USA > New York > Ulster County > History of Ulster County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers. Vol. I > Part 8
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These preliminaries having all been gone through with, work closed for the Sabbath. The next day, June 3, 1053, labor begau in earnest. Dividing the men into squads, some stood guard, others cut timber, dragged it to its place, or dug the trench. Towards evening of the 4th, forty or fifty Indians were seen approaching. Apprehensive of danger, labor stopped, and each party hurried to the rotu- mon rendezvous, Stul's house, where a guard of eighteen men stood to their arms while the savages approached. They asked to speak. Addressing the director, they as-
t " We, the subscribers, assembled inhabitants of the Csonus, Lav- ing found froin time to time, through a very sorrowful caperience, and to the diunage of ve all, the faithless and unbearable boldness of the Iulians' barbarous nature, -how uncertain it is to depend on theit words,-how careless and perilous it is to live so separate and wide apart among such a faithless and insolent nation,-have (on the prop- osition and promise of the Director-General, the lord Petrus Smy- vesant, to furnish us with a night guard, and in case of necessity with further belp), resolved among one another, that in order to better pro- tect ourselves, our wives and children, it is necessary to leave our separate dwellings immediately after the signing of this, in the most spenly manner possible, and to concentrate at such a place as the Lord Director shall choose, and surround it with palisades of proper length; and in order that through these means, if it please the all- good dod to lend his blessing, we may be better prepared to preserve ourselves an-l ours from a sublen onslaught of the Indians, we bind ourselves one to muother, after prayer to the Lord, to take the Dieans namied in hand without any objection, and to complete them as speed- ily as possible, under a fine of 1000 guilders, to be paid for the benefit of the plaec. by any one who may oppose the same by words or deeds. In further witness whereof we have hereto set our own bands, in presence of the Lord Director-General and Govert Loocker- mans, ell Schepenen, of the City of Amsterdam in New Netherland. Done the last of May, 1658."
35
THE PLANTING OF THE "NEW VILLAGE."
sured him they were determined on peace. The ground which he had selected for a village they gave " to grense his feet, as he had undertaken so long a journey to visit them." Assuring him of their intention to keep all former promises, they said they would not molest the Dutch, but woukl walk with them " arm in arm, hand in hand." Stuy- vesaint reciprocated their expressions of good-will, and gave them some presents. The Indians then marched off and disappeared in the woods.
The building of defenses was prosecuted with vigor by both citizens and soldiers. Stuyvesant in the mean time sailed up to Fort Orange for hemlock plank, thumbs, and all the aceontrements of a guard-house. He returned on the 12th of June, with an anker of brandy for the workmen.
On the 18th only the north side was inclosed. But two days afterwards the palisades were finished, except in two or three places where trees obstructed rapid progress. Dur- ing these delays, a gnard-house, twenty-three feet long and sisteen broad, was built in the northeast corner of the in- closure, in the angle now made by the junction of East and North Front Streets. In this they were assisted by Claes De Reuyter, Frederick Phillipsen, and Thomas Chambers, who were carpenters. The first house moved was Mrs. De Hulter's, who sent down mechanics for the purpose.
The director had hired some men to build a bridge across the Esopus Creek, but, they not being able to go at it for want of the assistance of the inhabitants, he directed them to build a barn, " resting on two trees," " which could be used at first for lodging, and which could afterwards be need for a wagon-house or cow-stable."
On Sunday, the 16th, after service, he took a look at the unsold land, which was "yet capable of making fifty farms." He now seems to have determined to improve his lands, which appear to have been neglected. He wrote: " It had long been my decided purpose to promote the cul- tivation of my farms in Esopus, to which I was encouraged by the fruitfulness of the soil, but principally to encourage the inhabitants by making their interests my own." He accordingly took the advice of his carpenter, I'redrick Phil- lipsen, to build the barn with a frame of five or six bints.
On the 22d the military intended to start for Manhattans, but, the wind being against them, they, after some refresh- meats, helped move several houses. The day after this, the wind having changed, he returned, leaving Sergeant. Andries Laurensen and twenty four men as a guard.
The lord director arrived home ou the 27th. "The Lord be praised for his merey on all concerned." The chambers at Amsterdam applanded the expedition as " im- mensely necessary and glorious." He had not failed, either, to insinuate to the sachemis of Esopus " he could come again as easy as he went, advising them to leave the whites in prace."
