USA > New York > New York City > History of the school of the Reformed Protestant Dutch church, in the city of New York, from 1633 to the present time > Part 5
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The late Judge Benson, in his early youth, " attended school at the corner of Marketfield and Broad streets, where he learned the Dutch Catechism. They used in the Dutch churches," he adds, "an hour - glass, near the clerk, to ascertain the length of the sermon, which was always limited to one hour. They made the collections in a bag, with a bell to give notice of the approach of the deacons (gatherers.") (Vide Wat. An. 191.) The whole complexiou of the Judge's state- ment, in connection with the statement of the Consistory of that date, " that there was (then) no other suitable school of the Low Dutch in the city," (post, 63,) renders it highly probable that the locality mentioned was the site of Mr. Van Wagenen's labors at this date.
60
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL,
Stoutenburgh and John Van Aarnam, choristers in the Old and New churches, providing for Mr. Van Wagenen taking their places occasionally, and paving the way for his permanent appointment .*
In 1748, the subject of erecting a schoolhouse was refer- red to a Committee of Consistory, and Mr. Van Wagenen having signified his intention to resign, Consistory engaged " Mr. DANIEL BRATT, chorister in the church of Catskill, to be chorister in the New Church for the five subsequent years, for which service he is to receive, in addition to the fees for entering baptisms, £12 10s. He is also to officiate as the schoolmaster, for which he shall be provided with a dwelling-house and school-room by the Old Church, and also with twelve free scholars, six in reading and six in writing ; for which he shall receive £12 10s., and also a load of wood for each scholar, annually, half nut and half oak. His services to commence April, 1749."+
August 15 .- "The Committee for preparing a plan for the building of a school and dwelling-house, exhibited one which was unanimously approved ; and it was resolved, that the erection of a building, according to such plan, should forthwith proceed."}
· In the year 1691, the Dutch Church purchased, for $450, from the Common Council, a tract of land on Garden street, between William and Broad streets, "on the north side 175 feet, on the south side 180 feet, more or less." A church was erected here, in 1693, on the north side of the street ; and opposite this, on the south side, several feet back from the building-line, the school-house (with teacher's dwelling attached) was built.§
* Con. Min. i. 208. Stoutenburgh, in 1746, was Voorlezer in the Oude Kerke, and Van Aarnam in the New Kerke. Rec. Col. Ch. + Con. Min. i. 213. # Con, Min, i, 123,
§ The exact site of this building is designated on an ancient map of
61
FROM 1664 TO 1776.
1751. December 12-" Mr. Van der Sman was appointed Consoler of the Sick and Catechiser."*
Mr. Bratt, from the complexion of the records, had been selected with reference to his abilities as chorister. As an instructor of youth and catechist, he seems not to have ren- dered complete satisfaction ; hence the division of his labors 'by the above appointment, and his subsequent dismissal ; for in 1753, April, he was "notified that his services as schoolmaster would end in May, 1754."+
1755 .- The Consistory, at this period, finding themselves unable to procure here the services of an individual possessed of those varied qualifications deemed by them essential in a voorlezer and schoolmaster, and being anxious of obtaining one capable of performing aright those important and respon- sible duties connected with the instruction of youth, especially where the cultivation of their moral faculties was to be ap- propriately considered, "Resolved (January 27) to call a cho- rister, catechist, and schoolmaster from Holland." Arti- cles were prepared, prescribing the duties required, and stipu- lating the salary, which were committed to the President, to prepare a letter to certain persons in Holland, to be forwarded by the first opportunity.
To Daniel Bratt, who had still been retained in the school, notwithstanding the notification of April, 1753, "notice was directed to be given, ' to look out for another place.' "}
The letter which was prepared and sent to Holland, as above directed, was as follows :
To Mr. JOHN DREVES; N. N. SCHOUTE, Chorister of the South Church, Amsterdam; and CHRISTIAN BORDING :
RESPECTED SIRS :- The Consistory of the Dutch Reformed
the city, 1763, which is to be found in Val. Man. Com. Coun., 1850, 220. This property is now known as Nos. 50 and 52 Exchange Place. * Con. Min. i. 218. + Ibid. i. 223. # Ibid. i. 232.
