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 39

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 39

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).

* For more relating to this and the adjacent farms, see App. H.

342

HISTORY OF HARLEM.

Upon Hoorn's Hook.

No. I. Adalph Meyer,

2. Laurens Jansen,

3. Johannes Verveelen,

4 Jan le Maistre,

5. Maria Vermelje,

6. Jan Louw v. Schroonrewoert,

7. Daniel Tourneur,

8. Barent Waldron,

Jan Hendricks Boch,

IO. Pieter van Oblinus .*

Another ten lots, each eight acres, were laid off upon Jochem Pieters' Flat, in continuation of "the old lots." Running east and west, they began "at the land of Captain Carteret," ranging northward to what has since been called Bussing's, but then Gloudie's Point, so named from Le Maistre, who owned meadow there. These, often distinguished as the "New Lots," were drawn by the following persons :

On Jochem Picters' Flat.

No. I. Jan Hendricks Brevoort, .6 2. Glaude le Maistre,

3. Frederick de Vaux,

4. Resolved Waldron,

5. Arent Hermens,

6. Cornelis Jansen,

7. Gerard Magister,

8. Joose van Oblinus,

9. Capt. James Carteret,

IO. Pieter Jansen Bogert.

We observe in these allotments a preconcerted design to occupy what remained of the three old groundbriefs given to Matthys Jansen, Claessen, and Kuyter : a shrewd stroke of policy, truly, but which we are not to interpret into a distrust of the equity of their claim to those lands, of which they had been legally put in possession by the deliberate action of the constituted authorities.

Ryder dates his certificates of the above surveys on August 6th. They were recorded August 17th. While here surveying, he boarded with Resolved Waldron, the town paying for it, and also for six gallons of rum drank during the progress of the work. The surveyor's bill, including the survey of Van Keulen's Hook, amounted to 429 gl.

A parcel of meadow land lying on the Spuyten Duyvel, to the westward of the first lot there granted, had been the object

. For the after history of these lots, which were mainly included in the Waldron farm, see App. H.

343

HISTORY OF HARLEM.

of some contention, but was finally disposed of, by a vote of the magistrates, August 10th, as follows :

"Whereas, a dispute has arisen among the inhabitants of this town respecting a certain parcel of meadow lying on the Spuy- ten Duyvel, which each of them claims to have, and the said meadow is too small to be divided amongst them all; and because some have no meadow annexed to their land, to wit, Arent Her- mens, Johannes Vermelje, and Gerard Magister, We the Court, pursuant to the order of his Honor the Governor-General given to the Land Surveyor, also give directions to said Surveyor to measure out and give the said meadow to the aforesaid persons."

It was then further resolved, that "a piece of meadow lying at the north point of this Island, and Moertje Davids' Vly, shall remain to the town's lot."

More wrath seems to have been stirred up at this action of the magistrates in giving away the meadows, than at the larger grants made by Andros impinging on their patent, though this caused, from first to last, a deal of excitement. Adolph Meyer, now a magistrate, but opposed to the grant, had the temerity to take an active part with the dissatisfied people in getting up a remonstrance. Andros took this as a grave offence, and issued his warrant, August 14th, for Meyer's arrest, charging him with having "occasioned disturbance by siding with the commonalty and petitioning in a factious manner." He was admitted to bail, on condition of appearing before the Governor and Council when required, to answer what should be alleged against him, "and in the meantime to be of the good behavior." At the next elec- tion his townsmen renominated Meyer for magistrate, and he was even confirmed in the office. But when brought to the notice of the Mayor, Van Cortlandt, he removed Meyer Novemebr 3d, because he was "under recognizance for his good behavior"; and ordered a new nomination, which resulted in putting Laurens Jansen in the vacancy.

