USA > New York > The documentary history of the state of New York, Vol. III pt 2 > Part 22
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Upon a full hearing of all party's it appearing yt Do Newen- huysen had spoken ye words declaring D' Renslaer to be no Minister &c. ye above testimonys being produced in Councell to ye said Newenhuysen and he owned to have been made acquainted therewith still insisted ye said Do Renslaers Ordinacon nor Call did not fitly qualify him to administer ye Sacraments, for which giving not ye least sufficient reason, but implied according to his owne fancy.
. Being Withdrawne, after mature deliberacon It being of great weight & Consequence, It is Resolved that ye said Do Newen- huysen shall have some time to give in his Answer to ye above in writing, which he desireing no longer then till Thursday, Ordered, That on Thursday ye 30th instant, ye said Do Newen- huysen shall by 2 aclock in the afternoone appeare & bring in ye same, particularly whether the Ordination of ye Church of England be not sufficient qualification for a Minister comporting himselfe accordingly, to be admitted, officiate & administer ye Sacraments, according to ye Constitucons of ye reformed Churches of Holland : At which time ye Elders, & all other Officers of yo Dutch Church are likewise required to appeare and be present.
By Order of ye Governr in Councell
This order of Councell was sent.
M. N. Seer.
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At a Councell Septr 30. 1675. Present. The Governor
The Secreatary. Mr Laurence. Capt. Dyre. Mr Philips. This day being appointed at two a clock for Do Newenhuysen to bring in his answer, & make his appearance, wth ye Eldrs & Deacons of the Church.
Ilee brings a paper rather in the Justification of himselfe in · his answer then otherwise, and denyes what is alleaged against him by Do Renslaer therein.
After long debate, ye Do and ye rest of ye Elders and Deacons, seeme to allow in words, what is denyde in writing, viz' That a Minister Ordayned in England by the Bishops is every way Capable &c.
Time is given them to Consider againe well amongst themselves, and give a finall Resolution in answr to the Order of Councell, to morrow.
There were before the Councell.
Do Newenhuysen Minister, Mr Jeronimus Ebbing, Mr Peter Stoutenberg Elders ; M. Jacob Tennisse Kay. Mr Reyneer Willemse. Mr Gerritt Van Tright. M. Isaack Van Vleck Deacons
The next day they brought in their paper amended, with all Submission.
At a' Councell Septr 8th 1676. Present. The Governor Capt. Brockholes. The Secretary. Capt. Dyre.
Upon Informacon that Do Renslaer (one of the Ministers att Albany) is confined by the Magistrates there, upon matter of some dubious words spoken by the said Do in his Sermon or Doctrine.
It is Ordered, That the said Do bee releast from his Imprison- ment, and any matter concerning the same is to bee heard here.
At a Meeting of the Governor in Councell, and Ministers of ye City of New Yorke, Sept 15th 1676.
The occasion was the returne of the appeale in the Caso between Do N. Renslaer and Mr Jacob Leysler, and Mr Jacob Milburne, had before yº Court & Consistory at Albany.
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Ordered, That as Do Renslaer hath putt in Security of fifteer hundred Guildrs hollands money for to prosecute, so ye sai Leysler and Milburne are to putt in ye like Security to make good their Charge
Ordered, That M' Leysler do besides himselfe, put in one o two others as Security for five thousand pound by to morrow before noone.
Sept the 16th. The Ensuing Warrt was sent up to Aloany. BY THE GOVERNOR
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Whereas M. Jacob Millburne hath accused Do Nicholas Renslaer for words spoken by him in a Sermon at Albany on . the 13th Last past, the which having made a great disturbance and been before the Church Officers and Court there, and at last remitted here in order to a determination ; In case the same be nott already taken up and Composed before this comes to your hands, These are in his Maties name to require you, to cause y said Milburne to give in sufficient Security to the value of one thousand pound for his appearance to prosecute and answer the matters relateing thereunto according to Law ; which if hee shall refuse to do, that he be committed to safe Custody into ye Sheriffs hands, of the which you are not to faile, and to make a speedy returne hereof ; Given under my hand in New Yorke, Septent ye 16th 1676.
E ANDROSS.
To ye Commander and Magistrates at Albany.