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HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL,
Church in the city of New-York, encouraged by the recom- mendation of Mr. Cornelius Clopper, Jr., who is acquainted with you, take the liberty to send you this letter, requesting you, as being able and willing, to aid us in the matter proposed. Our congregation has for some time been destitute of a capable schoolmaster and chorister, to the evident injury of our youth and the cause of religion : the Consistory have finally resolved to incur the trouble and expense of procuring one from Holland ; and for such beseech your most friendly help and support, and offer such emoluments as will be nearly double of what has been before enjoyed by any one in that capacity. This is the strong- est evidence of our ardent desire to obtain a worthy person, who shall fulfil our expectations, and discharge the duties of · his station to satisfaction.
The requisites which the Consistory desire in the person whom you may be so good as to procure for us, are :
First, That he be a person of suitable qualifications to offi- ciate as schoolmaster and chorister, possessing a knowledge of music, a good voice, so as to be heard; an aptitude to teach others the science, and that he should be a good reader, writer, and arithmetician.
Second, That he should be of the Reformed religion, a mem- ber of the Church, bringing with him testimonials of his Chris- tian character and conduct.
Third, That, whether married or unmarried, he be not under twenty-five, nor over thirty-five.
The following are the emoluments which the Consistory pro- mise and pledge to said person, for the required services, annu- ally, so long as he seems capable of discharging his duties in the school and church, and so long as his Christian conduct is to the edification of the congregation-
First, A free dwelling-house, a new and commodious one, standing directly over [opposite] the church in which he is to officiate as chorister, not only twice, and sometimes three times on the Sabbath, but also every Wednesday. In this house, besides the large school-room, there is a small chamber, a kit- chen, a cellar under the house, behind the house a fine kitchen- garden, a well, with a pump therein, and other conveniences besides, the annual rent of which would be valued at more than twenty pounds New-York currency. While the sums men- tioned are New-York currency, we deem it necessary to state, that one pound, New-York currency, must be reckoned at six guilders and twelve stivers.
Second, For leading the singing at the times before stated annually, fifteen pounds.
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FROM 1664 TO 1776.
Third, As the master shall be bound to instruct twenty poor children in reading, writing, and ciphering, he shall receive annually twenty-four pounds, whether the whole number be filled up or not.
Fourth, Firewood for these children, six pounds annually.
Fifth, For keeping the account-book's of receipts and expend- itures of the church, neatly executed, eight pounds.
Sixth, For entering baptisms in the Church Register. This cannot be accurately defined, but will at least average seven pounds.
Seventh, Besides these, an annual salary of twenty pounds. Total, eighty pounds ($200) and dwelling.
Upon this, gentlemen, the schoolmaster coming over may confide with certainty. To this may be added, that the school is open for the children of all the citizens, and from those who learn, whether reading alone, or writing, singing, or ciphering, a considerable sum may be expected, as there is no other suitable school of the Low Dutch in the city. The master may therefore confidently expect that, with his zeal and industry, his income will increase, so that forty pounds more may at least be added. Finally, in order that nothing may be omitted in endeavors to attain this pious object, the Consistory (as the person selected, cannot come here without expense) promise, on his arrival, to remunerate him to the amount of fifteen pounds. If you should seek to gain this object as speedily as practicable, so that the person selected may come over to us with Captain John Ketel- tas, a great service will be rendered to us and our church, and we shall feel ourselves obligated to acknowledge our gratitude.
We subscribe ourselves, with prayer for the blessings of grace upon your persons and families,
Your servants, The CONSISTORY OF NEW-YORK. In their behalf,
J. RITZEMA, Pres.
February 17, 1755.
N. B. This comprises, under the name of (Voorsanger) cho- rister, also that of (Voorleser) leader in reading, whose duty it shall be, during the absence or sickness of the minister, (as we are not provided with candidates,) to read a sermon for the edifi- cation of the congregation.
P. S. The Consistory also requests that Captain John Ketel- tas may be consulted as to the qualifications of the person who may be selected .*
* Con. Min. i. 232.
64
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL,
This call happily provides us with the aspect of the school, and the standard of the schoolmaster's qualifications, one hundred years ago; and it resulted in the procurement of a teacher from Holland, who served the school faithfully till called away by a messenger from God.
1755 .- Mr. JOHN NICHOLAS WELP having arrived from Amsterdam as chorister and reader in the Old Church, and also as schoolmaster, delivered his testimonials, which were satisfactory to the Consistory. It was Resolved, that eight pounds be appropriated for the freight, etc., of his goods from New-London, in addition to the fifteen pounds promised for the expenses of his voyage ;* and the following letter betokens the kind hearts and magnanimous spirits which constituted the Consistory of that day :
"Letter from Consistory to Messrs. John Dreves, N. N. Schoute, and Christian Bording.
