USA > New York > New York County> Harlem > Revised History of Harlem (City of New York): Its Origin and Early Annals. : Prefaced by Home Scenes in the Fatherlands; Or Notices of Its Founders Before Emigration. Also, Sketches of Numerous Families, and the Recovered History of the Land-titles > Part 29
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The Mayor and Aldermen, by resolution, March 2d, con- curred in a change of the ferry from Harlem "to the wading place," and recommended that Verveelen be settled there for the remaining three years, provided he "deliver up annually an account of the income of said ferry." Hereupon the Governor, June 2d, granted Verveelen a warrant which after informing "all officers or other persons whom it may concern," of the purpose to remove the ferry from New Harlem to Spuyten Duyvel, "a nearer and more convenient passage to and from this Island and the Main," and that Johannes Verveelen was found "the fittest person to be employed therein that will undertake it, both in
:
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HISTORY OF HARLEM.
regard to the change he hath been already at, and his experience that way"; proceeds thus
"These are to authorize and empower him, the said Johannes Verveelen, to repair to the said place at Spuyten Duyvel, and to cause a fence to be made for keeping all manner of cattle from going or coming to or from the said passage without leave or paying therefor, and at his best conveniency to lay out a place upon that piece of land called Papparinamin on the Main side, near unto the said passage, for habitation and accommoda- tion of travelers, for the which he shall have a patent and articles of confirmation. And for so doing this shall be his warrant."
"Instructions for ye Ferryman at Spuyten Duyvel" were drawn up July 15th, and incorporated in the following curious lease :
Articles of Agreement Indented, consented unto and concluded upon, the 15th day of July, in the 21st year of his Majesty's reign, Annoqe Domini, 1669, Between the Rt Honble Francis Lovelace, Esqr, Governor Gen1 under His Royal Highness, James Duke of York and Al- bany, &c., of all his Territories in America, on the one part; and Johannes Verveelen, of New Harlem, on the Island Manhatans, Ferryman, on the other part, for and concerning the settling of a Ferry at the place com- monly called Spuyten Duyvel, between this Island Manhatans and the new village called Fordham, as followeth, viz., that is to say :
Imprimis, It is agreed, concluded upon and mutually consented unto, by and between the parties to these present, That the said Johannes Verveelen as Ferryman shall erect and provide a good and sufficient dwelling-house upon the Island or Neck of Land known by the name of Papparinamin, where he shall be furnished with three or four good beds for the entertainment of strangers, as also with provisions at all seasons, for them, their horses and cattle, together with stabling and stalling.
That the Ferryman have a sufficient and able boat for the transporta- tion of passengers, horses and cattle, upon all occasions.
That the said Ferryman cause the Pass upon the said Island near unto Spuyten Duyvil, to be sufficiently fenced in, with a gate to be kept locked, that no person may pass in or out without his permission.
That the Ferryman do bear one-third part of the charge of making the bridge over the meadow ground to the Town of Fordham, who are to be at the remainder of the charge themselves.
That the said Ferryman do give his due attendance at the said Ferry, either himself in person, or by one sufficiently deputed by him, so that nobody be interrupted in their passage to and fro, about their occasions, at seasonable hours. Except in case of emergency, where the public af- fairs are concerned, when the said Ferryman is to be ready at all seasons that he shall be called upon.
And in case of neglect of the Ferryman's duty, upon complaint of the party wronged to the Court of Mayor and Aldermen of this City, the said Ferryman shall incur such a Penalty as the Court shall adjudge, according to the merits of the case.
In consideration of what is herein required to be done and performed by the said Johannes Verveelen as Ferryman, he, the said Johannes Ver- veelen, shall, for the well execution of his office, have and receive as fol- loweth, viz ..
That the whole Island or Neck of Land called Papparinamin, whether
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HISTORY OF HARLEM.
encompassed with water or meadow ground, shall be allotted to the said Ferryman, together with the piece of meadow ground adjoining to it, lately laid out by Jacques Cortilyou, Surveyor, towards the accommodation of strangers, and the defraying of his charges.
That the said Island or Neck of Land and meadow ground, together with the housing, or whatever else he shall erect or build thereupon, together with the Ferry, and the benefits, privileges and profits there- unto belonging, shall be and remain to the proper use and behoof of the said Johannes Verveelen and his assigns, for and during the term and space of eleven years, to commence from and after the Ist day of Novem- ber, 166g.
That for the first year, he, the said Johannes ,Verveelen, be Constable of the new Town of Fordham, which said Town or Village is to have its dependence upon the Mayor's Court of this City, in like manner as the Town of New Harlem hath; They having liberty to try all small causes under five pounds amongst themselves, as is allowed in other Town Courts.
