USA > New York > New York City > Old New York : a journal relating to the history and antiquities of New York City, Vol. I > Part 23
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 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
265
Biographical Notes.
On leaving college he was engaged as an instructor in an acad- emy in Newark, New Jersey, under the inspection of the Rev. Aaron Burr, afterwards President of the College of New Jersey. He was ordained to the ministry and installed pastor of the Pres- byterian Church of Jamaica, Long Island, October 9th. 1745. Here he remained for more than ten years. In 1756 he accepted the pastoral charge of the first Presbyterian Church in the city of New York, in which he continued eminently beloved and useful until his death. His printed compositions are a sermon, an ac- count of the life and character of Prof. Davies, and a vindication of the right of children to baptism. He died November 12, 1763.
BOWNE WALTER, Mayor, was descended from the Quaker fam- ily of that name which settled in Flushing over two centuries ago. He was born there in the year 1770, came to this city after the Revolution and learned the hardware trade, which he carried on for a number of years at the corner of Burling slip and Water street, in company with Richard T. Hallet. After his retirement from business he became interested in politics. He represented this city in the State Senate for three successive terms, and was appointed Mayor in 1:25. holding the office for four years. He was one of the commissioners who supervised the erection of the Custom Ilonse, now Sub-Treasury, and accumulated a large es- tate. Ile died at his residence in Beekman street Angust 31st. 1346.
BRADFORD WILLIAM. See pp. 1. 65. 145. and 217.
BROOKE CmpLEY. a member of Governor Sloughter's Council, arrived in this country in January. 1691. Ile was made Receiver- General and Collector of Customs. at a salary of $200 sterling. and also acted as one of the Justices of the Supreme Court. In 1695. he was sent to England as the agent of New York. but was taken on his passage by the French, with all his papers and in- structions, He remained a prisoner until April, 1696, when he was released and proceeded to England. He proceeded to the execution of his mission, and afterwards returned to this city, where he again took up his duties as Receiver-General and as a member of the Council. He was also the Naval Officer. He was suspended from office by Governor Bellomont, and his affairs
266
Biographical Notes.
were found to be much involved. He is not found as a resident of this city after the time of Governor Bellomont, and is supposed to have returned to England permanently.
BROUGHTON SAMPSON SHELTON, an English barrister of the Mid- dle Temple, was appointed to act as Attorney-General of the Province of New York in the year 1700, and arrived here in company with John Bridges, the Chief Justice, in July. 1701. He was soon in difficulties with Lieutenant-Governor Nanfan, by whom he was suspended from official duty. He was, however, shortly after restored, and reassumed his functions, which he was not destined long to enjoy, as he died when in office, in the year 1705. Ilis library consisted of thirty-six law books, and his estate was valued at $220.
BROWN GOOLD, the grammarian, who for many years was a school-teacher in this city, was born at Providence, Rhode Island, March 7. 1791. He was the second son of Smith Brown and Lydia Goold. Mrs. Brown inherited a farin by the death of her father, and Mr. Brown determined to relinquish his interest in the cotton factory, the first in the United States, which his father had begun as a member of the firm of Almy & Brown, and take up agricultural pursuits. Goold Brown was then in his third year. His education was acquired in the public schools. but half the year was given to work on the farm. When fifteen. he was placed in the counting house of Almy & Brown, but returned home after a year. Ile then entered Sandwich Academy. which had much reputation, and afterwards was at the Pierce Academy in Middleboro. He taught a district school in 1810. and in 1811 became the principal teacher in a Friends' Boarding School in Dutchess Co. Ile was a member of this society, as were his par- ents. and he adhered to their belief for the whole of his life. Two years after this he went to New York, being engaged by Dr. Jolm Griscom to assist him in his school. About 1816 he began a school for himself, which he continued for more than twenty years. This was also the period when his literary activity was the greatest. Ile belonged to several literary societies, deliv- ered lectures, wrote for the public press, and prepared his text. books. The first edition of his grammar was issued in 1823. Previous to that time Murray, and authors who derived their
267
Biographical Notes.