Septr the 18th
Mr Leysler not obeying the Order of the Governor in Councel of the 15th Instant, was by the Governors speciall Warrant committed into the Custody of the Sheriff :
The Warrt was as followeth. vizt
BY THE GOVERNOR
Whereas Mr Jacob Leysler of this City hath accused Do Nicholas Renslaer for words spoken by him in a Sermon at Albany, on the 13th last past, the which having made a great disturbance and been before the Church Officers and Court there, and at last remitted here in Order to a determination, but ye said Leysler not having given Security according to Law and
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Order ; These are in his Mates name to require you forthiwith to take ye person of the said Jacob Leysler into your Custody, and him safely to keep in Order to a determinacon according to Law ; for the which this shall be your sufficient Warrant : Given under my hand in New Yorke this 18th day of September. 1676.
E. ANDROSS.
To ye Sheriff of New Yorke, or his Deputy.
At a Councell. Septr 23th 1676.
Present. The Governor & Councell. The Mayor & Aldermen The Ministers of ye City.
Upon reading all Evidences & papers relating to the difference betweene Do Nich: Renslaer and M. Jacob Leysler & Mir Jacob Millburne, but ye said Millburne not being present, nor any Anthorized from him
Resolved, That if all parties are willing to stand to the friendly and amicable determinacon made by the Church Officers or Kerken Raat at Albany, and referr ye matter of Charges, (which was ye only obstruction then) to ye Governor and Councell and persons above. That then they will procced to a finall Determi nacon therein ; But if not then a short day shall be appointed for hearing all parties, & taking such further Resolves and order therein as ye Case shall require ; All parties to have Coppies, and bring in their Answers by ye first returne from Albany.
Mr Steph: Van Cortland for Do Renslaer, and Mr Jacob Leysler for himselfe doe desire an Issue may be putt to ye buisnesse in question.
[Translated.] Extraordinary Court holden at Albany
28 Septr 1676. Post Meridiem.
Present Capt Salisbury, Commander. Capt. Thom De Lavall, Richd Pretty, Dirck Wessells, Pr Winne, Capt Phill Schuyler, Andr Teller, Jan Thomase, Marte Gerritse, M' Siston, Sheriff. Dom Schaets, Dom. Renzelaar and some witnesses appearing in Court (all the papers in the difference between the 2 above named Dominies being examined & reviewed) they are, by order
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of the Governor to be reconciled according to Christian duty and love, as it specially becomes such servants of God's word. Whereupon the above named Ministers answer, They are willing to be reconciled with all their hearts.
Dom: Schaets declares the twelve men, whom he accused of Partiality in a Letter written to the Consistory of New York, to be honorable persons, and say that all such occurred foolishly, requesting forgiveness
Doctor Corn: Van Dyck, representing the Consistory, Com- plains that Dom: Schaets being sent for on two occasions by the Consistory, refused to come to them, in direct violation of the Law of the Church.
Dom: Schaats says that he was in the first instance declared Interested, because he had rendered in writing his opinion of Dom: Renselaar's preaching, but that was not done to excite parties, confessing to have acted very improperly and they too in like manner.
WHEREAS various differences have arisen and sprung up between the two Ministers wherein Dom: Schaets charged and accused Dom: Renselaer with false preaching; and Dom: Renselaer thercupon Replied that it was a false lie, Dom: Schaets is therefore ordered to prove the same, who forthwith drew forth a little Book containing divers old comments which the W: Court neither accepted nor received
Their Worships ask parties if they will leave and refer their differences to their W's decision ?
Who answered, Yes.
Thereupon the W: Court resolved unanimously and by plurality of Votes, that Parties shall both forgive & forget as it becomes Preachers of the Reformed Religion to do ; also that all previous variances, church differences and disagreements & provocations shall be consumed in the fire of Love, a perpetual silence and forbearance being imposed on cach respectively, to live together as Brothers for an example to the worthy Congre- gation, for edification to the Reformed Religion and further for the removal and banishment of all scandals ; And in caso hereafter any difference may occur or happen between them, they shall seek redress from the Consistory, to be heart there ;
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but parties not being content with its award, the Consistory shall then state to the Governor who is in fault who shall then be punished according to the exigency of the case. In like manner cach was warned not to repeat or renew any more former differences or variances, under a penalty to be fixed by their worships of the Court.
At a Conncell October 23th 1676.
PRESENT The Governour & Councell. Some of ye Aldermen. The Ministers of this City.
Upon a Returne from Albany, The matter concerning ye charges about ye Difference between Domine Renslaer, and Mr Leysler & Milburne, now referred by all partys to the deterini- nacon of the Governor and Councell, the same being taken into Consideracon The Ensuing Order was made vizt
Whereas there was an amicable & friendly agreemt made by the Church Officers (or Kerken Raat) at Albany of the Difference between Do Nicholas Renslaer on the one part, and Jacob Leysler and Jacob Milburne on the other, only as to the matter of Charge, the which was referr'd to ye Governor and Councell here.