That after the expiration of the said term and time of eleven years, he, the said Johannes Verveelen, if he so long shall live, and desire the same, shall have the first proffer to continue Ferryman; or in case of his decease, his nearest relation or assign shall have preference before an- other, in being admitted to take the said Ferry to farm. But if it shall happen that another person shall be invested in the employment, the person so invested shall pay unto him the said Johannes Verveelen or his assigns, and make such satisfaction for his buildings, boats and other accommodations remaining thereupon, as shall be adjudged by two in- different persons to be chosen between both parties.
That at the expiration of the term of eleven years, the said Johannes Verveelen or his assignee who shall exercise the employment of Ferry- man, shall be obliged to have the house tenantable, with a sufficient boat, and the fences and gates kept in repair, as they ought to be con- tinued all the time, so that no discouragement be given to passengers, nor the Ferry through any neglect be discontinued.
That the Ferryman shall take and receive of all passengers, whether alone or whether on horseback, drift of horses or cattle, for lodging, diet, feeding, passage, or ferrying, according to the rates in a Table to that end directed and set forth .*
* Ye Ferryman His Rates.
For Lodging any person, 8 pence per night, in case they have a bed with sheets, and without sheets, 2 Pence in silver.
For transportation of any person, I Penny silver.
For transportation of a man and horse, 7 Pence in silver. For a single horse, 6 Pence. For a turn with his boat, for 2 horses, 10 Pence, and for any more, 4 Pence apiece ; and if they be driven over, half as much.
For single cattle, as much as a horse.
For a boat loading of cattle, as he hath for horses.
For droves of cattle to be driven over, and opening ye gates, 2 Pence p. piece.
For feeding cattle, 3 Pence in silver.
For feeding a horse one day or night with hay or grasse, 6 Pence.
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HISTORY OF HARLEM.
Provided always that all persons employed by special warrant from the Governor, or any Magistrate upon the public account, shall be ex- empted from paying either ferriage or passage for themselves or horses, as also such person or persons as shall at any time be summoned to appear at Arms, upon any emergency or extraordinary occasion, who are likewise to be free.
Moreover if the Governor shall at any time within the term aforesaid think it convenient that a Fair shall be kept either in the City or any other part of the Island, It is also agreed upon, that all droves of cattle and horses passing over the said Ferry shall be free from payment, either in going thither or returning back, which privilege shall continue dur- ing the time of keeping the Fair, as also a day before and a day after its expiration.
And lastly, the said Johannes Verveelen, or whosoever on his behalf shall keep the Ferry aforesaid, shall pay yearly and every year as a Quit Rent to His Royal Highness, the sum of Ten Shillings.
In Testimony hereof the Parties to these present Articles Indented have interchangeably put to their hands and Seals the day and year first above written.
FRANCIS LOVELACE, JOHANNES VERVEELEN.
Verveelen was soon settled at Papparinamin, where, as ferrymaster, he kept the key of Manhattan Island. Being con- stable of Fordham, here he held court after William Betts, sen .. and Kier Wolters, had been appointed by the governor, December 24th, 1669, as "Overseers and Assistants." The next year he superintended the "making a bridge over the marsh between Pap- parinamin and Fordham." He was the ferryman here for many years, under renewals of his lease, and by the favor of succes- sive governors; but he and Archer were ever at swords' points on the subject of Papparinamin, the latter claiming it to the day of his death as successor to Vander Donck, and "by virtue of his purchase and patent."
Other events of 1669 remain to be noticed .* The mill-dam, "lately impaired by a breach of water," needed prompt atten- tion, but as Capt. Delavall was then abroad, Governor Lovelace
. Jan Laurens Duyts, who left the town this year, was the son of Laurens Duyts, nicknamed great shoe, a Dane, born in Holstein, in 1610. (See pp. 135, 183). The father was banished by Stuyvesant-an easy thing for him to do, and seldom wisely done, but Duyts' case would seem to have been an exception. He died at Bergen, January 14. 1668, leaving two sons, Jan and Hans. Kuyter stood as godfather for both at their baptism. Hans was born in 1644, and lived at Harlem in 1667. His daughter, Catherine, born 1674, married, 1688, Joost Paulding, from Cassant, Hol- land, who went to Westchester, and was the ancestor of John Paulding, one of Andre's captors; also of Gen. William Paulding, formerly mayor of New York.