systems from him, were the chief authorities on the construction of English. Brown adopted a new plan, and elaborated it more fully than Murray had ever attempted. It immediately succeeded, and to this day his Grammar sells well. His health was bad for several years, and in 1837 his friends induced him to retire from personal instruction and to change his residence. hoping that a new air would be beneficial to him. Ile went to Lynn, Massa- chusetts, being married there in 1842. His Grammar of English Grammars was finished in 1851, having occupied many years in its completion, and will forever remain a monument to his indus- try and acumen. There is a prodigious accumulation of facts and examples in it, not always well arranged, but of the utmost valne. He subsequently revised a second edition, as well as prepared a new edition of his Institutes, but his health finally gave way en- tirely. He died March 31.t. 1857.
BRUCE DAVID. the type-founder, was born in the town of Wick. county of Caithness. November 12th, 1770. His parents were farmers, who had been unfortunate, and removed to Edinburgh with a large family. David went to sea when a boy, and was impressed in the Channel fleet under Lord Howe. At nineteen he returned to Edinburgh, where in the King's printing office he learned the trade of printer. Immediately after completing his term he emigrated to America, landing in New York in the year 1793. In 1794. he was employed by Hall and Sellers of Philadel- phia. the successors to Franklin. A few years after he came back. and in 1806. in conjunction with his brother George, established the firm of D. & G. Bruce. printers. Their first work was a copy of Lavoiser's Chemistry. They rapidly increased their business. and shortly had the largest office in town. In 1812 David Bruce determined to acquire a knowledge of the art of stereotyping. which had then been known some ten years in Great Britain, and took passage for England. He could get no competent person to instruct him, but by close observation and the expenditure of considerable money thought he had the essential portion and re- turned. In the actual making of plates here he was preceded by John Watts, but the latter relinquished business in 1815 or 1816. andnever did much work. Bruce introduced a number of improve- ments, and stereotyping soon became more common and better
268
Biographical Notes.
done here than in Great Britain. In 1813 he and his brother also began type-founding, which increased so much that they finally abandoned both printing and stereotyping, making letter casting their sole business. In 1820 they dissolved partnership, David Bruce retiring to a farm, but returning for a brief period to the city several years after as a type-founder. Upon his farm. after this was concluded. he spent the remainder of his days, but died in Brooklyn March 15, 1857, aged eighty-seven, while on a visit to his son. David Bruce, Jr.
BRUCE GEORGE, a type-founder, was the brother of David Bruce last mentioned. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1781, and came to this country in 1795, when he was fourteen years of age. He was first apprenticed to a bookbinder in Philadelphia, but ran away from him. Afterwards he entered the office of Thomas Dobson, the printer. of that city, and learned his trade with him. He and his brother were here as early as 1800, and he was in charge of the Daily Advertiser in 1805. The next year the two brothers begun business together. George Bruce was the financial man. When they dissolved partnership he continued type-founding. introducing many improvements. and as a letter cutter brought out many beautiful faces. Ilis scripts are still greatly admired. In letter-cutting he took great enjoyment, as well as in the collection of books about printing. He continued in business, accumulating a large fortune by it. till his death, July 5. 1-66.
BUTLER AMos, long one of the publishers of the Mercantile Adverti-er, was one of the first to employ boats in the offing to get news from ships coming in from Europe. This he did in con- junction with John Lang of the Gazette. Ax one time he had a handsome fortime, but it was lost in the attempt to compete with the low priced journals that came in about 1:35, He died in Natchez, Mississippi. April 18, 1857, aged seventy-even.
GLEANINGS FROM THE SURROGATE'S OFFICE.
COMMISSION FOR A SPECIAL COURT OF OYER AND TERMINER.
