenen was chosen to fill the position of schoolmaster, Voor Sanger (chorister), clerk and visitor of the sick. When appointed he was holding a similar position at Kingston. Although engaged for only two years, he remained until the time of his death, which occurred in the early part of 1743, and he was succeeded by his son, Huybert Van Wagenen.
It was found necessary to establish another Dutch school for the children who lived at too great a distance to attend the
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school of Mr. Van Wagenen. The new school appears to have been in Cortlandt street, while that of Mr. Van Wagenen is said to have been at the corner of Marketfield and Broad street.
On February 18, 1691, the mayor and aldermen granted to Samuel Bayard a lot bounded south by Garden street, north by the orchard late of Elizabeth Drissius, east by the lots of John Lipketts and David Hendricks, and west by the lot of John Hendricks De Bruyn. The lot was 180 feet in front, but only 84 feet in length from the street. Samuel Bayard conveyed this to the ministers, elders and deacons of the Nether Dutch church, February 20, 1691. Samuel Bayard also purchased for the church, from John Crook, May 1, 1718, a lot on the south side of Garden street, opposite to the church. This lot was thirty-one feet wide and seventy feet in length. In 1748 the church erected a schoolhouse and a dwelling house for the teacher. To fill this position they chose Mr. Daniel Bratt, who was chorister to the church in Catskill. He remained till 1754. The Consistory then sent to Holland for a person competent to fill the various offices connected with that of schoolmaster. He was to be a person capable of officiating as chorister and school- master, possessing a knowledge of music, a good voice, able to teach others the sciences, and be a good reader, writer and arithmetician. He was not to be under twenty-five, nor more than thirty-five. For pay he was to have the use of a new and commodious dwelling house opposite the church. The house had, besides the large school room, a small chamber, a kitchen, a cellar under the house, a fine kitchen garden, a well with a pump, and other conveniences, the rent of which would be equal to twenty pounds. They were careful to state that one pound, New York currency. was to be reckoned as six guilders and twelve stuyvers ($2.50). For leading the singing he was to have fifteen pounds; for teaching twenty poor children he was
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to have twenty-four pounds ; for fire-wood, six pounds ; for keep- ing church accounts, eight pounds ; for entering records of bap- tism, seven pounds; also an annual salary of twenty pounds; or in all eighty pounds ($200) and use of the house. The school was to be open to children of all citizens whose parents would pay a considerable sum, "as there is no other suitable school of the Low Dutch in the city."
The person who was appointed for this position was John Nicholas Welp, who came in 1755. He was to have fifteen pounds for his passage, and seems to have landed at New Lon- don, as he was allowed cight pounds more for transporting his goods from that place, where he arrived with his wife and children. Mr. Welp remained until his death in January, 1773, and the deacons paid the expense of his funeral. The old schoolhouse had become decayed and a new one on the same site was erected that year, and this, with the church, were both destroyed in the great fire of 1835. The successor of Mr. Welp was Peter Van Steenburgh, who remained until 1776. Read- ing, writing and arithmetic were taught in both languages. At the outbreak of the Revolution the school was disbanded, and as a Dutch school it ceased to exist. But the same church has continued it as an English school, with the greatest success, down to the present time. The first schoolhouse of the Dutch church was on the vacant land south of the fort.
THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS.
The English governors were anxious to have both the English language and English customs, as well as English laws, predominate in the city, but for long years after the conquest the Dutch inhabitants were largely in the majority, and the Dutch language was the one generally spoken. But by slow degrees the English gained the supremacy, and at the time of
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the Revolution the Dutch language, as well as their manners and customs, had passed away. The Latin school, which had become so successful under Aegidius Lyck, was maintained by the English authorities for eight years after the conquest, and was then closed.
In 1674 Matthew Hillyr was licensed to teach by the mayor and aldermen, and in 1676 he was continued, and a license was also granted to Ebenezer Kirtland. During the administra- tion of Governor Dongan a Latin school was set up under the instruction of two Jesuit priests-Henry Harrison and Charles Gage. The prejudice against their church caused the school to be of short duration. David Jamison, from Scotland, taught a Latin school about 1690, and in 1696 David Vilant kept a school in the city hall. We find about the same time that Alex- ander Paxton, Johannes Schanck and Robert Parkinson were teaching schools. In 1702 an act was passed by the General Assembly for the encouragement of a free grammar school, and the first teacher was George Muirson, who was appointed by Governor Cornbury on April 24, 1704. He was succeeded in 1705 by Andrew Clark.
