USA > New York > Queens County > Newtown > The annals of Newtown, in Queens County, New York; containing its history from its first settlement, together with many interesting facts concerning the adjacent towns; > Part 12
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As has been already hinted, Leisler and his coadjutors had experienced violent opposition from the friends of the late ad- ministration, who, though they pretended allegiance to Wil- · liam and Mary, denied the legality of the proceedings by which Capt. Leisler had been elevated to the chief seat of power. Albany had shown the most formidable array of
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opposition, but having yielded from apprehension of a worse cvil, Queen's county seemed now to be the chief seat of dis- affection. Autumn of 1690, found the rebel party there, " without any provocation," mustering in arms, and avowing their intentions to maintain their rebellion by violence. To quell this faction Major Milborne was sent over to the island, October 28th, with a military force, and instructions to prose- cute the insurgents "with all violence and act of hostility," until they should be wholly subdued. At Newtown, the same day, a proclamation was issued, of which the following is a part :
"FORASMUCH as there are many seditious persons, who without any provocation have taken up arms, and appeared in a rebellious manner against his Majesty's authority, with- in this county, called Queens, upon Long Island, and under specious pretences have drawn aside, and caused certain num- bers of his Majesty's liege subjects to abet with them, contrary to their allegiance and bounden duty, and the peace of our lord the King, his crown and dignity, and the security and welfare of the good inhabitants thereof :- THESE are in his Majesty's name, to forbid, forewarn and advertise all persons within this province, that they in no wise aid succor, comfort, abet, consent to, or anywise adhere unto the said rebels, or any of their associates, but upon notice hereof that all such who have unadvisedly been herein concerned, do forthwith withdraw from them, and return to their allegiance and re- spective habitations, where they shall be preserved in their rights and properties, and peaceable enjoyment thereof; as they will answer the contrary at their utmost perils."
Two days only had elapsed when news was received that "the rebels had been forced to fly by the forces sent to sup- press them." In order that none of them might escape, Mr. Edsall and Capt. Williams were despatched by water, with volunteer troops, to scour Flushing Bay and Long Island Sound, examine all vessels, land and search suspected houses, and seize the person and papers of those guilty of rebellion.
In this highly excited state of public feeling both parties anxiously awaited news from England. Leisler and his friends expected the royal approval, while their opponents, as heartily wishing for their condemnation, made strenuous
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efforts to accomplish this object, by means of highly exagge- rated and false statements, which were transmitted to England to bias the royal mind against the people's governor. The disaffected persons in the towns of Hempstead, Jamaica, Flush- ing, and Newtown, wrought up to the highest pitch of exas- peration, convened a meeting on Nov. 7th, and addressed a memorial to their Majesties' secretary, complaining in the most vehement terms of Leisler's proceedings, who they re- present as having taken to himself the "most wicked and poorest of the sons of men, the chiefest of whom were Jacob Milborne and Samuel Edsall. These two base villains, with their collected rabble, in a barbarous and inhuman manner came over from New-York to Long Island, and there did break open, plunder and destroy the houses and estates of their Majesties' subjects, in a most rude and barbarous man- ner, not regarding age or sex, stripping our wives and daugh- ters of their wearing apparel, carrying away all that was portable, shooting at and wounding divers poor Englishmen, (some deemed mortal,) and then went so far as to sequester our estates, giving no reasons for so doing, other than that we would not accept commissions from the pretended lieutenant- governor ; for which a hundred and four of us are driven from our estates, men of the chiefest and best estate on Long Island."