I have now related how and why the first village in Fister County was built. This was the beginning of Kingston. But at this period it was without a name. The neighborhood was called " Groote Esopus," and the village itself from that day to this has been familiarly Known to the people of all the surrounding sections by the latter half of the name. " Where are you going ?" " To Sopas." This question and answer are yet familiar, but
not as much so as they were twenty-five years ago. The defenses, and thus the village, formed an inclosure, now traced by that part of the city inelosed between John, North Front, East Front, and Greene Streets. With the exception of an angle at the mill-gate, now at the Hoffman house, no buildings were allowed next the stockade, hence the origin of these streets. The stockade was fourteen feet high.
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EXPLANATION.
1. The block-house. 2. 2. The church and burial-place. 3. The minister's house. 4. The part separated and fortified.
6. The house where the Governor is en- tertained.
7, 7. The town-gates. 8, 8. The gates to the separate fortified part.
5. The stockade.
CHAPTER X.
THE PLANTING OF THE "NEW VILLAGE," NOW HURLEY .*
THE early settlers at Esopus were engaged in agriculture. They were few in numbers, and their farms were not large as a rule, and could not have been widely separated. When in 1658 the director-general gathered them in a concentra- tion or village, and inclosed it with palisades, it is likely he fixed upon a central locality, and not far from the farms of the leading citizens, such as Chambers, De Hulter, and Westphal. If this conjecture be correct, Wiltwyck, or the old village, was situate on the creek, about a mile from the river, and the new village a mile or more beyond. But of this we shall be better able to determine as we proceed in the history.
A NEW DEPARTURE THE RESULT.
The establishment of a new village marked a new de- parture in the history of the province and colony. Hitherto the Indian trade had so many attractions that every immi- grant became a trader. Although they had come out as farmers, laborers, or artisans, their pursuits were soon aban- doned for the more profitable employment of buying and selling furs. But as population increased peltry became scarcer, and breadstuffs, with all other means of living, grew dearer. Agriculture at last forced itself upon the attention of the people simply, at first. as a means of subsistence, and finally as a profitable pursuit. Men who had been engaged in the fur trade for many years, finding their profits grow-
# From a paper published by Hon. George W. Schuyler.
36
HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
ing lessa year by year, now turned their attention to the eul- tivation of the soil. Lands adapted to agriculture began to be in demand, and at that time they could not be proenred in large tracts: Indian tribes had not yet been extinguished only in close proximity with the few places occupied by the whites. The Van Rensselaer Manor held a tract twenty- four miles by forty-eight miles on the Hudson River, ex- tending from Bearn's Island, below Albany, twenty-four miles to the mouth of the Mohawk River, and twenty-four miles on each side of the Hudson. It was not the policy of the proprietors of this large tract to sell to actual set- tlers, but to lease on such terms as were distasteful to free- men. The Indians were still in possession of the lands on the Hudson north of the Van Rensselaer Manor, and of the lands on the Mohawk north and west. South of this manor to the immediate vicinity of New York the Indians were still in possession, except a small tract at Esapus, now Kingston, which they had ceded by treaty to Director-Gen- eral Stuyvesant. Here the lands were rich and well adapted to agriculture. They were in possession of the goverment, and not of large private proprietors. It was to this point the attention of agriculturists was directed.
IMPORTANT RECORDS OF LONG AGO.
Among the records of the year 1662 I find the following petition :
" To THE NOBLE, GREAT, AND RESPECTFUL DIRECTOR-GENERAL AND COUNCIL. IN NEW NETHERLANDS :
" Philip Pieterse Schuyler, Volckert Janse, and Goosen Gerritse, for themselves, and as attorneys for Jan Temase and Hendrick Huberts, inhabitants of the village of Beverwyck, at Fort Orange,
"Reverently show, that inas much as it is quite apparent that the prosperity of this province of New Netherlands must greatly, if not wbolly, depend on agriculture and commerce, these, your petitioners, with several others, are disposed to organize a new settlement in the Great Esopus, where there is now a large tract of unappropriated and uncultivated land; therefore, your petitioners are disposed ant re- solved, if sail land can be procured, to turn their attention to the cultivation of the soil. Wherefore your petitioners address your honors, humbly praying that it many please your honors, for the ad- vancement of the best interests of the province, as well as for their own, to have a new concentration, or village, surveyed and laid out in the Great Ezopas, with a sufficient quantity of land in the most convenient situation attainable, and dividel in such number of lots as the size of the traet will admit.