. Mr. Cornelius Clopper, Jr., one of our members, has already made you acquainted with the course of correspondence and safe arrival here of Mr. John Nicholas Welp, with his wife and children, in good health. We, however, feel ourselves in the highest measure obliged to express unto you our obligations more particularly, and to acknowledge with cordial thankful- ness the trouble and care taken for us, and feel ready to recipro- cate in any thing which can be done on our part. What re- spects the small expenses of which Mr. Bording makes mention, in his letter, we send accompanying this, with Captain Anthony Rutgers, t four Spanish pieces, with the charge to pay in our name any thing further which may exist. You, gentlemen, doubtless expect to learn from us whether the person of Mr. Welp satisfies our expectation. We can say, although all is yet new, that there is nothing which can lead us to apprehend that the Consistory will regret the heavy and unusual expenses incurred by obtaining a person from Holland for such a service. His testimonials are highly laudatory, and the proof of his work hitherto being satisfactory to the congregation, good hope is
* Con. Min. i. 248.
+ Memb. Com. Coun. for ten years. Val. Man. 1850, 221 et seq.
.
65
FROM 1664 To 1776.
entertained that by his example and labors he will be very useful in our church, if it should please the Lord to spare him for some years, which we also desire on his account. The Consistory have, according to their promise, paid the passage-money from Holland, and have also paid, besides this, the expenses from New-London, which were a little more than eight pounds. Also, considering the loss which Mr. Welp suffered in the sale of his goods, on account of his removing from Amsterdam at a short notice, as was mentioned in the letter of Mr. Bording, the Con- sistory have voluntarily made up a present of twenty pounds, which was very gladly received by Mr. Welp. We thus trust that, diligently employed in his school labors, he will feel him- self satisfied with his situation, and find matter for thankfulness to the providence of God which has brought him here, of which he already gives tokens of acknowledgment. This, we believe, gentlemen, will give you satisfaction in the work you have done. We pray the God of heaven to bless you and the land of your residence, that it may not prove a prey to ambitious tyranny, especially not to the anti-Christian King of France, whose irre- ligious cruelty many, especially on the borders of our neighbor- ing provinces, experience by the murders and burnings commit- ted by the barbarous heathen hired by money, and mated for this purpose.
.We subscribe ourselves, with great respect and affectionate greetings to Jaffron Bording, respected and well known, gentle- men, your obedient and obliged servants.
In the name of Consistory,* J. RITZEMA."
* Con. Min. i. 249. The closing paragraph alludes to the barbari- ties perpetrated by the savages on the frontier inhabitants during the French and Indian war, 1754-1763. On the surrender of Oswego, the terms which had been agreed to were shamefully violated. Sev- eral of the British officers and soldiers were insulted, robbed, and massacred by the Indians. Most of the sick were scalped in the hos- pitals, and the French general delivered twenty of the garrison to the savages, that being the number they had lost during the siege, and these were tortured and burnt. Subsequently, on the surrender of Fort William Henry, on Lake George, "it was expressly stipulated by Montcalm that the prisoners should be protected from the savages by a guard, and that the sick and wounded should be treated with humanity. But the next morning, a great number of Indians, having been permitted to enter the lines, began to plunder. They massacred
66
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL,
" Until a few years before the erection [1769] of the North Church, all the public religious services had been held in the Dutch language. But the increase of the English language among the people, and the proportionate decline of the Dutch, became too apparent to escape the notice of observing men ; and it became more and more evident to reflecting minds that unless the English language was introduced, the younger people would attach themselves to churches where that lan- guage was used, and the Dutch churches would dwindle away. Long discussions were held on this subject, and no little excitement was produced by the resolution which was finally adopted by the Consistory of the Collegiate Church, to call a minister who should officiate in the English lan- guage, while the Dutch was still to be continued for a part of each Sabbath. The Rev. Dr. Laidlie was the person called, and he preached his first sermon in English in the Middle Dutch Church on the afternoon of the last Sabbath in March, 1764, from 2 Cor. v. 11: 'Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.' All the services were conducted in English except the singing, which was per- formed in Dutch, led by Jacobus Van Antwerp, (Voorsanger,) ' the fore-singer,' as the congregation were unacquainted with the English psalmody. The house was densely crowded ; the aisles were filled, many climbed up in the windows, and
the sick and wounded, and attacked the defenseless troops with fiend- like fury. The stipulated guard was denied. On every side savages were butchering and scalping their wretched victims. Their hideous yells, the groans of the dying, and the frantic shrieks of others shrink- ing from the uplifted tomahawk, were heard by the French unmoved. The fury of the savages was permitted to rage without restraint, until a large number were killed, or hurried captives into the wilderness." Hale, 119.