The same being taken into Consideration, It is Ordered, That cob Leysler and Jacob Milburne doe pay the whole charge both at Albany and here, as giving the first Occasion of the Difference, and that Do Renslaer bee freed from bearing any part thereof, and this to be a finall end and determinacon of the matter betweene ye partyes upon this occasion.
MINISTER'S HOUSE AT ALBANY.
Albany 6 Feb. 1678-9.
Dom: Gid: Schaets appears in Court with Jan Vinnagen Elder and the 2 Deacons, M. Jan Janse Bleeker and Mr Hend: Cuyler representing the W. Consistory who freely without any persua- sion promise to convey and give a proper Deed of the house occupied at present by Dom: Gideon Schaets to be for the future a residence for the Minister of Albany for the benefit of the
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Congregation of the Reformed Church here; as the house was built out of the Poor's money and now being decayed, the W: Court promises to repair said house and keep it in good order fit for a Minister for which purpose it shall be conveyed
Ordinary Court held at
Albany 6 July, 1680.
The W: Consistory of this city being sent for to Court, and being requested by their Worships to contribute something to the repair and building of Dom: Schaets house, being for the good of the Commonalty;
The W. Consistory consent to contribute the sum of one thousand guilders Zewant, for the reparation of the said house.
DOM. SCHIAETS AND THE LUTHERANS.
Extraordinary Court held at Albany
11 March 1679. '80 .
The Court met at the request of De Gideon Schaets, accom- panied by the W: Consistory, who complains that Myndert Frederickse Smitt came to his house and told him the Dome never to presume to speak to any of his Children on religious matters ; and that he the Dome went sueaking through all the houses like the Devil ; adding, Our Domine (meaning Dom: Bernardus, Minister of the Lutheran Congregation) does not do so.
Dom: Schaets further complains that Myndert Frederickse's wife grievously abused & calumniated him behind his back at Gabriel Thomson's house, as an old Rogue, Sneak &ca. and that if she had him by the pate, she should drag his grey hairs out of it ; which the Domine offered to prove by witnesses.
Whereupon Myndert Frederickse & wife are sent for to Court and Dome Schaets accusation is read to Myndert who denies. it all declaring that he had not given the Domine an ill word.
Pietertje, wife of Myndert Frederickse denies having abused Dom: Schaets as a rogue & sneak ; but that the Domine hath abused her Religion as a Devilish Religion.
Hend. Rooseboom sworn, says that he was at Gabriel
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Thomson's last Monday when Pietertie, Myndert Frederickse's wife entered, and wishing to go away was called back by Gabriel and conversing on the Subject of Dom: Schaets and her daughter, she said-What business hath Dom: Schacts to question mine daughter ? To this Gab' said-Why should he not do so ? The Domine does well to question people. Whereupon Pietertie said, Dom. Schaets, the old Rogue & Sneak ; had she been by she should have caught him by the grey pate-adding he ought to look to his daughter the W -- e and take care of her-To which Gabriel replied, Meutie, why say that & scold the Domine so ? who answered him-You damned dog ! you protect whores & knaves.
Cornelis Teunise Swart being sworn, says he was also at Gabriel Thomson's last Tuesday when Pietertie Myndert Frederickse's wife came in and enquired for her daughter, who not being there, she was going away but Gabriel called her bark and said-sit awhile Meutie ; and being in conversation about Dom: Schaets wishing to question her daughter-she said she had, herself, a teacher to do so-that if she had the old rogue, she would take him by the grey pate, and further knoweth not.
M. Sherrif Pretty requests their Worships that he may act herein, to institute his action at a more convenient period.
The W. Court postpone the matter to the next Court day to act then on the merits. Meanwhile if parties can be reconciled, (through Respect for the Divine) they were partienlarly recom- mended to do so, saving the Sheriff's action & costs.
Albany 12 March 161;
Myndt Fredericksen and his wife appear before their Worships of the Court, requesting that they may be reconciled in love & friendship with Dom: Schaets as they have been with Gabriel. Whereupon their W: recommended him to call Dom: Schaets which being immediately done ;
Dom: Schaets appearing before their Worships is asked-if he were willing to be Reconciled with the aforesaid persons ? who answers, Yes, on condition that they both acknowledge him an honourable man, and that they know nought of him except what is honest & virtuous (always excepting the Dispute out of VOL. II. 56
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which this Case arose, namely-Universal Grace-being no political question1 ), also the Sheriff's claim
Whereupon Myndert aforesaid & his wife acknowledge the Domine in open Court to be an honest man, and that they know nought of him except all honour & virtue and are willing to bear all the costs hereof, also to settle with the Sheriff
N. B. It is settled by And: Teller and for 6 Beavers and 6 eans of wine
THE GREAT COMET OF 1680.
