USA > New York > New York City > History of the city of New York > Part 10
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 | Part 25 | Part 26
143
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
which his library, left at the house, was ordered to be sold. After his death, which occurred in 1662, the baronetcy, created in 1621, became extinct.
Gysbert Opdyck, employed at an early period in the service of the company in this city, resided here for some time, and procured the grant of a lot on the north side of the road, now called Stone street, between Whitehall and Broad streets. He was also the original patentee of Conynen Island or Coney Island. In 1638 he was sent as commissary in the company's service to the settlements at the mouth of the Delaware, and was not subsequently a resident of this city.
David Provoost was in the service of the company in this city from an early period, and in 1638 acted as commissary of provisions. He was afterward placed in charge of the establishment at Fort Good Hope, or New Haven, where in 1646, he was engaged in altercation with the English settlers. He was the original grantee, in 1639, of a considerable parcel of land on the present west side of Pearl street, near Fulton street, where he resided for some time, and afterward removed to Long Island. He died in the year 1656, leaving his widow surviving, named Marga- ret, (born Jellisen or Gillisen) and several children, who afterward became prominent citizens; and his descendants are now numerous in this state.
Pieter Rudolphus, who became a prosperous merchant in this city, was one of the few eminent citizens of early times, who did not owe his advancement, in some degree, to a connection with the West India Company. Mr. Ru- dolphus conducted a large trade here for several years. He was a leading man among the citizens of that day, and although of a comparatively youthful age, was several
144
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
times nominated for . the city magistracy, but did not receive the sanction of Governor Stuyvesant. He died about the year 1660; and the fortune left to his widow, Margaret Hardenbrook, became the foundation of the most extensive private fortune in this country. His widow married Frederick Philipse, at that time a young man of small means residing in this city. Mr. Philipse succeeded to the mercantile business of Mr. Rudolphus, and by prudent management amassed immense wealth.
Joris Rapelje, it is said, came to this country as early as the year 1625, and settled at Wallabout, on Long Island. where his daughter Sara, the first white child born within the limits of this State, was born on June 9th, 1625. Joris Rapelje resided for a considerable period of time in this city, on the present north side of Pearl street, between Whitehall and State/ streets, his lot containing about twenty-six feet front and one hundred feet deep. In 1637 his property on Long Island was confirmed to him by a deed from Kakapeteyno and Pewichaas, the Indian chiefs of that section. His land was known in the Indian lan- guage as " Rinnegachonck."
Adam Roelantsen, the first schoolmaster in this city, arrived here in the year 1633. He resided on the north side of the road, now called Stone street, between White- hall and Broad streets, having there a house and garden, the latter fronting about one hundred feet on the road.
Cornelis Schut, a merchant, resided here for some time, without, however, establishing his permanent residence in this country. He was a man of influence in Holland, and connected with some of the partners in the West India Company. Mr. Schut having fallen out with Governor Stuyvesant, to whom he became personally inimical, for
145
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
the purpose of undermining Stuyvesant's influence with the Directory in Holland, wrote to some of his friends in that body, adverting in severe terms upon the governor's character. This coming to Stuyvesant's ears, he prosecuted Schut for libel, and having no proof at hand, called on him to answer whether he had written such letters. Schut refused to answer; he was therefore placed in charge of an officer, who was told to bring him daily before the court until he should answer yes or no. This dispute between two magnates was a theme for sport among the inhabit- ants, who had a great taste for things of this kind, and we find Schut to have been escorted on his daily visits to the city-hall by a crowd of people who demanded of him if he was going to give in yet. This irritating state of things was not to be endured, and Schut demanded to be released on bail, but his application was denied, and finally, to relieve himself of his dilemma, by advice of his friends, he sent to the governor, acknowledging that he had writ- ten some harsh things in a time of bad feeling, but regretted it. The governor received the apology, but demanded that it should be made publicly in court, and further requested that if Mr. Schut could say any thing against him, he desired to hear it, that he might clear himself before the community against secret libellers. Mr. Schut, therefore, signed a public refutation of his asper- sions, and having declared that he knew nothing ill of the governor, the matter dropped. Soon after this period, (1656) he departed for father-land.