Leisler had gone too far. Intending all for good, his zeal to restore order in the province, had led to an extremity of means, highly injudicious and fatal. His power now began to wane. Early in 1691, Major Ingoldesby arrived with soldiers from England, and demanded possession of the fort, but show- ing no orders, Leisler refused to surrender it. Ingoldesby besieged the fortress, and summoned the citizens to repair to his standard. He directed Capt. Samuel Moore of Newtown to publish his authority, and stand ready to aid him. On March 19th, Gov. Henry Sloughter arrived, and a well-meant but unfortunate delay on the part of Leisler to deliver up the fort, confirmed in the governor's mind the report of his ty- ranny and usurpation. The enemies of Leisler, though few in number, embodied the aristocracy, and their representations had weight. They obtained his commitment on a charge of high treason, and being, together with his son-in-law and
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secretary, Jacob Milborne, in a summary manner tried and ad- judged guilty, both were executed at New-York, on May 16th, following. "So fell Capt. Leisler and Mr. Milborne," says a wri- ter of that day, " men of known integrity, honesty, and loyalty, and by a pretended course of law, contrary to all law condemn- ed, where their judges were, most of them, violent enemies of the happy revolution, and therefore resolved to revenge them- selves on these gentlemen, who were the most early and zea- lous instruments of it, and who had first expended great part of their estates, and then suffered martyrdom for King Wil- liam and Queen Mary, their religion and laws." Leisler's council and other adherents, among whom were Samuel Ed- sall and John Coe, were imprisoned, but escaped with their lives. Mr. Edsall was tried and acquitted by the same court that convicted Leisler.
The administration of Gov. Sloughter was distinguished for a re-construction of the government of New-York, laying its foundation upon a permanent basis, which continued unin- terrupted down to the American Revolution. The governor possessed the executive power; the legislative was vested in the governor, council, and general assembly, (the two former appointed by the king, and the latter composed of deputies, chosen by the freeholders of each county,) whose sessions should be held annually, their acts being subject to the ap- proval of his Majesty. The first and only general assembly convened under Gov. Sloughter, met in the spring of 1691. Their efforts were exerted to restore and establish good go- vernment, and though they declared that all the laws con- sented to by the assemblies under James, Duke of York, with the liberties and privileges granted to the people, were null and void, not being ratified; they nevertheless passed a law, on the 6th of May, which, after mentioning the great damage which had accrued to the province from the recent disorders, proceeded to confirm in the fullest manner, "all the charters, patents, and grants, made, given and granted, and well and truly executed, under the seal of this province, constituted and authorized by their late and present Majesties, the Kings of England, and registered in the secretary's office, unto the several and respective corporations or bodies politie of the cities, towns, and manors, and also to the several and respec-
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tive freeholders within this province." Courts of common pleas and general sessions were organized in the several coun- ties. The municipal or town government underwent a re- vision, and assumed more nearly its present form; the com- missioners' court ceased, and its duties devolved upon the justices ; the supervisors were reduced to one in each town,1 and three surveyors of highways were added to the usual town officers. Newtown first chose the latter in 1700.
CHAPTER VII.
Proposed to erect a fulling-mill .- Wolves .- Wolf Stream .- Wolf Swamp .- Nar- row Passage .- Three towns complain that Newtown is encroaching on their territory .- Parties summoned before the council .- A general survey agreed upon .- Newtown alarmed at the passage of a law for the introduction of Episcopacy .- They send to New England for a minister, and obtain the Rev. John Morse .- Steps taken to enlarge the Church .- A Bill passes the Assembly to except Newtown out of the above law, but the Governor refuses to sanction it .- Survey being completed, the boundary dispute engages the attention of the Council .- They refer the parties to the common law .- Newtown proceeds to occupy their west bounds .- Migrations to New Jersey .- A new parsonage house bought .- Ezekiel Lewis, schoolmaster .- Quit rent .- Steps to ordain the Rev. Mr. Morse .- A census taken .- Mr. Morse's death .- A new town-house built .- Rev. Robert Breck engaged to preach .- Dissatisfaction among the in- habitants of Hellgate Neck respecting the common land .- Their bills before the Assembly are defeated .- Put a bill in chancery, but without success .- They petition the Governor and Council .- The case investigated .- Report .- The complaint dismissed as frivolous .- Mr. Breck disconcerted by the efforts of Lord Combury to establish the Church of England .- His oppressive acts .- The church at Newtown taken possession of by the Episcopal clergyman .- The people obliged to succumb .- Rev. John Hampton arrested for preaching at Newtown .- Trials endured by the Dissenters. 1691 to 1707.
Measures were taken this year by two enterprizing citizens of the town, to erect a fulling-mill on the stream that empties at Fish's Point. The town favored the project, and passed the following, June 27th, 1691: "Voted, that Thomas Ste-
1 This office was abolished Oct. 18th, 1701, and the justices, or any five of them in each county, were empowered to audit its accounts, and appoint its treasurer; but on June 19th, 1703, the office of supervisor was revived by law, and has existed ever since.
