USA > New York > The documentary history of the state of New York, Vol. III pt 2 > Part 24
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I am sorry to tell you, Sir, that I am afraid the missionaries , that are coming over, will find hard work of it, and if the commander of that fort be not a person of singular piety and virtue, all their endeavours will be ineffectual ; these, here, that trade with them, are loath that any religion get any footing among them ; besides, these savages are so given to drinking of that nasty liquor rum, that they are lost to all that is good. I must tell you that the Masque, of whom one of the four that were lately in England was a sachem, have not above fifty men. All the five nations cannot make two thousand, and of these, in number, the Senekas, are near one thousand, and most of them are in the French interest. Hendrick, the great prince that was so honoured in England, can not command ten men ; the other three were not Sachems. How far her majesty and the society have been imposed upon, I leave it to you to judge. I beg leave also to tell you, that the missionaries that are sent over, must have an honourable allowance and large presents to give, otherwise they will have but few proselytes ; and great care must be taken that they be well used, otherwise their mission will prove ineffectual as Mr. Moor's, and how he defeated the designs of his mission, Col. Schuyler best knows.
I have now worried you with a long letter, and shall only add, that I shall be always ready to follow the directions of the society, and to endeavour all that in me lieth to propagate religion where it is not, and cultivate it where it is established.
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PAPERS RELATING TO ALBANY
REVD WM ANDREWS MISSIONARY TO THE MOHAWKS.
AT a Meeting of ye Com's of the Indian affairs in Albany the 14th November 1712.
PRESENT P. Schuyler Hend. Hansen K. V. Renselaer Mynd Schuyler Johs Schuyler P Vn Brugh
The Com's Recd a letter from his Excellency dated ye 31th of October last and is as followth [Letter missing.]
The Reverend M. Wmn Andrews Missionary for the Mohocks sent by the honourable Society for propagation the Gospel in foreign parts was desired to meet the Com's with the Reverend Mr Tho. Barclay, who came, It was then ordred that the said letter should be read unto them which was done, and told Me Andrews that they would at all times give him all the assistance that Lays in their power for accomplishing so Good a work .as ne Is sent for,
for which he Gave the Com's Many thanks.
AT a Meeting of the Comrs of the Indian affairs in Albany ye 15th day of Novr 1712.
PRESENT Pr Schuyler Johs Schuyler K. Vn Renselaer Hend: Hansen Rd Ingoldesby Mynd. Schuyler P. Vn Brugh.
This day a letter from his Grace My Lord Arch B. of Canter- berry dated ye 29th of May last to the Sachims of the Six Nations of Indians was deliverd to the Sachims of the Maquas Country and read unto them, the contents whereof was Interpreted by Lawee Clasen, which letter was ordered to be recorded in these Minutes on the request of the Reverend M. Thomas Barclay. [Letter not found. ]
The Reverend M' Andrews Missionary to the Mohawk Indians told the sd sachems that he is Sent by her Most Excellent Majesty the queen, and the Society for propagation ye Gospel in foreign parts at their own desire & request to her said Mayty when Some of their Sachims were in England, and propositions Since that time made to have Ministers to Instruct them in the Christian Religion, for which Reason he has left his dearest friends and relations and under Gone a very tedious & danger- ous voyage to come over to them to Instruct them in ye principals of the Christian Religion for the Good of their Souls
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Salvation, hopeing with the blessing of God to see the happy fruits of his labour, and that they will give him due protection and Incouragement in the doing of it whilst it shall please god that he should be among them.
Then Terachjoris Sachim of Canajoharie the upper Castle of the Mohawks Stood up and Sayd that he was deputed by those of that Castle to come to Albany to Receive in their name the Reverend Mr William Andrews for their Minister, who they understood is Sent (on their Request) by the Great queen of Great Britain to Instruct them in the Christian Religion for the good of their Souls Service, and Gave Mr Andrews his hand and promised for those of that Castle to give all the Protection and Incouragement unto him that shall lye in their power.