Cornelis Jacobson Stille resided on a farm eastward of the present Chatham square, called the " Bowery, No. 6." He died about the year 1680. His son, Jacob Cornelisen
10
148
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Adrian Vanderdonck, of Breda, was appointed, in 1641, sheriff of Rensselaerswyck, which office he held for several years. After being superseded in office, he removed to this city, and about the year 1646, received a patent for a tract, called by the Indians Nepperham, now known as Yonkers; bounded by Spuyten-duyvel creek on the south, the Bronx river on the east, the Saw Mill creek on the north, and the Hudson river on the west. He resided, however, in this city, and took a conspicuous part in public affairs, being one of the leading men in opposition to Gov- ernor Stuyvesant, and a delegate to Holland on the part of the opposition party. He died in the year 1655, leav- ing to his wife the property at Yonkers. He was the author of a description of New Netherland, as it was in 1650.
Lubbertus Van Dinclage. This gentleman, who was a lawyer, was schout-fiscaal or attorney-general of New Netherland in 1633, under Van Twiller's administration. Having disagreed with the director-general in respect to his conduct of the government, he was dismissed from office by Van Twiller in 1636. His salary was withheld from him, and he was ordered to proceed to Holland, to justify his conduct. For several subsequent years, Mr. Van Dinclage resided in Holland, but continued to impor- tune the Directory for satisfaction of his demands, wrong- fully withheld by Van Twiller. In 1644 Kieft, then being in authority in New Netherland, and his administration having become unpopular in this country, and ruinous to the interests of the company, in consequence of the Indian war, which was ascribed, in a great measure, to his indiscretion, Van Dinclage was provisionally appointed director-general of New Netherland, to supersede Kieft;
149
BIOGRAPHICAL SHETCHES.
but before the appointment was consummated, by delivery of his commission, Peter Stuyvesant who had been di- rector of the company's colony in the West Indies, returned to Holland to be cured of a wound in the knee, received in an action among the islands; and his vigorous char- acter and talents being highly appreciated by his su- periors, it was concluded to invest him with the appoint- ment to New Netherland, and Van Dinclage's commission was consequently annulled. He was, however, appointed vice-director under Stuyvesant, and entered upon his office in 1647. After two or three years' concert of action, Van Dinclage became dissatisfied with Stuyvesant's course, and joined the party in opposition. He was imme- diately expelled from the council; he refused to acknowl- edge the power of Stuyvesant to supersede him, and insisted upon taking his seat at the government board. Upon this, Stuyvesant directed a military sergeant and file of soldiers to take him from the room; and he was accord- ingly dragged out and placed in a guard-house, where he remained for several days. Upon his release he was ordered home, to report to the authorities in Holland; but he had meanwhile retired to Staten Island, where he set at defiance the missives of the director-general. He em- ployed himself at Staten Island as agent of the Lord Vandercapellen's colony. He died about the year 1656.
Van Schelluyne Dirck was, previous to his emigration to this country, a notary at the Hague. Having in 1650 received a license to practice his profession in New Neth- erland, he established himself in this city. His practice here was hardly remunerative, although he was the only professional attorney in the city, and he turned his atten- tion to farming, having purchased a plantation of Isaac
150
THE DUTCH GOVERNORS.
Deforest at Midwout on Long Island. In 1655, he was appointed conciergerie, or bailiff, of the city, and resided for a time in the city-hall. He resigned that place in 1656, and continued the exclusive practice of his profes- sion until the year 1660. He then removed to Rensselaers- wyck, of which colony he was appointed secretary. Some of his descendants are residing at Albany at the present time.
Cornelius Pietersen Vanderveen, an eminent trader, mar- ried Elsie, daughter of Govert Loockermans. Mr. Van- derveen resided in Pearl street, near Whitehall street. In 1658, being then described as "an old and suitable per- son," he was made a great burgher of this city. He was a Schepen of the city, and held other offices of trust in the Church and in the community. Mr. Vanderveen died in the summer of 1661, and left a considerable property. His widow subsequently married Jacob Leisler.
THE DUTCH GOVERNORS.
