USA > New York > New York City > Old New York : a journal relating to the history and antiquities of New York City, Vol. I > Part 36
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Thongh Mr. Vesey, by reason of his environments, was and con- tinnes to be an interesting figure in the history of that far off time in which he became first Rector of Trinity church, it is very strange that his early life and ancestry are involved in obscurity. That he was born in Braintree, Massachusetts, distant about nine miles from Boston. about 1671 : that his parents and he had prob- ably been communicants in the Anglican church : that he was graduated from Harvard College in 1693; that his grandfather's Christian name was William. his father's name being un- known, and that the latter was a Jacobite, or partisan of the Stuarts, is the sum of our authentic knowledge of Mr. Vesey before he came from his native colony and settled on Long Island. Mr. Vesey was doubtless a scholarly and respectable man. but he apparently was not a strong one, as he failed to make mich impression on the thought of the time, though his pastorate extended through the long term of more than forty-eight years. His death happened July 11tb. 1746. J. M. F.
CERTIFICATE OF HIS PROMOTION TO THE DIACONATE.
The following Papers were recorded at the request of Mr. William Vesey. Rector of Trinity Church in New Yorke.
Tenore præsentinn nos Henriens permissione Divina Londi- nen-is Episcopus notum facimus Universis quod die seemdo Mensis angusti Amo Dom. Millessimo Sexcentessimo nonagesimno septimo in Capella nostra intra pallatium nostrum de Fulham Middlesexin nos præfatus Henricus Loudinensis Episcopus ante- dietus sacros ordines Dei omnipotentis presidio celebrantes : Dilectum Nobis in Christo Gulichnum Verey A. M. ex Universi- tate Oxon de vita sua Laudabili ac morum & virtum snarin donis Nobis multipliciter Comendatum ac in Bonarum Literarum studio
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The Induction of William Vesey.
& Scientia Ernditum & per nos & alios quo ad omnia in ea parte requisita examinatum & approbatum in Sacrum Diaconatus ordi- nem juxta morem & ritum Eclesia Anglicana in hac parte salu- briter editos & provisos admisimus & promovimus Ipsumque in Diaeonum Rite & Canonice tune & ibidem ordinavimus In cujus rei testimonium Sigillum Nostrum Episcople presentibus apponi . fecinm -. Datis die & anno prædietis Nostraque translationis anno vicesimo secundo. H. LONDON.
TRANSLATION.
By tenor of these presents. We, Henry. Bishop of London by Divine permission, make known to all that on the second day of the month of August in the year of our Lord one thousand. six hundred and ninety-seven. in our chapel within our palace at Fulham. Middlesex. we, the aforesaid Hemy, Bishop of London. conferring holy orders with the sanction of Almighty God. admitted and promoted our beloved in Christ. William Vesey. A. M .. of the University of Oxford (very highly recommended for hi- laudable life, his gifts of sound morals and virtues. well versed in the study and knowledge of the best literature-having been examined and approved by ourselves and others in every- thing required in this respect to the holy order of deaconship. according to the wisely provided in this sense and known usage and rite of the Church of England. We ritually and canonically ordained him deacon then and there.
In testimony of which we have caused our episcopal seal to be affixed to these presents. Given on the day and year aforesaid. the twenty-second year of our translation. II. LONDON.
CERTIFICATE OF HIS ORDINATION AS PRIEST.
Tenore presentini Nos Henricus permissione Divina Londin- ensis Episcopus notuin facimus universis quod die Secundo men- sis Augusti Anno Domi. Millesimo Sexeentessimo nonage-imo septimo in Capella nostra intra pallatium nostrum de Fulham Middlesexiae nos pradatus Henricus Londinensis Episcopus ante- dictos sacros ordine dei omnipotentis presidio Celebrantes: dilec- tum nobis in Christo Gulielinum Vesey A. M. ex universitate oxon de vita Sua Laudabile ac morum & virtutum Suarum donis nobis multiplieiter Comendatur ac in bonarum literarem Studio &
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The Induction of William Vesey.
scientia eruditum & per nos & alios quo ad omnia ea parte requis- ita examinatum & approbatum in Sacrum Presbyteratus Ordinem juxta morem & ritum Ecclesia Anglicans in hac parte Salubriter editos & provisos admissimus & promovimus Ipsumque in pres- byterum rite & canonice tune & ibidem ordinarimus In cujus Rei Testimonium Sigillum Nostrum Episcopale præsentibus ap- poni facimus Datis Die & anno praedictis nostræque Translationis anno Vicesimo secondo.
II. LONDON.
TRANSLATION.
