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HOOGH STRAAT.
street, (then, in 1546, a road,) had built a dwelling, in the year 1662, in which he resided.
Arent Isaacksen, a shoemaker, resided on the south side of the street.
Cornelius Jansen.
Cornelius Pluvier, a baker, had recently established his residence in this city, where he acquired a considerable property, and left several descendants.
Cors Jansen.
Hendrick Asueris.
Johannes Nevius was in early life, engaged in mercantile pursuits, and married a daughter of Cornelius de Potter, a shipping merchant in this city. In the year 1655 he was appointed one of the city magistrates, and, in 1658, on the resignation of Jacob Kip, Secretary of the Court of Burgomasters and Schepens, Mr. Nevius was appointed his successor, and held the office until after the surrender to the English, when he retired from public life, and subse- quently resided at the ferry landing on Long Island.
Pieter Jansen Schol.
Nicholas de Meyer, a merchant, married, in the year 1655, Luda, a daughter of Hendrick Vandyck, formerly Attorney General. Mr. de Meyer held several stations of public trust, among others, that of mayor of the city, in 1676. He died in the year 1690, leaving six children.
Hugh Barenzen Clem.
Walraven Clearhout, a merchant.
Frerick Hendricksen, a cooper.
Alexander Stultke.
Sybout Clasen, a carpenter, then residing on the south side of the street, near Broad street, was among the early emigrants. He married in the year 1646, and resided ad-
80
HOOGH STRAAT.
joining Domine Bogardus. He removed to the place now spoken of, in 1654, and died in the year 1679, in prosper- ous circumstances.
Adrian Van Laar, a tanner and shoemaker.
Aldert Coninck, a tailor, resided on the North side of the street, his premises being twenty-one feet front and ninety in depth.
Jacob Van Couwenhoven was one of two brothers, (the other being named Pieter,) step-sons of Wolfert Gerritsen. In 1645 a grant was made to Mr. V. C., of property on the present north east corner of Stone and Broad streets, where he erected extensive buildings of stone, and engaged in the brewing business. His business operations were not prosperous, and his property became encumbered with mortgages; he, however, held its possession until his death, in the year 1670.
Joannes Van Couwenhoven resided on the same premises, afterward a prosperous brewer.
Lambert Barenzen.
Hendrick Vandewater, soon after this period, removed to the vicinity of the present Franklin square, where he died. The property of the family, at that place, con- sisting of about eight acres, gave the name to the present Vandewater street.
Lawrence Vanderspeigle, a man of considerable property.
Walter Salter removed from this city in 1666.
CHAPTER VIII.
CONDITION OF THE CITY AT THE TIME OF THE CAPITULATION TO THE ENGLISH IN 1664, CONTINUED.
WE have thus far, in the previous chapter, conducted our readers within the city walls, through the ancient " Hoogh straat," which, as has been stated in former parts of this book, was originally the line of a road from the fort to the ferry, along the river shore. At the period of which we are now writing, there had been constructed a street, facing the water between Broad and William streets, on the present line of the north side of Pearl street. This street was called the " Waal," from the circumstance of the river shore being faced with a siding of boards, to prevent the washing of the tide on the street-its history being as follows : After the conclusion, on the part of the authori- ties, to build a city tavern, in the year 1642, its site was selected close to the shore, south of the road to the ferry. The building was of considerable dimensions and cost; and this place was chosen for its situation, as giving a good appearance to the town from the harbor. The building was erected near high water mark, on the present north-west corner of Pearl street and Coenties alley. After the or- ganization of the city magistracy, in 1653, this building was ceded to the city for the purposes of a city-hall, and
6
82
THE WAAL.
was used as such until the year 1699. A view of this building at about the time of its demolition, when the river had been encroached upon, by filling in, and other buildings erected opposite the city-hall, is given on another page.