Peter Minuit, of Wesel, in the kingdom of Westphalia, arrived in this city in the year 1624. The name of Gov- ernor Minuit is identified with this city as having nego- tiated on behalf of his employers, the purchase of Manhat- tan Island from the Indian proprietors. This island estimated to contain twenty-two thousand acres, was bought in the year 1626 for the sum of sixty guilders, or twenty-four dollars; and the title thus became vested in
151
THE DUTCH GOVERNORS.
the West India Company. Governor Minuit established his residence in a block-house on the south point of the island, around which he raised a defence of red cedar posts or palisades of sufficient height to prevent the Indians from scaling the inclosure. The principal inci- dents of Minuit's history in this place were those connected with the trading affairs under his charge. He, however, was in some correspondence, respecting the territorial limits with the New England Pilgrims, who first landed in that country during his administration. The imports into New Netherland, in 1624, amounted to ten thousand six hundred and fifty-four dollars, and the exports (solely of skins and furs) to about eleven thousand dollars; in 1625, the imports were three thousand six hundred and fifty-five dollars, and the exports to fourteen thousand nine hundred and twenty-four dollars; in 1626, the im- ports were eight thousand four hundred and ninety-four dollars, and the exports about nineteen thousand dollars; in 1627, the imports were twenty-three thousand four hundred and four dollars, and the exports five thousand and ninety-two dollars; in 1631, the last year of Minuit's government, the imports were abont twenty-three thousand dollars, and the exports twenty-seven thousand two hun- dred and four dollars.
Governor Minuit having been recalled from the govern- ment, he left this city, on his return to Holland, in the spring of the year 1632, in the ship Union. This vessel was forced, by stress of weather, to put into the port of Plymouth, where she was seized by the English, on the ground that the Dutch were illegally appropriating to themselves the country and trade belonging to the English, "interloping between the plantations of Virginia and New
152
THE DUTCH GOVERNORS.
England." Minuit was, however, allowed to depart, and on his passage homeward, stopped at London, where he brought the aggression to the notice of the Dutch ambas- sadors. The vessel was finally released, but saving and without prejudice to his Majesty's rights.
Wouter Van Twiller, of Nieuwkerke, the second Dutch governor, had previously been employed as a clerk for the West India Company. He was a relative of Mr. Van Rensselaer, one of the prominent directors of the company, and the owner of a large tract in New Netherland, to which family connection he probably owed his appoint- ment. He arrived at Fort Amsterdam in April, 1633, in the company's ship, the Salt Mountain (De Soutberg,) of about two hundred and eighty tons burden, manned by fifty-two men, and carrying twenty guns. Accompanying the director came one hundred and four soldiers, the first military force detailed for New Netherland.
The administration of Van Twiller is notable for several interesting facts in connection with the city. It was in his time that the first clergyman was settled here, in the person of Domine Everardus Bogardus, who, it is supposed, came out at the same time with the governor; the first schoolmaster, Adam Roelantsen, came to this city about the same time; a church was built during his time, of wood, on the present Pearl street, near Broad. Van Twiller caused the block-house and palisades which had been erected by his predecessor, to give way to a fort of more imposing structure, which was finished in 1635. His administration lasted until the year 1637, and was marked by no impor- tant events affecting the interests of the city, other than those above-mentioned. He became the purchaser, from the Indian proprietors, of "Pagganck," or Nut Island,
153
THE DUTCH GOVERNORS.
known in after years as Governor's Island, which con- tained one hundred and sixty acres of land; he also pur- chased two islands in Hell-gate-the greater containing about two hundred acres, called "Tenkenas," the smaller about one hundred and twenty acres, called "Minnahan- ock." They became known afterward, from one of their Dutch proprietors, as "Barent's" great and little islands, whence the name of " Great Barn" island, which the larger now bears; the other is known as Randall's Island, from one of its subsequent proprietors. In Governor Van Twiller's time this city had not attained a condition beyond that of a hamlet of thatched cottages, placed without much regard to uniformity of thoroughfares.
William Kieft arrived in this city on the 28th of March, 1638, in the ship Herring. The chief incidents connected with the progress of the city, during his administration, were the following :
In 1642 a stone tavern was built on the present Pearl street, opposite Coenties slip, afterward ceded to the city, and established as the city-hall.