A charity school under the care of Trinity church had been established at an early date. Among the most prominent among its teachers was William Huddlestone. In 1690 he had been clerk of Trinity church "for some years," and was then re-ap- pointed at a salary of twenty pounds. He resigned April 11, 1698, "by reason of great business that called him abroad." The certificate and license granted to William Huddlestone is recorded in Liber 25 of Deeds in the New York register's office :
"Benjamin Fletcher Capt. Gen" and Governor in Chiefe of their Majesties Province of New York, Province of Pennsyl- vania, County of New Castle Terrytories and Tracts of land thereon depending in America, &c, and Vice Admirall of the same. I do hereby authorize and appoint you William Huddle-
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stone to teach an English School, and to enstruct all children wherewith you shall be intrusted for that purpose in the Arts of writing and Arithmetick &c. in the city of New York. You are therefore diligently and carefully to discharge the said duty of School Master, and to receive and enjoy all such privileges and advantages as to the Office and Place of a School Master, doth and may belong, and appertain, for which this shall be your sufficient Warrant. Given under my hande and Seale att Fort William Henry this nine and twentieth day of August, in the fifth year of the Reigne of their Majesties, King William and Queen Mary. By His Excellencies Command.
"DAN. HONAN, Secretary."
This was recorded for William Huddlestone, March 19, 1701-2.
In 1722 he is mentioned as having care of a parish school, where he taught forty poor children. He also had a small parochial library. He was not only a schoolmaster, but a man of business, and owned considerable real estate, and buildings worth hundreds of thousands are now standing upon the lands whose titles are derived from William Huddlestone, "school- master." He died before July 7, 1731, and was succeeded by Thomas Noxon.
Trinity churchyard was given to the church October 19, 1703, and had already been used as a cemetery. Some private parties presented claims to the land, but were not allowed. About 1748 a school building was erected near the church on Rector street. The school was placed under the care of Mr. Joseph Hildreth, who reported on April 1, 1749: "I have fifty scholars, whom I teach entirely at the Society's Bounty, and daily give attendance at the accustomed time, about thirty of which have been baptized in ye Church of England, and the rest of Dissenting parents. I have likewise twenty negroes who come to me in the Evenings to be instructed in singing the Psalms, Tunes, &c. There are besides mine, 9 English, 2 Latin, 1 French and one Dutch school."
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In August following a notice appears of a benefit given by a company of musicians :
"The Gentlemen who performed at the subscription Con- cert proposed to this Board that if they would permit them to use the School Room in the New Charity School, and prepare a Platform and Closet proper, they would pay ten Shillings for each night, and play at a Benefit Concert for the use of the Poor Children and paying so much for the same use as they can afford out of their subscriptions."
In 1750 "by the Governor's permission a benefit was given the Episcopal School at the Theatre in Nassau street."
The fate of the "New Charity School Building" is very graphically told in the New York Gazette of February 26, 1750:
"Friday morning last (Feby. 23d) about 4 o'clock a vio- lent Fire broke out in the New Free School House, kept by Mr. Joseph Hildreth, Clerk of Trinity Church in this city, which got to such a height before it was discovered as to render it impos- sible to save it from being entirely destroyed. And though it stood at a considerable Distance from the Church, yet the Flames ascended so high and carried with them such Abundance of live Coals as to put the Church in imminent Danger, particu- larly the Steeple, which was set on fire several times, almost at the top. What little Wind there was setting directly on it. Not- withstanding which by the good Providence of God and the Dil- igence and Activity of a few Persons within, who broke holes through, it was happily extinguished. Besides a great deal of Furniture and other things, the Records of the Church were entirely consumed. The whole Loss is supposed to be near Two Thousand Pounds value."
The next week the paper contained the following:
"Mr. Parker. Your inserting the following Lines on the Loss of the Charity School, which was destroyed by Fire on Friday the 23d of February last, will oblige several of your Readers, particularly Your Humble Servant .- W.
"Come see this Edifice in Ruin lye,
Which lately charmed each Spectator's Eye. See and lament the well proportioned Frame, Consumed by a relentless cruel Flame."