Scarcely was the survey at Spuyten Duyvel made, when Dyckman and Nagel bought out Vermelje and Boch, and thereby became the owners of the whole five lots, containing 74 acres of upland, with the meadows granted them as before stated being about eight acres; the beginning of the fine estates subsequently held there by the Nagel and Dyckman families. With no inten- tion of yet quitting their old homes in the village, they agreed with Michiel Bastiaensen annd his son-in-law, Kiersen, to take these lands upon lease for a term of twelve years. We have thought the contract, here translated from the Dutch, worthy to

344

HISTORY OF HARLEM.

be preserved, as it relates to the first successful effort to make improvements in that section of Manhattan Island, on which as yet there was not another white man's hearthstone north of Har- lem village.

On this date, 26th October, Aº. 1677, appeared before me, Hendrick J. Vander Vin. by the Honorable Mayor's Court admitted Secretary, residing at the Town of New Harlem, and the after-named witnesses : the honest Jan Nagel and Jan Dyckman. on the one side, and Michiel Bastiaensen with Hendrick Kiersen, on the other; the which agree to contract with the others and are agreed in the following manner. Jan Nagel and Jan Dyckman have conjointly leased, and by these do lease to the before-named Michiel Bastiaensen and Hendrick Kiersen in com- pany, certain the lessors' lands, contained in five lots, marked No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, with the meadows thereto belonging, all lying upon this Island Manhatans, at Spuyten Duyvel, and under this town's jurisdiction, as appears by the surveys thereof existing, the which the lessees take and accept on lease upon condition as follows, to wit: The lessees shall oc- cupy and use the aforesaid lands and meadows for the time of twelve consecutive years, to count from now on, expiring in the year 1689 after the crops and fruits are off the land, and the lease of the houses shall end at May in the year 1690; in particular, the lessees shall possess and use the aforesaid lands and meadows the first seven years free, by paying as an acknowledgement, each one hen, every year; the three following years shall the lessees pay cach a hundred and fifty guilders per year ; the last two years to pay each two hundred guilders in the year; the lessees shall have authority to build and crect houses, barns or stables. after their own satisfaction and contentment, for their accommodation ; on condition that the same, at the end of the lease, with the fences which then shall be upon the lands and meadows, be delivered over all in good repair ; the lessors promise to furnish the lessees-in order upon the aforesaid lands, wherever the lessees decide, to place an orchard- with fifty fruit trees, both apple and pear, and all the trees which they the lessees shall come to set out and raise shall at the end of the lease. except the fifty trees aforesaid, be divided half and half; the lessees holding their option as to their circumstances, to be permitted to remove or give up this present lease at their pleasure, with the same to the lessors, upon mentioning it one year before: the lessors promise the lessces freedom in the real possession of the aforesaid lands and dependencies, without any charges standing thereon, reserving the lord his right; all the before-written conditions, the appearers de- clare to be their contract and accord, promising the same on both sides to conform to and fulfil, each in his regard, without craft or cunning. under obligation as according to laws. Thus done and passed at New Haerlem in presence of Joost van Oblinus and Conradus Hendricx, as witnesses hereto requested and solicited, who beside the appearers and me secretary, have undersigned these, on the date as above.

Il'itness, J. VAN OBLINU'S. CONRADU'S HENDRICKS.

JAN NAGEL. JAN DYCKMAN. This mark * of MICHIEL BASTIAENSEN by himself made. HENDRICK KIERS.

With my knowledge.

HENDR. J. VANDR. VIS. Secretary.

Subsequently Dyckman and Nagel became the joint owners

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HISTORY OF HARLEM.

of the adjacent tract, known as the Jansen and Aertsen Patent, but in our day as the Dyckman Homestead; as also of that part of the Papparinamin Patent which had been occupied by Ver- veelen .*

The ensuing winter found nearly all of the inhabitants busily employed in the woodlands cutting 5,000 palisades "for the use of the city," pursuant to an order from the Governor, of November 27, 1677. They were to be "under 4 inches thick and 12 to 13 feet long, to be delivered at the waterside in a con- venient place to be taken away." The inhabitants on November 29th were divided into four corporalships, "as was done for- merly"; the corporals being Laurens Jansen, Arent Bussing, Adolph Meyer, and Jan Dyckman. The labor was probably turned to advantage in the clearing of some of the newly-drawn lands. All those who had shared in the late land drafts took part