-
"And whereis, your petitioners are the first projector, of s chan enterprise as the jRezession anl cultivation of land in the tirest Uso- pas, they then fore humbly ark that your honors may give or grant to each of them forty or fifty morgan of land, near or about where the new village shall be located, and your petitioners permise, tich for himself, that they will immediately take possession of the land to allotted to them-that they will enelose it with a substantial fruce, and at once begin its cultivation --- that they will built houses and barns on their lots in the village, and that they will provide each farm with such stock and implements as may to require 1; and lastly your petitioners humbly ask, that for such village lots and farm. they will receive letters patent in the usual forin.
.. We remain, noble, great, respectful sire,
" Your obedient servants, " Phite PIETERSE SeHYLEn, " VOLCKERT JASSE,
" And as attorney's for Jan Tomar."
ACTION RELATIVE TO THE PETITION. --
This petition being considered by the director general and council on the 6th of April, 1662, it was resolved to -
lay out a new village in the Esopus, and accommodate the petitioners as far as the situation would permit.
The men whose names are attached to this petition were not new men or recent emigrants, nor were they merely adventurers or speculators, but old citizens, and of large property in those days. They were active and enterprising in business, held a high position in this community, aml occupied offices of trust in Church and State. They were the ancestors of men who, in after-years, hell important official positions in the colony and in the State .*
I have been unable to find any records relating to
THE SURVEY AND ALLOTMENT OF THE VILLAGE,
or of the farms, except what is contained in the patents issued April, 1663. There ean be no question, however, that this was done soon after the petition of the projectors was considered in April, 1662. This is settled by a letter written by Sheriff Swartwout. Volkert Janse, whose horse was killed, was one of the petitioners. This letter serves also to prove that the petitioners were not slow to take possession of the land, and commence their improvements. The early Dutch officers in the province were educated men, and their methods of business were careful and accurate.
They kept records of all their official transactions, not always bound in books, but often on loose sheets, which were carefully filed. Their descendants or successors have not been in all cases equally careful to preserve what they bad prepared. The records of weeks and months and yours are missing. Many of them were doubtless lost in the Revolution when the English so long held possession of New York. Some were destroyed by our own State officers, who did not understand the language in which they were written and had no conception of their value. I am credibly informed that within the last fifty years the loose and unbound records were used as waste-paper in the pack- ing of boxes. Within the last ten years many papers were abstracted apparently for the autographs, and few have
+ Very few of the first Dutch settlers in America need the surname when writing their signatures. Indeed, very many had no sornatoes. They were known by their baptismal names, and to distinguish them from others of the same name the fathers' baptismen! names termi- nating in se or sen were ad led : as for example, Volkert Janse is Vol- kert, the son of Jan. The gentlemen whose names are attached to the petition had surnames, but all did not use them. They wrote the names by which they were known in the community, and which cus- tom had legalized. Philip Pieterse Schuyler, from the thue he first arrived from Holland, in 1650, until about 1600,always wrote his sig- rature Philip Pieterse. By this he was known in business, by this appointed and acted as a magistrate. After 1060 he added his surname. Schuyler ; and in this way-Philip Pieterse Schuyler-with occasional lapses to the old way, he wrote his name until 1674, when be dropped Pieterse, and wrote plain Philip Schuyler. The other signatures to the petition would now be written Volkert Douw. Godson Van Schaick, Jahn Mingael, and Andrew Con-taple Vander Blaes.
While on umines, it may not be amiss to remark the absence of Miruates accounts for so many Vans in the Dutch nomenclature, Jan Jande John the son of John! came from Amsterdam, in Holland. In course of time, and to conform to custom. he must have a surname. Not knowing his father had any, he would take the name of the place whence ht emigrated, and write his name Jan Janse Van Amsterdam. The Vun, being a preposition in Dutch, signifying " of," was written with a small r.
37
THE FIRST ESOPUS INDIAN WAR, IN 1659.
twen recovered, although the late secretary ( Bigelow) made ddigent search for them.
