The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884 Volume I, Part 23

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed. cn; Brockett, L. P. (Linus Pierpont), 1820-1893; Proctor, L. B. (Lucien Brock), 1830-1900. 1n
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1114

USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884 Volume I > Part 23

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).

his

Adam

Brower . 1680.

mark

Denton's Mill, or " the Yellow Mill," in Gowanus," was also built upon Bout's patent, by Adam and Nicholas, the sons of Adam Brower, in 1709. The mill-pond was formed by the damming off a branch of the Gowanus Kill,and the mill was located on the north- east side of the present First street, about midway between Sceond and Third avenues. The dwelling house, which was burned about 1852, was in Carroll, midway between Nevins street and Third avenue.

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

There is some uncertainty regarding the precise limits of these three patents of Bout, Stoffelsen and Van Couwenhoven ; but, together they evidently cover that portion of the city included between Fulton avenue, Smith and Nevins streets, and described on later maps as lands of Martense and Gerritsen.

In this second tier of patents, also, were those of Huyck Aertsen (Van Rossum), 1646, between the present Fulton avenue, Fourth avenue, Nevins and Douglass streets, afterwards known as Bergen and Powers' property; of Joris Direksen, Pieter Cornelissen and Cornelis Dircksen, 1646, on the east side of the King's highway (now Fulton avenue) a somewhat triangular section of land which may be described in general terms as at present included between Fulton avenue, Raymond street and a line drawn a little south of and parallel to Tillary street. In all, it amounted to about 46 morgens. Cornelis Direksen was the ferry- man; Pieter Dircksen was a carpenter.

Civil History .- During the Dutch Regime, 1646-1664. The civil history of Breuckelen, from the time of its incorporation in 1646 to the conquest of New Netherland by the English, in 1664, has but little interest or importance. It is mentioned, in 1649, as one of "two villages of little moment," and its course was simply that of an agricultural community, differing in no respect from the neighboring towns, and inferior to none (except, it may be, to Midwont, now Flatbush) in wealth or political influence.

In 1647 Governor Kieft was superseded by Peter Stuyvesant, who did not find the affairs of the colony in a prosperous condition. The commonalty were dis- orderly and discontented ; the public revenue seriously impaired by inefficient or dishonest officials ; trade ruined by smuggling ; and the general safety weakened by bickerings and dispntes with colonial patroons, con- cerning rights of jurisdiction. The savages, also, brooding over their past defeats, evidently waited only for an opportunity to avenge their losses ; and jealous neighbors were secretly plotting against the Dutch rule in America.

With characteristic energy, Governor Stuyvesant entered upon the task of reform; and, within three months, order was restored and trade revived. The governmental powers which he assumed were extensive and often arbitrary ; and it is not surprising that in their exercise he developed the imperiousness, impatience of restraint, and disregard of the wishes of the people which characterized him in his gubernatorial career; and which were due, probably, to both his personal character and his previous military life. Though he was at times compelled to yield a reluctant, partial deference to popular sentiment, the history of his government is a record of quarrels with his English and Swedish neigh- bors, with colonial patroons, and with his own people. So far did his assumption of authority exceed the patience of the commonalty that, in 1653, a convention

of delegates met at New Amsterdam and adopted a remonstrance. Breuekelen was represented in this con- vention by Frederick Lubbertsen, Paulus Vanderbceek, and William Beekman. It is unnecessary to say that the remonstrance produced no effect, and that on a second assembling of the convention the Governor ordered them to "disperse, and not to assemble again on such business."

In 1654 the municipal privileges of Breuckelen, as well as of Amersfoort and Midwout, were enlarged; and, in Breuckelen, two schepens were added to the two already possessed, and David Provoost was appointed the first separate schout or constable. During this year a Reformed Dutch Church, the first on Long Island, was established at Midwout, under the Rev. Johannes Theodorus Polhemus, and morning services were held at Breuckelen and Amersfoort alternately. It was not till 1660 that the people of Breuckelen had a pastor settled among them. In 1665 the magistrates in Brncek- elen were permitted to present to the council candi- dates, from among whom schepens might be selected; and Frederick Lubbertsen, Albert Cornelissen, Jacob Dircksen, and Joris Rapelje were appointed. During this year the fees of the schout were fixed as follows : For copying every judicial act passed by the schepens, or for each apostille, 12 stivers, and 6 stivers for each " extract from the notules." For a petition which was to be signed by the petitioner, if of a civil nature, 16 stivers ; or if it related to a criminal case, injuries, etc., 20 stivers. For procuring a certificate, 24 stivers. Pro- voost died in January, 1656, and was succeeded by Peter Tonneman, who acted until August, 1660, when he became sheriff of New Amsterdam ; and in his stead Adriaen Hegeman was appointed, who enjoyed a salary of 200 guilders per annum, with half of the civil fines imposed by the courts, and one-third of the criminal fines levied by the towns, together with certain clerk's fees for entries and transcripts.