On the shore of the river, other buildings were, in course of time, erected, to correspond with the line of the city tavern, thus forming the street called the "Waal." It having been found necessary to protect the shore in front of the city-hall against high tides, which sometimes approached the building, a stone wall was at first con- structed, and the street filled in. The tide still washing between the crevices, it was resolved, in 1654, to drive plank into the shore, and to make a uniform "sheet-pile" between Broad street and the city-hall, in which the indi- vidual lot owners were compelled to join. This work was, soon after, still further extended, to Wall street; and, in the year 1656, an ordinance was adopted, in the following words : " Whereas, the sheet-piling, in front of the city- hall and before the water-gate on the East river, and in some other places thereabout, is finished, and some is also begun by others; therefore, for the uniformity of the work, all who have houses and lots between the city-hall and the water gate, are ordered to line their banks with plank, ac- cording to the general plan and survey, to be completed before the 17th December, 1656." But even after this im- provement, the road along this part of the shore was fre- quently in an impassable condition. In the year 1671, (some years after the period to which our present descrip- tion relates,) a " strooke," or foot path, was paved with stone, from Broad street to the city-hall; and in the follow- ing year (1672,) it was resolved that " Whereas, the high-
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THE ORIGINAL CITY-HALL.
way at the water side, between the city-hall and Tryntje clock," (at Hanover square) "is so washed away that pas- sengers are in danger of mischief; Ordered, that the owners of property shall cause a foot-path, of six feet wide, to be made."
This is, perhaps, a proper place to give a brief history of the first city-hall, to which reference has been made. Its principal use was for the sittings of the Burgomasters and Schepens, and for the prison. It was built originally at the cost of government, as a city tavern, but was pre- sented to the city in 1655. The chamber occupied for the sitting of the magistrates was on the south-east corner of the second story, the prison chamber being in the rear, on the other side of the house, facing a yard which extended to " Hoogh straat." Upon the roof was a cupola, in which was hung a bell, in the year 1656, which was rung for the assembling of the magistrates, and also on occasions of the publication of proclamations, which was done in front of the hall. The bell-ringer, for a number of years, was one Jan Gillisen (familiarly called "Koeck.") This ancient edifice, which was substantially built of stone, stood until the year 1699, 1700, nearly sixty years, when it gave place to the city-hall at the head of Broad street, in Wall street. The old building-having survived the nationality of its founders, and witnessed some generations of their descend- ants, living under foreign laws and speaking a foreign lan- guage within its walls-was sold, to one of the citizens, for one hundred and ten pounds sterling; and probably its stones are still to be discovered in the foundations of some of the adjacent buildings.
We shall proceed to mention the inhabitants living on the street at this period (1665,) called the " Waal," ex-
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THE WAAL.
tending on the north side of the present Pearl street, be- tween Hanover square and Broad street.
Guilliam D'Honeur (William D'Honeur,) in early life followed the trade of a glazier; but finding the superior profits of the peltry trade, engaged in that. business, and also opened a store of general merchandize. He occupied a fine house, the lot extending through to Hoogh straat. Mr. D'Honeur died in 1689, leaving, it is believed, no chil- dren to perpetuate his name in this city.
Hendrick Hendricksen Obe commenced business in this city as a tavern-keeper. He was the first constable of this city, under the English, having been appointed in 1665, and continued during the two subsequent years.
Balthazar de Hart. Mr. de Hart was a wealthy mer- chant, who commenced trade here about the year 1658. His business was principally in shipping, and was connected with the West Indies and settlements on this coast. He had three brothers residing in this city, Daniel, Matthias and Jacobus. The former, a physician, married, but died without children; from the other brothers numerous de- scendants of the name are found among us. Balthazar de Hart was a bachelor, but left, at his death, several illegiti- mate children in this city, for whom he provided liberally, out of his large estate. Among other extensive tracts owned by this gentleman, was the land called Haverstraw, on the Hudson river, which he purchased originally from the Indians. He died in the year 1672.
Carel Van Brugh was commissary in the service of the West India Company. His premises were adjoining the city-hall, where his wife carried on a small trade in mer- chandize. Mr. Van Brugh acquired considerable real es- tate in this city.
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THE STREET CALLED "THE WATER."
Gerrit Jansen Stavast and Claes Jansen Stavast left the city the following year.
Hans Stein, a deputy jailor, resided, for a period, in the city-hall; but is not found to have continued in this city after the surrender to the English.
Sybrant Jansen (sometimes called Galma) was a carpen- ter. His premises were twenty-five feet front on the water, extending back to Hoogh straat.
Cornelis Jansen Van Hoorn occupied the adjoining prem- ises, and is understood to have been a hatter.
Adolph Pietersen was a carpenter, of considerable prop- erty. His premises were of a good description, extending through to "Hoogh straat."
Jacob Hendricksen Varrevanger, a physician, who had al- ready been established here many years. He acquired a considerable property, principally real estate.