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FROM 1664 TO 1776.
many of the most respectable people stood through the whole exercise." **
This measure, as might naturally be expected, gave great offense to some individuals, and their opposition to it was manifested for a long time, until, finally, finding expostulation vain, they invoked the aid of the civil power.
On the 6th day of July, 1767, more than three years after the settlement of the " English preacher," a few members of the Dutch Church, opposed to his appointment, presented a remonstrance to his Excellency, Sir Henry Moore, Bart., Governor of New-York, in which they complain that the Consistory had impinged upon the Constitution of the Church, by violating certain liberties and privileges originally con- ferred at the capitulation in 1664; confirmed and enlarged by William III.'s charter, 1696 ;} and still further established, confirmed and extended to the ministers, elders, deacons, and members of said Church by George II., in 1755. The remonstrance was signed by Abel Hardenbrook, Jacobus Stoutenburgh, and Huybert Van Wagenen. It consists of ten grievances, bearing directly or indirectly upon the intro- duction into the pulpit of the English language in the per- son of Mr. Laidlie. The sixth article was as follows : "That the catechising in the Dutch language is forbidden by one of the elders, alledging it was a detriment to Mr. Leadly. And Mr. Leadly has forbidden Mr. Leydecker (who was qualified for that business) to catechise, and say'd that, the Consistory did not approve of it." The seventh states "that the Dutch school is not taken care of by the Rulers, to the total Ruin of the Dutch Education."
* Greenleaf's Hist. N. Y. Churches, 15. + Ante, pp. 54, 56.
# This last-named individual was he who was the schoolmaster in 1743. This remonstrance having failed of its object, he withdrew and connected himself with the English Church.
68
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL,
The Rev. John Ritzema, in the name and by the order of Consistory, addressed to his Excellency an answer to the Remonstrance, in which he sets the whole matter before the Governor and Council in its true light, and ably vindicates the action of Consistory. The following extract disposes of the charges which refer to the school :
" The sixth article alledges that catechising in the Dutch language was forbid by one of the elders, as also by Mr. Laidlie; this is not true, and if it was, the complainants must know that no one member of our Consistory has a right to forbid any thing. Mr. Leydecker never was appointed by the Consistory to catechise in our congregation, and is there- fore not qualified ; though one Adrian Van Dersman* was so appointed ; but on finding Him a man of very immoral Behaviour, having forged the Hand Writing of the Rev. Mr. Ritzema and others; wrote and subscribed letters directed to the Synod of North Holland, recommending himself as a proper Person for the ministry, by which the Rev. Mr. Rit- zema at that time suffered much in his character ; on the dis- covery of this fact, the Consistory thought proper to dis- charge him from that office, and immediately appointed another in his stead ; since which he has been upheld and supported by Mr. Hardenbrook's Party.
"In answer to the seventh article, 'That the Dutch School is not taken Care of, to the Ruin of the Dutch Educa- tion,' we say that we have at present, and for twelve years last past have employed Mr. Whelp, who was sent for to Holland as a schoolmaster and catechist; he keeps a school constantly open, receives payment from us for teaching the poor children of the congregation, to the number of thirty, which number never was compleated. He is a person very well qualified to catechise and teach a school, and we pay him a very handsome salary for his service; insomuch that his place is coveted by others. It has been insinuated to some of our congregation that if Mr. Vandersman could be restored as a catechist, and Mr. Stoutenburgh have Mr.
*Ante, p. 61.
· FROM 1664 TO 1776. 69
Whelp's place, all would be well. The first cannot be done, from the character above given ; the latter cannot in honor be agreed to, as Mr. Whelp is, beyond all comparison, better qualified, and was encouraged to come from Holland by the then Ruling Consistory."
It is observed, moreover,
"That the Protest was wrote by Mr. Stoutenburgh, and all the names subscribed in his own hand writing, and some of the same persons twice mentioned. It never appeared to the Consistory that Mr. Stoutenburgh had any directions from the people whose names he put down, and some of them denied that they ever had given him any."