A new church, of stone, was built within the fort.
Building lots were granted to settlers on different thoroughfares in the city.
An Indian war prevailed for several years.
The citizens were first allowed a voice in the conduct of the public affairs, and were permitted to delegate a body of representatives called "The Eight Men," to advise the government in the emergencies of the Indian troubles.
The administration of Kieft became unpopular in this country, and unprofitable to his employers, mainly owing to the Indian war. It was computed that the country had cost the West India Company, between the years 1626 and
154
THE DUTCH GOVERNORS.
1644, over and above the returns received from thence, over two hundred thousand dollars; and at the conclusion of the war in 1645, it was computed that there were, in this city, not more than one hundred men, exclusive of the company's officers and servants.
Governor Kieft having been superseded in office, set sail from this city in July, 1647, on board a ship called the Princess. He was accompanied by several prominent citi- zens, among whom was Domine Bogardus, who had obtained permission to visit the father-land, leaving his family here. On the passage home, the pilot mistook the channel, en- tered the Severn, and the ship was cast away on the coast of Wales, near Swansea. All on board, consisting of eighty-one persons, were lost, and of the cargo nothing was saved but a few furs.
Peter Stuyvesant, the fourth Dutch governor, arrived in this city on the 11th May, 1647. He had previously been the director of the Dutch colony at Curacoa, and having become involved in a dispute with the neighboring Portu- guese settlement on the island of St. Martin, he laid seige to the capital, and in the course of his operations at that place, was wounded in the knee, so severely as to make amputation necessary, his lost limb being supplied with a wooden one. Stuyvesant was a man of great force of character, and probably the most fitted, of any of his pre- decessors, to conduct the affairs of a remote settlement, where the machinery of government was necessarily of a very inadequate character to control and keep in order the elements of a society whose interests were manifestly in conflict with those of the trading company which exercised the functions of government. Like those of his predeces- sors, his administration was one of disputation, opposition and turmoil between the governors and the governed; but
155
THE DUTCH GOVERNORS.
the arbitrary character of Stuyvesant carried him vigor- ously through, to the conclusion.
The era of his administration is full of important inci- dents concerning the rise and progress of this city, several of which we will briefly recapitulate.
In 1647, Domine Johannes Backerus, formerly a clergy- man at Curacoa, superseded Domine Bogardus in the pastoral charge of the Dutch Church.
In 1648, a general fair was established in this city, to continue ten days, commencing yearly on the first Monday after the feast of St. Bartholomew.
In 1648, a weekly market was established in this city, to be held on Monday.
In 1649, Domine Backerus having resigned and returned to Holland, Domine Johannes Megapolensis was appointed in his place.
In 1652, the city was incorporated.
In 1653, the city was inclosed by palisades, on the line of Wall street.
In 1657, a "a burgher-recht" or citizenship was estab- lished.
In 1657, the city was surveyed and the streets regulated and named.
In 1657, several of the streets were paved, the first in the city.
In the year 1664, the city having capitulated to an English force, Governor Stuyvesant visited Europe to confer with his superiors. He returned to this city in the year 1668, and lived here for the four succeeding years, on his farm or "Bouwery." He died in the year 1671, and was buried at his chapel in the Bowery, or present St. Mark's Church.
CHAPTER XII.
THE SURRENDER OF THE CITY TO THE ENGLISH IN 1664, AND THE SUBSE- QUENT EVENTS, UNTIL ITS RECAPTURE IN 1673.
THE English had, from the earliest settlement on the Hudson river, asserted that the occupation of the country by the Dutch was a usurpation, the country being properly an appendage of Virginia; but the claim was not main- tained to extremity, and the Dutch and English colonies on this coast had grown up together-their respective limits, though not precisely defined, being between them- selves generally recognized.
But as time passed on, it became yearly more apparent to the inhabitants of New England that the continued occupation of the territory then held by the Dutch, must prove more and more detrimental to the interests of their own section. The importance of the question was pressed by them, at every opportunity, upon the administration of the government in England; but the unsettled condition of that country, in and about the times of the civil war, had occupied the attention of the home government, to the exclusion of minor questions of colonial policy.