Rynier Rycken occupied the premises nearest to Broad street, which had been granted to him as early as the year 1646, his lot being then described as "on the ditch," He was among the principal inhabitants, with respect to wealth, and lived to a venerable age. 1
We have thus finished our brief description of the in- habitants on the " Waal," or sheet-piled street; and in con- tinuation of the same thoroughfare, we shall cross the bridge over the canal, running up Broad street, and con- tinue our description of what was then called " The Water," and sometimes " the Water-side," designated at present as the north side of Pearl street, between Broad and White- hall streets, the history of which is as follows : The first church built in this city was erected in 1633, on the present
86
THE STREET CALLED "THE WATER-SIDE."
north line of Pearl street, about the middle of the block between Broadway and Whitehall street. This church presented its prominent front to the water; but the entrance was mainly from the rear, at the present Bridge street, which was then a wagon road, leading to the bridge across the ditch at Broad street. It was a frame build- ing, of very plain appearance, and in 1642 was abandoned as a place of worship, and turned into a store, being owned and occupied, at one period, by Allard Anthony, a prominent merchant. Several other buildings were afterward erected on a line with the " Old Kirk," along the water, and formed a thoroughfare which, at the time of which we are writing, was a prominent place of busi- ness. The first public wharf or dock built in this city, for the landing of goods, extended out into the river in front of this street, on the present line of Moore street, as far as Water street.
Hans Dreper occupied premises on the north-west corner of Broad and Pearl streets, where he kept tavern. His premises extended twenty-two and a half feet on Broad street. He commenced business here in the year 1656; in 1666 or 7 he removed to Albany.
Frans Jansen Van Hooghten was a carpenter, and had been established in this city for several years; his premises extended through to Bridge street.
Nicholas Jansen, a baker, occupied the adjoining premi- ses, containing in front, on Pearl street, two rods and five feet, (about thirty feet;) in rear, on Bridge street, about the same; in depth, about fifty feet.
. Samuel Edsall, was an Englishman, originally a hatter, but gave up that calling for the more profitable one of a merchant, which he followed with success, his trade ex.
87
THE STREET CALLED "THE WATER-SIDE."
tending to all the neighboring settlements and marts. Mr. Edsall married a daughter of his neighbor Metje Wessells, He built here a brick house about the year 1660, where he afterward resided when his business did not call him into foreign parts. Mr. Edsall lived in this city many years after the period to which we now refer, and left descend- ants who have perpetuated his name to this day.
Joannes De Witt. Mr. De Witt, an eminent flour mer- chant and miller, had not been long a resident of this city at the period to which we now refer. He died about the year 1668, leaving a widow named Jannetie, who married again in the year 1670, Matthias De Hart, a wealthy mer- chant of this city.
Jurien Jansen Van Auweryck, a cooper.
Herman Wessells, a son of Metje Wessells, and brother of Warner Wessells, occupied the adjoining premises. He died about the year 1668. His widow " Greetje," after- ward married Gerrit Huygen Deklyn.
Timotheus Gabry, commenced business in this city as early as 1665, as agent for his brother Daniel, a merchant in Amsterdam. He was a man of education, and filled several civic offices. He was not as successful in his busi- ness affairs as some of his neighbors, but continued his residence here until a very advanced age.
Metje Wessells, was the widow of an old citizen. She kept one of the most respectable public houses in the city, patronized by the magistrates on occasions of public import. Her daughters married respectable merchants of this city.
Paulus Richard was of French descent; his father resid- ing in France, but was concerned in some commercial rela- tions with Holland, which induced the settlement of his
88
THE STREET CALLED "THE WATER-SIDE."
son in this colony. He came here but a short time pre- vious to the period to which we now refer. His premises were near the corner of Whitehall street. The property was afterward, (1667) purchased by him of the owner, Mr. Steenwyck, containing about twenty feet in front and sixty feet in depth. He subsequently purchased property in Broadway, where he lived to an advanced age, and died a wealthy man. His son Stephen became a prominent merchant, and married a daughter of Johannes Van Brugh. Paul Richard, a descendant, was mayor in 1735.