* The Papparinamin, or Matthys Jansen Patent. in the view of the Harlem people, was in the same category with that of Jansen and Aertsen, and other of Kieft's grants which have lapsed for want of the required improvement; and hence they claimed it under their general patent as part of their common land, notwithstanding Governor Nicoll's confirmation to Matthys Jansen's heirs. Verveelen, on or after removing tu Spuyten Duyvel, had inclosed some sixteen acres off the north end of the patent; and the grants of 167; engrossing the remainder. the Jansen heirs had nothing left them. These held to their claim. however, and many years later, when Verveelen had vacated, made an attempt to recover. On August 2, 1700, John Matthysen, eldest son of Matthys Jansen. late of Ulster County. deceased, in behalf of himself and others, the co-heirs of the said Jansen ( see Index, Van Keuren), petitioned the General Assembly for relief. representing "that by reason of the uncertainty of some bounds in said patent contained, he was wholly dispossessed of his father's inheri- tance, and therefore humbly prayed that the bounds of the said land might be settled, and the said patent confirmed unto the co-heirs of the said Matthys Jansen." Leave being granted, a hill for that object was introduced the next day, passed on the 8th, and sent to Governor Bellomont for his signature.

Aiter reciting the original grant by Kieft to Matthys Jansen, August 18, 1646, of "one hundred acres." at Papparinamin on Manhattan Island. its confirmation hy Nicolls. May 23. 166;, and the petition of Jan Matthyssen, this bill provided "that the limits and bounds of the said Patent be, and are hereby forever declared to be, at a place called Papparinamin, which said Papparinamin is upon the island of New York, joining to the river upon which the bridge called King's Bridge is built, ac- cording as the Indian name Papparinamin did anciently signify." It also declared "that all and singular the estate. right. title, and interest contained in the said pat- ents, shall be. and hereby are. confirmed and ratified unto the said John Matthyssen and other of the said co-leirs of the said Matthys Jansen, his and their heirs and as- signs in equal proportions and divisions, any law. usuage, or custom to the contrary hereof in anyways nothwithstanding '

But the governor withheld his signature. and the bill failed to become a law.

. Matthyssen petitioned the Assembly again. October 26; it "was read, and referred for further consideration," but not again taken up. The Harlem folk had meanwhile, by their deputy. l'eter Van Oblienis, taken counsel and put in their plea before the gov- ernor, and doubtless with effect. His Excellencly informed the Assembly, November 2, that he had declined to meddle with certain bills presented for his approval. because as matters of property they should be referred to the Courts of Judicature, soon to be established. But no further proceedings in the case have been found. The Dyckmany yoon took possession under their grant of irot from the town, of which we shall hereafter speak.

There was really no injustice done to the Jansen heirs, for the land had lain neglected and unclaimed by them, now more than thirty years since the confirmation by Nicolls. This groundbrief stood in no wise different from others which had been declared void, except said confirmation, which was probably an oversight. As it had never been sold, there was no such reason for compensation as there was in the case of the Jansen and Nertsen patent; and to have admitted its validity at that late day would have been a bad precedent, and one which the holders of other vacant ground. briefs would have been only too ready to take advantage of.

The parcel which Verveelen had had the use of passed from Jacob Dyckman to his son Jacob, and formed part of the 30 acres sold February 11, 1773, to Caleb Hyatt.

346

HISTORY OF HARLEM.

in this work, save Constable Nagel, Johannes Verveelen, ferry- man, and Captain Carteret ; Maria Vermilye, represented by her husband. Isaac Kip. In addition were enrolled David Demarest, David Demarest, Jr., Michiel Bastiaensen, Reyer Michielsen, Pierre Cresson, Abraham Delamater, Jan Kiersen. Hendrick Kiersen, Nicholas de Vaux, Francois Breteau, Jan Jansen (P. Bogert's man), and Jan Petit (Baignoux) "and his mate.".

CHAPTER XXI.

1677-1682.