Thus it happens, when in pursuit of any particular rec- ends or papers, we find a hiatus instead. It is exceedingly annoying, but there is no remedy. It would have been a great satisfaction to have been able to give the details of the survey, which would have fixed the locality of the new village. As it is, I can only give the descriptions of the farms and village lots, as contained in the patents issued a year later. From these, however, those acquainted with the locality of the city of Kingston and its environs may form a pretty correct idea of the locality of the village founded by the " first projectors."
SUBJECT TO ATTACKS FROM THE INDIANS.
The new village had been located, lots assigned, houses and barns erected, farms distributed, the work of cultiva- tion commenced, but the inhabitants had not yet secured themselves against any sudden attacks from their savage neighbors by the erection of palisades. Soutething had delayed this necessary work. Either the people were too eager to obtain returns from the soil, or the title to the property was yet in dispute. Whatever the cause, they had neglected by timely precaution to secure their own safety. The director-general, therefore, issued the follow- ing notice on the 30th of March, 1663 :
" NOTICE .-. All persons who have oftrined lots are warue 1, for the » coad and last time, that they shall forward expert workmen to fenee the farin lots within two months, and to complete the palisades around the village within six wronths, on the penalty of forfeiture of Lunds and a fine of twenty-five guil! !..
" All that this work may be done properly and qu'ekly. Albert Hey- mans Roose, Jan Joosten, and Jan Garritson are appointed overseers, with authority to expe lite a work so necessary, to correct the slothful, aud exact the penalties. Done at Wyltwyes, March 20, 1663."
On the 7th April following, only a few days after the director had left on his return to New Amsterdam, the overseers wrote to the director-general and council that they with others interested are anxious to have the work progress to a speedy completion. But in view of the re- Inated threats of the Indians, who say that, although they have no objections to the construction of buildings, they dlo chicet to fortifications and should they be built they world consider it a sign of mischief to them,-they. the werscers, consider it very hazardous to proceed with the work.
" Moreover, these Indians say that the second large piece of land was not included in the treaty of 1660, hence they will not permit us to flow or sow it, nor that it shall be used for pastorage, except they be paid for it.
" Wherefore, we earnestly solicit that you may assist this newly filing village, as in other cases of less importance anl exposed to luge danger, such as Wiltwyck. New Harlem, New Utrecht, and . therx. Seml us some ammunition, and a few soldiers to remain so long at least until the village is brought into a state of defense, und frihet with a reasonable number of inhabitants who will be able To protect themselves.
" Further we solicit that the presente promised to the Toliaus last IN, when the Honorable Director and the Secretary visited this Fare, may be sent speedily, and in some way or other satisfaction may be made to the Indians for the second large parcel of land which is a >w in dispute, so that we may remain at peace and no more be I Hatened and molested by these barbarians. Thus in security and without obstruction we may proceed with our work. As it is, with
continued threats and in the midst of rumors of hostile attacks, we consider it too dangerous to go on with the work.
"Signed, "ALAERD HEYMANS ROOSE. " JAN JOOSTEN. "JAN GERRITSE, n his mark.
"At Wiltwyek, April 7, 1663."
Uuder date April 23, 1663, almost in the same words. the projectors of the new village earnestly petition the director-general and council to hasten forward the promised presents to the Indians, and arrange the matters in dispute, especially as to the second large parcel of land ; and they further solicit :
" As there are no grounds suitable for gardens for the cultivation of vegetables near the new village, their arable lands being too dis- tant, a grant of lowlaud near the kil, that being well adapted to such purposes.
" And further that we may be permitted to pass and repass without molestation or obstruction with our cattle and horses, our wines and beers, our furniture and other effects through the village of Wiltwyck froin the strand to the new village. The people of Wiltwyck have already presumed to annoy the settlers in the new village in these watters.
" Done at Beverwyck, April 23. 1663. (Signei) " VOLCKERE JANSE. " PHILIP PIETERSE SCHUYLER. " JAN TOMASE. " GOOSEN GERRITSE."
PRESENTS FOR THE INDIANS.
The petitions were presented on behalf of the inhabitants of the new village to the director-general and council on 10th of May, 1663, on which this action was taken.