Laurens De Sille. This gentleman was born in the old country, but came out here with his father, Nicasius De Sille, a widower. The elder De Sille was a man of edu- cation, who was sent here in the year 1653, as a member of Governor Stuyvesant's council, upon a salary of one thousand two hundred guilders, or about four hundred dollars per annum. He married here Tryntje Cræzens, with whom he lived in good understanding for some years, but finally, in the year 1658, differences had grown up between them, so that they separated, and he applied for a divorce, which, however, was not decreed. The premises formerly occupied by them were on the south-east corner of Broad street and Exchange place; which property, it appears, was owned by Mrs. De Sille before her marriage. She resided at this place after the separation, while he removed to New Utrecht on Long Island. The property on Exchange place was of considerable extent, and em. braced a large garden and orchard. Laurens De Sille married a daughter of Captain Martin Crigier, a promi- nent citizen. The descendants of the family are understood to bear the name of Sill, at the present day.
Hans Kierstede occupied the adjoining premises, and the
89
PEARL STREET.
last on the block. He was a physician, and was one of the early settlers in this place, being one of the surgeons of the West India Company in 1638. In 1646 this property was granted to him by Governor Stuyvesant, and he was, probably, one of the first settlers on that block. The lot was about eighteen feet in front by sixty in depth. He married, first, Sara, a daughter of Annetje Jans and step- daughter of Domine Bogardus, and secondly, Jannetje, daughter of Govert Loockermans, an eminent trader. In 1666, Dr. Kiersted died, leaving his widow surviving, and eight children, Hans, Roelof, Blandina, Jochem, Luicas, Catherine, (married Johannes Kip) Jacobus and Rachel. The descendants of the family are numerous, many of them having followed the profession of the ancestor to whom we now refer.
Continuing on the present line of Pearl street, between Whitehall street and the Battery, we find
Peter Wolferzen Van Couwenhoven, who was a step-son of one of the earliest pioneers in this country, (Wolfert Gerrisen;) he was the youngest of two brothers, both con- spicuous citizens in their day. Mr. Van Couwenhoven commenced business in this city. at an early period, as a general trader and brewer. He was Schepen of the city for six years; and lieutenant of the militia company, in which position he rendered active service against the In- dians in the neighborhood of Esopus. Mr. Van Couwen- hoven was married to a lady of French descent, who died in 1666, and was buried in this city. It seems that for some unexplained reason, Mr. Van Couwenhoven was in bad favor with the English, who had just taken the city;
90
PEARL STREET.
and also in equal disfavor with some of his ancient neigh- bors and countrymen, who had joined the English cause, and held office under that government. His fall seems to have been decided upon by a conspiracy of those in power, and for that purpose, knowing the high spirit of Mr. Van Couwenhoven, the Sheriff, Allard Anthony, presented a formal charge against him of selling a half pint of brandy to an Indian for sixteen stuyvers, which was not ac- cording to the established price. The defendant denied retailing any liquors at all, and demanded proof, but the court ordered him to give bail for his good behavior, and to appear at the next Court of Assizes, (a high court, held at periodical intervals) to answer the complaint. Mr. Van Couwenhoven refused to give bail, and the sheriff was ordered to imprison him, which was accordingly done. The Court of Assizes came on, and the judges gave judgment against the defendant. The course of proceedings thus taken, was exceedingly annoying to the defendant, although the fine was a trifle, and he pronounced the judgment to be unjust. For thus saying, he was charged by the sheriff with speaking words in contempt of the high Court of Assizes, and he was ordered to pay a fine of thirty guilders wampum, (about three dollars) and to take heed to speak no more like words for the future. These proceedings drove Mr. Van Couwenhoven from the ancient home of his fathers to New Jersey, at a place then called " Aghter Coll," (behind the Coll,) the present situation of which is at Elizabethtown, of which place Mr. Van Couwenhoven became one of the earliest settlers. At the time of which we are writing, (1665) Mr. Van Couwenhoven's residence was still in the city, on the north-west corner of Pearl and Whitehall streets.
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PEARL STREET.
Hendrick Jansen Vandervin was a merchant in good standing, who acquired considerable real estate in this city. He held the office of Schepen, and was a prominent dignitary in the Dutch Church.
Jaques Cosseau was a Frenchman by birth, who had been engaged in trade between Rochelle and Amsterdam, and about the year 1658 or 1659, emigrated to this country, and established himself on the north side of Pearl street. He became one of the most extensive shipping merchants in the city. He was a public-spirited man, and true to the interests of his adopted city, for the benefit of which his means were liberally furnished. Mr. Cosseau was married, but is believed to have left no children. He died about the year 1682.
