USA > New York > New York City > History of New York city from the discovery to the present day, V.1 > Part 7
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" Sint Nicholaas, myn goden vriend, Ik heb u altyd wel gediend ; Als gy my nu wot wilt geben, Zal ik dienen als myn leven."
TRANSLATION. .
" Saint Nicholas, my dear, good friend, To serve you ever was my end; If you me now something will give, Serve you, I will, aslong as I live."
" Dinner parties" in these primitive days were un- known; but this seeming lack of social intercourse was more than made up by the well-known and numerous tea parties. To " take tea out" was a Dutch institution, and one of great importance. The matrons arrayed in their best petticoats and linsey jackets, " home spun " by their own wheels, would proceed on the intended afternoon visit. They were capacious pockets, with scissors, pin- cushion, azu keys hanging from their girdle, outside of the' aress; and, reaching the neighbor's house, the visitors industriously used knitting-needles and tongues at the same time. The village gossip was talked over, neighbors' affairs settled, and the stockings finished by tea-time, when the important meal appeared on the table
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precisely at six o'clock. This was always the occasion for the display of the family plate, with the Lilliputian cups, of rare old family china, out of which the guests sipped the fragrant herb. A large lump of loaf-sugar invariably accompanied each cup, on a little plate, and the delightful beverage was sweetened by an occasional nibble, amid the more solid articles of waffles and Dutch doughnuts. The pleasant visit finished, the visitors, don- ning cloaks and hoods-as bonnets were unknown - proceeded homeward in time for milking and other neces- sary household duties. The kitchen fire-places were of immense size, large enough to roast a sheep or whole hog; and the hooks and trammels sustained large iron pots and kettles. In the spacious chimney-corners the children and negroes gathered-telling stories and crack- ing nuts by the light of the blazing pine-knots, while the industrious crows turned the merry spinning-wheel, and their lords, the worthy burghers-mayhap just returned from an Indian scrimmage-quietly smoked their long pipes, as they sat watching the wreaths curling above their heads. At length, the clock, with its brazen tongue, having proclaimed the hour of nine, family prayers were said, and all retired, to rise with the dawn.
A model housekeeper rose at cock-crowing, break- fasted with the dawn, and proceeded to the duties of the day; and when the sun reached the meridian or " noon mark," dinner, which was strictly a family meal, was on the table. This domestic time-piece answered every pur- pose, so regular were the hours and lives of the people. At one time there were not more than half a dozen clocks in New Amsterdam, with about the same number of watches. But they were strikingly peculiar in one re- spect : they were scarcely ever known to go, and hence were of very little practical utility. No watch-maker had yet found it profitable to visit the settlement; and
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this was a period two centuries before the invention of Yankee clocks. For a long while, time was marked by hour-glasses and sun-dials.
We have already seen the interior of the kitchen, and will now go up stairs into the parlor of the early Dutch dwellings. Stoves were never dreamed of; but instead of them was the cheerful fire-place, sometimes in the corner, but more generally reaching nearly across the back of the room, with its huge gum back-log and glowing fire of hickory. The shovel and tongs occupied each corner of the fire-place, keeping guard, as it were, over the family brass-mounted andirons which supported the blazing wood. Marble mantles had not yet been invented; but chimney-jambs, inlaid with party colors, imported Hol- land tiles, representing all kinds of Scriptural stories, were quite ornamental as well as instructive. Many a youngster has received categorical instruction from these silent venerable teachers.