THE FRENCH LEAVING; NEW TOWN-HOUSE; LAND QUESTIONS; LABADISTS ; CAPT. CARTERET ; SALE OF MOERTJE DAVIDS FLY.

A SUIT of Nicholas de Vaux versus Pierre Cresson, for some time pending in the local court, was decided No- vember 15, 1677. Defendant having sold plaintiff his house and lands, October 27, 1676, the bill of sale was cancelled on April 23d ensuing, when De Vaux gave Cresson a parcel of fence rails, and was promised in return the use of enough land to sow a schepel of flaxseed, Cresson to receive of the flax every fourth sheaf. Jean Baptiste de Poictier, Sieur Dubuisson, was present and heard the bargain. But before De Vaux was ready to put in his seed Jan Hendricks Brevoort leased and planted Cresson's land on Jochem Pieters, leaving to De Vaux only a small corner, where it was sandy and unfit for his purpose. De Vaux then demanded of Cresson the use of his lot on Van Keu- len's Hook ;but the latter objecting, De Vaux on September 6th appealed to the magistrates. On a hearing it was agreed to "hold the case in advice till the coming of Jean Baptiste Bison." On the date first named it again came up, when Cresson pre- sented Debuisson's written declaration. The Court now de- cided that Cresson "restore to the plaintiff the 250 rails which he has wrongfully taken from him; and as the plaintiff has failed to perform his part of the contract, that he be condemned in the costs hereby incurred." De Vaux removed soon after to New Jersey, and with his wife, Marie See, joined the church at Bergen, April 5, 1679. His descendants, under the name of De Vouw, or De Voe, were long to be found at Hackensack and Tarrytown .*

* Nicholas de Vaux had a daughter, Esther, born at Harlem, who, in 1698, mar-zed Ulderrick Brower, of Hackensack, whither De Vaux had removed, and where, in 1706, he married a second wife, Margaret Jans, widow of Jacques Button. He died prior to 1717, when his widow married Hendrick Cammega, whose first wife was Anna M. Verveelen. De Vaux had other daughters, Susanna, born 1680, who married Thomas Brickers and Jacobus Van Gelder; Mary, who married Jacob Buys, of Bergen, and Rachel, who married Abraham Martelingh; also, by his second wife, another

348

HISTORY OF HARLEM.

The French refugees were gradually leaving, drawn princi- pally to Bergen County, N. J., Staten Island, and up the Hud- son, where they found other French families, and land more abundant, and to be had at a trifling cost. Gerard Magister was of the number that left. He had lately drawn one of the New Lots, and at the same time, by deed of August 9, 1677, bought from Joost Van Oblinus, for 400 gl. in grain, the erf. house, and barn lately owned by and yet in the occupancy of David Demarest, Jr. On December 26th ensuing, he and his wife, Madeleine l'Admiral, made a joint will before the secre- tary, Magistrate Tourneur, and Frederick de Vaux, after the form usual with the French refugees. All this looked to a fixed residence; but within two years Magister left the town. He sold his lot No. 7, March 22, 1679, to Jan Delamater, but no sale of his dwelling-house is to be found .**

Again came up the matter of the town finances, and promi- nently that of the vorleser's salary. The record of February 7, 1678, runs: "Is proposed and resolved that the accounts of this Town, as well the debts as credits, revised on the date of 19th February, 1677, shall with the first opportunity be taken up and disposed of; and the Secretary is authorized henceforth to keep a separate register thereof." From the register so begun and yet preserved have been culled many interesting items relat- ing to the settlers.

On the same date we also read :

Is further resolved and concluded that the magistrates shall go agout among the common inhabitants and see how much each is willing to contribute yearly to the maintenance and salary of the Voorleser, be- ginning the 23d October of the previous year, 1677, and following. The Voorleser must have yearly for salary, according to the agreement entered into the 23d October, 1670, the sum of 100 guilders ; the magistrates remain held to furnish the money.

daughter, Esther, born 1711, his first, co named, Mrs. Brower, having just died. His son, Abraham de Vaux, or de Vouw, joined the Hackensack church in 1694, but re- moved to Tarrytown. to which place his mother's kinfolks, the See family, had gone. and where he and wife Mary appear as churchmembers. I believe he had sons Nicholas and Johannes. He served as deacon in 1708, and as elder in 1724: offices afterward held by said Johannes de Wouw.