Pieter Aldrich, was a merchant of respectable connec- tions, who, however, was but a temporary resident here.
Thomas Coninck.
Henry Bush, a cutler.
Gerrit Van Tright, a merchant, engaged in shipping and general trade, acquired a large estate. He afterward purchased property on the west side of Broadway, oppo- site the Bowling Green, to which he removed his residence and store.
Pieter Cornelisen.
Claas Bordingh, was a respectable mariner, occupying a good house at this place. He was a politician of some influence, and though several times nominated, is not found to have been appointed to any crown station. He con- tinued his residence on this street for many years subse- quent to this period.
Jan Gerritsen Van Buytenhuysen, a baker.
William Kock.
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PEARL STREET.
Etienne Guineau.
Walewyn Vanderveen, a merchant; married, about the year 1656, the widow of a trader named Vandewater, by whom he acquired a considerable property.
Thomas Franzen, cartman.
Jurien Blanck resided on the south side of Pearl street, his premises having a front of about thirty feet; in rear twenty-eight feet; depth about one hundred feet on the other side; this property was granted to him in 1647. Mr. Blanck was in this country as early as 1633, and was by profession a mariner. He was called the "schipper," or ship-captain, and for many years sailed a vessel out of this port, on the coasting trade. He left descendants in this city, who have perpetuated his name to the present time.
Pieter Jacobs Marius occupied premises on the south side of Pearl street, where he carried on trade as a mer- chant. His dealings were extensive with Boston and other ports on the coast, and he acquired a considerable estate, though commencing poor. He was an alderman for several years, and lived to an advanced age in this city.
Thomas Lambertzen, a carpenter, occupied the premises adjoining Mr. Marius, on the south side of Pearl street; containing about fifty feet front on the street, fifty-six feet in depth on east side, next Mr. Marius, and thirty-eight or forty feet in depth on west side. Mr. Lambertzen con- tinued his residence here until about the year 1678, when he removed to Bedford, Long Island. His premises in Pearl street were sold, in 1684, to Philip Smith, an inn- holder, for one hundred and fifty pounds.
Thomas Lawrens, a baker, continued his residence on
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LEISLER'S RESIDENCE.
this street for many years subsequently. He was a man of property.
Having gone through the line of Pearl street to the present Battery, we shall continue our course of the cir- cumference of the town by describing a few scattered buildings which were south of the fort, and in the neigh- borhood of the present Battery.
Jacob Leisler occupied premises on the present west side of Whitehall street, between Pearl and State streets. In front of his house was a vacant space used as a market stand for country wagons. Mr. Leisler was originally from Frankfort, and came to this country in the year 1660, as a military officer in the service of the government. He married the wealthy widow of Pieter Cornelisen Vanderveen, who had deceased in 1661. She was a daughter of Govert Loockermans, a man of large for- tune. The widow of Mr. Loockermans, at her decease in 1677, left her property to her three children; subsequently Mr. Leisler purchased the interests of his brother-in-law and sister-in-law in that part of their estate lying in this province; and he was rated among the wealthiest in- habitants of the city. In the year 1678, while on a voyage to Europe, Mr. Leisler was taken prisoner by the Turks, to whom he paid a ransom of two thousand and fifty pieces of eight, for his freedom. The name of this citizen is well known in the history of New York, from his connection with the revolution of the year 1689, an account of which will be found in a subsequent part of this volume. His execution, on a conviction of treason, took place in May, 1691. He left two children, Jacob and Mary, the latter of whom married Jacob Milborne, who
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RESIDENTS NEAR THE PRESENT BATTERY.
suffered death with his father-in-law; she subsequently married Abraham Gouverneur, a prominent citizen. The widow of Mr. Leisler subsequently resided in this city, near Hanover square, for many years, and his son, Jacob, who for a time resided in another part of the country, finally returned to this city and engaged in mercantile pursuits.
Arien Appel, a merchant, was tenant of property belong- ing to Governor Stuyvesant, adjoining the premises of Mr. Leisler, on the present Whitehall street, between Pearl and State streets.
Daniel D'Honde Coutrie, a temporary resident here, occupied a fine mansion erected by Governor Stuyvesant, on the present corner of Whitehall and State streets.
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