By tenor of these presents, We, Henry, Bishop of London by Divine permission. make known to all that on the second day of the month of August in the year of our Lord one thousand, six lumdred and ninety-seven, in our chapel within our palace at Ful- ham. Middlesex, we, the aforesaid Henry, Bishop of London, conferring holy orders with the sanction of Ahnighty God. ad- mitted and promoted our beloved in Christ, William Vesey. A. M .. of the university of Oxford (very highly recommended for his laudable life. his gifts of sound morals and virtues, well versed in the study and knowledge of the best literature -- having been examined and approved by ourselves and others in every- thing required in this respect., to the holy order of priesthood. according to the wisely provided in this sense and known usage and rite of the Church of England. We ritually and canonically ordained him priest then and there.
In testimony of which we have caused our episcopal seal to be affixed to these presents. Given on the day and year aforesaid. the twenty-second year of our translation.
II. LONDON.
HIS CANONICAL APPOINTMENT TO TRINITY CHURCH.
Henricus permissione Divina Londonensi- Episcopus Dilecto Nobis in Christo Gulielmo Vesey clerico Salutam & Gratiam al peragendum Officium parochi in Eclesia de New Yorke cin parti- bus occidentalibusi in presibus communibus aliisque ministeriis Ecclesiasticis ad officimm parochi pertinentibus juxta formam de- scriptam in Libro publicarum precum anthoritate parliamenti hjus Inclyti Regni Angli in ea parte edit & provis & Canones
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The Induction of William Vesey.
& Constitutiones in ea parte Legitime Stabilitas & publicatas & non aliter neqne alio modo tibi de enjas fidelitate, morum Integ- ritate, Literarem Scientia, Sana Doctrina & diligentia plurimmmm confidimus (prestito primitns per te juramento tam de agnosendo regiam Supremam Majestatem juxta vim, formam, & effectum Statuti parliamenti dieti regni Anglia in ca parte edit & provis quam de canonica obedientia Nobis & Successoribns nostris iu omnibus licitis & honestis per te prestanda & Exhibenda Sub- scriptisque per te Tribas illis Artienlis mentionalis in Tricessimo Sexto Capitulo libri Constitutionem Sive canonem Ecclesiasti- corum Anno Domini 1604 regia Authoritate Editorum & promul- gatorum) Licentiam & facultatem Nostram Consedimus & Inper- timur per presentes ad Nostram bene placitnm Duntaxit duraturas In cujus rei Testimonium Sigillum Nostram quo in Similibus pler- umque utimur presentibus apponi fecimns Dat Secundo die An- gusti 1697.
H. LONDON.
TRANSLATION.
Henry. Bishop of London by Divine permision. to onr beloved in Christ William Vesey, clergyman. health and grace. By these presents, which shall continue only according to our good pleasure, we grant and impart our license and authority to you (in whose fidelity, correctuess of morals, scholarly accom- plishments, sounduess of doctrine and zeal we have the utmost confidence) to discharge the duties of pastor of the church of New York (in the west). in connnon prayers and the other ecclesiastical ministrations pertaining to the office of pastor according to the form prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer, published and provided for this purpose by the anthority of the parliament of this renowned Kingdom of England and according to the canons and ordinances lawfully established and set forth in this regard. and not otherwise nor in any other maner-an oath having, first of all. been taken by you recog- mizing as well the royal supremacy according to the force. form and effect of the act of Parliament of the said Kingdom of England in this connection passed and provided. as also recog- nizing the obedience to be given and shown by you to us and our
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The Induction of William Vesey.
successors in all things good and lawful ; and on your subscrib- ing, besides, to the three articles mentioned in the thirty-sixth chapter of the book of Constitutions or Ecclesiastical Canons published and promulgated by royal authority in the year of our Lord 1604.
In testimony of which we have caused our seal that we generally nse on similar occasions to be affixed to these presents. Given on the second day of August, 1697.
H. LONDON.
MANDATE FOR MR. VESEY'S INDUCTION.
Benjamin . Fletcher, Captain General and Governor of the Province of New York in America and vice-admiral of the same.
To all and singular. the rectors, vicars, chaplains, curates. clergymen and ministers whatsoever in and throughout the whole province aforesaid, wherever established, and also to Thomas Wenham and Robert Lurting. the present wardens of Trinity Church in New York, greeting :
Whereas. I commit to you jointly and severally our beloved in Christ, William Vesey, clergyman. presented to the rectory or parochial church of the Trinity at New York in the province afore-aid, now vacant. to be instituted rector of the same; and firmly enjoining. I command you to collate and induet. or cause to be inducted the said William Vesey or his lawful proctor in his name and for himself. into the real, actual and corporal possession of said vestry or church, and of all its rights and ap- purtenances, and that you defend him so indneted ; and that (when duly required thereto) you certify to me or to some other competent judge what you have done in the premises, or who- ever of you being present shall have executed this my mandate. Given under the prerogative seal of said province the 25th day of December. Anno Domini 1697. BEN. FLETCHER. .