In one corner of the room always stood the huge oaken iron-bound chest, brimful of household linen, spun by the ladies of the family, who delighted to display these domestic riches to their visitors. Later, this plain wardrobe gave place to the "chest of drawers," one drawer placed upon the other, until the pile reached the ceiling, with its shining brass rings and key-holes. The book- case, too, with its complicated writing-desk, mysterious secret-drawers and pigeon-holes, came into use about the same period, though both were unknown to the carly Knickerbockers. Sideboards were not introduced into New Amsterdam until after the American Revolution, and were entirely of English origin. The round tea-table also occupied a place in the corner of the parlor, while the large square dining-table stood in the kitchen for daily use. In another corner stood the well-known Hol- land cupboard, with glass doors, conspicuously displaying
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the family plate and porcelain. Little looking-glasses in narrow black frames, were in common use; two or three only of the wealthiest burghers possessing larger mirrors, elaborately ornamented with gilding and flowers. About 1730, the sconce came in fashion-a hanging or projecting candlestick, with a mirror to reflect the rays This was a very showy article, giving a fine light to the rooms .* After this period pier and mantel glasses came into fashion. Pictures, such as they were, abounded; but they were, for the most part, poor engravings of Dutch cities and naval engagements. Chintz calico of inferior quality formed the only window-curtains, without any cornices. There were no carpets among the early Dutch, nor any in general use among the New Yorkers until up to the period of the Revolution. The famous Captain Kidd, it is said, owned the first modern carpet in his best room, and the pirate's house was the best furnished in the city. It was made of Turkey work, at a cost of twenty- five dollars, and resembled a large rug. The custom of sanding the floor of the principal room, or parlor, was. universal, and much taste was displayed in the many fanciful devices and figures made in the sand with the brooms of the smart Dutch matrons and daughters. Our Dutch ancestors knew nothing of lounges or sofas, or even of that comfortable American invention, the rock- ing-chair. Their best chairs were straight and high- backed, covered with Russia leather, and elaborately orna- mented with double and triple rows of brass nails. In addition to these, the parlor was decorated with one or two chairs having embroidered seats and backs, the
* Two of these quaint fixtures, a hundred and fifty years old, hung, until a year or two since, in the parlor of the Union Hall, at Saratoga Springs, N. Y. Old visitors will readily recall them. They now adorn the parlors of Mrs. Washington Putnam, of Saratoga Springs, the widow of the late Washington Putnam, for many years the genial host and owner of the " Union."
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handiwork of the daughters. Some of the oldest families also displayed in their best rooms two chairs with cush- ions of tapestry, or velvet, trimmed with lace. About the year 1700, cane seats became fashionable, and thirty years after came the leather chairs, worth from five to ten dollars each. These led the fashion about thirty years more, when mahogany and black walnut chairs, with their crimson damask cushions, appeared.
But the most ornamental piece of furniture in the par- lor was the bed, with its heavy curtains and valance of camlet. , No mattresses then, but a substantial bed of live geese feathers, with a very light one of down for the cov- ering. These beds were the boast and pride of the most respectable Dutch matrons, and, with their well-filled chests of home-made linen, supplied their claims to skill in housekeeping. A check covering cased the bed and pillows; the sheets were made of homespun linen; and over the whole was thrown a bed-quilt of patchwork, wrought into every conceivable shape and pattern.
The "betste" (bedstead) was at this period a part of the house. It was constructed something like a cupboard, with closing doors, so that by day, when unoccupied, the apartment could be used for a sitting-room. In more humble houses, the " sloap banck," or " bunk," was the sleeping-place. In Dutch taverns, the good rrow or her maid opened the doors of the "betste" for the traveler, and, like a kind mother, bade him " mel te rusten"-" good- night," and always, as an old friend, " hoo-y rees "-" good- by." To this day, in Holland, travelers meet similar receptions at the taverns; and all the guests, assembling in one room, eat, drink, and smoke.
.Our Dutch forefathers were fond of pure, good milk- a luxury unknown to their unfortunate descendants. It was the common practice for all who could afford stable room, to keep their own cows, and thus furnish their fami-
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lies with milk and butter. Rip Van Dam, in 1748, kept two cows; and Abraham De Puyster, one of the wealthi- est merchants, owned the same number. Good pasturage, too, surrounded the town, no further off than the present Park. A man with a bell came along early in the morn- ing for the cows, driving them through Wall to the city- gate, at the corner of that street and Water; thence to the fields about the Collect, where the Tombs now stands; in the evening he brought them back to their owners.
In the earlier period of New Amsterdam, the grain , was made into flour by pestle and mortar, every family adopting this method. Coin then as now was exceedingly scarce ; nor was there even any paper currency. Hence, grain became as much the circulating medium as " green- backs" are at the present day with us. From this cir- cumstance, the pestle and mortar constituted the real mints of the people; the pounded grain passing current for goods and labor, like bank-notes.