** Jean le Roy had owned this domicile as early as 1670, and apparently it was the north garden No. 2, next Tourneur: on which account I suppose Le Roy was led to get it. This garden was in Simon De Ruine's allotment, bought in 1666, by Capt. Delaval; and when Le Roy sold Delavall his lands bought of Presto, he probably took this garden in part payment, and built on it. Le Roy sold out entire in 1674. The owners after him were Cornier. Richard. Demarest. Jr., Richard again, and Oblinus. The latter agreed to sell Magister the house, barn and houselot, for 400 guilders, to run on interest, if he could not meet the payment. The rate lists indicate that Oblinus took it back. His sons John and Hendrick evidently held this garden No. 2, then an erf, in 1706 and 1708, and John alone in 1712; though Marcus Tiebaut at this date had some interest in it, and was in possession in 1713. I think he had bargained for .it, but died before the sale was closed; and that then, 1714, his stepson. John Lewis bought it. This is probably its history, but. resting in part on other proof than deeds of transfer, it cannot be given with absolute assurance. (See note on John Lewis for more about this lot, which: later formed a part of the William Brady plot).

HISTORY OF HARLEM.

349

List of the Free-will Contributions for the support and salary of the Voorleser of this Town, etc., and the following are to contribute yearly :

Jan Nagel

f. 18

Daniel Tourneur. 15

Joost van Oblinus

Jan Dyckman.

Laurens Jansen. IO

Resalvert Waldron. 30

Conradus Hendricks

Jan Hendricks.

Maria Vermelje ..

Johannes Vermelje.

Glaude le Maistre.

Michiel Bastiaensen.

Hendrick Kiers

Arent Hermens

Jan Hendricks van Brevoort.

Jan le Maistre.

Adolph Meyer.

Cornelis Jansen.

Gerard Magister.

Jan Louw.

Jan le Maistre

Arent Hermens

rent of the land.

Jan Nagel, rent of the meadow.

f. 342

Upon the 4th April, "The Constable was authorized and empowered to collect and receive the debts which to this town must be paid, according to the assessment of the 19th February, 1677, as from Jan Louwe, David Des Marest, Glaude le Maistre, and others."

Demarest settled up in full with the town on April 26th, his son David had done so on the 23d, and soon after this the whole family, with Jacques Laroe, removed to their new home on the Herring River, now the Hackensack. All the adults, being eight persons, united "by certificates" (in part from the French church), with the church at Bergen, on October 7th succeeding .*

· Demarest's "two miles square" purchase from Mendawasey and other Tappan chiefs was commonly called "The French Patent." From what is now New Bridge, on the Hackensack, two miles above Hackensack village, it reached up the river to a little beyond Old Bridge; and from the river eastward to the "North River Mountains," or present line of the Northern Railroad. On the part lying above the Old Bridge, upon the bank of the Hackensack, in a charming situation, Demarest built his dwelling and a grist mill, with a dam across the stream. He called his home Essa, perhaps from the old family seat in Picardy, Oise Mont, or Oise, which the Latin authors called ŒEsia or Esia. Afterward buying lands on the west side of the river, he put up there a saw mill, and also a more capacious grist mill. This last was called the Great Mill, and its older neighbor opposite, the Little Mill. Demarest's plan of forming a French colony on his tract, failed; though he drew to him several families, as those of Daniel du Voor, Jean Durie, Jacques Laroe and Nicholas de Vaux, and they together organ- ized what was called "The French Church of Kinkachemeck," and built a house of worship in Demarest's land near the dwelling, upon a knoll just below the Old Bridge, where still remains "The French Burying Ground." In midsummer, 1693, David Demarest, the patriarch, died and his remains, with those of his wife, who died first, no doubt rest in the old burying ground aforesaid. His last will, made August 26,

350

HISTORY OF HARLEM.

