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 38

Author: Riker, James, 1822-1889
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: New York, New Harlem Pub.
Number of Pages: 926

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 38

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** The Out-Gardens, "lying at the west side of the village" (see pp. 246, 256, 292), were also "laid out by numbers," February 5, 1677. On January 5, 1667, record was made that Tourneur had gotten No. 1 from Claessen in exchange for No. 11, and 3 from Delamater for 19, and 4 from De Meyer for 10, "called Jan Cogu's garden." Later he got 5, 6, from Delavall, who let Verveelen have 7, 8. Lubbert Gerritsen exchanged No. 16 for 11; but Demarest buying II, gave it back to the town, being allowed to "survey" 16 instead. The present owners were: Daniel Tourneur. Nos. I to 6; Johannes Verveelen, 7, 8; Cornelis Jansen, 9, 10; The Dorp, 11; Joost Van Oblinus, 12, 13, 14; Thomas Delavall, 15; David Demarest, 16, 17, 18; Glaude Delamater, 19, 20.

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HISTORY OF HARLEM.

did the plastering. Gerard Magister at the same time made three new "sitting benches, in the church."

But David Demarest, Jr., offended, maybe, because he had been dropped from the list of those recommended to have land given them, declared to Daniel Tourneur that he would not con- tribute toward the repairs upon the town-house. Tourneur bade him consider that in such case he could have no privilege in the town. Demarest angrily replied, "What have you to say, since you have been magistrate a day or two? Hold your peace; I will not give to it; you do your best." The town court took the matter up December 7th. Tourneur demanded that it should maintain its right and authority, in which view agreeing, it or- dered the defendant to pay 12 gl. to the deacons and the court charges.

The elder Demarest and Glaude Delamater, giving reasons which will appear, had for some time ceased to contribute to Vander Vin's support, the first being two years in arrears and the latter three. The matter was referred to the Mayor's Court, which, on November 7th, pasesd an order that "the Clerk of the Parish be continued in his place, and have his pay what is behind, and for the future as formerly."

The two refractory persons paying no heed to this order. were now waited upon, December 19th, by the constable, Re- solved Waldron, and Adolph Meyer, magistrate, to demand from them the payment of their dues. Demarest refused, but added, "If the Heer Governor order that I pay it, I shall do it." Said Delamater, "If you will have it, you must fetch it out of my house, for I will not give it." Again. after ten days, the same persons, taking another magistrate (Tourneur) with them, re- peated the demand. Demarest, still stout in his refusal, answered. "I will not pay before the Court of Sessions decide that I must." Delamater's answer now was, "I must first see the town accounts for six years : would you otherwise have it, you must take it out of my house." On February 5th the same officers, with another magistrate, Jan Louwe Bogert, went to Demarest's house, but he was not at home. They then called upon Delamater, but with no success. "I shall not pay." said Glaude, at this third interview : "you must take it out of my house, and then I will appeal to the High Council."

The baffled officers hesitated to distrain upon their goods for the debt: but after another month's delay again applied for power to do so to the Mayor's Court, which on March 6th, 1677, issued the following ample order :

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HISTORY OF HARLEM.

From the City of New York to the Town of Harlem.

The Court order, that Hendrick Jansen Vander ,Vin, the Clerk of the said Town, be continued in his place according to former order, and have his pay, what is behind and for the future as formerly by the In- habitants; and if they or any of them refuse to pay what is due from them for the time past, and for the time to come, then the Constable is hereby ordered to levy the same by distress and sale of the goods, for satisfaction of what is or shall hereafter become due to the said Clerk.

On April 3d citations were issued to Demarest and Dela- mater to appear before the town court on the 5th instant. Glaude appeared. The constable as plaintiff, demanded that the order of March 6th should be enforced. The defendant stated that they of the French congregation, in the time of Governor Francis Lovelace, having received a preacher, the aforesaid governor had said that "the French of the Town of New Harlem should be free as to contributing to the Dutch voorleser."* He demanded