Whereas his Royall Highnesse James Duke of Yorke and Albany, Earle of Ulster, &c .; Lord high Admirall of Scotland & Ireland & the Dominion of New England & Virginia, Parbados, St. Christophers, Antego, New Yorke in America &c. hath by his Commission dated at St. James the third day of October in the yeare of our Lord 1682 & in the 34th. yeare of his Maties Raigne constitute and made me his Vice Admirall of New Yorke & Mari- time parts & Islands belonging to the same, and hath Authorized & impowered mee to appoint a Judge, Register & Marshall of a Court of Admiralty there ; I do therefore hereby make & appoint You Lucas Sauten Esor. Judge of the said Court & William Beekman Deputy Mayor, John Laurence & James Graham AAlder- men of the citty of New Yorke, Mr. Cornelis Stenwyck, Mr. Nicholas Bayard, Mr. William Pinhorne, and Mr. Jacob Leysler, and you or any six of you to hear & determine of any or all Treasons, Felonys. Robberys. Piracys. Murders, Manslaughters, Confederacyes. breaches of trust. imbezleing goods or other Transgressions, contempt-, misprissions and spoyles whatsoever. done or committed with Maratime Jurisdiction aforesaid. on board the Ship Camelion of London. Nicholas Clough commander & I do also appoint With : Nicolls to bee Register & John Collier to bee Marshall of the said Court & this Conmission to bee of Force dur- ing the time of this tryall only
Given nuder my hand & seale this 15th. day of September 1683. and in the thirty fifth veare of the reigne of our Soveraigne Lord Charles the second. by the Grace of God. of England. Scotland &e. King. Defender of the Faith &c.
THo DONGAN.
Memorandum. That on Thursday the twenty the day of Sep- tember at the Citty Hall of New Yorke in America. A speciall Court of Over & Terminer was holden by Virtue of this following Commission viz."# All the Grand
# This is the Commission issued Sept. 15th, as quoted,
270
Gleanings from the Surrogate's Office.
Jurors, except William Pinhorne, being " Present in the Court " they delivered an indictment for piracy "neare the Island of Neavis upon the deep Sea," on the ship named in the Commis- sion, on the 29th and 30th days of June, 1683, against the follow- ing named ten persons of the ship's company. "Edward Sharkey, Robert Cokram, John Davvell, Henry Lewin, Daniell Kelly, Robert Dousin, John Morrine, Arthur Davis. Thomas Dickson, and John Hallamore "
* %
"To the which the Prisoners pleaded severally nott Guilty & for tryall put themselves on God & their Country Whereupon this Jury was impannelled and sworne. Andrew Bown, John Iniaus, Richard Martin, William Merrit, William Cox, Edward Read. John Rich, John Robinson. John Thurber, Paul Richards, Brant Schuyler, Jacobus Cortland. The Court adjourned till the next day seven of the Clock in the morning "
" Fryday September 21th 1683. The Prisoners being all brought to the barre & the Judgement read to the Jury. Ed- ward Starkey was alone sett to the Barre & the rest of the prison- ers remanded." (Here follows the testimony of the witnesses.) "Charge being given to the Jury they were sent out, and the Conrt adjourned till two of the Clock in the afternoon.
" Friday September the 21th. Afternoone. The prisoner being brought to the Barr, and the Jury called over ; They bring the Prisoner in, Nott Guilty. The prisoner remanded during the pleasure of the Court. The Court adjourned until next morning Eight of the Clock.
" Saturday September the 2nd. 1688. Edward Sharkey brought to the Barre. Ordered that hee stand committed until he find two sufficient Suretves for the good behaviour, in two hundred pounds, for a yeare and a day.
" The Judge informs the Court and the Jury that the Advocate has Order to withdraw the Indictment against Robert Coekram. John Davvell. Henry Lewin, Daniell Kelly, Robert Dousin. John Morrine. Arthur Davis, Thomas Dickson and John Hallamore."