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venson and Edward Stevenson shall have the stream or brook that is commonly called Lodowick Brook, as their own right, to have and to hold to them and theirs for ever, with what convenience of land can be spared (not infringing the high- way) for the building of a fulling-mill, with which they are to do the town's work first, and as reasonable as other work- men do, and to keep the same in repair."
Twenty years from this date, to wit, on Oct. 16th, 1711, Thomas Stevenson and John Stevenson (son of Edward) sold to Jesse Kip, at that time the proprietor of the grist-mill at Fish's Point, all their interest in the above premises. This fulling-mill remained for many years, but every vestige of it has now disappeared, though the locality still retains the name of the Fulling-mill Dam. This was one of the first fulling-mills erected in this province. The costliness of im- ported cloths had induced the practice of making domestic woollens, and the raising of sheep for that purpose. The de- predations of wolves offered, however, a serious impediment to the safe rearing of flocks, and though the inhabitants of this town were less annoyed by these midnight prowlers than their neighbors of the adjoining towns, they found it neces- sary, in February, 1692, to offer twenty shillings a head for every wolf killed within the limits of the town. By the aid of "wolf-pits," made near the haunts of these animals, many were entrapped and killed. Their destruction became neces- sary not only for the preservation of the stock and cattle, but even for the personal safety of the inhabitants, whom they would sometimes attack. It is related that one of the New- town farmers, going at the dusk of evening to turn loose his horses, was beset by a number of these animals from a neigh- boring swamp. Springing upon a stump, he lashed them lustily with the halters, and succeeded in driving them off. At an early period, a run of water emptying into Trains Meadow, bore the name of Wolf Stream, doubtless because infested by these animals; and the swamp from which it issued, lying on the east side of the Narrow Passage, still retains the name of Wolf Swamp. The "Narrow Passage that goes into Hellgate Neck," (a name early applied to the road leading across the swamp a little distance south of Middletown,) was,
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according to tradition, originally a dam thrown up by the beavers.1
1
The discontents which the continued efforts of Newtown, for the last five years, to occupy all the land within the lines of their Indian purchase had fomented in the adjoining towns, now broke forth in loud complaint, in which Bushwick, Brook- lyn and Flatbush participated, and the people of Newtown, having intimation that a combination of the above towns was being formed against them, resolved, on Dec. 13th, to raise and appropriate the sum of twenty pounds, for the defence of their patent, Thomas Betts and Edward Stevenson being at the same time chosen to conduct the business, and employ one or more lawyers to aid them. Two days after, a joint petition was presented to Gov. Fletcher, by the towns of Brooklyn, Bushwick, and Flatbush, complaining that the people of New- town "build houses on their outlands," and praying his ex- cellency in council, "to examine both their pretences, for an accommodation to save the charges in the law."
Notice being given the purchasers of Newtown, all parties appeared before the governor and council, on Dec. 22d, and after an inspection of their several patents and papers, his excellency was of opinion, "that the controversy cannot be better decided than by a survey of their townships by the sworn surveyor, according to the meers and bounds of their several patents, beginning with the eldest patent, and that indifferent persons of note and integrity be present at the surveying of them, and that the several surveys be brought upon one plot or draft, to be decided and determined accord- ingly, by his excellency the governor and council; which, if both parties will agree unto, the surveyor is ordered to have a warrant directed to him, for the doing thereof, at their equal charge." This proposal being finally acceded to by the several parties, a warrant was issued on Feb. 6th, 1693, to the sur-
1 The passer by this spot cannot fail to notice the stately chestnut stand- ing by the roadside, and casting its grateful shade over this ancient highway. This tree measures twenty-five feet in circumference at the base, and full fifteen at the distance of six feet above. Its majestic proportions indicate for it an existence coeval with the red man who, centuries ago, was undisputed lord of the then surrounding wilds.
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veyor general, who entered upon the work, in the execution of which two years elapsed.
The year 1693 was signalized by the introduction of a theme far more engrossing to the religious community. This was the passage, Sept. 22d, of a law districting Queen's county and several others into ecclesiastical parishes, and providing for the annual election, in each such parish, of two church- wardens, and ten vestrymen, to superintend the affairs of the church, and endowed with power to call a minister, and, with the justices, to lay a yearly tax upon the inhabitants, for his support. The towns of Newtown, Jamaica, and Flushing, were constituted a single parish, whose inhabitants were re- quired to furnish the sum of sixty pounds annually, for the support of a clergyman, to reside at Jamaica.