Jan Duyts bore a good name at Harlem, and did not deserve the taunt uttered one day by Jeanne de Ruine, in presence of Monis Petersen. You schelm, loop by you vaar Deen. "You villain, run to your father Dane." Monis testified that Jan said nothing to provoke it. He was then twenty years old, and the same year. Novem- ber 22, 1662, bought of Lubbert Gerritsen the house and bouwery formerly of Mat- thys Boon, engaging to pay for it 300 guilders. He sold out the next year, and Re- solved Waldron soon after got this property. In 1667 Duyts was working for Ger- ritsen aforesaid, and married that year; but on January 8, 1669, he leased a farm at Dutch Kills from John Parcell, and lived there, when he married a second time, in 1673. His wives were Jannetie Jeurians, from Bois le Duc, and Neeltie Ahriaens, from Breda: the last married, 1679, Hendrick Van Dyck, of New Utrecht. Duyts left some property to his two children, Laurens and Annetie.
257
HISTORY OF HARLEM.
was informed of the accident, June 8th, and ordered John Askew and Peter Van Nest, of Flatlands, to go to Harlem, forthwith, with their workmen, and "use the best skill and endeavor in repairing the dam," and "what else is requisite about the mill." Capt. Delavall returned toward the close of the year, to his estates and his honors, and in full favor with the Duke of York; having been acquitted of certain charges on account of which he had gone to England.
Tourneur's negro now absconded; inevitable contingency of a state of bondage,-African slavery even then existing in all the colonies. So to Westchester went the following warrant, directing the constable to pursue the runaway with "hue and cry."
Whereas, there is lately a Negro Servant run away from his Master's service, and supposed to be gone your way toward New England. These are to require all persons within this government and to desire all others, if the said Negro can be found within your liberties or precincts, that you forthwith seize upon and secure him, and cause him to be safely conveyed to this place, or to his Master, Daniel Tourneur, at Harlem, upon this Island. The Negro is big and tall, about 25 or 26 years old, and went away from his Master four or five days since. Given under my hand at Fort James, in New York, this 28th day of June, 1669.
FRANCIS LOVELACE.
The Indians still laid claim to portions of the Harlem lands,- perhaps reserved rights,-one of the tracts being their old and favorite haunt. Rechewanis, or Montagne's Point. The chief claimant was Rechewack. the old sachem and proprietor of Wickquaskeek, who, as far back as 1639, had been a party to the sale of Ranachqua and Kaxkeek. Though he and his tribe had lately been "beaten off by the Maquas," or Mohawks, who were at war with them, and forced to retreat over the Hudson to the deep cloves and forests of Tappan, their enemies, as they affirmed, made war only on their persons and goods, but not on their lands, so that their title still held. Montagne proceeded to satisfy the old Wickquaskeek and his chiefs, and thereby to secure the Indian title,-in those times a desideratum. Obtaining a release of the Point, he has left us the following record of it:
Ay 20 Augusty oude steyl hebben de onderges : Willden myn Jan La Montagne verkocht de punt genaampt Rechewanis, bepaalt tussen twee killen en bergen, en achter een fonteyn die aen Montangen Vlachte scheyt; met de Valeyen van de bochte van't Hellegat tot Konaande Kongh.
Rechkewackan Achwaaroewes Sacharoch
Verkoopers van de Punt. { Pasachkeeginc | Niepenohau Kouhamweu Kottareu
Tappan.
.
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HISTORY OF HARLEM.
[Translation.]
On this date, 20th August, old style, the underwritten Indians have sold to me, Jan La Montagne, the Point named Rechwanis, bounded be- tween two creeks, and hills, and behind, a stream* which runs to Mon- tagne's Flat; with the meadows from the bend of the Hellegat to Ko- naande Kongh.
Sellers of the Point. names as above. Tappan.
Upon the heel of this came another claim. On April 9th, 1670, when certain chiefs met Governor Lovelace to make sale of Staten Island, "some of the Indians present laid claim to the land by Harlem." But this was answered by producing the Indian deed of 1626, for the whole island, and they were told, "the record shows it was bought and paid for forty-four years ago." But in nowise satisfied, the sachems still held to their pre- tensions, which later were more successful. The deed to Mon- tagne is especially interesting, as tending to show the identity of the Wickquaskeeks with the Manhattans, so called, a name meaning simply the Islanders.
A notable transaction was Nicholas De Meyer's sale, Sep- tember 25th, 1669, of the two farms embraced in his patent, to the brothers Cornelis and Laurens Jansen; the first of whom was the ancestor of the Kortright family, or that branch after- ward known for its large landed possessions, of which this pur- chase formed the nucleust The town now proceeded to inclose a portion of the commons lying about "the hills" (Mount Morris, etc.) as a calf pasture, probably on being interdicted the further use of Little Barent's Island for that purpose by Capt. Delavall, whose proposition respecting the Island they had declined. The following regulations were passed November 25th, 1669:
Ordinance made concerning the Common Calf Pasture lying north of the village.