The horses of those days were bred wild in the woods and pastures which covered the upper part of Manhattan Island. Thousands of them ran at large, their owners, at certain seasons, branding them with their names, when they were turned loose again, until winter rendered a shelter for them necessary. Such was their great increase, that it is said the Island was overrun by the animals, now become as wild and dangerous as the buffaloes of the prai- ries; the breed was, consequently, inferior, the price of a horse ranging from ten dollars to forty dollars, according to the strength, and not the speed, of the animal. This great plenty of horse-flesh, however, afforded ample opportunity for the fair Dutch dames to indulge their favorite pastime -riding on horseback. The ladies, at this period, how- ever, did not ride on horseback alone, as is now the fash- ion, but were mounted upon a pillion, or padded cushion, placed behind the gentleman's saddle (or a servant's), upon
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whose support they depended. This was the common custom, as the roads were unbroken, being, in fact, little better than bridle-paths. Early in the eighteenth century side-saddles came into partial use. The gentlemen's hous- ings were made of bright-colored cloths or velvet, often trimmed with silver lace ; holsters were common.
The literature of New Amsterdam was entirely differ- ent from that of modern times In the place of the nov- els, magazines, and light reading which now fill the cen- ter-tables, there was to be found little else than Bibles, Testaments, and hymn-books. The matrons' church books were generally costly bound, with silver clasps and edg- ings, and sometimes of gold. These were suspended to the girdle by silver and gold chains, and distinguished the style of the families using them, on the Sabbath days.
The Sundays in New Amsterdam were, moreover, bet- ter observed by its inhabitants than at the present day. All classes, arrayed in their best, then attended the pub- lic services of religion; and the people, almost exclusively Calvinists, attended the Dutch Reformed Church. The " Koeck," or bell-ringer and sexton, was an important personage on the Sabbath. He not only summoned the congregation by the sound of the church-going bell, but formed a procession of himself and his assistants to carry the cushions of the burgomasters and schepens from the City Hall to the pews appropriated to these officials. At the same time, the Schout went his rounds, to see that quiet was kept in the streets during Divine worship, and also to stop the games of the negro slaves and Indians- to whom the Sabbath was allowed as a day of recreation, except during church hours.
Small pieces of wampum were obtained by the deacons, and sold at great value to the heads of the Dutch families. These, having been distributed among the different mem- bers of families, were then taken to church, and deposited
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in the collection-bags, which were attached to long poles. Such was the custom a long while; nor, in some of the in- terior Dutch settlements, has it been entirely abandoned at the present day. Formerly, a small bell was attached to the bottom of the bags, to remind the drowsy of the col- lection. The deacons, being thus prepared to receive the benefactions of the congregation, presented themselves in front of the pulpit, when, the Dominie having addressed a few appropriate words to them, they forthwith proceeded to collect the contributions. At that day, also, the " Koor- , leser," or Clerk, occupied a little pew in front of the pul- pit, holding in his hand a rod, on the end of which all notices were placed, and thus passed up to the Dominie. The moment the minister reached the pulpit stairs, he offered a private prayer, holding his hat before his face, until, having sought the aid of the Lord and Master, he ascended the sacred desk.
It was also at this time the custom to publish from the pulpit the bans three times before a marriage could be solemnized.
The Dutch Church was, at this period, within the fort, at the Battery ; and the present Bowling Green, an open field, exhibited many country wagons, arranged in regular order, while their horses were allowed to graze on the green slopes that led down to the Hudson River. And here, in the old Church of St. Nicholas, for half a century, from 1642 to 1693, the early Dutch worshipped God in His Holy Temple.
Every house in New Amsterdam was surrounded by a garden, sufficiently large to accommodate a horse, a cow, two pigs, fowls, a patch of cabbages, and a tulip-bed. In- deed, the love of flowers seems to have been inherent in the Dutch dames. While the head of a family care- fully watched the growth of some ancient household tree, planted, in accordance with a universal custom in New
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Amsterdam, directly before the door-way, the matron might have been seen with her large calash over her shoulders, and her little painted basket of seeds in her hand, going to the labors of the garden. Nor is this figu- rative. It was the universal custom for a Dutch lady in independent circumstances, gentle of form and manner, to sow, plant, and cultivate. These fair gardeners were also good florists. Where have there ever been found choicer
. THE BOWLING GREEN IN 1861.
hyacinths and tulips than among the Hollanders ? In- deed, all New Yorkers may well feel proud of their great- great-great grandmothers from Holland. They were fair and unblemished religious dames, with great grasp of mind, and of exemplary industry. The important task of religious instruction chiefly devolved upon them; and the essentials, especially the ceremonials of piety, were
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instilled upon the minds of their children. Hence moth- ers among the early Dutch were always regarded with peculiar reverence.