Hendrick one of the Sachims of the Maquas Country stood up and Say'd that he was very glad that ye Reverend Mr Wm Andrews was come over for their Minister to Instruct them in the Christian Religion for the Good of their Souls, and that he was deputed with those now here present by the other Sachims of that Castle to Receive him in their names for their Minister and father and promist for themselfs and those of the sd Castle to give him all the protection Incouragement and assistance possibly they can, and always be faithfull and obedient to him, and doth heartly Return thanks to her Majty the Great queen. of Great Britain that She has been pleased to Grant their Requests, and also to the honble Society for propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts and doth thank his Excellency Robert Hunter Esq' &e and Collo Nicolson for their Intercession in Getting their Request Granted the fruets whereof are now to be seen.
Hendrick sayd further that he desired in ye name of the st Sachims of the Mohawks that none of their land might be clandestinly bought from any of them for that would breed a faction and disturbance among them and would be an occasion of leaving their Country and oblidge them to go over to the Ottowawas or farr Indians where they should have no Christian Minister to Instruct them in the Christian Religion, nor that they should not be brought under that yoke as those at Canada are who are obliged to pay the tenths of all to their priests. Gave a Belt of wampum.
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Mr Andrews Reply'd that he was not come for the Incure of their land nor to lay any burdons on them but to Instruct them in the true Christian Religion and that no land Should be bought of them in a Clandestine Maner, if it Lay's in his power to prevent it, and that the honourable Society had taken care to pay him
The Reverend Thomas Barclay desired that the Comrs would be pleased to procure men Slees & horses for Conveying the Goods of the Revd Mr Andrews to the Mohawks Country and to pay the Charges thercof which they promised to do with all readyness,
The Comm Gave the following presents to the Mohawk Indians vizt 6 kegs powder 6 boxes of lead 12 Blankets 12 Shirts 2 duffel Blankets 5 pair Stockings 200 flints & 50 lb Shot
... The Indian name of the mission above mentioned is given in an affidavit of the Revd Henry Barclay, of which an extract is subjoined. The engraving at the side is from a Survey dated 23d October, 1712, and shews the Schoharie creek the Church, and the two Mohawk castles, &e.
"HENRY BARCLAY of the City of New York, Rector of Trinity Church .n said City (in Communion with the Church of England as by Law Established' of full Age being duly sworn deposeth and saith -- That he was born in Albany. That in Quality of Missionary from the Society for propagating the Gospel in foreign parts, he resided several years at Tienon- deroga among one of the Iro- quois Nations of Indians, who 2. co/HOR call themselves Ganingehuge, andare by the English called mano Mohocks. That the Deponent hath always heard and under- stood that by the Praying Indians, were meant such of the Mohawk Nation, as were Converted to the Christian Throndorogo nor mohorror chance Religion. And that while he lived among the said Mobock I mans be understood from them that they laid claim to Lands to the Northward of fort capitol ? Saraghtoge, in the County of Albany, but how far to the Northward he does not Remember to have heard from them, and that he verily believes they still make the same Claim."