It is first ordered that no one of the inhabitants shall be allowed to pasture therein any beasts except calves, upon the forfeit of three guild-
* The Dutch word fonteyn, though usually rendered spring, here means as well the brook issuing from a spring, I believe that spoken of on page 182. This brook or run became a recognized boundary, and is several times referred to in connection with this and the adjoining property, and always, in the original, called the fonteyn.
t Jan Bastiaensen, the father of Cornelis and Laurens Jansen, came to this country, as we have seen, in 1663, from the County of Leerdam, or the Prince's Land, in South Holland, accompanied by his brother, Michael Bastiaensen, who afterward lived in Harlem, and whose family will be noticed elsewhere. Jan may have been the "Kortryck" who owned a bouwery on Staten Island, in 1674. (N. Y. Col. Mss., xxiii. 403). He seems to have spent part of his time at Harlem, but is last men- tioned here January 8, 1677, when he is witness to a power of attorney, given by his old Schoonrewoerd friend, with whom he came out, Jan Louwe Bogert, to Hendrick Jansen Baker, to collect money due Bogert on Brooklyn property sold to Thos. Lam- berts, etc. His children were Cornelis, born 1645, and noticed on a future page; Hendrick, born 1648; Laurens, born 1651, also noticed hereafter, and Belitie, born 1659, who was, as were the others, "uit Holland," and who married, in 1678, Jacob Jansen Decker, of Esopus, whither her brother, Hendrick, had gone to live.
259
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HISTORY OF HARLEM.
ers for each beast, and for a flock of sheep three guilders. Moreover, every one leaving the gate open shall forfeit three guilders; also for every beast found in said pasture shall three guilders be forfeited; provided that the owner of the beast or beasts may seek his remedy upon those who shall have opened, or left open, the gate or fence. It is also ordered that each one shall duly make his part of the bridges in both meadows within the common calf pasture between this and the last of March next ensuing, upon penalty of five and twenty guilders.
Hendrick Jansen Van Beest, as he at first styled himself, but later in life, from his father's birthplace, called Hendrick Jansen Van Kortright, bought land near Stuyvesant's Bouwery, February 12, 1669, but did not long hold it. He and his brother, Laurens, going to Esopus, both married there; Hendrick, on December 14, 1672, to Catherine Hansen, "born in New York," and Laurens on or about the same date to Mary, daughter of Albert Heymans Roosa. Probably Hendrick's wife was the daughter of Hans Weber, "master at arms," who died in 1649, and whose widow marritd Matthys Capito, removed to Esopus, and was killed by the Indians in 1663. Hendrick's first child being "born at Harlem," in 1674, we presume he was then living here; but, as before said, he settled in Ulster County, buying land at Mom- backus. town of Rochester, where he raised a large family, who bore the name of Kortright, or Cortright, and whose descendants have become numerous and widely scattered. Hendrick lost his wife in 1740, and he died in 1741, aged 93. His children, so far as shown, were John, born 1674, who married Maria, daughter of Wm. Van Vredenburgh, of New York; Hendrick, born 1677, who married, 1700, Mary De Witt, and, in 1704, Catherine Crom, widow of Arie Van Etten; Cornelius, born 1680, who married, 1701, Christina Rosecrans; Geertie, born 1682; Arie, born 1684; Antie, born 1686, married Jacob Decker; Lawrence, born 1688, who married, 1715, Sarah Ten Eyck; Jacob, born 1692; Peter, born 1696, married Marritie Van Garden, and Catherine, born 1699. John, Cornelius, Lawrence and Peter Kortright subscribed, 1717, for the minister at Rochester, and were leading men there. Peter died in 1744. Cornelius removed to Marbletown. John and Maria had issue, Hendrick, Wil- liam, Adrian, etc., two at least of these straying down into Orange County, where William had a family, and, in 1740, was justice of the peace. His brother, Hendrick, born 1704, married, 1730, Grietie Van Bunschoten, left Rochester and settled in Minisink. Being very sick, he made his will, December 3, 1753, providing for his widow, but naming no children, and giving his homestead and Great and Little Mini- sink Islands to his "cousin" (nephew), Hendrick W. Cortwright, son of William, de- ceased. His will was proved June 26, 1760. This Hendrick, 'tis said, has many de- scendants within the old town of Minisink. Friendly intercourse was kept up for many years between the Kortrights of Harlem and those of Ulster County.