In 1656 the schepens of Breuckelen required the own- ers of certain vacant building lots to build thereon within a certain specified time, and this action was approved by the council.

In 1657, Thursday of each week was declared a mar- ket day in the village of Breuckelen.

In 1660 fortifications, with palisades, etc., were ordered for Brooklyn and New Utrecht. In the same year permission was granted to several Frenchmen to settle at what afterward became Boswick or Bushwick. Permission was also given to Aert Anthonissen Mid- dagh, Teunis Gybertsen Bogart, Jean Le Clerc, Gerrit Heyndrick Backer, Philip Barchstoel, Christina Cap- poens, Jacob Kip, and Joris Rapalje, residents of the Waal-boght neighborhood, who had petitioned the Dir- ector for permission to form a village "on the margin of the river, between the lands of said Bogaert and Kip, so that," as they expressed it, "we may be in sight of the Manhatans, or Fort Amsterdam." The position selected

THE NICOLLS' CHARTER OF BROOKLYN.

was, probably, the elevated point of land which jutted into the river about the foot of South Fourth street, in the present Eastern District of the city, and which was known in the ancient time as the "Keike," or " Look- out." On the petition of others, and the discussion of the subject, pro and con, the decision was reconsidered and the permission denied.

During this year a church was organized in Breuck- elen, with Henricus Sclyns as pastor. There were in the town, at that time, 31 families, or 134 persons. Church services were at first held in a barn.

In 1661 the schout and schepens of the court of Breuekelen represented to the Director General and Council that they found it " necessary that a Court

Funis Pirate Prosjust. 14.

Facsimile of Teunis Gysbert Bogaert's Autograph.

Messenger was required for the Schepens' Chamber, to be occasionally employed in the Village of Brenckelen and all around where he may he needed, as well to serve summons, as also to conduct the service of the Church, and to sing on Sundays ; to take charge of the School, dig graves, etc., ring the Bell, and perform whatever else may be required." In answer to this petition, the Director and Council were graciously pleased to say that they would "pay fifty guilders, in wampum, annually, for the support of the precentor (voorsanger) and school- master in the village of Breuckclen," and Carel de Beau- voise was appointed.

In 1663 Indian warfare broke out in the colony, which was also scourged with sinall-pox. Events also trans- pired which seemed to foreshadow the revolution of the next year. During this year but few events of partic- lar interest occurred. Petitions were presented for permission to establish villages, or "concentrations," one of which was granted, for a settlement at a place " back of the Waalc-Boght, or at Marcus' plantation.

In the month of July, during the Indian troubles which prevailed, the Director proposed that Breuckelen should furnish 8, 10, or 12 men, to be " kept ready for the protection of one or the other place in danger, which may God avert !" A meeting of the inhabitants was forthwith held, at which every person present expressed a willingness to aid in protecting their neighbors on Long Island, but it was decined that the town was not strong enough to furnish so many men.

It is a noteworthy fact that, in 1664, the principle of popular representation was, for the first time, recog- nized in the colony. At the special request of the Burgomasters and Schepens, the Director convened a General Assembly of delegates from the several towns, to discuss and consider the affairs of Nieuw Nether- land. This Convention, in which Breuckelen was rep- resented by Willem Bredenbent and Albert Cornelis

Wantanaer, assembled at the "Stadt Hnys" (or City Hall), in New Amsterdam, on the 10th of April, 1664.

The revolution of 1664, which transferred the juris- diction of New- Netherland from the Dutch to the English, is elsewhere spoken of. BROADHEAD says of it : " But, whatever may have been its ultimate conse- quences, this treacherous and violent seizure of the ter- ritory and possessions of an unsuspecting ally, was no less a breach of private justice than of public faith. It may, indeed, be affirmed that, among all the acts of sel- fish perfidy which royal ingratitude conceived and exe- cuted, there have been few more characteristic, and none more base."

Under the Duke of York, 1664-1674 .- After the revolution of 1664 the colony was reeon- structed under the Duke of York, and its name was changed to that of New York. On the 28th of February, 1665, a convention met at Hempstead; and, as elsewhere stated, adopted regulations for the government of the colony. In this convention Breuckclen was represented by Fred- erick Lubbertsen and Jan Evertsen Bout.