. Rev. Pierre Daille is said to have been the first "pastor" of the French Church in New York. But according to the reference in the text, a "preacher" had preceded him by ten years of more, whose name, however, is unknown to us. The statement is of interest as showing that the refugees at New York and Harlem joined to introduce and sustain the French service as early as 1674. A better organization followed on the arrival of Mr. Daille, of whom Domine Selyns, in a letter of October 21, 1683, thus speaks: Dominie Peter Daille, late professor at Saumur, has become my co- laborer, and conducts the French worship. "He is full of fire, godliness, and learning. Banished on account of his religion, he maintains the cause of Jesus Christ with un. tiring zeal." With others of his family, Mr. Daille first took refuge in Holland; but must have been some months in this colony at the date of Selvns' letter, as he organ- ized a church at New Paltz, January 22, 1683. (Du Bois Reunion, p. 8; and compare Doc. Hist. of N. Y., iii. 472, 1167.) The date of the organization at New York may be nearly indicated by letters taken from the Dutch church in order to unite with the French, the earliest of these noticed being those of our Marc Disosway and wife, which are dated June 7, 1683. Mr. Daille extended his labors to neighboring French communities, and probably aided in organizing the church of Kinkachemeck, near Hack- ensack, of which the Demarests were chief promoters. He evidendtly revived that upon Staten Island, where the church established as early as 1664, by Demarest and others, had declined, till there was "neither church nor minister," as the French residents told the Labadist travellers in 1679. The Revocation of the Edict of Nantes added to his flock many French families, who came by way of London, South Carolina and St. Kitts. Though disapproving Leisler's course, Mr. Daille's sympathies were so stirred at his impending fate, that he circulated for signatures, at Harlem and elsewhere, a petition for his pardon, but for this hunfane act was called to account by the General Assembly. Rev. Pierre Peiret, before a minister in France, but expelled for the cause of religion, arriving, with other refugees, at New York from London, November 19, 1687, soon after formed a second church, and became its pastor. He was deemed very learned. In 1692 the two French churches united, agreeing to give an equal support to both pastors; Mr. Peiret to perform service in the city, and Mr. Daille in the country, as he had loved to do. The latter, in 1696, accepted a call to Boston, return- ing the next year to marry a second wife, and occassionally thereafter coming to New York, as in 1703, when he sold a house and lot in Broadway, and again three years be- fore his death, which was probably his last visit to his old flock. This devoted minister, long remembered by the Harlem French for his eloquence and excellence, closed his earthly labors May 21, 1715, in his 67th year. Mr. Peiret continued to serve the church in New York with general approbation, to the time of his death, September 1, 1704, having attained his 60th year. He was buried the next day "in the common cemetery of this city." The consistory and people agreed to pay his widow an extra year's salary. He was succeeded by Rev. James Laborie, late Indian missionary at Oxford, Mass. For some years the church had worshipped in a plain structure near the Fort; that is, on the south side of Marketfield street, also called Petticoat lane. which had become in a sense the French quarter. Only the year before Mr. Peiret's death they bought a lot in Pine street. and were engaged in building the unique stone church which stood till 1834, and witnessed the labors of Peiret's successors down to thelate Dr. Verren. Trinity churchyard contains Mr. Pieret's tombstone, with an in- scription in both Latin and French, the first, as follows, copied some years ago with difficulty, it being almost illegible:

Hic jacet Reverd, Dom. Petrus Perretrus, V. D. Mr. qui ex Gallia religionis causa expulsus, verbum Dei in hujus civitatis Ecclesia Gallicana per annis 17 cum generali appropatione prædicavit quique. Cum vitam prædicationibus suis conformem duxeri

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HISTORY OF HARLEM.

that this might be deemed sufficient, and that the court should carry out the order they had from the Mayor's Court so as they were advised to. But the court would not allow this plea, and directed execution for the amount of the debt and costs. Forth- with the magistrates (except Arent Hermensen, Delamater's son- in-law) proceeded in a body to the defendant's house to levy upon his goods. Finding nothing suitable at hand, the constable told him that on Wednesday evening (April 1Ith) he would take one of his cows out of his stable and sell her at public vendue, to satisfy the debt. Delamater replied scornfully, "You may as well take her now; why have you to wait so long?"

On April 11th the court ordered another citation to be served on Demarest, who had not appeared, and meanwhile to delay the execution against Delamater. Demarest, in no very amiable mood, appeared before the court on the 14th. The con- stable inquired why he had neglected to obey the order of the Mayor's Court after being so many times notified. Demarest said that he was not cited to answer before the Mayor's Court, and that the Heer Governor had told him that he was not bound to pay. He said further, that the Mayor's Court was wrongly informed of the case; adding that the constable, Jan Louwe, and Daniel Tourneur, were parties in this prosecution, and the secretary the instigator. Yet, as he intends to remove out of this town, he will pay, or cause it to be paid, but not if he should not leave. "You people," said he, meaning all the magistrates, "are my enemies, and seek but to drive me into costs." The court seems to have let this ebullition of feeling pass unnoticed. The contest was ended as to Demarest, who having promised, kept his word. Delamater, however, heldout, and the magistrates hesitating to use extreme measures, the case thus rested for several years.