[Alb, City Roc.] The Commissaries of Albany to Capt Brockholes Ist Jan'y 1681.
HOND SIR
According to former Practise in this Season of ye Year, wee have sent this Post, to acquaint yow, how all affares are here wt is, which is (thanks be to God) all in Peace & quietnesse, The Lord continue ye Same, throw ye hole Governmt wee doubt not but yow have seen ye Dreadfull Comett Starr wh appeared in ye southwest, on ye 9th of December Last, about 2 a clock in ye afternoon, fair sunnshyne wether, a litle above ye Son, wch takes its course more Northerly, and was seen the Sunday night after, about Twy-Light with a very fyery Tail or Streemer in ye West To ye great astoneshment of all Spectators, & is now seen every Night wt Clear weather, undoubtedly God Threatens us wh Dreadfull Punishments if wee doe not Repent, wee would have Caused ye Domine Proclaim a Day of fasting and humiliation to morrow. to be kept on Weddensday ye 12 Jany in ye Town of Albany & Dependencies-if wee thought our Power & autority did extend so farr, and would have been well Resented by Yourself, for all Persons ought to humble Themselves in such a Time, and Pray to God to Withdraw his Righteous Jugements
1 This is explained by the following testimony in another case-" Hans Dreper further says that Gabriel's wife stated that De Sehaets said at her house that whoever tanght that CHRIST died alike for all men, taught a false & devilish Doctrine."
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from us, as he did to Nineve Therefore if yow would be pleased to graunt your approbation wee would willingly canse a day of fasting & humiliation to be kept, if it were monthly ; whose answer wee shall Expect with ye Bearer.
We cannot forbear to acquaint you wt ye verry great Scarcety of Corne throughout our Jurisdiction, which is Ten times more 'then was Expected, now when ye People Thresh, soo yt it is Supposed, there will scarce be Corne To supply ye Inhabitants here, wt Bread. This is all at present wishing yow & Counsell a happy N. Year shall break off & Remain
The Indian Wattawitt must Your humble & obt Servants have a Blankett & shirt att York. YR COMMISS. OF ALBANY.
New Yorke Jan'y 13th 1680. GENTLEMEN,
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Yor's of the first Instant by the Indian post receved and am glad to here all things Well, wee haue Seen the Comett not att the time yon mention only in the Evening The Streame being very large but know not its predicts or Events, and as they Certainly threaten Gods Vengence and Judgments and are prmonitors to us Soe I Doubt not of yor and each of yor performance of yr Duty by prayer &c. as becomes good Christians Especially at this time, & hope the next Yeare will make amends for an supply yr prsent Searcety of Corne, The Governor went hence the 7th and sailed from Sandy point the Eleventh Instant Noe news here but all well I remaine
Yor affectionate ffriend
A. BROCKHOLLES.
DIFFICULTIES BETWEEN DOM. SCHAETS AND HIS CONGREGATION.
Extraordinary Court holden at
Albany 1st April 1681.
This Extraordinary Court is held at the request of the Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Church here, who apply to the Gentlemen and request their assistance inasmuch as the head
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of their Consistory Dom: Gideon Schaets refuses to visit them for the purposes of holding religious meetings in the Church, the usnal appointed place by the Consistory-Having undertaken to speak to the Domine of the trouble which he caused some of the Members, in direct opposition to the office of a Teacher, especially at this conjuncture of Time when the Lords supper was so near at hand ; after the Consistory had done its duty & part to the utmost on the 29. March last, and not knowing but it had accomplished every thing, and every matter of difference had been settl. a for the time (having been admonished in the temper of Love & Christian duty) Anneke his daughter consent- ing willingly to absent herself the next time from the Holy Table of the Lord on her father's proposal, and as it was her duty, so as to prevent as much as possible all scandals in Christ's flock ; as it is evident we have done our utmost in sending for the aforesaid Domine to visit us to-day, which he hath wholly refused, We therefore request that their worships will please send for the said Domine and ask him if all matters of difference &c were not arranged at the last Consistorial meeting on 29 March last and wherefore does he now rip up new differences and offences contrary to his duty & office. .