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REVP MR BARCLAY & HENDE HANSEN ESQR
ATT a Meeting of the Com's of the Indian affairs in Albany the 19th of Jan'y 1713. PASSENT Kill: Van Renselaer the Comandr & Chiefe here Werd: Hansen Myndt Schuyler Johs Schuyler Pr Vn Brugh
The Com's being conviend at ye desire of Mr Barclay minister of ye Gospel & Missionary of the Society for Propagation of ye Gospel, who acquaints ye Gente that he is Inform'd that Mr hend: Hansen at ye house of Wu hogan on ye 15th Instant when ye Mayor was Sworn did take occasion to Rail against him upon occasion of a Letter writ by his Excy the Govr to ye Comrs of yo Ind: affairs wherein Mr Hansens name was mentioned for not going to ye Mohogs Country with Mr Andrews the Missionary, and that if he had any Interest with ye Indians it ought to be Imployed for her Mayes Service, that it was hoped he would Ractify that neglect, and make matters Easy and Some other matters that were unpleasant to Mr Hansen whereupon
Mr Hansen alledg'd in a publick Compe on ye sd 15th Instant that Mr Barclay was ye occasion of writing of that Letter, and that he designed to be a bishop over Mr Andrews ye Missionary that he had a mind for his salary, and that he told ye Gente he would come up with him, for what he had done to his prejudice & oyr words to that Effeet & desires that such Evidence to ye proof hereof may be heard,
Robert Livingston Junr Esqr mayor of ye City of Albany doth say that on ye sd 15th of this present Jannary he heard Mr hend. IIansen Say he woundered why Mr Barclay was so incened agst him yt he did not Look upon Mr Andrews ye Missionary to have writ agst him to ye Gorr but beleeved that what he did was by the Instigation of Mr Barclay, and that he ruled over the said Mr Andrews as a bishop, and whether it was to remove him from yt place and have ye benifitt of it for himself he knew not, and did further say that he has had to doe with greater men, then he meaning Mr Barclay and did not value him he would come up with him,
L' Collo Johs Schuyler doth say that he was in Compe se 15th Instant at Wm Hogans when ye Mayor was Sworn and he heard.
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Mr HIend: Hansen Say that he belceved that Mr Andrews ye Missionary had never writ against him to the Govr and that he beleev'd Mr Barclay Ruled over Mr Andrews as a bishop and that Mr Hansen said further he knew not why Mr Barclay was much incened against him Except it was about ye £50 but knew not farther of it.
Mr Abraham Cuyler Says that he was present the same time at Wm Hogans and he heard Mr HIend : Hansen Say he knew not what ailed M' Barclay to write agst him to ye Govr where upon Mr Mayor answered him, he beleeved it was not Mr Barclay that had write to the Govr, whereupon Mr Hansen said I know that but he beleev'd that what was writ to the Gov' agst him was by ye Instigation of M: Barclay, and Said further is Mr Barclay angry because I was desired to gett £50 : for him upon Interest to pay his debts, and that his wife must know nothing of it, & further knows not.
M HIend. Hansen being present Says that he was at Wm Hogans on ye 15th Instant when ye Mayor was Sworn, and being troubled at that Paragraph of his Exeya Letter weh Related to him, he Could not forbear mentioning ye Same to .M. Mayor, Subject of that Letter (the being discoursed of by Some of the Compe) and he told ye Mayor how that he Suspected it was by Mr Barclays means, that he happend to be thus misrepresented to his Exceller because he had heard that Mr Barelay had drop'd Some words Reflecting on him-and thereupon took occasion to Speak to Mr Mayor, whom he thought would inform Mr Barclay of his Resentment, & Said I know not why Mr Barclay is so much incened agst me Except it be for that I Endeavord upon Mr Collins desire to get 50 : upon Intrest for Mr Barclay wh his wife was to know nothing off, which I could not procure without being Security for it my Self which I declin'd, and so did not gett it, or that he must have a design agst that good Man ME Andrews ye Missionary to make him uneasy & gett a part of his Salary, for it Seems yt he would Rule over that good Man as a Bishop, it Seems as the Dutch phrase is dat hy't hondtie d' Steert soude off hacken, that is he would cutt off the Litle dogs taile, but he was not affraid of him for he had had to doe with as Great men as he was and yt he would come up with him meaning
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that when ye matter came to a fair hearing he doubted not but to Clear himself and Concluded that he did not know what aild ye man, meaning Mr Barclay, for he had done him all the kindnesse that was in his power & Shewd him all the Respect Imaginable ever Since he had been in ye Country and had used all Endeavors to perswade and Recomend ye Indians to be kind to M' Andrews the Missionary, and to bring him of the best that they hunted telling ye Indians that it was the Custome of ye Christians to doc So and to be kind to their Ministers.
M. Barclay Says he will not trouble ye Comrs any further, but give his Excellry the Goyr an Account how Mr Andrews ye Missionary was Received by Taquajenont ye only Sachim that was at home in the Maquase Country to Receive their Minister.