The Court. Grand Jurors and petit jurors continued in session several days, and adjourned each day until " Eight of Clock " in the morning, never until later than nine o'clock.
+
271
Gleanings from the Surrogate's Office.
CERTIFICATE THAT AT THE OPENING OF TRINITY CHURCH THE MINISTER READ THE PRAYERS AND PSALMS PROPERLY.
By his Excelly Coll. Benjamin Fletcher Capt Genll & Govr in cheife of the province of New Yorke &c. These are to certifie unto all to whom these presents shall come or may Consern that on Sunday the 13th of March Instant at the first opening of Trinity Church in New Yorke after ve reading the Morning & Evening Service Mr. William Vesey# did declare before his con- gregation his unfeigned Assent and Consent to all & Every thing Contained & prescribed in & by the book Entitled the book of Comon praver & administration of the Sacraments & other rites & Ceremonies of the Church according to the use of the Church of England together with the Salter or psalms of David printed as they are to be Sung or Said in Churches in the form & man- ner of making, Consecrating & ordayning & Consecrateing of bishops, priester & deacons & in the Time of divine Service did read a Certificate from the R Reverend father in God Henry Lord Bishop of London that he had subscribed the acknowledgments & Declaration according to the act of uniformity.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Sett my hand Scale at New Yorke the 25th of March Annoqe Domini 169S.
BEN : FFLETCHER.
CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY.
Henry by divine Grace Lord Bishop of London To all to whom these present- Shall or may Consern, health in our Lord God Everlasting WHEREAS by an act of parliament mad in the first year of our Sovereign Lord & Lady King William and Queen Mary Entitled an act for the abrogating of the oaths of Suprem
* The Rev. William Vesey wa- graduated at Harvard College, Massachusetts, and removed thence to Long Island, where he officiated as a dissenting minister. On the incorporation of Trinity Church, New York. in 1696, he was invited to conform to the Church of England. Ile proceeded to England, received holy orders, and was appointed Rector of Trinity Church, where he first officiated February 6th, 1697, and which he held until his death in 1:46. Mr. Vesey was married in this city in 1695 to Mrs. Mary Reade, a widow.
272
Gleunings from the Surrogate's Office.
acy & Allegiance and appointing other oaths ; it is provided & En- acted that every person at his or their respective commission to be incumbent in any Ecclesiasticale promotion or dignity in the Church of England Shall Subscribe & declare before his ordinary in manner & form as in the sd Act is Conteined Now Know vee that on the day of the date hereof did personally appear before us Mr. William Vesey to be admitted to the Ministeriall function in ye Citty of New Yorke & Subscribed as followeth as by the said act is required, I William Vesey do declare that i will Con- form to the Liturgy of the Church of England as it is Now by law Established In Wittness whereof we have Caused our Seale Manual to be affixed to these presents.
Dated the Second day of August In the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred ninety seaven & in the 22cond year of our Translation.
RECITAL TO A DECREE MADE MAY 9TH, 1701.
By the Honble Wm Smith Esqr President peter Schuyler Abraham Depeyster Samll Staates Robert Livingston Rob Walters & Thos Weaver Esg of our Councill on whom the Administra- tion of the Government is Devolved upon the Death of ye Earle of Bellomont & absence of ve Lieut Governr.
COPY OF A LOTTERY TICKET.
No 812 Lottery for the Year 1777. The Bearer of this Ticket will in pursnanee of an Act Made in the Seventeenth of his Majesty's Reign be entitled to such beneficial Chance as shall be- long thereto in the Lottery to be drawn in Pursuance of the said Act.
THos THOMPSON.
THE GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.
Bequest to a Congregation by the Will of Fred'k Wollffes. Glazier :
My Present Estate With Outstanding Debts will amount to about 7009 which I impower my Executors hereafter Named to let on Intrust to the German Evang. Lutheran Congregation at
.
273
Gleanings from the Surrogate's Ofice.