This answer was dated 23d September, and on November 11th, it was read in Council, and an Order made dismissing the Petition of the Remonstrants .*
1773 .- The expectations created by the appointment of Mr. Welp were fully realized. For more than seventeen years, his duties as schoolmaster and chorister were faithfully and satisfactorily performed, when, yielding to the mandate from on high, his labors of love and usefulness were closed. He was the first and only schoolmaster who, while connected with the school, has been called away by death.
The English language (introduced into the pulpit just nine years previously ) having now become quite prevalent, regard was had to this in the selection of his successor.
March 19, a proposition was offered to the Consistory, relating to a new schoolmaster in the place of the deceased, Mr. Welp, which was taken into mature deliberation. This proposition was in the following words :
"Inasmuch as Mr. Nicholas Welp, who was our Free School master, is deceased, and it is highly necessary that another schoolmaster should be appointed to instruct thirty
* Vide Remonstrance and Reply in full, Doc. Hist. N. Y. iii. 511, et seq.
-
70
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL,
poor children in reading, writing, and arithmetic, as well as in both the English and Dutch languages, and as in the meantime, after inquiry, a suitable person has been found in the person of Mr. PETER VAN STEENBURGH, who is qualified to teach in BOTH languages ; and as the present schoolhouse and Consistory-chamber* is so far decayed that it cannot stand much longer, it is, therefore, submitted to the consid- eration of the Consistory, whether it is not advisable to pull down the school-house now standing, and erect a new one, - more feet in breadth and - feet more in length than the present ; and also to erect a second story above it for a Con- sistory-chamber, and a free room for catechising, and the new school-building to be under one roof with the dwelling- house, and to be a frame building with a brick front. This can be done before the schoolmaster be ready to enter upon his labors. If the Consistory should deem it necessary to call the above-named schoolmaster, it is then submitted to them whether the following will not prove an adequate salary."
Here follow the six articles of stipulation, which will be found in the call made to Mr. Van Steenburgh.
The Consistory immediately resolved to carry the above proposition into execution, " as being the best which, in pre- sent circumstances, can be devised."
It was further resolved that a committee be appointed to prepare a call, according to the above proposition, on Mr. Van Steenburgh for one. The President and the elders, A. P. Lott, Brinckerhoff, Rapelye, and Duryee, were appointed said committee. The elders, Brinckerhoff, and Duychingh, and Beekman,t and the deacons, Abeelt and Hoffman, were appointed a committee for the building of a new school-house.§
* Erected 1748.
+ Member Com. Coun. for nine years. Val. Man. 1850, 225 et seq.
Member Com. Coun. for six years. Val. Man. 1850, 222 et seq.
§ This second school-house was erected 1773, on the site of the former one, but being larger, its front was nearer the line of the street. It was built by Mr. Anthony Post, an elder in the Dutch Church.
71
FROM 1664 TO 1776.
" CALL* of the Consistory of the Dutch Reformed Church of New-York on Mr. Peter Van Steenburgh, at present school- master at Flatbush, on Long Island.
" On account of the death of Mr. Nicholas Welp, school- master of the Dutch congregation at New-York, the school is broken up, on which account the children of the poor of our congregation are destitute of necessary instruction : and as daily experience teaches us that the English language in this land gains such prevalence, that the Low Dutch lan- guage is continually diminished, and grows out of use, the Consistory of New-York have therefore deemed it proper to call a person who is qualified to instruct and educate the children in the English as well as the Dutch language, thus opening the way to induce the children of the poor of our congregation to receive instruction in the language which they or their parents may choose. The Consistory having heard many favorable testimonials of your gifts and qualifi- cations, and also having seen some proofs thereof, have unani- mously agreed that you was a proper person to whom a call should be presented ; and learning that you are favorably disposed to undertake the service of schoolmaster, if an ade- quate support should be given, they have resolved to make a call upon you; and they hereby call you to instruct the children of the poor of the congregation, hereafter named, both in the English and Dutch languages, as may be required to teach them reading, writing, and arithmetic, also the questions in the Heidelbergh Catechism, or such other as is conformable to the doctrine of our Low Dutch Church. The scholars are to be instructed and exercised therein at least once a week. The school is to be opened every morning, and also closed, with prayer, that all may be conducted with order and to edification, and prove a good example to all present. We promise to pay you for the service thus ren- dered,
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