Again on the 8th of May resolutions were passed as follows :

Whereas it is found that the Voorleser, from the contributions, for this current year since the 23d October past, with the rent of the town's lot and meadow reckoned in, will not draw for his salary more than 342 guilders, instead of 400 which he must have yearly; the said Voorleser has, to the constable and magistrates assented, that (because of other burdens) he shall have for this current year till 23d October first com- ing, no more than the said 342 guilders; and the constable and magis- trates shall then make a new and reliable assessment for the full sum of 400 guilders yearly as salary, according to the first accord of 23d October, 1670. The whole aforewritten provision is by the Voorleser agreed to, declaring therewith to be content.

Is also taken into consideration about the rebuilding of the town's house for the Voorleser; it is found good to take the same in hand by the first opportunity, as the most necessary work to be done by the Inhabitants, and they having leisure to properly hew and make ready the timber for the same; thereupon called in Gerard Magister, a wheel- wright, to contract with him for the carpenter work, according to a plan to him submitted. Demands 200 guilders : whereupon it was not ordered. but the magistrates said that they would think upon it and inform him when they should be able to have him do it; thereupon separated.

Circumstances led to a change of plan. Mrs. Montagne had ended her widowhood, but within a short three years had lost her second husband, Mr. Isaac Kip; the magistrates being called upon July 25, 1678, to inventory the household goods "which

1689, gave his estate equally to his three sons. David junior had meanwhile died, and his widow married John Durie. On August 13, 1693, some days after the death of David, the elder, a division was made, in presence of Rev. Pierre Peiret, by John and Samuel Demarest, and by John Durie for the children of David, junior: the home- stead and Little Mill falling to John, the lands and mills west of the river to Samuel. and heirs of David. After losing its chief patron, the French church declined; Rev. Pierre Daille, Peiret's colleague who usually preached here, removing to Boston, his visits ceased. and the Demarests and others took letters to the Dutch church at Hack- ensack. Demarest's cherished creations. the church, the mills, have alike disappeared; only a few piles, the remains of the mill-dam, show their heads at very low water.

John Demarest was born, 1645, on the Island of Walcheren, Zeeland; married. 1668, Jacomina, daughter of Simon De Ruine, again in 1692. Marritie Van Winckel. widow of Peter Slot, and, in 1702. Magdalena Laurens, widow of Jean Tullier. In 1689, he was of the committee of safety which commissioned Governor Leisler. Hc died in 1719. having parcelled his lands among his children. These were (wife or husband given in parentheses), David, born 1669 (Antie. daughter of Jan Slot) ; John. 1671 ( Deborah -): Maria. 1073 (Jacobus Slot); Sarah, 1675 (.Abraham Canon): Rachel, 1678 (Thomas Hyatt); Jacomina, 1680 (John Stewart, from Sterling, Scot- land) ; Leah. 1682 (.Abraham Brower) ; Magdalena, 1684 (James Christie, from Iver- den) : Peter. 1688 ( Maria Meet and Maria Button). David Demarest was born, 1652. at Mannheim, and married, 1675. Rachel, daughter of Pierre Cresson. He died about 1691. Ilis widow married John Durie, and, in 1702, Roelof Vanderlinde. Demarest's children were, David, born 1676 ( Sarah, daughter of Rev. Guiliaem Bertholf) : Peter, 1677, not again named; Susanna. 1679 ( l'eter Westervelt); Rachel. 1680 (Andries Van Norden) ; Jacobus, 168: ( Leah. daughter of Peter De Groot, and Grietie. daughter of Cosyn Herring); Samuel (Sitske, daughter of Siba Banta); Mary (Wiert Banta) : Daniel (Rebecca, daughter of Peter De Groot); Benjamin (Elizabeth, daughter of Peter De Groot) ; Jacomina (.\ndries Van Buskirk) ; Leah (Rynier Van Houten) ; Lydia (Stephen Terhune).

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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 39

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