Christ Church in this City during the Natural Life of my be- loved Wife Magdalene Who Shall receive the aforesaid Intrust Yearly as long as she lives.
But after the Decease of my Wife Magdalene the one half of the Aforesaid E-tate I give and bequeath unto * and the other half unto Philip Oswald Baker of this City in trust for the Sole use and Benefit of the German Luth Congregation at Christ Church.
And I hereby Nominate and appoint my loving Friend the Rev. Fd'k Mecklenburg [Muhlenberg] and George Loreng Wach- tel Executors
%
Witnesses-Peter Grim Jason Jacob Beittman Leonard Fisher. Dated Ap. 27, 1775 Probated Feby 6, 1776
AN ANTE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENT.
Appeared for me William Bogardus Publick Notary Resident in New Yorke Admitted by the Right Honourable Sr Edmond Andross Knight Leiftenant Governor Generall an Vice Admirall Under his Royall Highnesse James Duke of Yorke and Albany &c. of New Yorke and dependencies of the same in America and before these after Following Witnesse Direk Claesen Pottbaker Bride Groome of the one Side an An Metty Elbert Bride to be of the Other Side Assisted by Bay Crousfeld an Cornelis Vanderburgh her Chosen offerseers Making Ae painted to them Confirmed with them Selfe with god Almightys Permission to mary Each other doe alsoe deelare by this to b - agr-d that the Same ( Vizt) Writing> Should be confirmed upon this after fol- lowing Conditions an Autentick made b-for -- Marriage (Vizt) that boad Parties Collaterall to Subsede of their marriage Intended Shall bringe in All such goods moveable and Imnovo- able Non- Excepted of which the Almighty god has blessed them With all Whereof dureing the said marriage that there be any getting of Love in the Estate that they bringe together Shall the Proofts or Losse b- boren Equally betwist boad parties Inheritance and dead Charges also shall b- Accounted Under the Expences this is betwixt boad Parties aforesaid Alsoe stipu-
274
Gleanings from the Surrogate's Office.
lated an Agreed that by the decease of the one or the other that the whole Estate Shall be Devided into two Equall Partes and in Six weeks afther the Decease of the one or the other (of the Partyes) all debts belonging to the said Estate the Longest Surviver with the heires of the first deceased shall Part and Devide the whole Estate into two Eqnall Partes and Take Pos- session of the same an doe Wishe the Same According & their owne Pleasure and Consent and afther Following the one an the other shall be free an Discharged for any Further Alima --- Maintainances of any of the aforesaid first Children all which aforesaid Articles or Points with all which is depending there- unto the aforesaid Parties with their Assistances doe Promisse by the Every one an Particular so much itt Concernes him to Sattisfy an that Each other shall have the full benefhitt of the said Effected under bound According to Law thereunto belong- ing in Wittnesse of this signed in New Yorke this 15th of March Anno 1678 Whas signed Direk Claesen with the mark of x Mettre Elbertsen John Raye John Elwelle Boele Roelofsen IIngh Barents the klyn (as wittness Bay Crousfeld and Cornelis Vanderburgh as Assistan Lower Stood with Knowledge of my Will. Bogardus Publick Notary.
Agrees with the Originall The which Testifies WMr. BOGARDUS Not. Publick
A DIVISION OF PROPERTY.
Apeared before me William Bogardus Publick Notary Resi- dent in New Yorke Admitted by the Right Honble Sir Edmund Andros Knight Leiftenant Governor Generall and Laftenant Admirall unther his Royall Highnesse James Duke of Yorke and Albany &e. and from New Yorke an dependencies of the Same and America and for the afther Following Witnesses
Dirick Clasen Polltebacher Deceased Wedner of Annetve Direkson of the one Party and John Ree as being married with Claesion the Doekter of his first wife of the aforesaid Dirck Claersen (viz) Wynte Rolots and Giving him Power Also for Jametye Married with Cornelis Diekman and Geertye Married with Barent Christians as also of John Evert- being a Son of
275
Gleanings from the Surrogate's Office.