During the administration of Governors Nicolls and Lovelace, tranquility and prosperity prevailed, and nothing of interest is recorded of Brenckelen.

In the autumn of 1667 Governor Nicolls granted to Breuckelen a full and ample patent, confirming the people in their rights and privileges. Under the Dutch government there was, without doubt, a charter or gen- eral patent of the town, which is lost. Such a charter was referred to in conveyances between individuals, and the Nicolls charter is evidently confirmatory of it. The following is the text of this charter :

L. S. " RICHARD NICOLLS, EsQ., Governor-General under his Royal Highness James Duke of Yorke and Albany, etc., of all his Territorys in America, To all to whom these presents shall come, sendeth Greeting-Whereas there is a certain town within this government, situate, lying and being in the West Riding of Yorkshire, upon Long Island, commonly called and known by the name of Breuckelen, which said town is in the tenure or occupation of several freeholders and inhabitants, who, having heretofore been seated there by authority, have been at very considerable charge in manur- ing and planting a considerable part of the lands belonging thereunto, and settled a competent number of families thereupon. Now, for a confirmation unto the said free- holders and inhabitants in their possessions and enjoyment of the premises, Know ye, That by virtue of the commission and authority unto me given by his Royal Highness, I have given, ratified, confirmed, and granted, and by these presents do give, ratify, confirm, and grant, unto Jan Everts, Jan Damen, Albert Cornelissen, Paulus Veerbeeck, Michael Eneyl (Hainelle), Thomas Lamberts, Teunis Guysbert Bogart, and Joris Jacobson, as patentees, for and on the behalf of them- selves and their associates, the freeholders and inhabitants of the said town, their heirs, successors and assigns, all that tract, together with the several parcels of land which already have or hereafter shall be purchased or procured for and on behalf of the said town, whether from the native Indian proprietors or others, within the bounds and limits hereafter set forth and exprest, viz., that is to say, the town is bounded

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

westward on the farther side of the land of Mr. Paulus Veer- beck, from whence stretching southeast, they go over the hills, and so eastward along the said hills to a southeast point which takes in all the lotts behind the swamp, from which said lotts they run northwest to the River and extend to the farm, on the t'other side of the hill, heretofore belonging to Hans Hansen, over against the Kicke or Looke-out, including within the said bounds and limitts all the lotts and planta- tions lying and being at the Gowanis, Bedford, Wallaboucht and the Ferry .- All which said parcels and tracks of land and premises within the bounds and limits afore-mentioned, described, and all or any plantation or plantations there- upon, from henceforth are to bee, appertaine, and belong to the said town of Breuckelen, Together with all havens, har- bours, creeks, quarreys, woodland, meadow-ground, reed- land or valley of all sorts, pastures, marshes, runs, rivers, lakes, hunting, fishing, hawking, and fowling, and all other profitts, commodities, emoluments, and hereditaments, to the said lands and premises within the bounds and limits all forth belonging, or in any wise appertaining,-and withall to have freedome of commonage for range and feed of cattle and horse into the woods, as well without as within these bounds and limitts, with the rest of their neighbours,-as also one-third part of a certain neck of meadow-ground or valley called Sellers neck, lying and being within the limits of the town of Jamaica, purchased by the said town of Jamaica from the Indians, and sold by them unto the inhab- itants of Breuckelen aforesaid, as it has been lately laid out and divided by their mutual consent and my order, where- unto and from which they are likewise to have free egress and regress, as their occasions may require. To have and to hold all and singular the said tract and parcell of land, meadow-ground or valley, commonage, hereditaments and premises, with their and every of their appurtenances, and of every part and parcell thereof, to the said patentees and their associates, their heirs, successors, and assigns, to the proper use and behoof of the said patentees and their asso- ciates, their heirs, successors, and assigns forever. More- over, I do hereby give, ratify, confirm and grant unto the said patentees and their associates, their heirs, successors, and assigns, all the rights and privileges belonging to a town within this government, and that the place of their present habitation shall continue and retain the name of Breuckelen, by which name and stile it shall be distinguished and known in all bargains and sales made by them, the said patentees and their associates, their heirs, successors, and assigns, ren- dering and paying such duties and acknowledgments as now are or hereafter shall be constituted and established by the laws of this government, under the obedience of his Royal highness, his heirs and successors. Given under my hand and seal at Fort James, in New York, on the Island of Man- hattat, this 18th day of October, in the nineteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, Charles the Second, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc., Annoque Domini, 1667.