Mr Barclay desired a Copy of ye above proceedings, the Comte order a Copy to be deliver'd to Mr Barclay and to M' hend. Hansen Likewise if he desires it, they both promiseing not to Send it down to N York before ye ordinary post goes wh is fry day next, when ye Gent" will give his Excell y an Account thereof.
A LIST OF THE INHABITANTS AND SLAVES IN THE CITY & COUNTY OF ALBANY 1714.
The Severall places or Districts in the County where Inhabiting
Number of male persons above
Number of male persons from
sixteen to sixty years of age | Number of male persons under
Number of females above sixty
Number of females from six-
Number of females under six-
Number of male Slaves from
Number of male Slaves under
Number of female Slaves from sixteen and above
Number of female Slaves un- der sixteen
In ye first wand of ye City of Albany.
In ye Second ward.
In ye third ward .. ..
10
12
110
151
13.
107
151
7
10'
41
3G
31
In Claverak
1
52
5.1
1
3º
51
10
In ye township of Kinderhoek.
5
833
6
57
12
6
5 -1CM
7
Coxhackbie & ve north part of ye Mannor of lavingston
G
52
2
5:3
In ye preemnet of Canastagione.
1
25
2
4
1
1
In ye preemet of ye halfinoon
1
3
19
19
5
3
2
54, 0-%.
753
67G 051
155
83
51
·
3
117
4 122
101
3
5
12
4
In ye Bas & West side of ye } Mannor of Renselnerwyck
11:
112
123
5
93
83
7:1
.2.2
1.3
75
51
7
01
10
G
8
In ye townstup of Schinectady
sixty years of age.
Sixteen year.
teen to sixty
wxteen and above
sixteen
-
Totul .. 33:30.
1
1
3
11
6
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PAPERS RELATING TO ALBANY
PETITION FOR REBUILDING THIE DUTCHI CHURCHI IN ALBANY.
To Ilis Excellency ROBERT HUNTER Esqr Capt Generall and Governour in Chief of the Provinces of New York New Jersey and Territories thereon Depending in America and vice Admirall of the Same &c
The Humble Petition of Petrus van Driesen Minister of the Nether Dutch Reformed Congregation of the City and County of Albany and the Elders and Deacons of the said Congregation.
HUMBLY SHEWETIL
That the predecessors of your Excellency's humble Petition's in the year of our Lord 1655 & 1056 when this towne was Setled did with assistance of the then nether dutch Congregation build and Erect at their own proper Cost and Charge the Church belonging to the said Congregation (Standing & being in the said City) for their Christian devotion and Publick worship of Almighty god, in the Exercise of the Reformed protestant Religion, which Church is Since been Confirmed to the Mayor Alderman & Commonalty of ye Said City by Charter, under the Seale of the Province.
That the said Church being built of timber & boards is by time So much decayd that they find themselves under a necessity of building a new one in its place and your Petitioners believing your Excelleneys Continance and approbation will be very advantageous to them, in this their undertaking.
Your Exeys Petitioners do therefore most Humbly pray that your Excellency will please to approve and Encourage this pious work by signifying Such your approbation and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall Ever pray &c
I do approbe of what is desired In the petition and recommend the Same to all who are concern'd Ro: HUNTER
PETRUS VAN DRIESSEN V. D. Præco JOHANNES ROOSEBOOM
MYNDERT SCHUYLER
HENDR VAN RENSSELAER
JOHANNIS BEEKMAN
RUTGER BLEECKER
18 June 1711.
STEVANIE GROESBECK
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FIRST ENGLISH CHURCHI IN ALBANY.
To his Excellency ROBERT HUNTER Esqr Captain Generall & Governour in Chief of the Provinces of New York, New Jersey &c.
The humble peticon of Thomas Barclay Minister and Peter Mathews and James Dunbar the present Wardens of the English Church at Albany.