Although a direct reference to any denomination had been carefully avoided, the dissenters were not slow to fathom the designs of government, which aimed at nothing else than the establishment of the Church of England in this province. Much apprehension was therefore excited. Newtown regarded herself as particularly aggrieved, for, waving the too obvious intention to thrust upon them a religious establishment re- pugnant to their feelings, they had hitherto enjoyed the ex- clusive services of their own minister, living among them, and sustained by their free contributions. To be now subjected to an additional tax for the support of a clergyman, resident in another township, they regarded as burdensome and odi- ous. It being proposed to petition the assembly to repeal the obnoxious law, Messrs. Content Titus and Daniel Bloomfield were deputed, early in 1694, to attend a meeting, held at Ja- maica, for that object.
Unhappily the congregation at this date was destitute of a minister, but means were at once concerted to procure one. " The town will call a minister to preach the gospel amongst us upon liking," was the expression of a meeting held on April 12th. A letter was prepared for Content Titus, who was sent to New England in quest of a clergyman, and during his ab- sence, in July, it was resolved that the minister, on his arrival, should be "entertained" at the house of Justice Samuel Ed- sall, until the town house or parsonage could be repaired and made ready for his reception.
9
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The mission of Capt. Titus was successful. He secured the services of Mr. John Morse, a youthful student of divinity, who removed to Newtown, and entered upon his work of im- parting religious instruction. He was the son of Ezra Morse, a worthy cooper of Dedham, Massachusetts, where he was born, March 31st, 1674.1 He graduated at Harvard College, in 1692. After trial, the town resolved, Sept. 15th, to retain him, and six persons were appointed to treat with him as to his settlement. A subscription was made for his support. It was also determined to enlarge the church, and Messrs. John Coe and Content Titus were empowered to employ mechanics and superintend the work till completed.
Meanwhile, Queen's county had effected nothing to avert the grievances apprehended from the recent law for the set- tlement of a ministry. The people of Newtown, therefore, resolved, on Jan. 5th, 1695, to petition the next assembly, on their own account, "to repeal the act of vestryman and annual salary to be paid by the whole county for two minis- ters." Upon the meeting of that body, the subject was intro- duced by Capt. Filkin, a representative from King's county, in the form of a bill entitled, " A bill for exempting Newtown, in Queen's county, on the Island of Nassau, out of the pains, penalties, forfeitures, and demands in an act for settling a ministry, and raising a maintenance for them, in the city of New-York," &c. After a third reading, and the hearing of a report "about the minister of Newtown," prepared by a com- mittee of the house, the bill was passed on April 9th. But on its presentation to the governor, he refused to sanction it. This measure being thus defeated, the people of Newtown were left to anticipate the enforcement of the unjust act for the settlement of a ministry.
In the meantime, preparation had been made for the trial of the boundary question before the council. Two able law-
1 The time of Mr. Morse's birth has been a matter of considerable disa- greement, but the above is the true date taken from the Dedham records, and kindly furnished me by Mr. D. P. Wight, of that place. The " Memorial of the Morses," by the Rev. Abner Morse, of Sherburne, Massachusetts, mis- states the time of his birth; but the author, in a letter with which he has favored me, since the publication of the Memorial, acknowledges his mis- take, and the correctness of the Dedham register.
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yers, Emot and Nicoll, were employed by Newtown, the latter of which gentlemen informed the council, Jan. 31st. 1695, that the survey of the disputed boundaries was completed, and re- quested that a day might be appointed for the appearance of the inhabitants, with their several deeds and writings, in order to a decision of the controversy. A day was thereupon fixed, but when it came, the agents of Newtown alone appeared. At the second appointment, deputies from Brooklyn presented themselves, but the other towns kept aloof, having evidently changed their purpose to submit the decision to the council. The board proceeded, however, to an examination of the evi- dences, but finally adjourned the suit without coming to any conclusion. After a month's delay, the inhabitants of New- town again, on April 4th, besought the governor for a deter- mination of the dispute according to the evidence of title presented before him. His excelleney in council now replied, that as it was a matter of common right, cognizable at com- mon law, and which therefore could not be decided by himself and council, without the concurrence of all the parties, he should refer them to the common law.