" RICHARD NICOLLS.

"Recorded, by order of the Governor, the day and year above written.

" MATTHIAS NICOLLS, Sec'ry."

January 4, 1668, one Robert Hollis was granted the exclusive privilege of selling strong drink in Brueckelen. During this year, also, the little village-hamlet of Bed- ford was honored by the establishment of an inn or " ordinary for man and beast," kept, under an annual lieense from the Governor, by Thomas Lamberts.

In the year 1670, the inhabitants of Brenckelen, being

desirous of enlarging the bounds of their common lands, and of extinguishing the Indian title to the same, applied to Governor Lovelace, and obtained from him permission to purchase from the native proprietors a large tract of land in and about the hamlet then, and since, known as Bedford.

In accordance with this permission a purchase was made from the Indians of " all that parcel of land and tract of land, in and about Bedford, within the jurisdic- tion of Breuckelen, beginning from Hendrick Van Aarnrem's land, by a swamp of water, and stretching to the hills, then going along the hills to the port or entrance there, and so to the Rockaway foot-path, as their purchase is more particularly set fforth." The com- pensation for this land was 100 guilders seawant, half a tun of strong beer, 2 half tuns of good beer, 3 guns, long barrels, with each a pound of powder, and lead proportionable-2 bars to a gun-4 match coates. The text of this Indian deed, as well as much interesting matter concerning the early history of the Bedford dis- trict, will be found on pages 157-160 of Stiles' History of Brooklyn.

In 1673 the provinee passed again under the control of the States General, and the five Dutch towns submitted with alacrity to the authority of their old masters. In Breuckelen, and the adjoining hamlets, fifty-two out of cighty-one men took the oath of allegiance, and the remainder were ordered to do so.

During the brief second rule of the Dutch the people were called on to take measures for protection against a threatened invasion from New England, and the inhabitants of Breuckelen, Boswyck, and the other Dutch towns were not slow to respond.

But another change in the political condition of the country was at hand, and the second epoch of Dutch power was terminated, in February, 1674, by a treaty of peace between England and Holland, by which New Netherlands was given to the English in exchange for Surinam. The new governor, Sir Edmund Andros, arrived at New York on the 31st of October, received a formal surrender of the place, and re-established the English government. The Duke's Laws were reinstated and confirmed, together with such grants and privileges as had been previously enjoyed under his royal high- ness; all legal judicial proceedings during the Dutch government were pronounced valid, and the inhabitants secured in their lawful estates and property. A special order, also, of November 4th, reinstated in office, for a period of six months, the officials of the several towns who were serving when the Dutch came in power.

The fort, on Manhattan Island, which had been called by the Dutch, in honor of the "Staadt-holder," Fort William Hendrick, again became Fort James, and "New Orange," as the city had been reehristened, be- came again NEW YORK.

Under the English, 1675-1775 .- During the year 1675 nothing occurred to disturb the equanimity of the

UNDER THE ENGLISHI, 1675-1775.

people in Breuekelen, exeept the apprehension which they shared in common with those of the neighboring towns, that they might become involved in King Philip's war, in which it was feared the Long Island tribes might participate. Proper preventive measures were adopted by the provincial government, the fear in these towns subsided, and a feeling of security followed the defeat of that notorious chieftain.

It appears that Breuckelen had at this time come to be the leading town, in population and wealth, in Kings County. The number of assessed persons in the town was 60; while that of Middlewout, which had hitherto exceeded it, was but 54. Its assessed valuation was £5,204 against £5,079 10s. in its neighbor.

During the same year its importance was enhaneed by its appointment as a market town. The following is the record concerning this:

" Upon a proposall of having a ffayre or markett in or neare this Citty (New York) ; It is ordered, that after this season, there shall yearely be kept a ffayre and markett at Breucklyn, near the fferry, for all graine, cattle, or other produce of the country ; to bee held the first Monday, Tues- day and Wednesday in November, and in the Citty of New Yorke the thursday, ffriday, and Saturday following."