Demarest was now engrossed with a scheme of some magni- tude,-the purchase from the Indians of a large tract of land on the Hackensack River, with the "declared purpose of making a settlement of 30 or 40 families, to be transported from Europe." He and his son, David, contracted with Paulus Richard, of New York, merchant, apparently on the same date, March 12th, 1677, to sell him their property in Harlem, but only the deed from David, Jr .. has been found, given April 12th, pursuant to the articles of sale previously executed. On June 8th ensuing. Demarest affected his Indian purchase of 2,000 acres, to which he prepared to remove with his entire family, including Jacque

usque, ad 6omum ætatis suz annum tandem in manus Domini spiritum humiliter deposuit 1 mens. Sept. Ann. Dom. 1704.

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HISTORY OF HARLEM.

el Roe, on the Ist of May, 1678, until which date the two Davids had reserved the use of their respective dwellings, the father then · occupying his "new house."*

The 19th of February, this year, was given to making pro- vision for the town debts and the discharge of other public busi- ness. Quoting from the record:

At a meeting held Monday, 19th February, 1676-7. Present: Their Honors, Resolved Waldron, constable; Jan Louwe van Schoonrewoerdt, Adolph Meyer, Arent Hermens, Daniel Tourneur; with the advice of Joost van Oblinus, old magistrate, and Jan Dyckman, late constable.

It is resolved and found good to reckon up the debts, for which the town is now in arrears, and must pay; and to make an assessment upon the lands and house-lots (erven) lying within this town, to discharge the said debts; and there is found to be due to-

Reynier Willems, balance f. 253 ..

Paulus Richard, balance. 21 : 15

Jan Louwe 5 0

Joost van Oblinus 26 : 0

Hendr. J. Vandr. Vin.

31 : 0

Glaude le Maistre, 2 schepels wheat.

12 : o

Resolved Waldron, 1/2 vat of beer.

15 :

Jan Dyckman, board money to Surveyor

Frederick Gysberts

57 : 10

Nicolaes Bayard

24 : 0

For extraordinary expenses

46 : 15

Total

f. 500 : 0

An assessment made on the lands and house-lots, to pay and discharge the foregoing 500 guilders; whereof one-third was put upon the house-

. Richard had an old claim of 1600 guliders against Demarest, senior, and the lats Tourneur. How it originated we know not, unless from what follows. Demarest having bought Montagne's farm, failed to meet the second payment (but had paid Jacob Vis, on Montagne's order, 180 guilders sewant); when Montagne sued him, Oct. 6, 1666, and citing the articles of sale, demanded back the farm. Demarest said his de- fault was caused by Allard Anthony having stopped the payment-that yesterday, Daniel Tourneur, acting for said Anthony's brother-in-law, had arrested 300 guilders for claims against Montagne. The court ordered the land to be given up, but on an appeal to the Mayor's Court, October 9, it reversed the decision, holding "that the sale of the land in question shall stand fast." But Demarest must pay his second in- stalment (less the 180 guilders) within fourteen days. The amount due could hardly have exceeded 800 guilders, but Richard (we only presume that this was the occasion) advanced Demarest and Tourneur together 1600, and the town officers became their surety. This appears from the following letter (suggesting that Tourneur's loan was for the town's use), indorsed by Richard, "Obligation to pay from Daniel Tourneur and David Demarest."

Ao. 16715 the 23d Feb., N. Harlem.

Honored friend Celitie Richard:

Whereas we have duly received yours of the 19th, so these serve for answer; As your husband has agreed, with Daniel Tourneur and David Demarest, that he will wait yet one year, by their paying interest upon the sixteen hundred guilders, so it is that we by these accept it, and shall take measures the next year for the payment, as this year we have some other burdens. Farewell.

D. Tourneur, David des Marest, Pieter Roelefsen, Constable, Resalvert Waldron.

This was cancelled March 12, 1677, upon the elder Demarest selling out to Richard, and the letter returned, with the following on the back:

"Acknowledged paid, etc., being from date for standing obligation. Done, New York, the 12th March, 167 6-7. Paulus Richard."

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HISTORY OF HARLEM.

lots and two-thirds on the lands, and upon each house-lot comes 8 guilders and on each morgen 2 guilders, to wit:

Glaude le Maistre*

2 erven.

15 morgen. f. 46

Laurens Jansen.

David des Marest, Jr

Jan Dyckman.

1/2

Johannes Verveelen

David des Marest.

Joost van Oblinus

Nicholas de Vaux.

Resolved Waldron.

Jan Nagel

1/2

...

Johannes Vermelje.

Jan le Maistre.

Jan Louwe.