his Second wife Annetye Dircks being assisted by Mr Bole Roless and Hugh Barents Clyne requested in this Same Alsoe an by this desire alsoe to speak for Gisberte a maid under age of the aforesaid Direk Clasen Procreated by the Aforesaid Annetye Clasen the which did declare to have agreed in frindly Love each with the other Concerning the agreement and for the Legacyes of the aforesaid Childrens their Mothers Estate in Manner as following (viz) that the aforesaid Weduer deceased shall keep and have Possession the whole Estate and goods movable & im- movabble with all Out Standing debts (to Pay out the Estate and to receive Such debts due to the Said Estate as they at Present do apeare and that after his decease the three first Children Pro- created by the aforesaid Winty Rolofs for all Deviding of the Estate that the aforesd first Children Shall have the have of the whole Estate. the which Estate shall be in Comune with his Present wife. Metty Elberts : that the aforesaid Children shall have three hundred Gilders, Wampum Vallue, and then the Re- mainder which shall be Left of the Said Estate, and the Remainder over an above the hallve of the said Estate, that it shall be Equally with the Children of Second wife Annerven Direks (vist), John baer her Son. an Gisberta or Geetee, by her Proereated, that they shall Share Equally together and by decease of any of them their next heires. For this shall Jolm an Gersee aforesaid have Each the Right halfe of a Certaine Corner called Pott Baker Corner, with all which is Depending upon it, And to the same being Situated, near the outwattering of the fresh water in the East River, and next unto Henry Breasier. an then alsoe with the aforesaid first three Children to devide Equally the over Plus of the aforesaid Estate. head for head. and Inherit the same. and Jolm shall have halfe of the said hook or Corner. Six months after the date hereof Shall be Transported unto him in full and free Possession, for to doe an Act with the Same as with all other his proper goods and A- for Geesie not before she Shall be at age or that she. with the Consent of her father. might be married. to which time She must be maintained in her fathers house accordingly
And Jolm is bound in consideracon of what is above to Server his father in Law from this date Six Months as he hath don be-
276
Chronology of New York.
fore for Such Maintaineing as he hath untill this date. and that time being expired to be Releast an free of any Further Servi- tude, an may goe where he Pleased, being the above said Partys on boad sides well Contented an in full Sattisfaction of this above said Writing. doe Each Party themselfs Generally and Particular his Person and goods moveable an Inmoveable, at the Present or to Come, Submitting the same to the Judicature of all Judges and Lawes. in wittnesse hereof is this signed in New York the 15th of March 1678 Wittnesse
BAY CROESFELD - CORNELIS VANDERBURGHI
was signed
DIRCK CLASEN JOHN REAY
JOHN EWRSLE .
BOLTE ROELEFSEN
HUGH BARENTS De Klyn Subscribed underneath as Witnesses and Signed
WILLIAM BOGARDUS Publick Notar
Agreed with the Origenall the which does Wittenesse WILLIAM BOGARDUS Not. Pubb
CHRONOLOGY OF NEW YORK.
Hudson river, and Manhattan or New York island, were dis- covered by Henry Hudson. an intrepid English navigator. Sep- tember 3d. 1609. He had previously explored the North Sea, in the fruitless attempt to di-cover a northwest passage. and Hud- son's Bay received its name from him. Although Sebastian Cabot had previously discovered the coast. he knew nothing of Hudson river. Henry Hudson set sail from the Texel in a vessel called the Half Moon. navigated by a crew of twenty men. English and Dutch : and. after doubling the cape of Norway. proceeded toward Nova Zembla, until. being impeded by ice, he determined to pro- ceed south toward Virginia, in doing which he discovered and explored the harbor of New York, and the river which bears his name. which he penetrated with his ship as far as he thought
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.