The Dutch ladies wore no bonnets, as is still the fashion with some of the German emigrants who now arrive at Castle Garden. At New Amsterdam the fash- ionable dress was a colored petticoat, rather short (for ease in walking), waist jacket, colored hose of homespun woolen, and high-heeled shoes, suitable to a city desti- tute of pavements or sidewalks of any kind. The Dutch burghers wore long-waisted coats, with skirts reaching almost to their ankles, and adorned with large silver but- tons. The wardrobe of a prominent burgomaster at the transfer of New Amsterdam to the British, was as fol- lows: A cloth coat, with silver buttons, worth fifteen dollars; a stuff coat, ten dollars ; cloth breeches, ten shillings; a cloth coat, with gimp buttons, seven dol- lars and fifty cents; a black cloth coat, seven dollars ; a black velvet coat, fifteen dollars; a silk coat, breeches, and doublet, six dollars; a silver cloth breeches and doublet, five dollars; a velvet waistcoat, with silver lace, five dollars; a buff coat and silk sleeves, five dollars ; three grass-green cloaks, six dollars each; besides several old suits. To these also must be added linen, hose, shoes with silver buckles, a cane with an ivory head, and a hat. It may be doubted if our present Mayors, with all their cloths and cassimeres, possess even one tithe of such an assortment of coats, pants, and vests, as this official Dutchman, their predecessor, in "ye olden time."*
In the good old Dutch times respectable tradesmen
* A little later, in 1690, we find among a fashionable gentleman's apparel, etc., green silk breeches, fluted with silver and gold ; silver gauze-breeches. scarlet and blue silk stockings, laced shirt, a blue cloth stuff and frieze coat, a gun and a pair of pistols, a silver-hilted sword, a silver spoon and fork, a lacku hat, a campaign, shut-bob, old-bob wigs, and periwigs.
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worked hard; none were drones or mere lookers-on. There existed but little competition among trades- men, as with us. No tempting display of goods in show - windows attracted the attention and excited the desire of passers-by to go beyond their means. Content to sell their goods at a fair profit, they secured both good customers and a reputation for probity and fair dealing. It was the English who first introduced display, fashion, and extravagance. It was they who first introduced the custom of keeping the shops open at night-a needless and expensive fash- ion, and greatly injurious to the health and morals of the clerks. In these early days, however, the diligent closed their stores and shops at an early hour. All classes went on foot; for carriages and wheeled vehicles were very scarce. Even physicians paid all their visits on . foot; and, in another respect, they differed widely from the doctors of the present day-their charges were very moderate.
At funerals, it was the custom to give hot wine in winter, and wine-sangaree in summer. Ladies generally attended on such mournful occasions, especially if the deceased was a female, when burnt wine was served in silver tankards. At a later era, on the death of Mrs. Daniel Phoenix, the wife of the City Treasurer, all the pall-bearers were ladies.
The working man always wore his leather apron, no matter what his employment. Tradesmen were accus- tomed to saw their own wood; and a most healthful ex- ercise it was. Nor did any man in middle circumstances fear to carry home his "one hundred weight" of meal from market. On the contrary, it would have been con- sidered a disgrace to have avoided such a burden.
A greater change, however, in the habits of the peo- ple, cannot be named than in that of hired servants or
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" help." The female servants formerly wore short gowns of green baize, with petticoats of linsey-woolsey, receiv- ing only half a dollar a week for their wages. Now they demand from eight to fourteen dollars a month, and dress like fashionable ladies, displaying all their pride and show.