These petitions being presented to council, and read, it was
" Resolred to continue peace, and to make and couvey to the Esopus Indians a valuable present by the first opportunity ; the present to consist of three or four pieces of frieze, a few guns, some powder and lead, and a parcel of Neuremberger Wares.
" Done in New Amsterdam, N. Y., 10th of May, 1603."
CHAPTER XL.
THE FIRST ESOPUS INDIAN WAR, IN 1659. -
Ox the 17th of August, 1659, Harmanus Blon, the first minister of Wiltwyck, visited the little settlement of the wilderness and held the first religious services. This visit resulted in a call, an account of which follows in a succeeding chapter.
On the same day Blom met for the first time with the Indians. Immediately after service a party of them ap- peared near the gate. Accompanied by the solemn miuis- ter,-religion was a solemn thing,-the ensign held a parley just out the Strand gate, now somewhere near Schryver's Hotel. One of their chief's said, ---
"We do not harbor any evil intentions against you, and what is reported is untrue. We patiently submit to the blows each of you infliets on us. We suffered your people to take from us four fields of curn."
Holding up seventeen sticks, he continued : "So many times have your nation struck and injured us at different
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38
HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
places. We wish to live in peace. We pass many things in silence. for we are so inclined. We expect your sachem to fulfill his promise, for so long as he does not we don't believe he is inclined to peace." Stol and Chambers, through Cit, told them the Governor had meant to come, but had been sick. " He will soon be here."
After this Blom returned to the Manhattans, and thence sailed fur Holland to be ordained and installed. He took with him seventy beavers, on which some faithful servant of the company exacted. a duty. This did not please him, for " it is not customary to charge a dominic."
Before this the Indians had threatened to build a fort near the Esopus, on the land which had been given to Stuyvesant. They thought of doing it as an offset to the fortifications of the Christians. This naturally excited the suspicious Dutch settlers. About the same time, too, rumors of massacres above and below reached their ears and added to their fear. Two soldiers, who deserted from Fort Orange, undertook to cross the country to Hartford, but were murdered near the Tachkanie mountains by the Mohicans. Some Raritans, tempted by wampum, had butchered a family at Mespeth, L. T. By the time these tales reached Esopus they had magnified into the massacre of a whole settlement. On the Ist of September, 1659, Laurentsen, who was commander again, wrote : " The In- diaus are making bows and arrows night and day." Kael- kop told Cit Davis to leave the Strand, as they meant to drub the baker. This was confirmed by the actual depart- ure of one who worked for Chambers, and the appearance of a May us and Southern sachem, " whose intent we know not but trust in God, and depend well on our arms." Claes De Reuter, who lived somewhere near the Little Esopus, was warne I to leave his abode lest he should be injured by the young savages. Cit, the trapper, said a rumor of trouble floated among them, and he knew they meant it, because he saw it in their looks and gestures. The reason for this was want of pre-ents, which the general bad prom- ised, and for which nogleet they suspected him of a design to " surprise them ;" also because some maize and beaver Were stolen from them during the past winter ; and also a farmer had wounded an Indian with a knife. These were the charges which they had, as they are told by the partial story of the aggressors themselves.
On the 4th of September ninety-six Indians appeared without the Strand gate, and held a conference with the Christians. Davis was the interpreter, as usual. Indeed, he liked the business, and the savages liked him. Seating themselves on the ground, one of their old chiefs arose and spoke in substance as follows :
" Brothers: We niet yesterday in one of our council-houses and took counsel. We resolved upon every point that was good. To place this beyond doubt, we come now with our wives an l children without erois. Now you cannot misconstrue our acts, or report un- favorable suspicion about us.
" Brothers: A Minque, Seveen, and a sachen from the South Hiver, with some In Haus, have been among us, and advised us to be remstal died and make peace with the Christians. They said we ought to be ash med to wet >> against theen. With these objects we are Dow rome.
" Brothers : When, ahont three summers ago, the invasion of Man- hattan took place, it is true we entered Esopus, but we did not hart any person in any manner, as the Dutch can attest. We permitred
the Christians to take possession of their property again, after which we coneluded a perpetual peace with them miol the Maqua", in con- firmation of which we locked our arms in an iron chnin and said, ' Who breaks the first link, against him war shall be declared.'
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