But as the Dutch towns had already declined a resort to law, on the plea of expense, the dispute remained where it was, and Newtown proceeded, unmolested, to secure their west line, by laying off lots along the same, from the end of the Little Lots northward, which were distributed to the seve- ral purchasers, and such as held purchase rights, with the pledge to defend any one of their citizens, settled or to settle upon their south and west bounds, who should be sued or otherwise molested by the neighboring towns. The increasing value of land probably stimulated the people of Newtown to action in this matter. At the same time it doubtless encou- raged an inclination, now beginning to be felt by the inhabi- tants, to migrate to New Jersey, where the cheapness of the land, as well as the freedom from taxation, offered peculiar advantages to the young and enterprizing. And from this period onward, that state received from Newtown valuable additions to its population.
Amid other affairs, the people of Newtown were not in- sensible to the wants of their minister, who had evidently secured the good will of his congregation. It was resolved,
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on April 17th, to build a new stone "parsonage house," on land to be bought for that purpose. But the committee, to whom this business was entrusted, found it more expedient to purchase, in the course of the summer, a house and lot, of twelve aeres, from Samuel Coe, for the sum of seventy-five pounds, to pay which, they made sale of some of the common land. The town approved of this measure, and the premises were delivered unto Mr. Morse for his use, during his ministra- tions among them. This matter arranged, Mr. Ezekiel Lewis, subsequently a distinguished lawyer of Boston, and who had this year graduated at Harvard College, was engaged, Dec. 18th, to officiate for a twelve-month, as schoolmaster, for whose accommodation the town-house was to be put in a state of re- pair. These events bespeak for the inhabitants an intelligent enterprize, and for a year no event of note transpired to destroy the harmony of the community, or interrupt the orderly operation of their affairs. There was some talk of a revival of the boundary dispute, but nothing eventuated from it. The quit rent having for several years been suffered to fall in arrears, it called forth a sharp letter from the high sheriff, "in his Majesty's name," requiring the inhabitants to pay the King's dues, or he should "take such methods as would not be well pleasing to them." This was answered by a prompt payment.
The Rev. Mr. Morse increased in favor with the people of his charge. It was now deemed proper that he should be regularly ordained in the ministerial office, that service yet remaining unperformed. The people assembled to consider the subject, on May 15th, 1697. After expressing their desire that Mr. Morse should " be ordained as the pastor and teacher of our church, according to the rule of the gospel," a com- mittee of fourteen persons was appointed to confer with him in relation thereto. Another want was favorably considered on that occasion. Never, on the Sabbath morning, had the sound of the church-going bell awakened the surrounding hills, nor its solemn peals turned the footsteps of devout wor- shipers toward the sanctuary. It was now resolved, "to buy a bell for the town of about ten pound price," a measure which there is reason to believe was executed. It is easy to fancy the agreeable effect produced when, for the first
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time, it spoke from the belfry to the startled ears of the villagers.
. The result of the conference had with Mr. Morse by the committee, in reference to his ordination, is thus piously stated in the town records under date of Wednesday, Sept. 9th :--- " Whereas Mr. John Morse hath consented to be ordained to the work of the ministry, at the solicitation of those persons deputed by the town to treat with him about that affair ; it is therefore voted and agreed that we do accept him as our minister, to dispense to us in things spiritual, according to the mind of Christ and order of the gospel; and we do and shall readily submit ourselves to him in the Lord, as such, and to all his ministerial dispensations and spiritual administrations among us, according to the mind and will of God, as God shall assist and direct him." From these proceedings it may be inferred that Mr. Morse's ordination was duly performed, but it cannot be asserted as a fact, because no further reference to it is found. It is said that from the usages of those times he could not have been ordained without a church, but whether a church had been organized here at this date, does not clearly appear. It is worthy of note, that until the first action in reference to Mr. Morse's ordination, the word church does not occur in the town records, the church edifice being always called the meeting-house. In this instance it evidently refers to the people, and the last quotation from the records, express- ing their desire to submit themselves to Mr. Morse's " minis- terial dispensations and spiritual administrations," certainly bears the complexion of a church covenant.
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