Isaac Kip

Arent Hermens

1/2

Pieter Cresson.

f. 500

The foregoing sums must be paid, at furthest, by the last of March next ensuing, punctually, without any delay, or exception, in good mer- chantable grain, upon penalty, etc.

Most of the inhabitants were present at this meeting of Feb- ruary 19, 1677. Some action was expected in regard to the 'shifting of the fences on Van Keulen's Hook," but nothing was resolved upon. Weightier matters claimed attention. No little .concern was felt at the silence of Governor Andros in regard to 'his promise to distribute more land among them, and at reports of the large grants he was intending to make in their immediate vicinity, and even within their limits. It was therefore resolved to send another committee to his Excellency, requesting him to

Richard took this property, obviously, in payment of this claim; or at least the claim was part of the consideration paid by Richard for said property. He got his deed from David, junior, April 12, 1677, and the same day reconveyed what it covered (house and lot, barn, lot 11, Jochem Pieters; lot 1, Van Keulen's Hook and meadows) to Joost Van Oblinus, for 2400 guilders in sewant. He disposed of the property late of David, senior, in the course of the year, as follows: On July 1, the houses and lots, barn. and 7 Jochem Pieters, to Oblinus, for 4000 guilders, in grain, and 3 Out- gardens, Nos. 16, 17, 18, to Arent Harmans, for 700 guilders; on November 17, the half of No. 5. V. K. Hook, to Laurens Jansen, for 400 guilders, and lot No. 4, Mon- tagne's Flat (since in the Nutter farm) to Cornelis Jansen, for 400 guilders. All these to pay in grain or tobacco. Two north gardens, described in the senior Demar- est's patent, 1671, as "betwixt Glaude le Maitre and the Poor's Garden," meaning the Church Farm, were added to the latter. On November 27, 1691, Paul Richard gives a receipt, having "settled in full with Joost Obline's wife, for two farms (twee bowry) lying in the town of New Harlem." Richard (see p. 53) was twice alderman. He mar- ried, 1664, widow Celitie Vanderwal, from Christianstadt. A daughter, Hester (Mrs. Le Fort), was mysteriously murdered October 19, 1699. Their son Stephen, born 1670, had ten children, one being Paul Richard, mayor of New York from 1735 to 1739.

. "N. B. Glaude le Maistre has not more than 9 morgen of land, so that in the foregoing is put by mistake 6 morgen too much." Note in the original.

Daniel Tourneur.

11/2

Conrad Hendricks.

Adolph Meyer

Cornelis Jansen. " on the Flat.

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HISTORY OF HARLEM.

grant the lands lying within their purisdiction only to the actual residents, according to their petition of August 30th preceding, "and further to be maintained in the rights of their patent."

Captain James Carteret was named first on this committee. Apparently he had just returned from a voyage to England. He had taken from Vander Vin, April 5, 1676, a statement of Captain Delavall's indebtedness to the town, being 242 gl 16st. Between the dates of May 9th and December 5th ensuing, no mention of him here has been found, and he now held deeds of lease and release, dated London, August 7th and 8th, 1676, from his father-in-law, for the mill property, the Moesman farm, and Little Barent's Island; in which instruments Delavall is described as "late of New York in America, and now of London, mer- chant," and Carteret also as "of London." Delavall had been prompted to this gift, as he says, "in consideration of the natural love and affection which the said Thomas Delavall beareth to the said James Carteret and Francis his wife, the daughter of the said Thomas Delavall, and for divers other good causes." With his usual caution, Delavall signed the lease only, reserving his signature to the deed till he should return himself to America. Perhaps Delavall was afraid the captain's creditors might get it. A little episode may suffice here.

On his first coming to Harlem, about the Ist of April, 1675, "having occasion for a horse to employ," Carteret sent his man Willer to borrow one of William Sturt. But it happened that the horse took sick and died "within three or four days after his return." Sturt declared that the animal "was overridden and much misused," and when more than a year had passed sued the captain for damages. But Willer having left, the captain was placed at a disadvantage in the matter of witnesses when the trial came on, December 5. 1676. "Daniel Tourneur, sworn, saith that he saw the horse in question at Harlem, and that the man told him that the horse failed him at Freshwater, and that he was forced to lead him forewards and backwards between York and Harlem." Sturt demanded £12 for the horse, and £5 "for want of said horse and expenses in his sickness." The jury and court found for the plaintiff. But Carteret objected to the price put upon the steed : and this point was referred to arbitra- tors, who reduced the valuation to £8: whereupon the court. March 20. 1677, "order a horse of that value to be delivered before next court day, or judgment to be entered against Carteret to that amount and costs of suit." Carteret was delinquent, and on April 3d execution issued : but the next year came round and

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HISTORY OF HARLEM.

it was not yet satisfied, when Sturt, getting the court to reaffirm its former judgment, left soon after to become town clerk at Pemaquid. But to return.