Whereupon their Worships sent Wm Parker the Court Messenger to request him to come to Conrt ; who answered that the Consistory had sent him ; whereunto the Bode said, The Court sent for your Reverence not the Consistory. He replied- He would not come.
The Bode is sent a 2d time to tell him that he must instantly appear before the Court. He answered, he would not appear before the Court, though they should dismiss him.
The Bode, sent for the third time, found him not at home but his daughter Anneke said, I'll go and ask him ; and having asked him said, Mine Father will not come ; they may do what they please, for the magistrates are wishing to make me out a W --.
The Bode being sent the fourth time reports as before.
Whereupon is Resolved, to send the constable Jacob Sanders with a special Warrant after him, to bring him here before the Court.
Who having visited the house and being unable to find him
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the constable then asked his Daughter, Anneke Schaets, where her father was ? She answered-Know you not what Cain said ? Is he his Brother's keeper ? Am I my father's keeper ? Where- upon the constable told her that she should let him bring him. To which she answered, she had nobody for him to bring, and had she a dog, she should not allow him to be used by the Magistrates for such a service. The Magistrates had their own Bode.
The Constable having been sent for the second time spoke to Dom Schaets at Hend: Cuyler's house, who gave for answer that he should not go before the Court if the Consistory were there ; but if the Consistory was not present, he would appear before the Court.
Whereupon the W. Court considering the great inconvenience his suspension should canse the Congregation have through condescension sent him word that the Magistrates only will speak to him withont the Consistory.
[N. B. His suspension was written out & read to him]
At last, Dom: Schaets appeared in Court and he is asked why he, who should afford a good example to others, hath shown contempt to his Court by refusing on their reiterated summons, to appear before them ; demanding Satisfaction.
Wherenpon it appears at first that Dom : was much dissatisfied and demanded his demission from their worships ; but at last considering his committed offence, he excused himself and requested exceedingly that he should be forgiven, and not severely dealt by, and hereafter nothing should be laid to his charge, promising to obey, for the future, his lawful superiors, requesting that all be reconciled-which was done.
Further all matters and disputes between him and his Con sistory,-Mr Dauid Schuyler MrDirek Wessels, Elders ; Wouter Albertse van den Uthoff & Gert Lansing Deacons, were arranged in love and friendship in presence of the Court aforesaid ; Dom: Schacts admitting he was under a misconception.
MEMORANDUM.
On the 9th June 1681, Anneke Schaets, wife of Tho : Davidtse Kekebel, is sent to her husband at N. York, by order and pursuant to letters from the Commander in Chief with a letter of recom-
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mendation ; but as she was so headstrong and would not depart without the Sheriff & Constable's interference, her disobedience was annexed to the letter.
Albany 5th July 1681.
Anneke Schaets who was sent to N. York by their Worships on the 9th June last pursuant to letters and orders from the Commander in Chief Capt Antho Brockholes is come back here in the same Sloop, and brings this following recommendation- which is in terms
N. York June ye 27th 1681.
GENTLEMEN
Wee have thought fitt to acquaint you that Tomas Davis and his wife Anneke Schaets are suffered to goe up for Albany in order to settle their affairs there, We Recommend yow to endeavour a Reconciliation between them if Possible otherwise if Parties desire it, deside there differences by Law, haveing due Regard to there Jointure or heuwelyx foorwaerde, wch is all at Present from
Your Loveing ffriend ANTHO BROCKBOLES.
Extraordinary Court holden in Albany
29th day July A. Dom. 1681.
Tho: Davidtse promises to conduct himself well & honorably towards his wife Anneke Schaets ; to love & never to neglect her but faithfully and properly to maintain and support her with her children according to his means, hereby making null and void all questions that have occurred and transpired between them both, never to repeat them, but are entirely reconciled ; and for better assurance of his real Intention and good resolution to observe the same, he requests that two good men be named to oversee his conduct at N. York towards his said wife, being entirely disposed and inclined to live honourably & well with her as a Christian man ought, subjecting himself willingly to the rule and censure of the said men. On the other hand his wife Anneke Schaets promises also to conduct herself quietly & well and to accompany him to N. York with her children &
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property here, not to leave him any more but to serve and help him and with him to share the sweets and the sours as becomes a Christian spouse ; Requesting that all differences which had ever existed between them both may be hereby quashed and brought no more to light or cast up, as she on her side is heartily disposed to.
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Their Worship, of the court Recommend parties on both sides to observe strictly their Reconciliation now made, and the gen- tlemen at N. York will be informed that the matter is so far arranged.
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