Jaques Cresson, who in a ten years' residence had proved himself a worthy inhabitant, made his will before the secretary, October Ist, preceding, his wife joining with him, and Tourneur and Waldron being witnesses. The survivor was to use the property, and "bring up the children reputably, and in the fear of the Lord." Soon after this, Cresson was made constable, but subsequently resolving to remove in the spring to New York, where his brothers-in-law, Nicholas De La Plaine and Nicholas Du Puis (Depew) were living, he sold his house, bouwery, etc., December 4th, 1669, to Meynard Journee, of Bradford, Brook- lyn, for 1600 gl., sewant. Du Puis, whose wife was Mrs. Cres- son's sister, was present, with David Demarest.
The day following Montagne was sent for to the house and sick-bed of Jean Le Roy, who wished to make his will; Oblinus, Isaac Vermilye, and Constable Roelofsen being desired to wit- ness it. He had been bereft of his wife, Louise De Lancaster, and his only child, Stephen, baptized at Brooklyn, on April 3d, 1661. Bestowing 50 gl. upon the poor, he named Daniel Tour-
Lot Nº 1 Jochem Pieters' Flat
Dan 12.5 0
Tourneur's land
New Harlem Village Plot, 1670.
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Compiled by J.R. from the Dutch Grants isc.
Church Farm
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Harlem River
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Sie expla tions on next page.
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HISTORY OF HARLEM.
neur, senior, as his sole heir and testamenteur. But Le Roy recovered, to marry again, and to see his kinsman, Tourneur, buried. Jean was probably related to Marc Le Roy, who stood as godfather for young Daniel Tourneur, at his baptism at Leyden .*
* Peter Roelofsen was from Utrecht, as was his first wife, Willemtie Jans, married in this country in 1653. He, with others, started the town of New Utrecht, in 1657, put up a house, etc., but after three years sold out, and moved to Flanders. In 1664 he married a second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Jan Pater, she having been born in Brazil. Pieter served two terms as constable at Harlem; tilled one of Archer's farms, and, in 1671, some of Delavall's land. In 1672 he went to Mespat Kills, and there bought a farm. He and wife sustained a good name here, as certified by the magis- trates after his death, which happened in 1679. They made their will in New York, March 20, 1673, Jochem Beeckman and Dirck Jansen, burghers, being present. A funny incident is related of the widow and Dr. John Greenleaf, of Newtown. The latter, by way of a joke, offered to waive his bill for services, for a kiss. The widow took him up, the kiss was duly given, and they shook hands over it. Afterward the doctor was so ungallant as to sue for payment. But the magistrate, holding the settlement binding, found for the amiable defendant. She subsequently married Peter Buckhout. (See p. 204). Roelfsen had issue by his first wife, Roelof and Maria, and by his second, Johannes, Jacobus, Hendrickje, Abraham and Susannah. The sons retained the patronymic Peterson for a time, but finally adopted the name of Bass.
.
CHAPTER XVII.
1670-1672.
VILLAGE LIFE, HARLEM TWO CENTURIES AGO.
BUSY USY yeoman, drawn into such intimacy at home and in the field,-from the very proximity of their dwellings and narrow bouwlots, and their modes of tillage in common,-their was more than a monotonous round of dull rural life .* Hence the variety of transactions and incidents which crowd the years next ensuing, none remarkably signal or startling, but affording nevertheless a curious study touching the ways and customs pre- vailing among them. A new generation, has grown up, taxing the energies of provident sires to give them land, homes, and outfits. The seniors admonished by advancing years that they must pass away, full oft the parish clerk is called in to draw up a last will and testament. Yet following the pioneer work of organization, these are years of maturing and progress. Multi- plying interests naturally bring new duties and burdens to both town officers and the community, and to which they seldom prove unequal. It was to engross much of their united effort, wisdom, and vigilance to support the institutions and maintain the whole- some regulations they had introduced, as well as to guard and utilize the long stretch of territory comprehended in their patent. It greatly enhanced these responsibilities when Fordham was added to their jurisdicition.
The stock, allowed to run at large iu the woodlands, was very liable, especially if unmarked, to be embezzled by persons not over-scrupulous. The case of George Tippett, near Spuyten
· Plan of the village in 1670, on page 260. Explanations:
Plots a to v embrace the original erven or house lots, to which 5 erven, (w, x, y, aa, bb), and 3 half erven (z, cc. dd), had since been added. For some cause v was also rated as a half erf. On this stands the only remaining house of the old dorp or village proper, being that occupied by Mr. Cowperthwait. The old Ferry House, pulled down in 1867, stood on plot x.
A. Site of Reformed Church and Harlem Library.
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