In 1682 Colonel Thomas Dongan succeeded Governor Andros, and reforms were at onee inaugurated. The towns were ordered to bring in their patents and Indian deeds preparatory to receiving new charters. Breuck- elen and Boswyek at once complied; and, after the set- tlement of some questions concerning its boundaries, Brenckelen, on the 3d of May, 1686, received from Governor Dongan a patent, from which the following is an extract :

"The said town is bounded westward on the further side of the land of Mr. Paulus Verbeeck, from whence stretching southeast they go over the hills and so eastward along by the said hills to a southeast point, which takes in all the lotts behind the swamp, from which said lotts they run northwest to the River, and extend to the farm on the other side of the hills heretofore belonging to Hans Hansen, over against Keak or Look-out, including within the said bounds and limitts all the lots and plantations, lying and being at the Gouwanes, Bedford, Wallabocht and the ferry, all which said parcels and tract of land and premises within the bounds and limitts aforementioned described, and all or any plantation or plan- tations thereupon, from henceforth are to be, appertain and belong to the said town of Breucklyn, Together with all har- bor, havens, creeks, quarries, woodland, meadow ground, reed land or valley of all sorts, pastures, marshes, waters, rivers, lakes, fishing, hawking, hunting, fowling, and all other profits, commodities, emoluments and hereditaments to the said lands and premises within the bounds and limitts set forth, belonging, or in any wise appertaining, and with all to have freedom of commonage for range and feed of cattle and horses, into the woods with the rest of their neigh- bors, as also one third part of a certain neck of meadow ground or valley, called Seller's neck, lying and being within the town of Jamaica, purchased by the said town of Jamaica from the Indians, and sold by them unto the inhabitants of Breucklen aforesaid, as it was laid out aforesaid, and divided by their mutual consent and order of the Governor."

This was a ratification and confirmation of the patent

granted by Governor Nicolls. It was granted to Teunis Gysberts (Bogart), Thomas Lamberts, Peter Jansen, Jacobus Vander Water, Jan Dame(n), Joris Jacobs, Jeronimus Rapalle, Daniel Rapalle, Jan Jansen, Adrian Bennet, and Michael Hanse (Bergen), for and on the

miguel haufen

Facsimile of Michael Hansen's signature.

behalf of themselves and the rest of the present free- holders and inhabitants of the said town of Breuckelen. The patent contained the following provision : " Yielding, rendering and paying therefor yearly and every year, on the five and twentyeth day of March, forever, in lieu of all services and demands, whatsoever, as a quit-rent to his most sacred Majesty aforesaid, the heirs and sueeessors, at the city of New York, twenty bushels of good merehantable wheat."

In 1686 the oath of allegianee was signed by the fol- lowing (the figures indicating the time which the in- dividual had resided in the country):

Thomas Lambertse, 36 years ; Jooris Hanssen, native ; Hendrick Vechten, 27 years ; Claes Arense Vechten, 27 years ; Jan Aertsen (Middag), 28 years ; Hendrick Claasen, 33 years ; Jacob Hanssen Bergen, native ; Jooris Martens, native ; Hen-

Pravi Lungo

Facsimile of Jacob Hansen Bergen's signature.

drick Thyssen, 21 years ; Mauritius Couverts, native ; Willem Huijcken, 24 years ; Theunis Gysbertse Bogaert, 35 years ; Willem Bennitt, native ; Hendrick Lambertse, native ; Jan Fredricks, 35 years ; Jan Couverts, native ; Luijcas Cou- verts, 24 years ; Frans Abramse, native ; Gerrit Aerts Mid- dag, native ; Simon Aertsen, 23 years : Matthys Cornelisen, 24 years; Ephraim Hendricks, 33 years; Claes Thomas Van Dyck, native ; Jeronimus d'Rapale, native ; Jeronimus Remsen, native ; Casper Janssen, native ; Achias Janse Vandijck, 36 years ; Jacob Joorissen, native ; Jacobus d'Beauvois, 28 years ; Harmen Joorissen, native ; Jacob Willemse Bennit, native ; Jacob Brouwer, native ; Bourgon Broulaet, 12 years ; Jan Damen, 37 years; Cornelis Subrink (Sebring), native : Hendrick Sleght, 35 years ; Abram Remsen, native : Machiel Hanssen, native ; Theunis Tobiassen, native ; Pieter Corsen, native ; Theunis Janse Couverts, 36 years : Aert Simmons- sen, native ; Adam Brouwer, Junior, native ; Alexander Shaers, native ; Willem Pos, native ; Jan gerrise Dorland, 35 years ; Johannis Casperse, 35 years : Claes Barentse Blom,

Gloss Barentse

his & B Com. mark.

Facsimile of Signature of Claes Barentse Blom.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884 Volume I, Part 23

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed. cn; Brockett, L. P. (Linus Pierpont), 1820-1893; Proctor, L. B. (Lucien Brock), 1830-1900. 1n Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : W. W. Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1114

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed. cn; Brockett, L. P. (Linus Pierpont), 1820-1893; Proctor, L. B. (Lucien Brock), 1830-1900. 1n
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1114