SHEWETHI-Vnto yor Excellency that whereas the right honor- able the Society for propagating of the gospell in forrain parts have been pleased to appoint the peticoner Thomas Barclay their missionary for the city of Albany for the benefit of the garrison and Inhabitants there to perform divin service according to the liturgy of the Church of England, they have hitherto been necessitated to make use of a small old Chappel belonging to a Lutheran congregacon at unseasonable hours as by their permission the house also [being] worn out & decayd. Yor Excellency taking it into yor pious consideracon on the 31th of May last was graciously pleased to grant to the sd peticoners a Lycence under yor hand & scal to collect and receive the charity & benevolence of all good Christians within the province towards the building of a church or chappel for divin service in the center of the broad street called Yonkers strect leading from the ffort to the waterside between the end of pearl street & the small street that leads to the Lutheran Church not exceeding sixty fect in length and fourty five foot in breadth which by yor Excelleys Encouragement and example has hitherto been won- derfully successfull. Yor Excellency having lately viewed the situation and the peticovers being advised that it will be more comodions [if ] the same be built higher up the sd street neerer to the ffort where it is much wider wher may be conveniently spared for the situation of a church & cemitery Ninety foot in length and sixty foot in breadth between the houses of Stephanus Groesbeck on the north side and the house of Abraham Cuyler on the south side not to extend further east than the east end of sd houses and thence to stretch westerly Ninety foot in the same
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breadth of sixty foot equally distant from sd houses. they therefore humbly pray
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY
To grant to the peticoners in trust to and for the use of sd minister and Wardens and their successors fore ever letters patent under the seal of the province of New York for that spot of ground and that the benevolence already given and subscribed in virtue of yor Excelleys said lycence be appropriated towards the building of the sd Church or Chappel therein the alteracon of the site or any article or clause otherwise worded in the said lycence notwithstanding under such quitrent as yor Excelley shall think fit to propose in this behalf. And the peticoners as in all duty bound shall ever pray &c
Octor 7th 1714.
21 Oct. 1714 Read & granted.
THO: BARCLAY
PETITIONS FOR THIE INCORPORATION OF THE DUTCHI CHURCH.
To the Honble PETER SCHUYLER Esqr President and the Rest of his Majesties Councill of the Province of New York and the Territories depending thereon in America. The Humble Petition of Petrus van Driesen Minister of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Congregation in the City of Albany Joannis Cuyler Joannis Roseboom Hendrick van Renselaer Willem Jacobse van Deusen present Elders for the same and Rutgert Bleecker Volkert van Veghten Myndert Roseboom and Dirk Ten Broek present Deacons of the said Church.
MOST IICMBLY SHEWETHI
That the said Minister Elders ard Deacons and other the members in Communion of the said Reformed Protestant Dutch Church have at their own charge built and erected a Church within the City of Albany and dedicated the same to the service of God, and have allso purchased Certain two Tenements and Lotts of ground for a Poor or alms house and for a Ministers dwelling house ; and sundry other small Tracts of Land within
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the said City the Rents and incomes whereof are by them (as they were allso by their Predecessors since they were Possessed of them) employed for the relief of the Poor and other Prsons and charitable uses. And the Petition's further say that they and their predecessors have for many years before this Province was under the Government of the Crown of great Brittain and . ever sinse Peaceably and quietly had and enjoyed the full and free Exereise of the Protestant Religion in the Dutch Language according to the Cannons Rules Institneons and Church Govern- ment Established by the Nationall Synod held and assembled in the City of Dort in Holland in the year 1618 and 1619.
And the Petition's humbly conceive and are advised that they and their Successors would be the better enabled to employ the Rents and incomes of the Lands and Tenements aforesaid for Pious and Charitable uses if they were incorporated as some other of the Protestant reformed Dutch Churches in this Province are
They therefore most Humbly Pray yor Honours that the Peticonrs and their Successors may be Incorporated by Letters Patent under the great seal of this Province with such or the like Priviledges and Liberties as are granted to the Minister Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the City of New York and that the said Church and the aforesaid Tenements and Lotts of ground and other the Tracts and Parcells of Land aforesaid may be Confirmed unto them and their Suc- cessors for ever under such moderat Quit rent as unto yo' Honors shall seem meet.