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And so on for twenty-five lines more. It seems that much blame and some abuse was bestowed upon Mr. Hildreth, who was believed by some to be responsible for the fire. In the issue of March 5th, appeared an affidavit of James Napier, who testified that he had employed Mr. Hildreth for upward of four years "to cast up weigh notes and settle his accounts." That on Thursday afternoon he was at his house writing for him, and that Mr. Hildreth stayed at his house all night, Mr. Hil- dreth's family being out of town. That he went to bed about twelve o'clock, and the same night the schoolhouse in which Mr. Hildreth lived was burned. The unfortunate schoolmaster lost all his personal effects. He died in May, 1777, having been clerk of Trinity Church for about forty years, and had the care of the Charity school, and was esteemed as an upright and honest man. His widow survived him, and the church gave her as a gratuity ten pounds.
The Charity school was soon rebuilt, and another was erected some years later. When Mr. Hildreth died the two schools had 86 scholars. Both of the school buildings were burned in the great fire of September. 1776. Their value was £2,000. In 1760, Elizabeth Sharpas left to the school a legacy of £200, and Mr. Francis Aubayneau left about the same. In view of this a cupola with a bell were added. Mrs. Anne Chambers, widow of John Chambers, also left it £500, and many others might be mentioned.
The first advertisement of a school that ever appeared in a New York newspaper is the following:
"On the 15th of September next (1730) at the Custom House in this City ( where a convenient Room is fitted up.) James Lyne designs to Teach in the Evenings (during the Winter) Arithmetick, in all its Parts, Geometry, Trigonometry, Naviga- tion, Surveying, Guaging, Algebra, and sundry other parts of mathematical Learning. Whoever inclines to be instructed in
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any of the said Parts of Mathematical Knowledge may agree with the said James Lyne at the House of William Bradford in the city of New York."
James Lyne, the schoolmaster, was the maker of what is known as the "Bradford map" of New York, only two copies of which are known to exist. The Custom House stood at No. 33 Pearl street. The Bradford map was made in 1731, when Col- onel Robert Lurting was mayor. The next advertisement in relation to teaching says :
"Edward Gatehouse, Writing Master, hereby gives Notice that many, or the greater Part of his Scholars being sick of the Small Pox he takes this opportunity, as an extraordinary Occa- sion to go into the Country, and in ten days intends to be back to attend to his School."
The above is the first newspaper notice of teaching the art of penmanship. On June 21, 1731, appears the following :
"At the House of George Brownell, near the Custom House, are taught Reading, Writing, Cyphering, Merchants Accompts, Latin, Greek, &c. Also Dancing, Plain Work, Flourishing, Im- broidery, and various Sorts of Work. Any Persons may be taught as private as they please."
On September 4, 1732, we find :
"Grammar, Writing, Arithmetick, Vulgar and Decimal, Taught by William Thurston, School Master, in New York, dwelling in the corner House by Koenties Market, over against the Scotch Arms."
This school was kept at the north corner of Coenties Slip and Pearl street. On January 7, 1734, we find:
"This is to give notice, that over against the Sign of the Black Horse, in Smith Street, near the Old Dutch Church, is carefully taught the French and Spannish Languages. after the best Method that is now practized in Great Britain, which for the encouragement of those who intend to learn the same, is taught at 20 shillings per Quarter.
"Note that the said Person teaches Reading, Writing and
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Arithmetick, at very reasonable Terms, which is for Readers per Quarter 5s, for Writers Ss, for Cyphers 12s."
The above is the first advertisement for teaching foreign lan- guages. The "Sign of the Black Horse" was on what is now Number 25 William street, and the above school was opposite.
The first Legislative action towards establishing a school was in 1732, when William Smith (afterwards Chief Justice), William Alexander and some of the Morris family petitioned the Assembly to establish a free school for teaching Latin, Greek and Mathematics. This was favorably received, and the school was established the same year under the care of Alexander Mal- colm, who was to receive eighty pounds per annum, for five years, forty pounds of which was to be paid from the "Fund of Peddler's Licenses." From the failure of that fund, there was in 1737 a deficiency unpaid of £115, 2s 6d, for which he prays relief. The Assembly rejected the claim on the ground that "it was not a debt due." In that year, however, a new Act was passed establishing the same school with Alexander Malcolm as master, at a salary of €40 ($100). Where this school was kept we have no knowledge. On March 5, 1744, appears :
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