CERTIFICATE OF MR. VESEY'S INDUCTION.
By virtue of the above mandate, in presence of the Reverend Domine Henry Selyns, minister of the Dutch Church in the City of New York, and of the Reverend Domine Johannes Petrus Nacella, minister of God's Word, the undersigned, Thomas Wen-
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Gleunings from the Surrogate's Office.
ham and Robert Irting, wardens of Trinity Church aforesaid, have collated and inducted the aforesaid Reverend William Vesey, clergyman, into Trinity Church before named. after the usual manner and custom, and into all the rights and appurtenanees of the same, on the 25th day of December, 1697.
In testimony whereof we have signed these presents, the day and year above said.
. HENRY SELYNS. Minister of the Dutch Church, New York. JOHANNES PETRUS NUCELLA. Minister of Dutch Church, Kingston. THOMAS WENHAM, ROBERT LURTING. Church Wardens.
GLEANINGS FROM THE SURROGATE'S OFFICE. A GOLD RING WITH POESIE.
In the name of God Amen To all Christian People Greeting Know Yee that I Randolph Evans of the Citty of New Yorke Inholder being through Gods blessing of sound Memory & Understanding butt weak in body Doe make this my last Will & Testament in maner & forme following that is to say first bequeath my Soule unto the hands of Almighty God my heavenly father from whom I received itt by whom of his meer Grace I trust to be Saved & Received into his Eternal Rest through the merits of my Saviour & Redeemer Jesus Christ my body in hopes of a Joyfull Resurrection I Committ to the Earth to be buried in Such Descent Manner as becometh And Touching the Distribution of what temporall Estate it hath pleased God to En- dow me with in this world I dispose of the Same as followeth
Imprimis I Doe give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth the Child of Martha Evans my Second wife the Same of twenty pounds Currtt Money of this Province to bee paid unto her att her
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Gleanings from the Surrogate's Office.
coming to age or on the Day of her Mariage Out of the Mony which is to bee Gott for my house att Broockland When the Same is sold
And My Will is that the same Remaine in the hands of my now wife Margarett Evans Dureing the time of her the said Eliz- abeths Non Age And of my said Wifes making good use thereof no longer As Also I give unto my said Danghter A feather bed with Shetts blanketts Curtains And all the Appurtenances which belongeth to A bedd, With a Gold Ring which did belong to her said Mother the poesie Whereof is A vertuous Wife Pre- serveth Life and two Silver spoons And I doe hereby nominate & Appoint my beloved ffriends Richard Eliott & John Crook to bee Guardians to and Overseers of my said Daughter and her Legacy so left by me to her as Above, And my further Will is that she be maintained in all things Necessary out of My Other Moveables & Estate Dureing the time of her minority
Item My further Will And Pleasure is that all my other moveable & Estate bee Equally Divided Amongst My Wifes two Sonns William & John She Being Obliged to maintaine my Said Children Out of the said Estate
In Witness whereof I the said Randolph Evans have subscribed this my last will & Testamt with My owne hand And thereunto Putt my Scale the 12th day of March Anno Dom'o 1657 Amo Reg. R. Ja Seei Nunc Aug Si e tertio
RANDOLPH EVANS [Seal]
Signed, Sealed & Delivered & Declared & published by the above named Randolph Evans as his last Will & Testament In the presence of use A. D. Mill. George Walgrave Jame- Hutch- inson James Purdie
Entered in the Records of the Citty of N Yorke the 23rd Day of August 1657 by John Knight Ct
Will probated on " Tuesday the three & twentyth day of An- gust. 1657"
THE WILL OF ELIZABETH CLARKSON.
In The Name of God Amen I Elizabeth Clarkson of the City of New York, Widow being at present in a poor State of Health but of sound Mind Memory and Understanding (Thanks be to
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Gleanings from the Surrogate's Office.