Besides Carteret, the committee to wait upon the governor consisted of Adolph Meyer and Daniel Tourneur from the magis- tracy, and Jan Dyckman and Laurens Jansen from the commun- ity. The committee reported on February 24th that at their interview with Andros, he said he had understood from David Demarest that the people of New Harlem had not needed nor desired any land. But that now he would send the surveyor, within eight days or thereabouts, and "they of New Harlem might themselves lay out the land as was convenient, because he had no knowledge of this place."

It is hard to say what designs Andros may have had regard- ing the Harlem lands, or whether he ever seriously intended to override the Harlem patent. There is some reason to believe that he did. But if so, he came to think better of it; and while he did not formally confirm their patent, he recognized it by allowing the Harlem people to dispose of their common lands in their own way. Nothing could have suited them better, and the concession was important as tending to settle their rights. They had to congratulate themselves on their own vigilance and efforts, and especially to thank Captain Carteret, whose name with six others was now added to those who were to draw land.

Ryder finally came, and spent fourteen days in making the surveys. He had been occupied during the intervening time in laying out several farms along the East River, in a range extending from Kip's Bay to Hoorn's Hook; forming, within the recollection of many, the charming rural seats of Winthrop, Hoffman, Buchanan, Pearsall, the Beekmans, Jones, Riker, and Lawrence, the Delafields, and Schermerhorn. Beginning at Kip's Bay, the grants were 30 acres to Gabriel Carbosie, 60 to David du Four and son, 60 to Rev. Jacobus Fabricius, 30 to Cornelis Matthyssen, 60 to John Bassett, 3814 to George Elphinstone, 321/4 to Jacob Young, and 30 to Jean Baignoux. The last three fell partly within the Harlem patent .* That to Elphinstone, which lapped upon the southern end of this patent (at 74th Street. including within its limits the Saw Kill) ; and that next, granted to Young. and "bounded to the northeast by the commons or a certain run of water,"-were surveyed on April 25th. Baig- noux's farm was run out adjoining to Young, on July 20th. The

* See Notes on these Titles from Carbosie to Bassett. in the N. Y. Corp. Mannual for 1869, pp. 881-887; also Abstracts of Farm Titles, by H. Croswell Tuttle.

341

HISTORY OF HARLEM.

grants were "to be confirmed by patent when begun to be im- proved." The first patent was issued to Young, May 1, 1677, the other two not till September 29th following, and they were subject severally to a quit-rent or annual render to the govern- ment of "half a bushel of good winter wheat." In the interim, 30 acres on the North River side, upon the hills next below Moertje Davids' Fly, and running into "the Commons of Har- lem," were granted and set off July 9th to Hendrick Bosch, a sword-cutler, and originally from Leyden. Elphinstone had erected a leather mill and other buildings upon his tract, with the assistance of a copartner, Abraham Shotwell, late of New Jersey, to whom (probably in view of what followed) the patent was made out. On October 30th Elphinstone sold all his inter- est in the farm, houses, and mill, to Shotwell, who in payment gave his obligation, in the form of a mortgage, for £52:10s .*

With genuine sagacity, the people of Harlem resolved to secure the two extremities of their patent from further encroach- ment. Under their direction, Ryder first laid out five lots at Spuyten Duyvel, upon the old Matthys Jansen patent,-"begin- ning by Johannes Verveelen," who, as ferryman, occupied the upper end of that patent; and ranging down the Harlem River to "the hills and the meadows," or the northern line of the Jan- sen and Aertsen patent, which touched the river at what is now 21Ith Street. These lots were "given out by lot." We annex the numbers, owners, and acres of those-

At Spuyten Duyrel.

No. I. Johannes Vermelje. 18 acres.

2. Jan Nagel. 14

.€

3. Conrad Hendricks Boch.

4 Jan Dyckman I.4

The unappropriated meadows behind these lots on the Spuyten Duyvel Creek (with the exception hereafter noticed) were given to Dyckman and Nagel, who at once purchased Ver- milye and Boch's lots.

Upon Hoorn's Hook ten lots were laid off, these running in from the East River northwest, and ranging from Jean Baignoux's line upward to the bend since called Gracie's Point; the last lot in the range containing 12 acres, but all the others 8 acres each. These were allotted as follows :

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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 38

Author: Riker, James, 1822-1889 Publication date: 1904 Publisher: New York, New Harlem Pub. Number of Pages: 926

Author: Riker, James, 1822-1889
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: New York, New Harlem Pub.
Number of Pages: 926