And yor Petitionrs as in Duty bound shall ever Pray &c-
PETRUS VAN DRIESEN VDM
New York 3d day of August 1720. Nomine Synodij.
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To the Honble PETER SCHUYLER Esq' President and the Rest of his Majesties Councill of the Province of New York and the Territories depending thereon in America.
1
The Humble Petition of Petrus van Driesen Minister of the Dutch Protestant Congregacon in the City of Albany Joannis Cuyler Joannis Roseboom Hendrik van Renselaer and Willem Jacobse van Driesen the present Elders, Rutger Bleecker Volckert van Vegten Myndert Roseboom and Dirk ten Broeck the present Deacons of the same-
MOST HUMBLY SHEWETII
That yor Petition's did lately most humbly pray yor Honors to grant unto them and their Successors Letters Patent under the Great Seal of this Province for incorporating them with such and the like Priviledges and Liberties as heretofore granted to the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the City of New York together with a Confirmation of all such Lands and Tenements as they now hold to and for the use of the said Congregacon-
But so it is may it Please yor Honors that one Mr Hendrik Hansen of the City of Albany has entred a Caveat against the passing of the said Patent under pretence that the Dutch Church erected in the City of Albany is built on some part of the ground belonging to the said M' Hansen, and altho yor Petitionrs can easily make appear that the said pretence is groundless and only made up of by the said Hansen to delay yor Petition's in the Presenting and obtaining the said Patent.
They therefore most Humbly Pray that for the Removing of all difficultyes and objections that may be raised against the passing of the said Patent a Clanse may be inserted in the Same to save the Right and Title of all manner of persons to the Lands and Tenements or any part thereof which the Petitionrs by their former petition did Humbly pray to be Confirmed unto them and their Successors.
And yor Petition.8 as in Duty bound shall ever Pray &c.
PETRUS VAN DRIESEN VDM
Nomine Sijnodeii.
New York 6th Aug 1720
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REPORT ON THE FOREGOING.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOUR
In Obedienee to your Honours order in Councill of the 6th of this jnstant Referring to us the Petition of Petrus Van Driessen Minister of the Dutch Protestant Congregation in the City of Albany ; Johannis Cuyler, Johannis Roseboom, Hendrick Van Renselaer, Willim Jacobse Van Deursen the Present Elders, Rutgert Bleaker, Volkert Van Veghten Myndert Roseboom and Dirk Ten Broek the present Deacons of the same, We have not only Maturely considered of the Same, But likewise of their former Petition to the same purpose bearing date the 3d of this jnstant and also of a Caveat against the Prayer of the Said Petitions Entred by Mr Wileman in behalf of Hendrick Hansen bearing date the 4th jnstant.
And in regard of the Said Congregation is one of the Longest Standing in this Government and that they have Ever since Enjoyed the free Exercise of their Discipline and Worship, We do Judge the prayers of the said Petitions very reasonable, and therefore are of Opinion, that yor Honour may Grant a Patent of Encorporation under the Broad seal of this Province to the said Minister Elders and Deacons and their Successors for Ever for the free use and Exercise of their said Religion and Worship according to the Cannons Rules Institutions and Church Government Established by the Nationall Synod held and assem- bled in the City of Dort in Holland in they years 1618 and 1619 and also such and the like Libertys and Priviledges as are Granted to the Ministers Elders and Deacons of the Dutch Reformed Churches in the City of New York and of the Town- ship of Kingstown respectively with such Variations and additions as may be proper and agreeable to the Present Circumstances of the said Congregation and that a Clause ought to be inserted that the Yearly Rents and jncomes of the Lands and Tenements now held by them or hereafter to be holden by them, shall not exceed the Sume of three hundred pounds Current Money of this Province pr ann.
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