God for the same) and considering the uncertainty of this Life and the certainty of Death do make My Last Will and Testament as follows First my Will is that all my Debts and Funeral charge> be paid by my Executors in some convenient time after my Death -- Secondly I give to my brother James DePeyster and to each of my Sisters and to the Hon. William Axtell Esquire and to my Brother in Law David Clarkson and to the Wife of James Van Cort- landt each a mourning Ring-Thirdly I give and bequeath all my Estate whatsoever and wheresoever both Real and personal unto my two Sons David Clarkson Junr and Mathew Clarkson and to their heirs and Assigns forever equally to be divided between them Share & Share alike as Tenants in common and not as joint Tenants and if Either of my said two Sons should die under Age and without Lawfull Issue then the part and share of him so dy- ing Shall go to the Survivor of my Said two Sons and to the heirs and assigns of such Survivor forever But if both my Said two Sons Should die under Age And without Lawfull Issue then and in such case I give devise and bequeath one Seventh part of my said Estate both Real and personal unto my brother James De Pey-ter and to his heirs and Assigns forever. One Seventh part thereof unto my Sister Catharine the Wife of John Livingston and to her heirs and assign- forever. One other Seventh part thereof unto my Sister Margaret the Wife of the lon urable William Axtell and to her heirs and Assigns forever.
One other Seventh part thereof unto my Sister Mary the Wife of John Charlton and to her heirs and Assigns forever. And one other Seventh part unto my Sister Eve De Peyster and to her bers and Assign- forever. And if any or Either of them Should die before me then the Part and Share of him her and them So doing Shall go to and be Equally divided among the Survivors of them and the heirs and Assigns of such Survivor- forever as Temints in Common and not as joint Tenant- And the remaining two Seventhe parts of my said Estate both real and Personal in case both my Said Sons should die under Age and without Lawfull Issue I give devise and bequeath unto my said two Sisters Margaret Axtell and Mary Charlton as a mark of my particular affection and to their heirs and Assigns forever equally
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Gleanings from the Surrogate's Office.
to be divided between them Share and Share alike as Tenants in Common and not as joint Tenants.
And in Case either of them Should die before me then the part and Share of Her So dying in the Said Last Mentioned two Seventh parts of my Estate Shall go to the Survivor of them the said Margaret Axtell and Mary Charlton and to the heirs and Assigns of such Survivor forever. And Lastly I do Nominate and Appoint my Said Son David and the Said William Axtell and Doctor John Charlton Executors of this my Last Will and Testament And I hereby Authorize and impower the Said Will- iam Axtell and John Charlton during the Minority of my Son David and all my said Executors and the Survivors and Survivor of them after his Arrival to full age to Sell all or any part or parts of my real Estate except my two Lots in Great George Street commonly called the Pasture and to give Good and Sutti- cient Deeds for the same and my Will is that my Said Son David have his Choice of the Said two Lots provided he make it within Six months after he arrives to the age of twenty-one Years And I hereby revoke all former and other Wills by me made and de- clare this and none other to be my Last Will and Testament.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this fourth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy five.
ELIZABETH CLARKSON [Seal]
Witnesses
ROBERT TOUT-Cordwainer
WILLIAM HARRISS
HESTHER HARRISS
Will admitted to probate July 31. 1775. Cary Ludlow. Surrogate. Approved by Gov. Tryon. at Fort George, and letters testamentary issued to her exeentors July 31. 1775.
A SON-IN-LAW OF DR. JOHN RODGERS.
1, John Hodsden late of Charles Town in South Carolina but Now of the City of New York Gentleman do this twenty-Sixth day of July in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Seventy-five make and publish this my Codieil to my last Will and Testament in manner following that is to say I give to
.
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Gleanings from the Surrogate's Office.
my Wife Mary three thousand pounds Sterling to be paid to her as soon as conveniently may be after my decease for her own use out of my personal Estate over and above her right of dower in my real Estate and it is my Desire that this present Codicil be annexed to and made part of my last Will and Testament to all Intents and purposes.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the Day and Year first above written.
JOHN HODSDEN . [L S]
Witnesses : SAMUEL JONES WILLIAM S SMITH BENJAMIN SEAMAN JUNR
A Codicil to be Added to and be a part of the last Will and Testament of John Hodsdon of the City of New York Merchant and as a Codicil to a former Codicil made by the said John Hodsden
Imprimis I give and bequeath unto my loving Wife Mary Hodsden and to her heirs for ever the house and Lott of Ground which I lately purchased from the Executors of the last Will and Testament of Lawrence Read, Sitnate on Wall Street adjoining to the houses and lots of Ground of Nathaniel Marston and others
Item I also give unto my said Wife My Negro Wench Flora and her two Children my Gold Watch and my two horses and Shase
Item I give unto my Father in Law Doctor John Rodgers." In Testimony of my regard for him the sum of two thousand pounds New York money
I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Rogers the Danghter of the said Jolm Rodgers the sun of one thousand pounds of like money which two last mentioned sums I Will and Order shall be paid unto them the said John and Elizabeth within a seasonable time after my decease
# The Rev. John Rodgers was a very eminent minister among the Presby- terians, and was then pastor of the Wall Street Church. He went there from St. George's in Delaware in 1265, and labored acceptably with them, except during the Revolution, when. like all other Whig pastors, he was obliged to seek a place of safety away from the city, until May 5th, 1811, when he died. being then eighty-four.