In these primitive days, also, when a man "set up business," he invariably took down his own shutters, opened the door, swept the store, and dusted the goods himself by the gray dawn. Then men grew rich by early rising, economy, and industry, and by attending to their own business themselves, and not leaving their inter- est in the charge of boys, agents, or clerks. The only capital of most young men then were industry and punc- tuality ; and labor and honesty were as fashionable at this early day as stylish young men, defaulting cashiers, fast living, and fast horses are now. Neither would any sensible matron permit her daughter to encourage the attention of any young man who was not his own servant.
Shortly before 'the cession of New Amsterdam to the British rule, the settlement was celebrated for its num- ber of young people, as the children of the early immi- grants had then reached adult age. Several daughters of the wealthy burghers were married to young English- men whose visits were only of a temporary character. Many romantic rural spots, everywhere surrounding the settlements at New Netherland, were naturally favorable to the important business of courtship, and there were several places of pleasant resort famed for this business, even at that early day. The Locust-Trees was one, upon a bluff on the shore of the North River, a little back of the present Trinity Church-yard. From this command- ing and shady eminence, the eye could wander over an extensive vista of river, bay, islands, and the bold, distant hills of New Jersey. Here, too, was the West India
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Company's beautiful garden, on the site of the present Trinity Church, with its rich flowers and vegetable pro- ductions. A little beyond the town was Maiden's Valley, now Maiden Lane, a rural, shady walk, with a charming litte rivulet meandering through it. The original name of this rustic walk was T" Maagde Paatje, or the " Maiden's Path." South of this lane stretched the Clover Watie, or " Pasture Field;" and from the present Gold street, hid- den in the foliage, a little stream, fed by a living spring, came tumbling down the rocks. From John, near Gold, a longer walk led to the enchanting lakelet, the Kolck, or "Collect," nestling within a circle of forest hills. Like many such ponds in the vicinity of old villages, this, traditionally, had no bottom, and was said to be haunted by the spirits of some old native sachems, the paddles of whose canges could be heard at night, though nothing was seen visibly to disturb the crystal waters. All these spots were famous trysting-places of the youthful New Netherlanders. But how changed the scene! Where those sparkling and beautiful waters once flowed, and the morning carols of the birds were heard, the dark, sorrow- ful and simple abodes of the "Five Points" now stand in close proximity to the gloomy prison cells of the " Tombs."
But although New York City, two hundred years ago, passed over to British rule, still the inhabitants remained Dutch in their manners, customs, modes of thought, and religious ideas, for many subsequent years. Sleighing was a fashionable amusement; and a ride to Harlem be- came the longest drive among the "city folk." Parties, however, often turned aside to visit " Hell Gate," in- fluenced, doubtless, by the fact that on this road, over the Tamkill (a little stream emptying into the East River, opposite Blackwell's Island), was the Kissing Bridge, so laid down on the old maps, and named from the old Dutch custom of the gentlemen saluting their
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lady companions whenever they crossed the bridge. That was the day also of the " cocked hats" and " cues," which stuck out from behind the head " stiff as a poker." The most fashionable gentleman made his appearance be- fore the fair one who was to be his companion in the ride, in a large camlet cloak, with a very large cape, snuff-colored coat, small clothes and thick stockings drawn over the
VIEW NEAR HELL-GATE.
shoes to keep out the snow. In addition, a woolen tip- pet warmly protected his neck, and domestic-knit mittens his hands. People then showed their good sense by dressing according to the weather.
An old chronicle tells us that an Ethiopian, named Cæsar, had great fame as a driver, fiddler, and waiter. The ladies, once upon a time, appeared in linsey-woolsey, with
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hoods of immense size; and at noon away went the party in high glee, to the jingle of sleigh-bells, to take a cup of tea and a dance at Harlem. Reaching there, Cæsar tuned his three-stringed fiddle; when the gentlemen appeared in their snare-toed shoes, and the ladies in peak-toed, high-heeled slippers. Dancing and skipping the "light, fantastic toe " immediately begun, and continued until
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TURTLE BAY AND BLACKWELL'S ISLAND.
eight o'clock in the evening, when they again hastened back to the city; for " to be out" after nine, on common occasions, was considered a certain sign of bad morals.
The earliest Dutch emigrants to New York left their deep impress upon the city and upon the State. Far- reaching commerce, which immortalized Old Amsterdam
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