No sooner, however, had King Charles II. become fairly seated on his throne, than this subject received the atten- tion of his government, and the disputed territory, occu- pied by the Dutch (together with other tracts on the
157
AN ENGLISH FLEET ENTERS THE HARBOR.
American coast) was granted, by the king, to his brother James, Duke of York. The date of this patent was on the 12th of March, 1664. An expedition was immediately fitted out, against the city, consisting of two frigates of forty and fifty guns, and a fly-boat of forty guns; the force of men being about six hundred. The rumor of this expe- dition reached New Amsterdam, and some effort was made, on the part of the government and of the citizens, to put the city in a condition of defence. The fleet having touched at New England, and procured reinforcements, set sail for New Amsterdam; but being separated by stress of weather, one of the vessels entered the harbor, though several days before the others, in the month of August, 1664; and as soon as they were all come up, Governor Stuyvesant sent on board a civil message, to inquire the objects of such an expedition within a friendly port. The English commissioners answered this message by a letter, informing the governor that his majesty of Great Britain, whose right to these parts was unquestionable, and know- ing how much it derogated from his dignity to suffer any foreigners, how near soever they might be allied, to usurp a dominion without his royal consent, had commanded him to require a surrender of the country possessed by the Dutch; concluding by a formal demand for the delivery of the fort into the hands of the English, and assuring the governor that all submissive inhabitants should be secured in their liberty and estate, while those who opposed his majesty's gracious intention, must expect all the miseries of a war, which they should thereby bring upon them- selves.
ยท Governor Stuyvesant, having promised to return an answer to this summons on the following morning, con-
158
DELIBERATIONS ON A SURRENDER.
vened his council and the city magistrates, to advise with them on the emergency.
It had long been manifest to the inhabitants of New Netherland, that the government of the Dutch West India Company was not conducive to the best interests of its subjects. The company was a commercial association, and without those intimate ties which should bind a govern- ment to its people. It sought not merely that which, in ordinary cases, is considered the only claim of the govern- ment upon the governed, namely, a respectable support of its necessary agents, but endeavored to realize a margin as a dividend among the stockholders. Thus, in the form of high duties, in restrictions upon individual trade, in monopolizing many of the sources of mercantile profit, and in various other contrivances, fettering progress and restraining enterprise, the people were heavily burdened, and were in almost constant altercation with the public authorities.
At the assembly, called by Stuyvesant, after he had communicated the demand of the English commanders, the magistrates requested to see the letter itself, for the pur- pose of ascertaining more fully what terms had been offered by the enemy. This request, however, was refused by Stuyvesant, and after a stormy debate, he dissolved the sitting. The magistrates thereupon called a public meet- ing at the city-hall, and having been fortified in their position by an expression of public opinion, they, on the following morning, waited on the governor and informed him that they could give no advice, nor promise any support on the part of the citizens, unless they were informed of the full nature of the terms offered. Stuyve- sant, angry at the state of insubordination thus manifested,
159
THE ENGLISH INSIST ON A SURRENDER.
tore the letter in pieces in their presence, and sent a positive refusal to accede to the demand of a surrender.
The English were, however, well informed of the condi- tion of affairs in the city, and sanguine of a bloodless victory, notwithstanding the unyielding position taken by Governor Stuyvesant. They published a proclamation in the following words :
" Forasmuch as his majesty hath sent us, by commission, under the great seal of England, among other things to expel or reduce to his majesty's obedience all such foreign- ers as, without his majesty's leave and consent, have seated themselves amongst any of his dominions in America, to the prejudice of his majesty's subjects and diminution of his royal dignity; we, his said majesty's commissioners, do declare and promise that whosoever of any nation soever, will, upon knowledge of this proclamation, acknowledge and testify themselves to submit to his majesty' govern- ment, as his good subjects, shall be protected in his majes- ty's laws and justice, and peaceably enjoy whatsoever God's blessing and their own honest industry have furnished them with; and all other privileges with his majesty's English subjects. We have caused this to be published, that we might prevent all inconvenience to others, if it were possible, and at the same time to clear ourselves from the charge of all those miseries that may any way befall such as live here, and will not acknowledge his majesty for their sovereign, whom God preserve."
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.