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The Olden Time.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the Eleventh day of February in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven Inmidred and Seventy six
his JOHN X HODSDEN [L S] mark
Witnesses THOS. SMITH JOHN COWDNEY JAS LESLEY 21 Feby 1776
CARY LUDLOW
THIE OLDEN TIME.
EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPERS FIFTY YEARS AGO.
Among the foreign societies of the city was the German one, of which William Wilmerding was secretary. This society usu- ally held its meetings at the Lutheran school house. The asso- ciation was composed of highly respectable Germans, adopted citizens of the American republic.
The laws of the city were very strict. especially those which related to the discharge of firearms ; and on a New Year's day they were rigidly enforced, by order of the Recorder and alder- men of the town. The fine imposed was twenty shillings for each offence. Even at this late day the Mayor is obliged to issue a mandate warning the over-patriotic and turkey-shooting popu- lace not to evade the ordinances of the city.
In 1789, John Jacob Astor kept a warehouse at No. 81 Queen street, next door but one to the Friends' meeting house. He then sold pianofortes, made by his brother, in London. and paid cash for furs; he likewise sold raccoon and muskrat skins. The success of this remarkable man is perhaps unparalleled in this or any other country. By indu-try and saving he has become the wealthiest man in America ; he is yet in the land of the living, and occasionally appears in his plain republican coach in Broad- way. supported by an attendant ; for the wrinkles and infirmities
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The Olden Time.
consequent upon old age are visible in his countenance. His real estate forms almost a dominion ; and the progress of New York, her people, and the means they possess, are perfectly familiar to him. The name of Astor is now closely connected with the com- mercial emporium of the new world.
At that period, £369 were paid out of the fund of the Marine Society to indigent and distressed widows and orphans, relieving thereby a host of poor but deserving females, who had been left destitute by their husbands, and were laboring against the toils and troubles which exist where families are composed of poor and helpless children. This amount was large, and goes to show that the people of old had always an eye to the wants of the widows and orphans of seamen, born in the island city.
The trade between New York and the West Indies was some- what extensive. The house of Ludlow and Gould frequently dis- patched schooners to St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. Bartholomew.
Property owners were accustomed to call their extensive houses and stores large red buildings, which phrase was universally adopted among the landlords and tenants of that time. We are now very often compelled to designate residences by calling them brown stone ones, or palaces, built after the manner of the upper exclusives, or amateur aristocraey of our city.
Theodosius Fowler and Co. were then wealthy merchants and Pearsall and Embree were Queen street watchmakers. Teunis Quick was in the crockery trade in Coenties ship. Ile had a colored man who was employed as a packer, and was famous for his whist- ling powers. It is said that this negro of olden time whistled from morning till night; he was possessed of a good disposition. and executed his work to the satisfaction of his employer. The boys of that period often threw pennies in his mouth, for which he favored them with many hearty langhs, whistled several times, and daneed to the best of his ability.
Quakers resided in the lower part of Front street : the Bleecker and Beach families once dwelt there. In Oak street and on Flattenbarrack hill the boys and girls mingled when engaged in their sleigh riding frolies and amusements. At the corner of Garden and Broad streets one MeCready kept a storehouse. and the mischievons urchins of his day used to pelt his castle with
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The Olden Time.
snow balls in the winter seasons, because the old man was in the habit of scolding them for being noisy and riotous. These self- same youths transformed the name of one Ten Brook into tin breeches, and hailed the gentleman above named with the orig- inal title they had conferred upon him. On the sites of the Astor House and American Museum were erected wooden build- ings, similar to those now in Chatham street, above Tammany Hall. Mr. Astor lived in one of these plain fabrics of olden time, and in the rear of his dwelling he erected a row of stables, the entrance to which was in Vesey street, opposite to St. Paul's Chapel. The walls of several old buildings are yet standing in various parts of the city : but they have been so painted, plastered, and likewise braced, as to defy recognition without a close inspection, and many inquiries being made respecting their actual age and his- tory. As for original Dutch buildings, at present we know of none, though we can point out many modern-looking dwellings whose facades are composed of foreign bricks.
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